The most worthwhile ancient building ruins in Shanxi [Dayang Ancient Town]

The most worthwhile ancient building ruins in Shanxi [Dayang Ancient Town] On the Taihang Mountains in Zezhou County, Shanxi Province, there is an ancient town with a history of more than 2,600 years - Dayang Ancient Town. Dayang was called Yang'a in ancient times. Historically, the Qin Emperor established a county here. The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system and conferred a title of nobility here. The Western Yan Dynasty established it as a county. It has been the seat of a county, a marquisate, and a county for more than 800 years. The ancient town has preserved a large and well-preserved group of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is known as the "living fossil of China's ancient towns". During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the ancient town was crowded with officials. The local folk songs "No official can boast of being in Dayang" and "Dayang produced a small official with a salary of three dou and three liters" both truly reflect the flourishing literary fortunes and the large number of officials that emerged in Dayang at that time. At the same time, Dayang is known as the "Needle Capital of Kyushu" because of its developed handmade needle industry, which supplies every household in China and is exported to Central Asia. From the Western Han Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many legendary figures emerged in Dayang's history, including Zhao Feiyan, who was both beautiful and talented, Kong Sanchuan, who pioneered all kinds of palace tunes, Ru Taisu, who was upright and wrote ten thousand words, and Zhang Dajing, the top military scholar who sacrificed his life for his country. They have all made a significant contribution to Dayang's history. "In ancient times, there was a sword called Yang'a, which could cut cattle and horses on land and intercept wild geese on water." The rich mineral resources made Dayang one of the important birthplaces of my country's iron smelting industry. The ancient town of Dayang not only has the masculine spirit of smelting and casting, but also the graceful beauty of singing and dancing. From the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to the Han, Wei and Jin Dynasties, Yang'a became a world-renowned hometown of song and dance, and "Yang'a Qi Dance" and "Yang'a Xie Lu" became the glory of Dayang culture and art. Dayang Ancient Town has a large-scale ancient building complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is known as the "living fossil of China's ancient towns." Wandering in the ancient town, you will see city walls, fortresses, crisscrossing streets and alleys, official residences and commercial residences, towers and bridges, temples and ancestral halls everywhere. Every brick, stone, blade of grass and tree exudes a sense of vicissitudes of life. The ancient town of Dayang is surrounded by mountains in the distance and has a magnificent scenery. Among the magnificent natural landscapes, the "Ten Scenic Spots of Xiangshan" are the most famous. In December 2008, it was awarded the title of "Famous Historical and Cultural Town in China" by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. In November 2011, it was awarded the title of "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art" by the Ministry of Culture. Cultural excavation will focus on building a coal and iron town, a ritual and music town, a government official town, and the hometown of Feiyan. The water town of Dayang will gradually realize the spectacular scene of "east, west, south, north lakes connected by the front and back rivers; boats sailing through Ximen Pavilion, and water surrounding Jintang Village." Strolling through the ancient town of Dayang, you will see city walls, forts, official residences, merchant houses, towers and bridges everywhere. Every brick and stone, every blade of grass and every tree exudes a sense of vicissitudes of life, attracting visitors from all directions. The Town History Museum on the old street of the ancient town showcases the local people, history, and culture, allowing tourists to learn about the glorious history of the ancient town. In the Ancient Ironmaking Museum, visitors can experience blacksmithing skills, make small handicrafts, and experience the unique handmade needle making.