Xinjiang

Author: Ren Xishan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Protecting and developing urban historical and cultural heritage is a significant issue of concern worldwide today. China stands tall in the world with its brilliant and unique history, and historical and cultural cities are invaluable treasures of the Chinese nation. Since 1982, the government has successively designated several batches of nationally protected historical and cultural cities. Protecting historical and cultural heritage is not just about historical and cultural cities; every city has its own history and culture. A city without its own culture and civilization cannot be considered a modern city. Therefore, all cities, especially historical and cultural cities, should strive to develop cultural, economic, and tourism industries that align with their unique characteristics in the process of protection, in order to carry forward the legacy and maintain eternal vitality. The "China's Historical and Cultural Cities" series albums, organized and edited by the National Historical and Cultural City Research Center, will undoubtedly play a beneficial role in better promoting, protecting, and developing these cities.
Xinjiang is a national historical and cultural city, a county advanced in culture nationwide, and a hometown of folk arts. The county covers a total area of 593.4 square kilometers and has a population of 320,000. Xinjiang was historically known as Jiongzhou. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was renowned alongside Taiyuan and Linfen, collectively known as the "Three Cities of Jin State." It has long been the political center, industrial hub, transportation hub, and commercial metropolis of southern Shanxi, truly a cultural gem of the three Jin regions. Locals call the ancient city "Woliu Cheng" (Sleeping Ox City). The () in the city resembles the spine of an ox, with many small lanes on both sides serving as the ribs (known as ). The southern gate resembles the mouth of the ox, and the Longxing Pagoda at the northern end of the street is its tail. The two eastern and western Tianchi (heavenly ponds) are its eyes, the two small towers on the eastern and western city walls are its horns, and the Fen River ferry bridge at the southern gate is its tongue.
Xinjiang's urban layout differs from other cities, exhibiting distinct individual characteristics. The entire layout is entirely different from the conventional square city with a symmetrical central axis. Instead of rigidly adhering to a grid pattern, the streets, buildings, towers, temples, shrines, and pavilions are arranged organically, interwoven in a natural and harmonious manner, forming a landscape reminiscent of traditional Chinese painting. This unique layout dates back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty. The long history has left Xinjiang with abundant cultural heritage. The county has discovered 155 cultural relics and historical sites at or above the county level, including 8 national protected cultural relics and 8 provincial protected cultural relics. Notable among them are the Longxing Temple, where Emperor Taizu of Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, once resided; the Jiongshou Juchi (Jiongzhou Prefecture Garden), the only surviving state prefecture garden from the Sui Dynasty in China; the Jiongzhou Cathedral, one of the four Gothic churches in China; the largest Jiongzhou Confucius Temple in North China; the Ji Yi Temple, a national-level mural art treasure; the Fusheng Temple, a palace with exquisite sculptures; and the rare triple-tiered Drum, Bell, and Music Pavilions.