Confucian Business Family - Changzhuang Garden

Author: Xie Yan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This series primarily focuses on the inner world of travelers' observations and reflections, rather than the external landscapes and skylines. In these books, readers can see the author's disciplined philosophical thoughts, a generally solid academic background, as well as the craftsmanship and keen insight evident in the writing. History and landscapes, landscapes and the indigenous people who built them, undergo a relatively complete historical and cultural evolution in each book. Readers can immerse themselves in this cultural emotion, either flowing with it or jumping between its rhythms, giving rise to an alternative, lingering sense of reflection. This alternative, lingering sense is both speculative and emotional; it is both exhilarating and indescribable. It is a cultural emotion that can no longer be newly created, replicated, or reconstructed—a sentiment that touches upon deeper emotional or psychological aspects when one desires to see historically authentic sites. Such as the understanding of ancient architecture, the novel experience of another regional culture, the genuine immersion in the courtyard residences of Shanxi's Ming and Qing dynasties—"Confucian Merchant Family—Chang Family Courtyard," "Trustworthiness in the Middle Hall—Qiao Family Courtyard," "Red Six Great Houses—Wang Family Courtyard," and "Rural Imperial City"—the awe-inspiring order, regulations, beauty, and tranquility of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Chinese historical cities like "Northern Wei Yungang," "Detailed Pingyao," and "Riding Through Yanmen Pass"—the intoxication of "Wutai Mountain Ablution," "Jinci Dream Seeking," and "Hengshan Divine Craft" without conscious realization; the silent yet profound of the root culture, "Hongtong Ancestral Search," akin to the invisible impact of untouched snow, and so on. Experiencing these above-ground cultural relics of the Shanxi Plateau nourishes the soul of an ancient civilization long forgotten, preserving the image of historical and cultural continuity. The "People Speak of Shanxi" series is an exceptionally authentic and reliable read. Its profound meaning lies in all aspects of culture, particularly in the ability to interpret beauty, ancient architectural art, and traditional culture. Each book informs readers of the origins of these beautiful and instructive landscape values. In reality, each book also offers the possibility of mental travel. How did the "Ten Thousand Li Tea House" between China and Russia come into being? Is the reputation of the "Foreign Trade Family" truly deserved? What talents were nurtured by the family motto "Those Who Excel Academically Also Excel in Commerce"? What is the artistic value of the estates where Jiangnan gardens and northern frontier fortresses coexist? Chang family descendants attempt to trace the lives of their ancestors from incomplete historical records, but often find themselves unable to enter the scene, forcing them to rely on the traces of history—the castle-like buildings standing in the countryside—to revive and reinforce the memory of the Chang family's way of life. Buildings are objective, universal, direct historical existences. They not only faithfully record the vicissitudes and hardships of their time but also convey rich humanistic information. The people are gone, but the estates remain.