Wuyuan: The Most Beautiful Village in China

Author: Zhan Dan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Wuyuan is an ancient county in Jiangxi Province with a long history. Historically, it was under the jurisdiction of Anhui. It was one of the six counties under the ancient Huizhou prefecture. It is the hometown of the famous Southern Song Dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi and the birthplace of the "Father of Chinese Railways," Jian Tianyou. "A lifetime of absolute devotion, no dreams of Huizhou." The word "Huizhou" is being mentioned more and more frequently. Some say it is the home of traditional Chinese culture. The remote mountainous region of Wuyuan has fortunately preserved all the charm of ancient Huizhou.
Wuyuan is known for its simple folk customs and flourishing literary traditions, with numerous scenic spots and historical sites scattered throughout the county. There are perfectly preserved ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the pastoral atmosphere and scenery are like a watercolor painting that has never dried, resembling Monet's impressionist style. Everywhere is filled with scenes so beautiful they could make your film roll run out.
Wuyuan is blessed with beautiful mountains and clear waters, with pine and bamboo stretching endlessly. The ancient residential houses with upturned eaves wind through the green mountains and clear waters, either nestled among ancient trees and lush forests or reflected in the clear streams and ponds. They blend harmoniously with the terraced fields and swirling mist, creating a poetic and picturesque scene. The scenery changes with the seasons, especially in spring and autumn, when the rhododendrons and maple leaves cover the mountains like clusters of flames competing for attention. Immersed in such beauty, you can feel refreshed and reluctant to leave. Wuyuan is renowned for its majestic mountains, fertile land, abundant produce, and numerous talented people. It has long been celebrated as a "land of books," with a rich cultural heritage. The county is blessed with talent, producing generations of famous figures, such as "nine scholars in one family and four ministers in six ministries," a testament to its thriving literary traditions.
The county is crisscrossed with clear and emerald rivers, streams, and mountain gullies, complementing the strange rocks, peaks, ancient trees, tea pavilions, and arched bridges. The scenery is a blend of grandeur and delicate beauty. Famous attractions include the Dazhang Mountain and Lingyan Cave Group in the northwest, the Zhiliang and Shier Mountain in the northeast, the Fushan in the center, and the Dayoushan in the west, which have been tourist destinations since the Tang and Song dynasties. Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian, Zongze, Yue Fei, and Zhu Xi left behind many poems praising the beauty of Wuyuan. "A half-acre pond, like a mirror opened, the light of the sky and clouds together linger, asking the pond, how can it be so clear? Because it has the living water of the source." This is a poem by the famous Southern Song Dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi praising his hometown, Wuyuan. "Two rivers embrace a bright mirror, two bridges fall like rainbows," the Rainbow Bridge, a famous ancient bridge from the Song Dynasty named after a Tang Dynasty poem, is a representative of Wuyuan's arched bridges. Surrounded by verdant mountains, with clear water flowing beneath, and with pavilions and stone tables and benches on both sides of the bridge, it offers a tranquil and leisurely escape from the world.
About 30 kilometers southwest of the county seat is Wengong Mountain, where 24 ancient cedars were planted by Zhu Xi when he returned to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors (symbolizing the 24 filial virtues). These trees, now over 800 years old, still thrive. The giant ancient cedars are rare in China.
The beautiful environment of Yuanyang Lake features pairs of mandarin ducks swimming together like flowers blooming on the lake.
Wuyuan is rich in produce, including the world-famous tea "Wuyu Green," considered one of the finest green teas in China. The delicious Hetao carp is hailed as "heavenly on earth." The Longwei Inkstone (She Inkstone), which crowns the mountains, is one of China's four famous inkstones.
Wuyuan is known as the "most beautiful rural area in China." The natural landscape, combining mountains, water, bamboo, stones, trees, bridges, pavilions, gullies, beaches, rock caves, waterfalls, ferry crossings, and ancient residential houses, creates a paradise-like atmosphere, like an endless landscape painting, forming a unique and beautiful rural tourism area that gives people a sense of returning to nature and transcending the ordinary. For those weary of urban noise and those who love travel, art, and photography, a visit to Wuyuan or gathering inspiration there is undoubtedly a beautiful and wise choice.