Because of a real estate planning project, I arrived in Weifang, Shandong Province at the end of May this year and stayed for two and a half months. I am not a literate scholar, but every time I go to a strange city, I will take the initiative to learn about the local culture first. Maybe I have a nostalgic complex.
Culture pays attention to a charm, and only when it is accumulated to a certain extent can it arouse modern people's interest in exploring comments. More and more people who like exquisite culture are no longer satisfied with only paying attention to the charm of the ancient cultural capital, but know nothing about the small-scale ancient city culture that has yet to be discovered. Shandong is a land of geomantic omen. Weifang, located between the provincial capital and the coastal metropolis, just caters to my appetite because of its unique geographical position, so I have a cultural tour of Weifang impression.
Speaking of Weifang, many foreigners think of kites, and kites have become synonymous with Weifang to some extent. The annual World Kite Fair has pushed Weifang to a world-famous position. Originally, it only opened a window, and many people were curious and looked through the window. Now their leaders have opened a window of "grand blueprint" for Weifang's development. Businessmen who can't wait have pushed through the door, and the earth-shaking wave of old city reconstruction is bound to tear down the city wall. There are not many things left in Lao Wei County, but everything is fine, but it depends on personal understanding to get a thorough understanding. I will take this opportunity to read the rest of this excellent product quickly.
Lao Wei county is a famous handicraft city in history, and also a famous commercial town. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, it was known as "Suzhou in the south and wei county in the north". During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was famous for "200 red furnaces, 3,000 coppersmith, 9,000 embroidered mothers and 100,000 looms". After hundreds of years of tempering, the things left by our ancestors have been passed down to this day, and every urban change is vivid. Wind and rain or singing and dancing witness the fragments of history, but they are intriguing and need no words.
Kuiwen Gate is the gateway of Laowei County, located at the west end of South Street. The older generation said that Wei County was only considered as a county after entering Kuiwen Gate. Historically, Weifang was surrounded by city walls, leaving many people in and out. This traditional urban structure gives residents a sense of security. Later, with the continuous development of the city, the increase of population and the political and economic changes in different periods, the old city wall gradually declined and was submerged by more and more new high-rise buildings, so that young people now have little memory of the old city wall. Fortunately, Kuiwen Gate, which has experienced vicissitudes, still stands in the center of the city through a long time and space, and has been endowed with more vivid vitality by the times, together with the broken old city wall. Flying a kite and jumping fish proves the earth-shaking changes in this city.
How thick the history of a city is, you can get a glimpse of its walls. Qin Feng and Han Yu were immersed in several dynasties. During the war of liberation, the bullets left on the wall by guns can never be filled, and history and culture can be used to remind future generations. This is an original intention of transforming the old wall into a historical and cultural wall in the planning. The city water vein Bailang River flows slowly through Kuiwen Gate.
Along the journey to the south of Bailang River and across the bustling Dongfeng Street, a restored ancient city wall connects Tongji Gate, another gateway of Weifang. As the sun sets, the afterglow of the setting sun makes Tongjimen look a little bleak. If we see the prosperity through Kuiwen Gate, Tongji Gate may let us see the loneliness behind the prosperity. The scenery is good for a while, but the beauty is fading. History is hasty and calm. I searched the ancient houses around Tongjimen, only to find that there are countless winding alleys here, and only two people can walk side by side in nine twists and turns. That kind of ancient vicissitudes of life is not lost in the stone alley of the ancient town in the south of the Yangtze River. Pushing open a house door, I heard the sigh of history in the squeak. How many generations have lived in the old house? Although it is almost dilapidated, it is difficult to hide its prosperity. One of the few two-story ancient buildings, you can vaguely see carved beams and painted buildings, flying eaves and climbing walls, talented people meeting beautiful people, and the West Chamber dreaming of the Red Chamber. Unfortunately, how many stories can't wait to be excavated and buried in the deep courtyard of the old house, saying goodbye is indescribable.
Crossing Heping Road in the west, there is a famous gateway attraction "Wanyuan" in Hujiapaifang Street, which is known as the Cultural Relics Street. It is a famous attraction that Lao Wei County cannot go to. Shishui Garden was built in the Ming Dynasty, and it is the residence of several generations of senior officials and dignitaries. It changed hands several times and was bought by Ding Shanbao, the richest man in wei county. It was converted into a private garden in the 11th year of Guangxu in Qing Dynasty (1885). This garden covers an area of only 2,000 square meters, which is equivalent to the size of ten water boards, hence the name "Ten Water Gardens". However, although the area is small, it has beautiful natural mountains and rivers. The terraces are elegant and strewn at random, and every place is just right, subtle and charming. Rockery ponds, winding bridges, pavilions, compact and not crowded, immersive. Picturesque, well-laid, with one scene and one scene, it is quite characteristic of northern architecture, and it can be called a wonderful flower in China's classical gardening art. It is said that every stone in this garden has its own allusions and legends. If you can steal it for a long time, you can have a good taste.
Stone carving, calligraphy and painting statues, collectors will always be delighted to see them. Wanyinlou, located in the south of Shikuan Garden, is named after its collection of more than 10,000 exquisite articles. Wanyin Building, the former residence of Chen Jieqi, a famous cultural figure in Weifang, has a typical architectural style in Qing Dynasty. The collection of seals, bells, ding, Zun and Yi is considerable. Together with ancient money, secret books, ceramics, steles, statues, paintings and other cultural relics, they are all gathered together. Even if you are not a collector, you can cultivate feelings and increase your knowledge.
Actually speaking of Weifang, one of the "Three Woodblock New Year Pictures in China" is Yangjiabu Woodblock New Year Pictures. Weifang Yangjiabu woodblock New Year pictures originated from the people and spread among them. As a folk New Year picture, it must conform to farmers' aesthetic psychology in modeling and composition, and pay attention to various aesthetic elements such as image, composition and color. The expression method is simple and clear, which is in line with the farmers' acceptance ability. Bold exaggeration, bold abandonment, and things symbolizing auspicious content boldly penetrate into the painting. Just like an honest and upright farmer, he speaks straight to the point, without hiding or exaggerating. I visited all the so-called "antique" shops in this city and personally went to Yangjiabu to learn about it. Finally, I deeply felt its essence in the home of a new friend, Wang Ge. I also took it, and the excitement was beyond words, and I didn't waste the hard work of the hot sun overhead.
The short cultural journey ends here, perhaps because my cultural level cannot be further explored, perhaps because the vigorous urbanization process has destroyed the original cultural features of "Laowei County", perhaps-although this cultural journey is short, I will feel nostalgic when I mention Weifang!
The short cultural journey ends here, perhaps because my cultural level cannot be further explored, perhaps because the vigorous urbanization process has destroyed the original cultural features of "Laowei County", perhaps-although this cultural journey is short, I will feel nostalgic when I mention Weifang!