Shanghai Fengjing Ancient Town
Fengjing Town, with a history of more than 1500 years, is one of the well-preserved ancient towns in water region of Shanghai. It is well-known as “pass two bridges within a few steps, and a chance glimpse catches ten rivulets” for its surrounding water network and numerous rivulets inside. It is also known as “Town of Loturs” for the town is surrounded with thick trees and buildings with gurgling water and elegant lotus here and there.
As the typical water town freely with riverway, it ever had 52 bridges and until now a dozed are existent. The oldest is Zhihe Bridge with a history of 700 years. It is simple and solid with lichen growing in its stone seams. Both of its ends are stone stairs and piers. Over the bridge, you will a get a bird’s eye view of thick plants, ancient houses and ports on both banks with Rainbow Bridge before and stone bridge behind. Every morning, it is noisy along the grey brick and stone paved streets as well as a series of stone bridges. The tea shops are open to business with tea aroma drifting about; fishers row by buildings and stone piers to reach the covered corridors bythe river to form a fish market. All these are well reflected in the folk song “fresh-water snails are tasty in January, clams are delicious in February, turtle is the most sturdy in March…”
Covering an area of 48750 square meters, most buildings in the ancient town area are of a distinct Ming-Dynasty or Qing-Dynasty style, which features white-washed walls and black-tile-covered roofs, and are mainly two-storey structures of brick and wood. Most of the buildings hang the Chinese Lanterns highly. The combination of red, grey and white emits quiet and harmonious.Fengjing Town is also known as the cradle of famous Jinshan farmer’s paintings. Its natural boorish attracts people’s eyes and have been sold across the world. Over 30 farmer painters have won prizes in art exhibitions both at home and abroad.
Location: Fengjing Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai City
