"Wanfenglin Three-Day Tour" South Gate is near the water

In ancient times, the Zhongnan Gate was just a gate of Tongren Old City. Now, after changes, she has become synonymous with Tongren Ancient Town. The south gate is not far from the city center, with Dongshan Mountain at its back and Jinjiang River in front. The meandering river flowed beneath her feet. The ancient city protects the water, and the water reflects the ancient city. Xiushui Ancient City, a harmonious blend of water and milk, has spent the spring and autumn in the cycle of time.

On the last weekend of May, I finally walked into the Zhongnan Gate. I have worked and lived in this city for more than four years and passed by Nanzhong Gate countless times, but I always passed by it. Perhaps it was the colorful city that covered up the simplicity and antiquity of this ancient city, or perhaps it was the turmoil of the world that blocked me from staying in the first place. The quaint ancient city walls, the faintly discernible carved dragons, the well-preserved Xu Qiang, Guo Qiang, Yang Qiang and other city walls, as well as the Chenjia Alley, Wanjia Alley, Feishan Temple and other architectural complexes are breathtaking. These ancient buildings have shops facing the street and deep houses and courtyards. They either stand against the mountains or along the river. They are lined with gray tiles and blue bricks. They form a system of their own and complement each other. Every wall and every brick is burning with the development trajectory and rise and fall of the city.

When I stepped onto those bare bluestone slabs and my figure was buried in a quiet and long alley, I felt as if I had traveled from a modern city to an ancient town. The long-lost relaxation and tranquility made me feel much better physically and mentally. Here, you can’t hear the roar of machines, see the exhaust smoke, or feel the embarrassment and oppression of reinforced concrete. The ancient pavilions and antique counter furniture give people a long-lost sense of intimacy and will definitely arouse your nostalgia. From time to time, the fragrance of unknown flowers comes from deep alleys or behind high walls, which is refreshing and intoxicating.

It is hard to imagine that Zhongnanmen Ancient City, with a history of more than 300 years, lives alone in a corner of the noisy and rapidly developing modern city, adhering to a different kind of loneliness and authenticity. Although it has been ravaged and eroded by war, wind and rain, it still stands proudly and is as precious as an antique in an antique shop. In the city, high-rise buildings occupy every corner like lush branches and leaves, but the calm Zhongnan Gate exists stubbornly in a simple, elegant, simple and solemn way, waiting for the morning bell in Dongshan Temple, Overlooking Jinjiang River.

The South Central Gate at night has a unique beauty. Although it does not have the colorful neon lights of the city, those exquisite and unique antique palace lanterns and strings of small red lanterns are particularly eye-catching, contrasting with the fishing fires on Jinjiang River. They were quiet and aloof. For example, a kind old man sits there, watching the changes in the world, leaving an eternal home behind him.

Walking on the stone streets that have become smoother and more uneven after years of washing, you can no longer see the prosperity and prosperity that the South Gate and the Middle Gate once had. But she did not die in gradual decline, but used her tenacious life to win the recognition and protection of the world. Now, she has become a tourist attraction in Tongren City, and many people come here to experience the different customs here. In the ancient city lane, you can sit in a sedan chair and ride a donkey, taste ancient city delicacies, participate in public cases of the Ming Dynasty government, and watch performances such as Nuo opera theater, Shangdaoshan stunts, and Ming Dynasty singing and dancing. Each cultural program focusing on the history of the Ming and Qing Dynasties will surely feast your eyes. On both sides of Jinjiang River, you can visit the dreamy Jinjiang River at night, experience boating, roaring Jinjiang River, etc. And you will be impressed by different experiences again and again. At Nanzhongmen, you can experience the pleasure of being far away from the city. Everything here will definitely remind you of things that have drifted away and create endless reveries about your future life. (Liu Daoxue)

Editor: Kuang Qiran