Historic Town of Ba Yu

Author: Wu Tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: The "Ba Yu Culture Series" compiled by Chongqing Publishing House is one of the key books of the "Four Plus One" project organized and operated by the Propaganda Department of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China. It invites relevant experts and scholars to write chapters, aiming to systematically present the rich connotations of Ba Yu culture from a broad perspective, multi-dimensional approach, and comprehensive level. This book not only holds academic value but also helps to enhance the practical understanding of Ba Yu culture's historical evolution, regional characteristics, and cultural landscape among various groups of people. It also plays a positive role in shaping Chongqing's image as a historical and cultural city.
Ba Yu culture is long-standing, and Ba Yu history is profound and unique. Although the mists of time have dispersed, the traces of ancient inhabitants have been preserved in one town after another. As early as 5,000 years ago, the Wu Xian tribe thrived in Ningchang Town, Wuxi County, utilizing natural salt springs to produce salt. They then crossed the Qinling Mountains to the north and headed south to Wu and Chu to trade salt for profit, connecting different civilizations and creating a splendid culture.
Dachang Town in Wushan County, located in the picturesque Xiaoxiagang section of the Daning River, has been a place of diligent labor since the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Numerous historical artifacts unearthed here serve as clear evidence of the ancient inhabitants' activities. This is the historical tapestry that "Ba Yu Historical Towns" presents to us.
"Ba Yu Historical Towns" introduces the history and culture of 34 famous towns in Chongqing, spanning from the beginning of civilization to the year 1949. It comprehensively covers history, artifacts, customs, and architecture. Delving into the bricks and mortar of these towns, one can see culture so tangible and history so vivid. Like famous cities, these towns are frozen symphonies, with every detail exuding the atmosphere of a specific era and recording the footsteps of ancient inhabitants.
The old towns of Lijiang, Pingyao, the Five Sacred Mountains' temples, and the practical significance of Beijing's hutongs and siheyuan; the foreign-style buildings in Tianjin, Shanghai, and Hankou; the small bridges and flowing waters of Jiangnan; as well as the Ming and Qing dynasty villages scattered across the country—none of these are burdens for modern urban planning. Regardless of when they were created or their current state of preservation, they are historical, cultural, economic, and social witnesses, integral components of our identity, invaluable heritage to be protected, utilized, and passed on to future generations, and an irreplaceable source of inspiration for our lives today and tomorrow.
Chongqing's historical towns are resources for tourism and sightseeing, excellent teaching materials for fostering love for one's hometown and country, and unique references for modern architectural planning. Chongqing's historical towns are non-renewable historical resources, and their significance cannot be fully expressed in mere parallel structures. We must protect this resource. Perhaps this is the very reason for publishing and releasing "Ba Yu Historical Towns."