Taishun

Author: Liu Jie / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Tianshu, located deep in the mountains, is not renowned for its culture but rather for its poverty. During my sophomore year of high school, to escape Tianshu's "big knife bandits," our school had to move from Nantian Town, the hometown of Liu Bowen, to Shuinan Village in Qingyuan County. However, Liu Jie's manuscript tells us that ancient Tianshu farmers, like those elsewhere, were hardworking, honest, clever, and pursued beauty in life. Over the centuries, they created architectural works that are extremely precious cultural treasures of our nation. The regular renewal of culture is no less important than gold mines. Gold mines are gifts from heaven, while cultural renewal is the crystallization of the wisdom, resilience, and innovative spirit of generations. It not only enriches us but also fills us with confidence and deepens our love for our homeland. Rural architecture is the stage for rural life. A thorough understanding of rural architecture also means understanding a significant part of rural life. Therefore, a study of rural architecture is also a study of rural life—it is the life history of the vast majority of our nation's people. Its significance and value extend far beyond the scope of architectural interest. Liu Jie's manuscript is just such a work. In 2000, another autumn season arrived, and for the third time, I visited Xiwengxing Village. This time, my backpack was filled with the final draft of Tianshu. Still sitting on the large millstone under the persimmon tree, I happily finished reading it. As the cowbell grew closer, the setting sun once again illuminated the red and yellow leaves and flowers across the mountains, and I wrote down a few words. Liu Jie called them the "preface," so let it be called the preface.
Liu Jie was born in 1970 and is from Chongqing. He graduated from the Architecture Department of Southwest Jiaotong University in 1993 and joined the Guangzhou She Junnan Architectural Design Institute after graduation. In 1998, he obtained a master's degree in architecture from Tongji University in Shanghai. He is currently a lecturer in the Architecture Department of the School of Civil Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Since 1995, he has engaged in theoretical learning and research on traditional Chinese architecture and classical gardens, publishing over twenty papers in this field. He also serves as a special editor for Architectural Technology and Design and has conducted interviews with many renowned architects in China.
Li Yuxiang was born on August 16, 1962, in Nanjing, Jiangsu. He graduated from the Journalism Department of Wuhan University and holds an MA in ceremonial art. He is a member of the China Photographers Association and currently works at the Shenghuo·Dushu·Xinzhi Sanlian Bookstore. He has published works such as the Old Houses series of illustrated books. His works have been exhibited and published both domestically and internationally.
Jingtai Shouqing: Locals say that Jingning, Tianshu, and Shouning counties in Zhejiang, along with Qingyuan County established during the Hongwu era, were created to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Jingta of the Ming Dynasty, hence the name "Jingtai Shouqing." While folk legends may not be entirely believable, the geographical proximity of the four counties, especially the fact that Jingning, Tianshu, and Shouning were separated in the fifth, third, and sixth years of the Jingta era, respectively, is a fascinating coincidence in Chinese historical geography.
Tianshu is located in southern Zhejiang, between 27°17′ to 27°48′ north latitude and 119°37′ to 120°14′ east longitude. The northern part of the county is an extension of the Donggong Mountains, while the southeastern part is part of the Nanьян Mountains. The Donggong Mountains run in a northwest-southeast direction into the county, while the branches of the Nanьян Mountains extend from the northeastern border to the southwest, intersecting to form a hilly and mountainous landscape with towering peaks and deep valleys, known as the "Roof of Southern Zhejiang." Due to this terrain, land transportation is extremely inconvenient and considered a treacherous route.
There are over a hundred rivers in Tianshu, crisscrossing the county and dotted with numerous streams. They belong to four major river systems: Feiyun River, Jiaoxi River, Shacheng Port, and Aojiang River. Influenced by geological tectonic movements and terrain, the rivers and gullies are narrow, with steep beds, large drops, short sources, and rapid currents. Waterfalls and rapids are common, making water transport difficult. Only a section of the Feiyun River in its middle reaches, from Baizhang to Yinzhuikeng, is navigable by rafts. Places named after "Baizhang" are numerous in the county, such as Baizhang Town in the north and Baizhang Shen in Liu Zhai Village of Sankui Town, both famous for their waterfalls.
Baizhang Town is located upstream of the Feiyun River. In the early Song Dynasty, people counted ninety-nine rapids from Pingyangkeng in Rui'an to this point, collectively known as "Baizhang." It is also called "Baizhang Kou," the only water transport route in Tianshu. The dragon pool at the base of the Baizhang Waterfall covers an area of about one thousand square meters, with water too deep to measure. To the east of the waterfall, bare rock formations stand tall, piercing the sky. The waterfall is 30 meters high and 10 meters wide, with a powerful flow like a river bursting from the heavens and a thunderous roar, creating a spectacular sight.
During the Ming Dynasty, a Tianshu native named Liu Ma wrote A Second Visit to the Baizhang Waterfall:
"With friends, we observe the flying waterfall at Baizhang,
A natural wonder, not formed by chance.
Waves roll like the Milky Way beyond a thousand valleys,
Ripples splash over cliffs at the peaks of ten thousand mountains.
Summer clouds sprinkle snow across the sky,
Winter thunder crashes into underground springs.
They say Nantian's landscape is beautiful,
A blessed land, renowned since ancient times."
Tianshu has a subtropical marine monsoon climate with distinct seasons, moderate temperatures, and abundant rainfall. High mountains are shrouded in mist, while hills are warm and humid. Tianshu has short daylight hours and frequent fog, making it suitable for growing tea and medicinal herbs. Its misty tea is famous far and wide. The mountain city of Luoyang (the county seat) has mild summers and mild winters, earning it the reputation of the "Spring City of Southern Zhejiang."