Zhenyuan

CCTV.COM (07.25 2003 16:43)

    The layout of Zhenyuan, an ancient military town follows the yinyang fish pattern, an extremely auspicious design in Chinese Fengshui. Through it runs the Wuyang River, carrying passengers and goods from the rest of China. The town sits among rugged mountains and started out life hundreds of years ago as a military outpost. Thanks to the river, the old city enjoyed tremendous commercial success and, even today, you can still find more than a dozen old stone docks here.

    Business was so good in Zhenyuan that it has a temple dedicated to Machu, Goddess of the Sea. Guizhou is a landlocked province but traders from the coastal regions brought their beliefs with them. They prayed here for commercial success and safe passage on their business journeys.

    The most extraordinary building in the town is the Qinglongdong temple, which translates to 'the Cave of the Black Dragon.' It's a complex of some forty structures built half way up a hill. But what really sets it apart is that it embraces Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian doctrines all at once.

    Keep wandering around the town and you might come across an ancient stone well - there are four left in Zhenyuan.

    A number of well-preserved courtyard houses in Zhenyuan are also worth looking out for. The best known one belongs to the Fu family. The current owner is Fu Shunde, a man whose generosity of spirit means he's happy to show you around and explain things for free. Two hundred years ago, the Fus were among the richest business families in the city. The courtyard house and the valuable furniture are just a tiny fraction of family fortune that once was.

    The old furniture is inscribed with good wishes and hopes, such as longevity, promotion up the official ladder or good fortune in business.

Editor:Han Ling