#pujiang

2002 China, Shanghaï, The Bund, Pujiang Hotel (ex. Astor House Hotel)

Trip to Pujiang: Part  2 - The First Family of Jiangnan 江南第一家  We felt more than welcome as we toured through the humongous estate of a ginormous family known as the First Family of Jiangnang, a name given to a family of many generations by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. This family had 173 career officials, and they were no ordinary family for they lived their lives under certain rules and regulations that governed every aspect of their lives - these rules were detailed instructions on how things were to be in any situation, whether it be weddings or funerals, social gatherings or family disputes, interpersonal relationships or respect. Along the Ancestral Hall we found ten Chinese characters, these were placed there to serve as reminders of their virtues: faith, family, farming, fraternity, honesty, justice, loyalty, propriety, reading, and shame. Even though the halls were only occupied by us, present day tourists, we recalled the voices of discipline echoing through the ancient walls. The First Family of Jiangnan is nothing less than majestic. It was truly a spectacular feeling being able to tour the homes of such important people. 

In the garden of the poem | by zgcxb

In the garden of the poem by zgcxb

Trip to Pujiang: Part 1 - Songxi Ancient Village 嵩溪古村落采风 This ancient village holds more than 1000 years of history. Named after the Songxi Creek, Songxi village is built upon bridges constructed over two creeks, Qianxi and Houxi, that run across the village and join together at the entrance of the village to flow into the Puyang River. This unique architecture makes Songxi Ancient Village a must visit when travelling through Asia. The idea of building houses over bridges is already mind-blowing enough, but the complexity doesn’t end there. Songxi Village is wrapped around by mountains, this gave us even more to look at - water below and and mountains above. This ancient village was built according to changes of terrain, which we easily observed through the various appearances of the buildings and their walls, doorways and windows. Inside the old homes, we found many remnants of its time - carvings, paintings, sculptures just to name a few. The theatrical stage and audience hall where they once engaged in public entertainment are still in tact up until this day, as well as some very exquisite and elegant furnishing and decorations that we were very tempted to take back home with us. Songxi Ancient Village was home to many famous scholars since the Qing Dynasty; it produced some of the finest experts, scholars, teachers, professors, painters, poets, and calligraphers of its time. These were some truly intelligent people, but aside from studying, these villagers also engaged in firing and selling lime as fertilizer and for construction. We felt so much honor being able to visit the homes of these very important people. Songxi Ancient Village, once called the “Little Hangzhou”, is packed with beauty and intricacy in it’s buildings and landscape, with profound culture and traditions ready to be explored. Visiting the history of this ancient village was an excellent way to kick off our Pujiang trip!

#pujiang city (at Zhejiang)