The day before Tomb-Sweeping Day, I walked into the east gate of the ancient city, like a melancholy poet, full of spring worries. It's already night, and with the gloomy sky all day, the tall and magnificent gatehouse stands out under the dim canopy. It didn't take long to get to Kuixing archway, and the front and rear lights were on. This piece, that piece, high and low, twinkling, suddenly the city is like wearing a gem.
Walking north and south at the east gate are the two main streets of the city, but as long as there are buildings, some paths will be folded up. Because these buildings are almost connected together, the paths inside are also one after another, or winding, or winding, or circuitous. As soon as people step in, they seem to have entered the gossip and can't tell the direction when walking. In fact, there are also these pavilions that people are at a loss. You don't have to pay attention to them. As long as you keep walking, you will notice that the architectural styles on both sides of the street are constantly changing. Although they are all sharp ridges, suddenly there are cornices instead of flat eaves. Although they are all towering into the sky, the horse head wall appears opposite the pointed arch. The dexterity of blue bricks and tiles, the exquisiteness of carved beams and painted buildings, the solemnity of bucket arches and shadow walls, and the grandeur of flying ticket columns ... from fragrant garden paths to gorgeous cities, from traditional corridors and pavilions to Gothic halls, you can all see them here. It is said that these buildings were built through the investigation of ancient buildings, ancient streets and the remains of ancient houses, combining the eight architectural features of Huizhou, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, North China, Shaanxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Europe. So in your eyes, many buildings and pavilions seem to be independent but integrated, without any uncomfortable feeling. Besides, there are glittering roofs everywhere, and strings of lanterns are hung under the eaves.
If you are surprised again, there are many religious buildings in the city, such as Bordet base, Tianhou Palace, Wenchang Pavilion, Yuhuang Temple, Guandi Temple, Yuelao Temple and Taishan Palace, which include all kinds of immortals of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Among them, the chic and exquisite Mazu Tempel, the crowds and incense in Taishan Palace, the' wishing wall' in front of Yuelao Temple and even the heart lock are all so fascinating. In addition, mosques, Christian churches and Catholic churches are far apart, and their buildings have their own characteristics. Under the solemn and shining lights, there is an exotic atmosphere. It is conceivable that this ancient city, once given by Emperor Qianlong as "the first village in the world", reached more than 60,000 people in the early Qing Dynasty. As an important commodity distribution center, "flood and drought wharf" was a kind of prosperity in that year! How many good men and women were there? How many businessmen are coming? Another place is Ship Street. The whole street looks like a big ship. The pavilions on both sides of the street, such as the ship's rail, are arranged in an arc. The doors are all carved into boat shapes, exquisite in workmanship and lifelike, with as many as 468 ships. In the middle of the street, there is a stage called "Houle Pavilion", where a local opera called "Liuqin Opera" is often staged. It is said that when the main string of willow leaves rings, with the accompaniment, artists play a long story, which is melodious and fascinating, so the locals are also commonly known as "pulling the soul cavity". Unfortunately, I don't know why I stopped performing tonight, but I didn't have the fortune to enjoy it. I only have empty shops and booths, and there is an unspeakable mystery under the light of Huang Chengcheng.
Outside the boat street is a wide and winding canal, like a ribbon winding around half the ancient city. This is the only remaining ancient canal section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and there are still relatively complete hydraulic relics such as bank protection, dams and sluices. There are still many ancient docks along the river near the city, such as Xie Jia Wharf, Luojia Wharf and Wang Gongqiao Wharf. And the paved bluestone is still full of traces, so this section of the river has long been called the "living canal". The water in this city is drawn from canals. Walking in the city, you will find that almost every street has a wide and narrow river parallel to it. Xiaopeng River, Fuxing River, Hebei River, Guangyuan River and Yuelao River cross each other, forming a "Wang" with a large water surface, and nearly 100 water streets and water lanes extend in all directions. It is no exaggeration to say that if you don't want to walk, you can go to all corners of the city by boat through these water lanes, which reminds me of Venice, a water city. Although I haven't been there, I think it should be about the same!
With so much water, the city is naturally more moist and spiritual. Under the night sky, the lights attached to the buildings along the river are reflected. Most of the rivers are suddenly colorful, with dense water waves, upside-down pavilions, swaying verandahs, thousands of swaying railings and roofs, and rows of red lanterns winding along the river ... far and near, full of eyes. Or fantasy? More light and shadow seem to float on the water in the "king", blurred into a piece, lighter like "all over the sky" blooming, thicker like flowers, flowers, flowers; There is no need to lightly blame. If you stand on the shore and smell it carefully, you can really smell the flowers in the running water, but it is a little weak, just like the dim light coming from the other side of the river. At this time, you will feel that even drunkenness has become very quiet, very deep, and more and more unable to extricate yourself!
Stone bridge is the most common in Sanshui street. There are more than 80 bridges in this ancient city. No matter where you stand, as long as you want to go to the other side of the river and walk forward or backward for dozens of meters, a bridge will jump into your eyes. Wandering all the way, the four sides of the "Ghost King", Changshou Bridge, Changfu Bridge, Temple Bridge and Dongkefeng Bridge are almost connected across the water, much like an overpass at a crowded intersection, except that there are scattered rivers under the bridge; Yuelao River and Guangyuan River are only a short section. There are six or seven bridges, large and small, which are closely arranged, like bracelets worn on beautiful jade arms to hoop the river. These bridges are decorated with lights at night, and the bright and dark colors of bridge deck, bridge railing, bridge body and bridge arch are used properly. They stand between buildings, on the water, single-hole, double-hole, three-hole, five-hole, even square and multilateral, one by one like the "eyes" of the ancient city, inspiring all your love and feelings. The palace built with Mudu stone in Guangji Bridge shows its preciousness. The reflections of Guangyuan Bridge and Guanghui Bridge overlap in the water, just like two moons; On the Supreme Bridge, "Looking at nine bridges at a glance, five rivers meet one water"; The promenade of Buyun Bridge twists and turns, as if suspended in mid-air ... The bridges in the ancient city are all like this, and each bridge is trying to show its unique charm and charm. Really: inexhaustible exquisiteness and beauty.
Picturesque as water, from time to time there are small awning boats rocking. This wooden boat with a convertible has a red lantern hanging on every corner. Dressed in red, the slender and delicate boatwoman stood at the stern, shaking her oars and lighting up her sweet and melodious voice. A covered boat rocked the arch of the bridge under my feet. "... Ah, in my dream, I returned to the place where I was born ... I love distant villages ..." I can't remember the lyrics clearly, but the melody feels familiar. It's a little girl rocking the boat. Her voice is full of true feelings and simplicity, without any exaggeration or affectation. This song touched my heart and made my eyes moist until I watched the boat turn to another river.
The ancient city is not big. Many places have walked back and forth several times. The night is deep, there are fewer people in the upper reaches of the street and less noise, but I still want to feel the beautiful scenery and atmosphere in front of me. Standing on the high west gate building, looking at the lights of towers connecting streets and buildings with water and bridges, I don't think about yesterday and tomorrow, the city hasn't woken up and people haven't slept. I can enjoy watching the time slowly dissipate under the gorgeous lights, and it is enough to keep this short time quiet silently!