Travel Notes|Glimpses of Xiasi Ancient Town

Xiasi Ancient Town in Kaili, Guizhou is a small town with a history of more than 600 years and is mostly inhabited by the Miao people.

Entering the ancient town, the first thing you see is the Xiasi Archway. This archway was built in the Qing Dynasty. It has eight pillars and three bays, with the four characters "Xiasi Ancient Town" engraved on it. It is a landmark building of the town. Looking up at the beams and beams on the front and back of the archway, there are animals, plants and historical stories that symbolize happiness and longevity. The top of the archway is engraved with vivid Taoist Eight Immortals and decorated with gorgeous and exquisite patterns. The archway at the gate of the ancient town is so carefully crafted, one can imagine the prosperity of Xiasi at that time.

Pass the archway and walk along the old street. There is a square to the northwest called "Lusheng Square". Because it is covered with bronze drum-style decorations, it is also named "Bronze Drum Square". The square is the core of the ancient town. During every festival, Xiasi people hold celebrations here. In the south of the square, there is an ancient stage with cornices and splendid decorations.

The Yuanjiang River originates from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and crosses the four provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan and Hubei. Its upper reaches is called the "Qingshui River". There are green peaks on both sides of the river, and the ancient town is located among the beautiful mountains and rivers. Because it was once the seat of local chieftains in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the name of the ancient town comes from this. More importantly, since the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, Xiasi has become an important wharf on the golden waterway by virtue of its location on the main water and land route of the ancient Miao Xinjiang Corridor. By the Republic of China, it became the largest wharf on the Qingshui River. Commercial wharf and important commercial port.

Old wooden houses are arranged in an orderly manner on both sides of the stone-paved streets. The old people like to sit in front of their wooden houses, basking in the sun, embroidering flowers, and chatting with their neighbors...

There are some old shops scattered along the high stone steps.

When you come to the ancient town, you must take a good look at the buildings here. Jiangnan courtyards, Huizhou architecture, Minnan architecture, Miao and Dong architecture and other architectural forms are integrated into one, and they learn from each other. Although they have experienced historical vicissitudes, they have basically remained intact, and their pattern and structure still reflect the historical scene of that year.

The unique Guangdong Guild Hall has carved beams and painted buildings on the outside, and is colorful.

Among so many different buildings, the most attractive ones are the residential buildings that combine Huizhou style with stilted buildings. These buildings were used by Huizhou merchants who moved their families to interact with local Miao and Dong residents. Fusion with each other, a cultural crystal built with their wisdom.

A small batik shop attracted my attention. The Miao grandmother in the shop carefully drew scarves. The batik patterns looked complicated, and the drawing process required a lot of patience. A scarf often took two days to complete. The shop is very elegant, and the clothes inside are all hand-painted and unique.

In Xiasi Ancient Town, there is also Wang Yangming Academy, which was built in the late Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years.

Here I met people wearing Hanfu and Miao costumes taking photos, and I took a few photos.

I heard that the Xiasi dog here is very powerful and has a special appearance. Its nose, eyes, and ears are all red, and its fur is white. This may have a lot to do with the geographical environment. In the past, southeastern Guizhou had high mountains and dense forests, and there were many wild animals. Many Miao compatriots have the custom of hunting and keeping dogs to guard their homes and homes. After long-term selection and breeding by the local people, they have developed their super hunting ability.

The old buildings with blue bricks and black tiles silently tell the glory of Xiasi Ancient Town amid the passage of time.

Drum Tower, I saw many tower-shaped buildings like this in Kaili. There are also layers of Drum Tower buildings in Xiasi Ancient Town, which have a very unique charm.

The ancient town gives people a comfortable and leisurely experience. While other scenic spots are crowded with people, Xiasi Ancient Town is fresh and peaceful.

PS: This time I came to Guizhou to participate in the Kaili Health Care Base Experience Tour of Longjun Home Nanchang Branch.