Liuhua Rothenburg: Retrieving the Reflection of a Fairytale Town in the Folds of Time

## Liuhua Rothenburg: Retrieving the Reflection of a Fairytale Town in the Folds of Time On the north bank of the Yangtze River estuary, there is a German town forgotten by time. When the morning mist rises from the Liuhua River, the red-roofed buildings of Rothenburg gradually emerge from the veil, like building blocks scattered by a child, with an innocent, irregular beauty. The spire of the Gothic clock tower pierces the clouds, and the stained-glass windows shimmer with a honey-like luster in the sunlight, making people feel as if they have fallen into a dream from the Nutcracker. Wandering along the cobblestone road, every step is on a note of history. On the exterior walls of the half-timbered houses, dark brown wooden frames outline geometric patterns, and climbing roses hang from the windowsills like flowing waterfalls of flowers. The aroma of pretzels wafts from the bakery, and around the corner, you might bump into a silversmith holding a leather book, his workbench still bearing medieval design drawings. This deliberate "imperfection" is precisely the most touching texture of life in Rothenburg. As dusk drenches the cobblestone streets, the entire town begins to stage a variation of light. Gas lamps light up one by one, casting diamond-shaped spots of light on the stained glass, and the fragrance of roses in the castle garden floats in the air. Standing on the ruins of the ancient city wall and looking into the distance, the waves of the Liuhua River are crushing the lights into a flowing galaxy. At this moment, you finally understand why German craftsmen wanted to replicate the romance of Bavaria here—it turns out that fairy tales do not need to travel through time and space; they have always been quietly growing in the breath of the Yangtze River. Suggested photo spots: 1. The Renaissance-style arcades of the Town Hall Square (the light and shadow are best at 10am) 2. The double refraction formed by the stained-glass windows of St. James Church and the Liuhua River 3. The iris bushes along the moat (resembling a Monet painting when in bloom in May) 4. The glass display case of the handmade chocolate workshop This prose poem written in brick and stone is waiting for travelers who know how to read it slowly. When you find a rusty knocker on an oak door, you may wish to knock gently—perhaps it will open the echo of another century.