Sijing Ancient Town
Xiatang Village was formed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. The residential shops are all built along the river. From west to east, the riverside street is formed along the north bank of Qiangtang River. Sleeping by the river, families all built water bridges and had their own boats which were docked on the water and under the water bridge. Nowadays, most of the ancient town is concentrated in the lower pond of Qiantang River and the south bank of Zhongshiqiao, which basically preserves the river street pattern and some traditional buildings of the traditional water town market. In the ancient village, there existed attractions such as Anfang Tower, Ma Xiangbo’s former residence, and Shi Liangcai’s former residence.
Today's residential areas are concentrated in Xiatang Street in Qiangtang and in the south bank of Zhongshi Bridge, which basically preserve the river street pattern and some traditional buildings in the traditional water town market.
Fulian Bridge (commonly known as Zhongshi Bridge), located in the middle of the town and across the Qiangtang River. Built in the Ming Wanli years, it has gone through many constructions while the most recent comprehensive renovation was completed in 1986.
Futianjing Temple: located in the middle of the old street. Formerly known as Yan Jiaxuan, it was built in the forty-three years of Qing Emperor Qianlong (AD 1787) and belonged to a pure Buddhist cultural landscape. In 1994, it was renamed as the Futianjing Temple with the approval of the relevant departments and officially opened to the public.
Former residence of Shi Liangcai: built in the early 20th century. It is a two-story building with a stylistic combination of Chinese and Western architecture. Shi Liangcai (1880—1934), born in Jiangsu Province and as a native of Jiangning, is a famous patriotic progressive person. He is also an outstanding journalist and newspaper giant in China.
Anfang Tower: located in the right side of the entrance to the archway, it is built in a small garden by the riverside. The tower is 35.18 meters high and has a diameter of 12.45 meters. Each side is 5.42-meter long and is a seven-story octagonal pavilion. Since the original tower has been destroyed, the tower is a reconstructed one.
Ma Xiangbo's former residence: is a self-contained, private house constructed in the Jiangnan style, giving people a sense of delicacy, simplicity and elegance. On both sides of the hall, there are sculptures and related pictures which chronicle Ma Xiangbo's life experience and outstanding contributions, vividly showing Ma Xiangbo's ordinary and remarkable life. Ma Xiangbo was originally born in Jiang Danyang. (1840-1939) He started his academic life at the age of 5 and went to Shanghai at the age of 12 when he studied at the Ignatius School (ie Xuhui Middle School) and Xujiahui Theological Seminary, where he received a doctorate in theology with excellent performance. He can speak six languages and studies Chinese and Western cultures. He is a leading figure in the field of modern Chinese education.
Text source: en.shisu.edu.cn
Xiatang Village was formed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. The residential shops are all built along the river. From west to east, the riverside street is formed along the north bank of Qiangtang River. Sleeping by the river, families all built water bridges and had their own boats which were docked on the water and under the water bridge. Nowadays, most of the ancient town is concentrated in the lower pond of Qiantang River and the south bank of Zhongshiqiao, which basically preserves the river street pattern and some traditional buildings of the traditional water town market. In the ancient village, there existed attractions such as Anfang Tower, Ma Xiangbo’s former residence, and Shi Liangcai’s former residence.
Today's residential areas are concentrated in Xiatang Street in Qiangtang and in the south bank of Zhongshi Bridge, which basically preserve the river street pattern and some traditional buildings in the traditional water town market.
Fulian Bridge (commonly known as Zhongshi Bridge), located in the middle of the town and across the Qiangtang River. Built in the Ming Wanli years, it has gone through many constructions while the most recent comprehensive renovation was completed in 1986.
Futianjing Temple: located in the middle of the old street. Formerly known as Yan Jiaxuan, it was built in the forty-three years of Qing Emperor Qianlong (AD 1787) and belonged to a pure Buddhist cultural landscape. In 1994, it was renamed as the Futianjing Temple with the approval of the relevant departments and officially opened to the public.
Former residence of Shi Liangcai: built in the early 20th century. It is a two-story building with a stylistic combination of Chinese and Western architecture. Shi Liangcai (1880—1934), born in Jiangsu Province and as a native of Jiangning, is a famous patriotic progressive person. He is also an outstanding journalist and newspaper giant in China.
Anfang Tower: located in the right side of the entrance to the archway, it is built in a small garden by the riverside. The tower is 35.18 meters high and has a diameter of 12.45 meters. Each side is 5.42-meter long and is a seven-story octagonal pavilion. Since the original tower has been destroyed, the tower is a reconstructed one.
Ma Xiangbo's former residence: is a self-contained, private house constructed in the Jiangnan style, giving people a sense of delicacy, simplicity and elegance. On both sides of the hall, there are sculptures and related pictures which chronicle Ma Xiangbo's life experience and outstanding contributions, vividly showing Ma Xiangbo's ordinary and remarkable life. Ma Xiangbo was originally born in Jiang Danyang. (1840-1939) He started his academic life at the age of 5 and went to Shanghai at the age of 12 when he studied at the Ignatius School (ie Xuhui Middle School) and Xujiahui Theological Seminary, where he received a doctorate in theology with excellent performance. He can speak six languages and studies Chinese and Western cultures. He is a leading figure in the field of modern Chinese education.
Text source: en.shisu.edu.cn