Qing Shi Ban Shang Cai Qian Nian | The Ink-Wash Scenery of Yuliang Dam Is Amazing!
Yuliang Ancient Town, only two kilometers from She County, is a primitive village largely untouched by commercial development. Stepping into the ancient village is like entering a black-and-white film. The pebble-paved alleys are empty and quiet, with only a few tourists strolling around. The faded ink-written shop signs on the wooden doors of Ming and Qing Dynasty shops are still vaguely discernible, and the spider webs on the door lintels tremble gently in the wind. An old woman sells rice cakes in front of her house, a yellow dog sleeping soundly at her feet, and a carved wooden beast perched on the eaves, sharing the silence with her.
At the end of the ancient village is Yuliang Dam. The 138 layers of granite strips laid by craftsmen a thousand years ago still fit together seamlessly. The dam's fish-scale-like layered texture is exposed during the dry season, and the river water splashes into snow-white jade fragments in the crevices between the stones. Standing on the dam, you can see the river reflecting the Huizhou-style houses on both sides, the sharp corners of the blue tiles softened into arcs by the ripples, just like a Xuan paper painting crumpled by the wind.
I. Main Attractions
1. Yuliang Town. Yuliang Town is close to the Lianjiang River and resembles a fish playing in the water. The narrow and long streets are like fish bones, and the small roads on the old street are paved with fish-roe-like pebbles, hence the name "Fish Scale Street." The slate in the alleys, the towering doors and windows, the carved beams and painted pillars, and the mottled traces on the beams all tell of the prosperity of the past.
2. Yuliang Dam. Originally built in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, the dam is made of granite and uses a dovetail mortise and tenon structure to firmly lock each adjacent stone. Known as the "First Dujiangyan in the South of the Yangtze River," it is one of the important water conservancy projects in ancient Jiangnan.
3. Taiping Bridge. A 16-hole stone bridge, it was a pontoon bridge in the Southern Song Dynasty, a wooden bridge in the early Ming Dynasty, and later changed to a stone bridge. The bridge deck is very wide and allows two-way traffic. Occasionally, you can still see villagers passing by with their carrying poles.
II. Accommodation
1. Scenic Homestays
There are many homestays around the ancient town. The conditions are basic, but you can experience the original ecological life of the local residents.
2. She County Hotels
There are hotels of various grades in the county and around Huizhou Ancient City, with complete facilities. Standard room prices are about 150-300 yuan/night, suitable for families.
III. Local Specialties
Stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, Yipin Guo (Huizhou-style hot pot), Wenzheng Mountain bamboo shoots, three-fresh water-round pot, arrowroot-powder balls, iron-plate dumplings, fried rice paste/rice noodles.
Recommendations:
1. Yuliang Zhang Ji Stone Guo: Filled with soybeans and diced pork belly, it is crispy, salty, and fragrant. The average price is 10 yuan.
2. Liang Ke Shu Wonton: A 40-year-old restaurant, the wontons have thin skin and delicious soup, paired with a secret chili paste, the taste is excellent.