Sichuan Ancient Towns -- Humanistic China Series

Author: Lai Wu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: For us, ancient towns are like the legendary "Peach Blossom Spring." Tired of the hustle and bustle of big cities, we come to ancient towns to take a break, enjoy tea in old teahouses, savor some wine, and listen to the elders on the streets telling their stories, embracing a relaxed and leisurely "alternative life." Especially when SARS is far away from us, we should find places like the Sichuan ancient towns to seek tranquility, shed fatigue, and completely unwind. Ancient towns have their value as a complete cultural form. This cultural form not only includes what we usually call "old houses"—the traditional architectural structures that form the framework of ancient towns—but should also encompass the traditional way of life of the townspeople who have lived in these old houses for generations. Perhaps the old houses can remain standing, but as members of modern society, how can the townspeople find a balance between tradition and modernity, preserving their original customs while integrating them into the tide of modern civilization? I think that a decade ago, we didn’t know how to start compiling and publishing a pictorial album about ancient towns, but now we at least feel a sense of urgency, wanting to share something with everyone to help more people understand and appreciate ancient towns, pay attention to them, and promote their reasonable protection and utilization as a precious legacy left to us by our ancestors. This way, we can live up to our era and also honor future generations!