Jianshui and Region

11/16/11

 JIANSHUI and Region

                                                 A Muslim Woman near Tonghai Mosque

             

     A return to Old China with architecture dating back to Ming era and memories of

Genghis Khan and his army still living.....

            Leaving the freeway we visited Tonghai.  Soaring above most other buildings was a massive Mosque with Hui (Muslim) people filling the marketplace and neighborhood - a remnant of Genghis Khan's Mongolian army invasion starting in 1207 and succeeding 70 years later.

 

            The highlight of the day was the visit to the nearby Mongolian Village of Xingmeng where 4000 Mongolian descendants still reside. They have made a dramatic change from a nomadic rough-riding life style to fishing and forging copper ware,  The traditional stone and sun-dried brick village is a pleasant visit

Women in Mongolian Village

                                        Mongolian Village

            Initially we thought our driver had taken us to the wrong village.  Except for the women's clothing with colorfully stripped sleeves and a strip of metal closures, head covers with black turbans topped with a colorful wrap  clothing, which seemed to follow the Muslim colors, the rest of village, especially the temple, seemed Chinese Buddhist.   Only after our driver showed us the Mongolian script under the Chinese characters on the temple did we believe it was Mongolian.

Note the Sleeves

Muslim Mosque in Chinese Style

      Arriving in Jianshui was delightful...charming narrow streets with traditional old  style stone and tile architecture.  We passed the main gate, a huge Ming edifice that served as an entry into the walled city during the Ming period.

The Classic Still Lives in Jianshu

11/17/11

            In nearby village of Tuanshan, we experienced a town with 3/4 population surnamed Zhang, originating from the  Ming Dynasty  1300-1600.  They have been successful business people throughout the region, built exquisite homes with  elegant  woodcarving, painting, calligraphy, and peaceful gardens.  Very sweet residents.

                                               

Small Feet

            There were several old women who had endured the painful foot binding experience.  How I wanted to talk with them about their experience!

            We also saw a remarkable bridge, Twin Dragon Bridge (Shaunglong Qiao), one of the oldest (Qing Dynasty-700 years ago) in China.  It is still elegant with 17 arches, a 3 story pavilion in its center and two smaller ones on either end.  

            Two other remarkable ancient sites in Jianshui:

Zhu Family Compound

Headcoverings in Zhu Home

                        The Zhu family home occupying 5 acres of land comprises ancestral buildings, ponds, and lovely gardens.  It took 30 years to build during the Qing Dynasty by the enterprising family that made their money marketing everything from opium to tin in the region.  The family fell following the chaos of 1910.

            The Confucian Temple, modeled after Confucius home town of Qufu, lined with ancient Cypress trees was finished in 1285.  Its 18 acres includes an inspiring pavilion supported by 18 stone carved pillars 5 meters with elegant scenes of animals,  dragons rising through the mist.  There's also a huge water lily pond with a peaceful meditative pavilion in its center.

            We're enjoying most of the food tremendously.   Tonight an awesome fish with broccoli and fried potatoes and lots of fun laughing with fellow diners.  If there is no English menu, we just walk around the room and point at other peoples' selections.  

     And we loved our cozy and friendly guest house right in center of town, Huaquing Hotel.

      Views as we walked around Jianshui.

Yi Ethnic Woman in Jianshui

Yi Ethnic Woman in Jianshui