Charm unique to Jinggang in the new era
2022-11-01
If Wuyi Square Business District represents the hustle and bustle of Changsha, Jinggang is a place where you can feel the quietness of the city.
Jinggang, formerly known as Lujiang, also known as Weigang, was once a natural harbour with smooth waterways and place with a large number of merchants. It was one of the four major rice markets in Hunan. In the middle of the Republic of China, it was not only one of the most prosperous towns in Hunan Province, together with Jinshi and Hongjiang, but also renowned as the "Little Hankou" and "Little Hong Kong".
Taking a stroll through the ancient streets of Jinggang, you can find it is a historical corridor composed of eight streets, four lanes and seven piers. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, there were more than 3,000 boats travelling between the Weishui River and Xiangjiang River, and about 1,000 boats docked on weekdays. Jinggang is also a Red place with a glorious revolutionary tradition, where Hunan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China was stationed. Furthermore, people can come here to trace the revolutionary footprints of Guo Liang, the one-armed General Liu Chouxi and Tao Cheng.
The hustle and bustle of the past was gone, and what remains is the peace and tranquility.
Visitors are attracted by such distinctive snacks sold in the shops on both sides of the main street as aromatic sesame bean tea and crispy fried dried fish.
From the alleyways comes the aroma of sweet rice wine, which has been passed down for centuries and is still an Internet-famous product.
The Eight Big Bowls is an unmissable delicacy in Jinggang, which is said to be a specially prepared banquet in honour of General Li Jing of the Tang Dynasty. The Eight Big Bowls consists of eight dishes, which shows the features of local delicacies and the hospitality of people in Hunan.
After eating and drinking, you can walk to the Jinggang Shadow Art Museum, where a troupe led by the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage projects of Changsha City perform the traditional “shadow play” for visitors. There is also an ancient theatre in the style of the Qing Dynasty, where you can admire the charm of folk art with a pot of tea.
The thousand-year-old town reproduces a different style by inheriting and breaking through. It is learned that Jinggang Government will renovate the Lujiang River and the Jiahe River, create a waterfront landscape, build waterfront theatres, introduce water shows, build a water tour route, and upgrade Jinggang Ancient Town, so that visitors can better experience the style of Jiangnan water towns. Moreover, in order to improve the experience of visitors, Jinggang Line East Extension Project will be implemented to connect the Northern Extension of Xiaoxiang Avenue and North Lei Feng Road. Meanwhile, new roads will be built in the east of the town from the east square to Dazhongyuan Embankment Committee. Xingnong Embankment (back street) and the South Embankment will be upgraded to form an electric car route. Furthermore, the existing streets will be unblocked and the pedestrian bridge over the Jiahe River will be newly constructed to connect the main street with the back street to form a pedestrian route around the town.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can slow down and feel the rhythm of life in Jinggang. The delight and glamor unique to the town can be found in every ray of sunlight falling on the bricks and tiles, as well as in the stories happening in every old house and lane.
