Qiantong Old Town

 

 

Qiantong Old Town (前童古镇) located 14 kilometers to the southwest of Ninghai County is the best surviving example of Confucian-inspired culture in eastern Zhejiang Province. The industrious and studious Tong’s family settled here in the Song Dynasty. Early in the Ming Dynasty, Tong Boli courteously engaged Fang Xiaoru (a giant with versatile erudition) twice to give lectures in his private school and together with him laid a foundation of the Confucian Culture. From then on, they adhered to the virtues of watering trees to improve the environment, fostering and training offspring and following the effective educational principles. Consequently, they had given birth to a galaxy of talents by successive dynasties. Moreover, it is where Tong Baoxuan, a provincial chief commander in the Xinhai Democratic Revolution of 1911, formerly resided and a revolution base sits. The major ancient constructions include Mingjing House, Upper Hall, Five Blessings Up to Doors, Haoyi Hall etc. Besides, the well-preserved old houses, folk-custom museums, Lushan Mountain, Shijing Mountain (Stone Mirror Mountain) and so on are all the charming resorts. 

The Qiantong Old Town is an original edition of the folk houses during the period of Ming and Qing Dynasties, a vivid and picturesque village with strong ancient grace, also beautiful and delicate golden bamboo. Originally built in the late Song Dynasty and prevailed in the Qing Dynasty, the present Old Town has kept a variety of 1,300 folk houses. For the saying “not the real water town, but resembling water town”, it has been counted as a good hangout to enjoy the folk customs in eastern Zhejiang Province and also inscribed in the list of “The Tourist Towns in Zhejiang Province” and “History and Culture Reserves in Zhejiang Province”.