Muge's Unique 5A Scenic Area: Preserving Millennia of Hui Style Ancient Architecture – Living Hui Style Historical Fossils
When it comes to Muge, the first thing that comes to mind is vast fields of rapeseed flowers? Or the autumn harvest in Ancient Village? Or the magnificent and poetic Hui style ancient villages? Muge has given tourists a huge amount of beautiful imagination space, and every place you visit is like stepping into a painting – the colors are so transparent and clean, and every brushstroke outlines the buildings perfectly, making you intoxicated.
However, despite its beauty and many attractions, only one place qualifies as a 5A-level scenic spot, and that is today's focus: the millennium Hui style ancient village – Jiangwan. Located in Muge Town, Jiangwan is rich in historical and cultural heritage. Because Muge was once one of the six counties of Hui style, there are many buildings preserved here that are traditional Hui style. The perfect fusion of nature and environment, the intersection of history and modern times, has made Jiangwan one of the most outstanding ancient villages in Muge, and it has also become Muge's only 5A scenic spot.
Talking about the origin of Jiangwan Village starts with the surnames of the villagers. The Jiang clan, who reside in Jiangwan, is known as 'Xiao Jiang Clan'. Their true ancestors can be traced back to the Han Dynasty's prime minister Xiao He. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, they reached their peak as royal families, and Xiao He's descendants, Xiao Yan, established the Liang Dynasty, known as the 'Emperor Wu's Grand Duke'. Xiao Tong, Xiao Tong's descendants, were consecutive prime ministers for eight generations, namely the famous Xiao clan's 'Eight Leaf Prime Ministers'. Later generations, Xiao Zheng, when serving as the Governor of Jiangnan, due to the fear of his father being implicated, he brought his clan to hide in Jiangwan, even changing their surname to Jiang, thus creating the Jiangwan 'Xiao Jiang Clan'.
Jiangwan is very close to Muge County, and it takes about half an hour to drive. The entire village area is quite large, and the well-preserved large Hui style buildings such as the Heart-cultivating Hall, the Great Harmony Hall, the Three Provincial Halls, and the Old House of the Teng Family are all impressive. There are also interesting attractions such as the North Star Seven-Star Well, the Reconstruction and Repair of the Xiao Jiang Clan Hall, which has been rebuilt three times, and the South Gate Pavilion, where visitors often say goodbye, and the Jiang Yong Memorial Hall.
The Xiao Jiang Clan Hall is a must-see. Standing in front of the main gate, you can feel its powerful influence. Although the Xiao Jiang Clan Hall has been destroyed and rebuilt three times, the Xiao Jiang Clan Hall now retains its rich historical heritage and is known as the 'best' of the Hui style clan halls in Jiangnan. The clan hall is divided into three parts: the Hall of the Front Court, the Hall of the Offering, and the Hall of Rest. The architectural style is a typical Hui style construction technique, with white walls and black roofs, upturned eaves and sturdy columns, and exquisite carvings. The dragon and phoenix motifs are both majestic and delicate, truly a masterpiece in architecture.
After visiting the Clan Hall, we followed the 'Jiangwan' archway to the main street 'Eternal Thought Street'. The road on both sides is lined with typical Hui style buildings, but now its function is a commercial street, not the core of our visit. Following the instructions, we entered a small road, and here we truly stepped into Jiangwan Village.
Searching for hidden gems among the ordinary alleys and lanes, finding ancient buildings preserved here. The best-preserved Former Residence of the Imperial Historian; the bricks in the Old House of the Teng Family are custom-made, with 'Teng' engraved on them, but the character is now a 'small'The North Star Seven-Star Well, distributed in the village according to the distribution rules of the celestial palaces; the South Gate Pavilion is a place where visitors often say goodbye before leaving the village. The Hall of the Three Provinces, the Great Harmony Hall, the Heart-cultivating Hall, etc. the residences of Hui merchants, also tell us about the lives of the Hui merchants at that time.
Jiangwan's beauty really needs to be experienced here, and a rushed tourist trip can hardly absorb all the beauty. Walking through the village on the ancient stone pavement, watching this vibrant and bustling place, you will temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of the city, reminiscing and feeling sad in the ordinary alleys, and appreciating the charm of Hui style architecture.
Jiangwan is truly Muge's only 5A scenic spot, which makes you want to stay here, letting time flow quietly, and you and I both become a member of Jiangwan – isn't that a lucky thing?
