Langzhong, a thousand-year-old city whose name is misleading
|||I first learned about Langzhong from an advertisement on CCTV:
"Làng, Langzhong, I'm waiting for you here~"
After hearing it many times, I recognized this word - "Lang (Làng)", and knew this place - "Langzhong Ancient City".
🔥It is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, along with 1⃣️Tongjiang Ancient City, 2⃣️Pingyao Ancient City, and 3⃣️Huizhou Ancient City;
🔥It is the 8th 5A-level scenic spot in Sichuan, in addition to 1⃣️Dujiangyan, 2⃣️Emeishan, 3⃣️Jiuzhaigou, 4⃣️Leshan, 5⃣️Huanglong, 6⃣️Beichuan, 7⃣️Wenchuan;
🔥It is a city built according to the astronomical Feng Shui theory of the Tang Dynasty and is highly regarded by the people as the number one Feng Shui city;
🔥It is the place with the most number one scholars in Sichuan Province’s history. In the early Qing Dynasty, it served as the capital of Sichuan Province for nearly 20 years.
Because Luoxiahong (hóng), who made great contributions to the creation of the Taichu Calendar, was from Langzhong, Langzhong is also officially recognized as the hometown of Chinese Spring Festival culture.
What’s even more rare is that Langzhong Ancient City is one of the few ancient cities in China that does not charge admission.
Since Langzhong Ancient City has such a great background and does not charge admission, why is it far less famous than the other three ancient cities of Lijiang, Pingyao and Huizhou? 🤔
I guess it’s probably because the word “Lang” is difficult to pronounce. The names of scenic spots contain uncommon characters, which is really a tricky problem for a tourist city.
Langzhong County was established in the Qin Dynasty in 314 BC. Up to now, the name Langzhong has been used in China for more than 2,300 years. It is reluctant and impossible to change such an ancient name because of tourism. Moreover, although "Lang" is uncommon, it is a word with excellent meaning.
"Green mountains surround it on all sides, and beautiful waters surround it on three sides" inspired the great poet Du Fu to compose a poem about it, and the great painter Wu Daozi also painted it.
Outside the main street of the ancient city, there is almost no commercial atmosphere. The residents who have lived here for generations continue to live their original lives.
In the ancient city circle, although Langzhong Ancient City has a great background and a solid foundation, its reputation lags far behind. This may be related to its uncommon name, or it may be related to its lack of "literary atmosphere", or there may be other reasons...
But it is precisely this that makes it the most down-to-earth and most ancient ancient city. Go to Langzhong, your eyes and mouth will be filled with delights~~