Dreamless of Huizhou

Author: Zhang Yan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: In the book "A Journey to Huizhou Without Dreams" from the "Cultural China Tour Series," the author takes readers on a walking tour to showcase the culturally rich ancient Huizhou (including multiple counties in modern-day Anhui Province, such as Huangshan). The book presents a vivid introduction to the humanities, customs, and local traditions of Huizhou in a combination of text and images. The five must-see reasons for visiting Huizhou: Huizhou's culture, Huizhou's architecture, Huizhou's three carvings, Huizhou's memorial arches, and Huizhou's ancestral halls. Huizhou has played a significant role in Chinese cultural history, giving birth to three cultural giants: the Confucian scholar Zhu Xi, the master of pragmatic learning Dai Zhen, and the pioneer of the New Culture Movement in China, Hu Shih. Huizhou is the birthplace of Huimo (Huizhou ink) and Shexuan inkstones; it is the origin of Hui Opera, the precursor to Peking Opera; it is the cradle of the Xin'an School of Painting and Huizhou woodblock printing; and it was a major hub of publishing during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Huizhou is known as the "Rural Athens of the Southeast." The architectural art of Huizhou reflects classical Chinese aesthetic thought and is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese residential architecture. Xidi Village and Hongcun Village have been recognized by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage Sites.