Hengyue Divine Craft -- People Say Shanxi

Author: Huang Shufang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This series of books primarily focuses on the inner world of travelers' observations and reflections, rather than the external landscapes and skylines. In these books, readers can see the author's disciplined philosophical thoughts, a generally sound academic background, as well as the ingenuity and sensitivity in the author's writing. History and landscapes, landscapes and the indigenous people who built them, undergo a relatively complete historical and cultural evolution in each book. Readers can flow or jump through this cultural emotion, giving rise to an alternative, lingering, and continuous reflection. This alternative, lingering, and continuous reflection is both speculative and emotional; it is both exhilarating and indescribable. It is a cultural emotion that can no longer be newly created, replicated, or reconstructed, a sentiment that touches upon deeper emotions or psychological aspects when one sees historical ruins that live up to their reputation. Such as the genuine experience of ancient architecture, the novel sensations of another regional culture, and the heartfelt encounters with the residential complexes of the Ming and Qing dynasties in Shanxi—Confucian Merchants' Homes—Chang Family Manor, Trustworthiness in the Middle Hall—Qiao Family Manor, Red Six Great Mansions—Wang Family Manor, and Rural Imperial City. The amazement at the order, regulations, beauty, tranquility, and preservation of the World Cultural Heritage and Chinese Historical Cities—Northern Wei Yungang, Detailed Pingyao, and Riding to Yanmen. The immersive yet unaware experiences with Wutai Mountain Pilgrimage, Jinci Dream Seeking, and Hengshan Divine Craft. The silent yet profound of the root culture, Hongtong Ancestral Search, which leaves no trace like snow. Etc. Experiencing these above-ground cultural relics on the Shanxi plateau nourishes the soul of ancient civilizations that we have gradually forgotten, and remembers the continuity of historical and cultural landscapes. The "People Speak of Shanxi" series of books is an extremely authentic and reliable read. Its profound meaning lies in all aspects of culture, especially in the ability to interpret beauty, ancient architectural art, and traditional culture. Each book tells readers where this beautiful and instructive landscape value comes from. In reality, each book also allows for a mental journey. Hengshan, the Northern Mountain, is majestic, towering, and exquisitely rugged, historically celebrated as the "Mountain Beyond the Frontier." It has been the site of emperors, generals, and ministers, attracting countless heroes to admire it, inspiring numerous scholars to write with emotion, and serving as a retreat for many Taoist hermits. Therefore, in a sense, Hengshan is a symbol of culture. "Divine Craft" refers to the two thousand-year-old magical wooden structures—Xuan Kong Temple in Hunyuan and Ying County Wooden Pagoda. The Xuan Kong Temple is considered an "Unparalleled Wonder of the World" and a "Masterpiece on Cliff Walls." With only a dozen pillars as thick as bowls supporting the entire temple on the cliff, it leaves one in awe of the astonishing wisdom and great creativity of ancient people. The Ying County Wooden Pagoda is the only extant multi-story pure wooden structure in China today, renowned for its height, age, variety of bracket sets, ingenious use of materials, and stable structure.