The Lingnan Water Town in the City – Xiaozhou Village

Guangdong Province's ancient village Xiaozhou Village On this somewhat hot afternoon, I finally leisurely walked through the once legendary Xiaozhou Village, which was formerly known as Yingzhou. Every time I see these two characters, I am reminded of the phrase 'Sea travelers speak of Yingzhou, where the misty waves are elusive,' evoking a sense of mystery that is hard to trace. This village, established at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, is said to be the most characteristic Lingnan water town ancient village discovered in Guangzhou city area to date. Xiaozhou Village was originally formed by the impact of seawater, hence the crisscrossing waterways within the village. Various stone bridges were built one after another for the convenience of the villagers. The Hanmo Bridge, located at the entrance of the village, was built during the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than two hundred years. Walking into the village with friends, one can see ancient trees with lush leaves and abundant fruits. The ancestral halls are clean and serene, with the scent of incense wafting through the air, and the playful children are endearing, attracting frequent snapshots from long lenses. The children play carefree, oblivious to the laughter around them, which dispels worldly worries and dust-like thoughts in an instant. The Xixi Public Ancestral Hall, the He-er House, the Oyster Shell House, and the ancient wharf still retain their former glory, and the blue-gray stone roads have withstood a thousand years of wind and rain. The He-er House, with its Lingnan architectural features, has towering walls that are solemn and stable. The Oyster Shell House is a testament to the changes from sea to land in Lingnan. The beams are covered with cobwebs, the walls with green moss, and in the dilapidation, time seems to stand still. The bright red guava peaches are interspersed among the lush greenery, with branches stretching out along the river, as if adorned with jewels, swaying in full dress. Passing by the Xiaozhou Auditorium, one can see its bright and tender redness, with lips like fire, exuding enthusiasm that makes countless passersby look up. It has a graceful name called 'Wax Apple'. The Eastern Barber Shop faces the tent frame above the Niangma Bridge. The sunlight pours through the dense foliage, and the colorful mouse melons hang among the vines. Entering this century-old house, the Diamond brand ceiling fan from the 1970s slowly circulates overhead, and the Sanyo single-cassette recorder by the wall feels familiar. Half an hour later, I encountered its 'brother'. The archway still bears the inscription 'Xinjiao Commune Xiaozhou Brigade', next to the ancient city wall, and outside is the Xiaozhou ancient ferry. The villagers of Xiaozhou Village have lived off fruit tree cultivation for generations. In the past, villagers would row their boats to transport fruits such as longan, wampee, and starfruit to Guangzhou. Now, next to the ancient wharf, it has become a playground for the villagers, with the ancient banyan tree still standing by the flowing water. The deep alleys of Xiaozhou Village in summer are still long and quiet. Is it waiting for spring? Surprisingly, large papayas are growing on the small branches near the alley entrance. The honeycomb coal piled in the corner is a concept that should no longer exist in the memory of city children. Once upon a time, every morning, the honeycomb coal was lit with newspaper, and soon after the wisps of white smoke rose, one would imagine the fragrance of porridge... Have you ever seen honeycomb coal with how many holes? 🏡Location: Xiaozhou Village, Huazhou Street, Haizhu District 🚄Transport: Self-driving is relatively convenient, and it is accessible by subway and bus. 👣Touring: Entering Xiaozhou, the most conspicuous sight is the Xiaozhou People's Auditorium, with its earthy yellow exterior walls and bright red stars. The exterior of the auditorium maintains the characteristics of public buildings from the Soviet era, with traces of the times still clearly visible: 'Long live the People's Commune' and others Walking through the village, one can feel the unique layout of the water town, with attractions such as Tianhou Palace, Yuxu Palace, ancient stone bridges, ancient wharfs, and Oyster Shell Houses all being historical evidence of Xiaozhou Village. There are many artists' studios in the village, creating a strong atmosphere. Outside the village, villagers can be seen selling fruits like longan, guava, starfruit, and papaya 🧸Recommendation: I once took a leisurely walk and chatted all afternoon