Discovering China's Historic Landmarks Attractions in Ancient Paintings

China has many historical ancient cities that are suitable for tourism: Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. However, the popular attractions in these popular tourist cities were already depicted by ancient artists. Let's take a journey into these ancient paintings together.

 

Beijing

Tiananmen was first built in the 15th year of the Ming Dynasty's Yongle reign. At that time, it was called "Chengtian Men," which symbolized "receiving the mandate of heaven and initiating an auspicious era." The name "Tiananmen" was given by Emperor Shizu of the Qing Dynasty when he ordered its reconstruction, meaning "receiving the mandate of heaven and ensuring peace and prosperity."

As the main gate of the Beijing Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tiananmen, along with the Huabiao and stone lions beside the Jinshui bridge, has witnessed over six hundred years of historical changes. Centuries ago, there were already crowds of foreign envoys coming to pay tribute.

After visiting Tiananmen Gate, the next stop must be the Yuanmingyuan Park. The Yuanmingyuan park was built during the Kangxi era and is a royal garden that represents the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty. In the park, there are not only replicas of famous gardens from the Jiangnan region but also a fusion of Chinese and Western architecture.

Unfortunately, a devastating fire destroyed this garden, which was a masterpiece of ancient and modern gardening art, leaving only some remnants that we can see today.

Luogouqiao, which was also involved in the ravages of war, miraculously survived. Luogouqiao, built in the 29th year of the Jin Dynasty's Dading reign, was once a crucial passageway to enter and exit Beijing.

Visiting the Great Wall is an essential activity. The famous Juyong Pass, known as the "Most Majestic Pass in the World," is a must-visit. The name Juyong Pass originated from the Qin Dynasty, meaning "move and settle soldiers." It refers to the prisoners, soldiers, and laborers who were moved here during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang to construct the Great Wall.

Juyong Pass is strategically important and has always been a contested area for military forces. The vegetation coverage in this area is high, giving rise to one of the famous "Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing" - Layers of Greenery.

 

Nanjing

The famous attractions in Nanjing are the Confucius Temple and the bustling Qinhuai River, with its willows, houses, and fishermen's songs. It is truly one of the renowned "Five Scenic Spots of Jinling."

However, the sunset at the entrance of Wuyi Lane, the former residence of the Dong Jin Wang and Xie Shi Zu, is not to be missed.

For those who wish to explore the beauty of mountains and rivers, don't just limit your itinerary to Xuanwu Lake. Mo Chou Lake, formed during the Six Dynasties period, is also worth attention.

Originally named Shicheng Lake, it was renamed Mo Chou Lake after the tragic death of a woman named Mo Chou from the Lu family. She caught the attention of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty but lost her husband, eventually throwing herself into Shicheng Lake.

In memory of her, the lake was renamed Mo Chou Lake. It is known as the "Top Scenic Spot of Jinling" and should definitely be visited given the opportunity.

Qixia Mountain is a place where history and the city of Jinling intertwine. Originally called "She Shan," it was named after the Qixia Temple on the mountain during the Southern Qi Dynasty. Over the centuries, it has attracted five kings and fourteen emperors to come and visit. Emperor Qianlong, in particular, visited Qixia Mountain five times during his six southern tours in Jiangnan.

Qixia Mountain is beautiful for spring outings and offers the sight of maple trees in autumn. During the autumn, the red, yellow, and green leaves on Qixia Mountain blend together, creating a picturesque scene.

 

Suzhou

As the saying goes, "Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Suzhou and Hangzhou are the two most representative cities in the Jiangnan region.

Zhang Ji's poem "Night Mooring at Fengqiao" made the Han Shan Temple and Feng Bridge outside the city of Gusu widely known.

Su Shi's sentence "It is a regret to visit Suzhou without going to Huqiu!" made Huqiu one of the must-visit attractions for future generations in Suzhou.

In the past, to reach Huqiu, one had to take a boat to the foot of the mountain. It is said that below the cliffs of Huqiu Mountain, there is a sword pool believed to be the tomb of King Helü of the Wu Kingdom. Outside the sword pool, there is a stone called the Thousand-People Stone, named so because it can accommodate a thousand people sitting.

On the mountainside, there is a flying bridge spanning between two cliffs. The stone slabs on the bridge have two parallel well-like holes. The monks on the mountain can fetch water from the sword pool through these holes.

As you continue to climb up step by step, on the western side of the mountain road, there is the famous Hanhan Spring, which is said to have been excavated by the legendary monk Hanhan from the Tianjian Temple during the Liang Dynasty. The water from this well is still clear and pure, giving rise to the saying the spring at the bottom of the well is connected to the sea.

Moving further up, you will see the oldest large-scale brick pagoda in the Jiangnan region - Yunyan Temple Pagoda, also known as the Leaning Tower of Huqiu. This 47-meter-high octagonal seven-story brick pagoda has been standing here for over a thousand years.

It is said that "Suzhou gardens are the best in the world." When visiting Suzhou, exploring the gardens is a must. The Lingering Garden in spring, the Humble Administrator's Garden in summer, the exquisite Master of the Nets Garden and Canglang Pavilion, and the Lion Grove Garden, which is especially suitable for children.

 

Hangzhou

If you visit Hangzhou, West Lake is definitely a must-see. In spring, you can take a boat ride to enjoy the blooming flowers and the graceful willows.

During summer, you can stroll along the Broken Bridge across the Bai Causeway. In winter, you can invite a few friends to take a boat trip on the lake.

When the sun sets, be sure to listen to the evening bell at Nanping Hill and admire the Evening Glow at Leifeng Pagoda.

When the moon rises, go on a nighttime excursion to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.

 

Huangshan

Huangshan is renowned for its unique pines, peculiar rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. The extraordinary pines of Huangshan include the Welcoming Pine and the Cushion Pine, the latter named for its resemblance to a cushion used by monks and Taoists for meditation and prayer.

Huangshan is adorned with an abundance of peculiar rocks, winning hearts from various perspectives. It can be described as "Mountain peaks from a horizontal view, ridges from a side view; different heights and appearances from far and near." Take, for example, the Tiger Head Rock, named for its resemblance to a roaring tiger standing with the mountain on its back.

The sea of clouds in Huangshan is well-known, with clouds and mist drifting and rolling, resembling a sea yet not a sea. Such a beautiful landscape is like a heavenly realm on earth.

The last wonder of Huangshan is its hot springs, formerly known as Tang Springs, located at the foot of Ziyun Peak. These springs can be used for both drinking and bathing.

Although the Xihai Grand Canyon is a newly popular scenic area in Huangshan, it was already recorded by the Qing Dynasty artist Mei Qing with his brush. The Xihai Gate is surrounded by clouds and mist, appearing and disappearing, with towering cliffs, presenting a myriad of picturesque images.

The sunrise at Huangshan is unpredictable but breathtaking, and the sunset at the Xihai Gate is truly stunning. These beautiful sights were recorded by ancient people and preserved in ancient paintings.

In addition to these popular attractions, China has many other famous sights that are suitable for autumn visits. If you would like to know what these places looked like hundreds or thousands of years ago, please let me know in the comment section.