China News Service, Changhua, September 10th. Title: The century-old ancient rhyme flowing in Lugang Old Street
China News Service reporter Xing Liyu Yang Chengchen
Entering the "Chunlin Yatang" at No. 8 Putou Street, Lugang Town , Lugang Town, there are a wide variety of antiques and handicrafts. On the faded beams of the roof, many pairs of dragons, lions, flowers and birds, etc. are exquisitely carved without losing the simplicity of ancient carvings.
Lugang Old Street, which has a history of nearly three hundred years in Changhua County, Taiwan, has relatively completely preserved the southern Fujian-style architectural pattern and style of the Qing Dynasty. In 1986, Lugang Old Street was budgeted for renovation and maintenance, becoming the first block in Taiwan to be rated as a preservation area for monuments. China News Agency reporter Yang Chengchen photographed
The old building "Yihexing" with a history of more than 180 years in the old street, Mr. Shi Zhaolin, who is over 70 years old, is the owner of Chunlin Yatang. "These antiques represent the achievements of Lugang craftsmen. I have lived in the old street since I was a child and have a mission to protect the tradition here." He said.
Lugang Town is located on the north bank of Lugang River mouth northwest of Changhua Plain in central Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait west. During the Qing Dynasty, Lugang Port was wide and deep. It officially opened a port with Fujian in 1784. At that time, its prosperity was second only to Tainan Prefecture City in Taiwan, so there is a saying that "one mansion, two deer, three scapulas". According to reports, in the structure of the port and city streets, the town also retains the Fujian flavor and has the reputation of "the prosperity is like Xiaoquanzhou".
Yaolin Street and Lugang Old Street where Putou Street are located are built along the winding river bank. This was once a gathering place for "Bowboats" and mainly engaged in bulk goods transactions. It is one of the most prosperous and lively neighborhoods in the heyday of commercial excellence, also known as "Gushi Street". Among them, the place name of Yaolin Street also originated from Quanzhou , which embodies the feelings of ancestors towards their hometown.
The picture shows Longshan Temple in Lugang with a history of more than 180 years. Photo by Yang Chengchen, China News Service reporter
As the harbor is shallow and the function of ship trade is declining, and it is not a place where railways pass, the population of Lugang gradually moves outward and is no longer prosperous. However, the structure and style of southern Fujian-style architectural style of the old street in the Qing Dynasty were relatively fully preserved. In 1986, Lugang Old Street was budgeted and renovated and maintained, becoming the first block in Taiwan to be rated as a preservation area for historic sites.
"This block is different. It has traditional crafts, cultural and creative products, and the living style of ordinary residents. It is a presentation of the culture of the people and has warmth." said Wei Xiujuan, Director-General of the Lugang Old Street Development Promotion Association, said.
As mentioned, strolling on the red brick road of the old street, the street houses, painted, stone steps and wells with a history of nearly three hundred years still have the ancient meaning. The red couplets on the doors and windows are all headed by the name of the owner or the store number. There are few hawking sounds one after another, and the old Lugang Street is full of a strong cultural atmosphere.
The old items arranged in Chunlin Yatang are more than a hundred pieces of large and small. "These are all aftertastes of childhood." Shi Zhaolin said that he would do his best to collect and place it in the store for free to visit, hoping that people can walk into the "time tunnel" from here and feel the flow of time in the old street.
The boss of the "Dongsheng Ji" of the old street, Xiao Zhongyi, is in the tea room with ancient plaques hanging on him. Photo by Yang Chengchen, China News Service reporter
"Dongsheng Ji" is another good place on the old street to explore antiques and ancient costumes. Xiao Zhongyi, the owner of the shop who was keen on collecting ancient plaques, specially opened a tea room opposite the store. He regarded it as the treasure of the store, the "Kongyuan" plaque with Guangxu imperial seal and the inscription, and was hung on the wall of the tea room. In addition, there are plaques of Jinshi, imperial edicts, Wenkui plaques, and "Weizhen plaques" and so on. When he was interested, Boss Xiao would also take tea guests to see his treasured Qiangong Buddhist silica in the mid-Qing Dynasty.
The most crowded part of the old street is the old store "Zheng Yuzhen Pastry", founded in the 13th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1887), which was created by Zheng Cuilaitai, a famous teacher in Quanzhou. The "Feng Eye Cake" that is made and sold here has a unique shape and meaning wealth.
At present, there are more than 100 households in "Gushi Street". "Pineshadow Zhai", "Songlinju", "Deruntang"... There is almost a historical story behind every hall or business plaque on the street.
Wei Xiujuan, Director-General of the Lugang Old Street Development Promotion Association of Changhua County, introduced the history and current situation of the old street. China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen Photo
"Taipei is not my home, my hometown has no neon lights. In the early morning of Lugang, people wandering in civilization."The sunset is setting, the local residents who adhere to traditional crafts and culture and local love are still living, allowing the ancient charm to flow here.
"Lugang Old Street is worth walking again and again. Here we can see the life and historical origin of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. "Wei Xiujuan said. (End)
