Let's delve into Pingyao

Author: Su Hua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This series of books primarily focuses on the inner world of travelers' observations and experiences, rather than the external landscapes and skylines. In these books, readers can see the author's conventional philosophical reflections, a relatively solid academic background in history, as well as the ingenuity and sensitivity evident in the author's 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 moments, giving rise to alternative, lingering reflections. This alternative, lingering reflection 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, such as the understanding of ancient architecture, the novel experience of another regional culture, and the authentic immersion in the residential courtyards of Shanxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as "Confucian Merchant Family—Chang Family Courtyard," "Trustworthiness in the Middle Hall—Qiao Family Courtyard," "Red Six Great Courtyard—Wang Family Courtyard," and "Rural Imperial City." It is also the awe-inspiring order, regulations, beauty, and tranquility preserved in world cultural heritage sites and historical cities like "Northern Wei Yungang," "A Detailed Explanation of Pingyao," and "Riding Through Yanmenguan." It is the enchantment of "Wutai Mountain Pilgrimage," "Jinci Dream Search," and "Hengshan Divine Craft," where one becomes lost in the experience without realizing it. It is the silent, snow-like emotion evoked by the root culture, "Hongtong Ancestral Roots," which is truly a world intangible cultural heritage. Experiencing these above-ground cultural relics on the Shanxi Plateau nourishes the soul of an ancient civilization that has long been forgotten, preserving the image of historical and cultural continuity. The "People Speak of Shanxi" series is an extremely authentic and reliable read. Its deeper meaning lies in various 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 allows for mental exploration. The ancient city walls, Confucian temples, county offices, city gods' temples, Qingxu temples, martial temples, city towers, and various museums centered around exchange banks, residential courtyards, and the Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple, and Cixiang Temple outside the ancient city—all are Pingyao's most distinctive architecture and culture. Due to historical factors, many buildings have lost their former splendor and beauty, no longer retaining their ancient charm. However, Pingyao remains one of the most intact ancient cities. It is a microcosm of the Ming and Qing dynasties, though the once picturesque ancient city also possesses its unique charm. In Pingyao Ancient City, one feels the ancient city walls, streets, and alleys, the golden age of the city towers, the financial myth created by the Pingyao merchant guild, the worship at cultural relic temples, the scale of residential courtyards and county governance, and the mouth-watering Pingyao beef.