Recreating Qing Dynasty Private School Scenes: This Lingnan Cultural Town is Guangzhou's Only National-Level Historical Town
China is vast in territory and rich in resources, with countless ancient towns left by its five thousand years of culture. Among the 25 provinces and 312 ancient towns across the country, Sha Wanshan Ancient Town in Guangzhou occupies a place due to its thick and genuine Lingnan culture.
Sha Wanshan Ancient Town was built during the Song Dynasty, with a history of over 800 years. The folk culture and historical culture have brewed a unique Lingnan culture, earning multiple honors. The town also has many attractions worth visiting, such as Liu Gen Lang (Left-Growing Hall), Qing Shui Jing (Clear Water Well), and Nongong Shenghuo Guan (Farm Life Hall). The town's library also has its own distinctive features.
The town library is located next to Wenfeng Tower, built in the mid-middle of the Qing Dynasty, restoring the 'Bu Bu Zhai' culture of that time. Typical Sha Wanshan's traditional 'three rooms and two corridors' architectural style, antique and elegant, full of vicissitudes.
The library is free and open to the public, mainly teaching Mongol knowledge and Confucian ideas. The wall on the left introduces the culture of the imperial examinations, and the wall on the right introduces the knowledge of the writing ceremony. The pictures and texts are rich, including a lot of knowledge, especially the 'writing ceremony' looks very solemn. There are also some traditional Cantonese nursery rhymes, quite interesting.
Further ahead is the scene of a private school in the late Qing Dynasty, with images of Confucius and writing tools such as brushes, ink, paper, and old wooden desks. The library also recreates the gentleman's residence, very simple, but quite solemn. The stone door is narrow, and the courtyard is very small. Although there is no loud sound of reading, you can still imagine the scene of people studying at that time.
The library originally belonged to a Ming Dynasty jinshi (merit holder) from Sha Wanshan, used for exchanging ideas and discussing heaven and earth with friends. Later, it was transformed into its current appearance. In the feudal society, the imperial examination was a very important thing. From today's perspective, it may not be able to be fully recognized, but Sha Wanshan Ancient Town valued education and this tradition is shown. The ancient town's educational history is also presented, called the ancient town's educational exemplar.
Sha Wanshan Ancient Town has abundant material and intangible cultural heritage. As Guangzhou's only national-level historical and cultural town, it is blessed with outstanding people, a blessed land, and a sacred aura, representing a classic example of Lingnan culture in the Pearl River Delta. And the town library, as the town's cultural center, also plays a very important role.
It has to be said that the environment here is quiet and comfortable, which is very suitable for reading. If you are preparing for an exam, you can go to nearby Jinbang Title Board (Golden Title Board) and Mingju Jing (Smart Well) to pray for good luck and absorb some good luck.
