Shengshui lotus fragrance, everlasting fragrance
An ancient town with a history of over 2500 years!
In ancient times, it was a famous dry dock in the north,
Known as the ‘Little Tianjin Guard’,
Nowadays, tickets are free, but few people go sightseeing.
Shengfang Ancient Town
There are Suzhou and Hangzhou in the south, and Shengfang in the north
Ancient architecture, exquisite wood carvings, murmuring water
The architectural style here combines the grandeur and magnificence of northern architecture with the elegance and refinement of Jiangnan architecture.
Wenchang Pavilion: an iconic building of the ancient town, one of the “Three Treasures” of Shengfang, also known as the “Kuixing Tower”, located in the southern part of the town. The pavilion is a three story attic building in a square shape, with the main building reaching a height of three zhang and three feet, symbolizing a thirty-three story sky. The courtyard is spacious, surrounded by walls, and there is a pond in front of the main entrance, forming a landscape of lotus and reeds.
Ascending the Wenchang Pavilion, gazing at the vast expanse of green waters of the eastern lake, where fishermen are boating; The ancient town is surrounded by water and houses are in scale; The sun sets in the west, smoke wafts from the kitchen, and the fragrance of water and lotus fills the air, offering a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery.
Da Bei Chan Temple: commonly known as “Beida Temple”, Da Bei Chan Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Shengfang Ancient Town. There is a free parking lot at the entrance, and the temple does not require admission tickets. The buildings are exquisitely constructed and well maintained.
The green area in the temple is also very large, with strong incense, especially in the God of Wealth Hall and the Medicine King Hall. There are hundreds of Arhat statues in Arhat Hall, which is very spectacular.
Ancient Town Street: The streets of Shengfang Ancient Town have not been fully developed, retaining the authentic lifestyle. There are shops selling hats, clothes, as well as restaurants, pharmacies, etc. on the streets, which are very lively.
Wang Family Courtyard: Wang Family Courtyard is a Qing Dynasty residence located in Shengfang Ancient Town. It currently has an entrance gate, a Qing Dynasty style courtyard in the northwest corner, and a European style courtyard in the northeast corner. Once the residence of local wealthy businessmen, it has now become a window for tourists to learn about the history and culture of the ancient town.
Shengfang Museum: Located on Zhongshan Street in the ancient town, Shengfang Museum was originally the Sino Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace. The museum showcases the history, customs, and celebrities of Shengfang, making it a great place to learn about the culture of Shengfang Ancient Town.
Shengfang Ancient Town also has many traditional cultural and folk activities, as well as intangible cultural heritage such as handicrafts, cuisine, and opera. Walking in the ancient town, you can see many craftsmen carefully making various exquisite handicrafts.
However, despite the abundant tourism resources and profound cultural heritage of Shengfang Ancient Town, its popularity is relatively low. Due to insufficient publicity, this beautiful millennium old town is rarely visited.
I hope the local government and tourism department can increase their publicity efforts, enhance the visibility of Shengfang Ancient Town through cultural festivals, shooting promotional videos, and promoting tourism, strengthen the construction of tourism facilities, and improve service quality.
Shengfang Ancient Town boasts both the grandeur and magnificence of northern architecture, as well as the exquisite charm of a water town in the south of the Yangtze River; Shengfang Ancient Town has a long history and culture, as well as rich folk customs. Although it is currently unknown to the public, I believe that with the passage of time and the increase of publicity efforts, Shengfang Ancient Town will become a tourist destination in the minds of more and more people.