Tea Valley Ancient Town

Tea Valley is located at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing, three provinces (cities), and was founded in the eighth year of the Jiaqing era (1803). It is known as 'one foot in three provinces' and is one of the four famous towns in western Hunan. Before liberation, the mountain city stood tall, the city walls meandered, and the river flowed gently. The bluestone paths were neat and elegant, the stilted buildings were quaint, the white pagoda stood tall, and the ancient ferry was picturesque with boats swaying. A poem says: 'The beautiful scenery of the border town intoxicates people, making one doubt if they are in a painting.' The famous writer Shen Congwen set his novel 'Border Town' in Tea Valley, which became well-known at home and abroad. After liberation, although the city walls and white pagoda were destroyed, the ancient charm remains. New buildings, bridges, and agricultural markets have been constructed, adding new sights to the border town of Tea Cave. Films such as 'Connected Dams' and 'Border Town' were shot on location in Tea Cave. Many visitors, guided by Shen Congwen's novel 'Border Town,' search for the white pagoda, the stone mill, and the grave of the boatman: walking on the ancient bluestone path, climbing the stilted buildings by the water to listen to the fishermen's songs under the moonlight, and savoring the beautiful and moving story. Tea Valley is famous for being the setting of Shen Congwen's renowned novella 'Border Town.'