Exploring Zhenzhou Shengzhou | Chongren Ancient Town, Xinghua Village, and the Enchanting Music of Southern Yue
Zhejiang Shaoxing, Shengzhou, Chongren Ancient Town.
Located to the west of Shengzhou, it is a beautiful and quiet Jiangnan ancient town. Entering the town is like stepping through time.
Some say, Jiangnan memories, the most beautiful memory is Chongren. ‘Deep courtyard, blue-tiled roofs, tall and low old pavilions, anciently known as Xinghua Village. Silk rain, willow creeks, oil paper umbrellas, neighbor’s red clothes washing cloths, Southern Yue tunes, intoxicating and mesmerizing.’
Chongren Ancient Town was originally named ‘Xinghua Village’, and is now also called ‘Shengxi People’s Home’. During the Northern Song Dynasty’s Xining years, it was bestowed by the emperor and the righteous clan migrated from Wuzhou. The clan was known for their reverence for benevolence and righteousness, hence the name Chongren. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, many talented people emerged, with the clan alone having 4 scholars and 38 examiners who served in government positions.
The ancient town still retains a vast collection of ancient buildings, despite having stood for a thousand years, its appearance remains unchanged. With Yushan Shrine as the center, there are over 100 well-preserved old pavilions, pavilions connected by cross-street towers, both symbolizing union and independent existence, embodying the ancestors’ ‘branching households, clan reunions, gathering the whole family’ legacy.
The continuous rows of ancient buildings have a Song Dynasty legacy with Ming and Qing features. Within the groups are temples, shrines, ancient theaters, residences, archways, pharmacies, shops, bridges, ponds, wells, all complete.
Chongren folk houses reflect the Jiangnan architectural style of simplicity, elegance, and restraint, with distinctive features like the Fengshan-wutai wall, arranged in an irregular and interlaced manner. Large residences typically start from the main gate, passing through the ( hall), (living room), (main house) to the inner or back rooms, with flower halls, study rooms, bedrooms and small gardens and theaters.
The most worth visiting pavilion group in Chongren Ancient Town is ‘Five Connected Pavilions’. With Jing Cheng Shu Xiu () as the center, Dazu (), Qiaoxi (), Lao Yu (), Jing Xuan (), and Yunhe () pavilions are arranged around it, with a total area of 6600 square meters. Each building is independent, with side gates at the ground level and overhanging balconies connecting to neighboring courtyards.
Shengzhou is known as ‘Yueju Hometown’, and one of the founders of Yueju () – Ma Chao Shui – was from Chongren. Yushan Shrine has a theater, with soaring eave corners and unique shapes, with exquisite wood carvings, considered a model theater building. During the Republic of China era, Yushan Shrine Theater broke through the centuries-old ban on women performing, staging ‘Night Serenade’ starring Fu Xiang (), promoting the development of female Yueju performances. Later, Yueju artists Yuan Xuefen, Zhou Baoque, Xia Dan Gui, Zhang Yin etc. all performed here.
Entering the ancient town, stepping on the slightly bumpy stone road, you step into the old and vicissitudes, entering the yellowed texts. Chongren Ancient Town retains the purest flavor of time.
Walking through the ancient town, facing the soaring eave corners and the stone roads underfoot, these ancient and independent pavilions can be appreciated for a unique charm.
You can leisurely walk, ponder, dream, daydream, read books, and the whole world can be your own. There is beautiful scenery and simple folk customs here.
In Chongren Ancient Town, you can also taste many unique flavors, such as Chongren Stewed Duck, known as ‘the first duck in Jiangnan’. Don’t miss Chongren Roasted Tofu Buns and meat dumplings – delicious flavors that are ingrained in bones.
Chongren Ancient Town, a place for the most comfortable life.
A must-see in the beautiful land of Shaoxing, with all the beautiful ancient towns you want.
