Chengkan: An Encounter with the Poetic Moments of an Ancient Village

"Visit Chengkan, and you'll overcome all obstacles in life." This auspicious saying is like a magical seed that quietly plants curiosity and longing in my heart. Finally, on a sunny spring day, I packed my bags and set off on this date with Chengkan. As the car slowly drove into Chengkan, the ancient village with its white walls and black tiles emerged amidst the surrounding green mountains, like a slowly unfolding traditional Chinese painting. As soon as I got out of the car, the fresh air, mixed with the fragrance of earth and grass, instantly enveloped me, and the fatigue of the journey was thrown to the winds. Stepping into the village entrance, the first thing that caught my eye was the quaint Yongxing Lake Bridge. The lake water under the bridge was calm, reflecting the weeping willows and ancient houses on the bank. In the interplay of light and shadow, I seemed to see the passage of time. The stone threshold and Bagua diagram at the bridgehead exuded a mysterious aura under the sunlight, attracting tourists to stop and touch them piously, hoping to take away a bit of good luck. Walking along the stone road and into the streets and alleys of Chengkan, I felt as if I had stepped into a time tunnel. The three streets and ninety-nine alleys are as intricate as a maze, and each alley hides an unknown story. The stone road under my feet has been polished smooth and round by the years. Stepping on it, it makes a crisp sound, as if telling the story of the past prosperity. The Huizhou-style buildings on both sides, with their white walls and black tiles, and the high, upturned horse head walls, are decorated with exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings, all of which demonstrate the unique charm of Huizhou architecture. Occasionally, the fragrance of tea wafts out from a half-closed wooden door, as the villagers leisurely enjoy their afternoon time. Arriving at Yan Yi Hall, this ancient house with a history of more than 660 years is the ancestral home of Luo Ping, one of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou." Walking into the hall, a simple and elegant atmosphere hits you. The mottled walls and carved doors and windows are all showing people its former glory. Standing by the patio, the sunlight shines down, and the light and shadow fall on the ground, forming a unique pattern, which makes people marvel at the wisdom and aesthetics of the ancients. Continuing to stroll, I arrived at Huanxiu Bridge. This wooden covered bridge from the Yuan Dynasty quietly spans the Longxi River, witnessing the changes of time. According to legend, it was built by a woman who missed her husband who died in a foreign land, carrying endless deep feelings. Today, although the bridge is covered with traces of time, it is still as strong as ever. Leaning on the bridge railing, looking at the gurgling water under the bridge, my heart is full of tranquility and contentment. The finishing touch of Chengkan is Baolun Pavilion. Formerly known as "Zhenjing Luodongshu Ancestral Hall," it was built to commemorate Luo Dongshu, a scholar from the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. The ancestral hall is large in scale and majestic in momentum, integrating "ancient, elegant, beautiful, and grand" into one, and is an outstanding example of Huizhou architecture. Walking into the ancestral hall, the first thing that catches your eye is the huge plaque of "Yilun Youxu" handwritten by Dong Qichang, which hangs high above the Xiangtang, with vigorous strokes and majestic momentum. The osmanthus tree in front of Xiangtang is more than 400 years old. Although it has experienced wind and rain, it is still lush and leafy. Every golden autumn, the fragrance of flowers is overflowing. The Baolun Pavilion in the back bedroom is used to treasure the imperial edicts and decrees given to the Luo family by emperors of the past dynasties. The dougong brackets are exquisite and translucent, and the colored paintings on the beams are exquisite and elegant. After hundreds of years, the colors are still bright, which is amazing. In Chengkan, time seems to slow down. There is no hustle and bustle of the city here, only tranquility and peace. The lives of the villagers are simple and unadorned. They work at sunrise and rest at sunset on this ancient land, guarding this thousand-year-old beauty. When I left Chengkan, the sunset glow dyed half the sky red, and the afterglow sprinkled on every corner of the ancient village, giving it a golden coat. Looking back at this ancient village, my heart is full of reluctance. Chengkan is not only a scenic spot, but also a memory of history and a inheritance of culture. "Visit Chengkan, and you'll overcome all obstacles in life." This wonderful journey will also become an unforgettable and glorious time in my life. May my life be as peaceful and beautiful as the landscape of Chengkan.