The Lost Salt Town – Heiwell

Author: Liu Guangping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: The ancient town of Hei Jing is located on the banks of the Longchuan River, 92 kilometers northwest of Lufeng County. It is renowned for its salt production, with well salt extraction dating back to the early Eastern Han Dynasty. Over 2,000 years, it has developed into an economically prosperous and culturally diverse ancient town, leaving behind numerous historical landmarks. Historically, there were 51 Buddhist and Taoist temples, and 4 mosques. There are 92 historical artifacts, including stone carvings, stone inscriptions, ancient buildings, and ancient tombs. Key attractions include the Hei Jing Confucian Temple, the Five Horse Bridge, the Zhenjue Zen Temple, the Ancient Salt Workshop, the Dragon Temple, the Wu Family Courtyard, the Zutian Temple, the Feilai Temple, the Juefeng Temple, the Tomb of the Martial General, the Stone Dragon Cremation Tomb Complex, the Neolithic Site, the Eighteen Paddy Fields, the Drip Spring Waterfall, and the Stone Slab Street.
Hei Jing is a deeply readable history book, often referred to as a "living fossil of Ming and Qing society" and is recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural town. Unlike the small bridges and flowing water of Lijiang Ancient Town, Hei Jing Ancient Town exudes a sense of ancient serenity and lingering emotions. The winding paths climb steep mountains, with peaks appearing to touch the sky. "Ten thousand mountains stand in opposition, one stream sends mist into the smoke." The ancient town is nestled by the river, with streets curving and twisting, lined with stone carvings, stone inscriptions, ancient buildings, and ancient tombs, all arranged in a harmonious yet orderly manner. As time quietly slips away, the uneven gravel roads and weathered stone walls bear the marks of the town's age and the passage of time. At night, the myriad lights on both banks of the Longchuan River flicker intermittently, like the twinkling stars in the Milky Way. The ceaselessly flowing river gurgles, as if telling the world of the town's glory. Being immersed in this atmosphere—the Five Horse Bridge, the Confucian Temple, the Wu Family Courtyard, the Zutian Temple, the Feilai Temple, and Hei Jing—evokes a sense of ancient longing and a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. It truly is as the poem goes:
"The beauty of the misty stream is passed down through ages,
The pioneers of expansion and conquest.
From Diancang's Fengfeng Ridge it flows,
Water gathers from Ye's land to the Longchuan.
The Five Clouds Ode holds no equal place,
The two rivers are renowned for their springs.
In this era of distant lands, many wonders appear,
No need to rely on the basket for border defense."