When did Xiguan begin to rise? I couldn't find a clear statement when I checked the history books, but the most brilliant and proud of Xiguan should be the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. At that time, all economic factors of Nanhai, Guangzhou and even Guangdong Province were concentrated in Xiguan, Nanhai County, where there were import and export trade terminals, various warehouses and warehouses, as well as commercial institutions and foreign firms from various countries, and the famous comprador base XIII was here. China's earliest customs office and Guangdong's largest post office were also established. What makes people envy foreign things even more is the "sand surface" at the southern end of Xiguan, which is the British Concession.
Before a large number of westerners came to Guangzhou, Xiguan was only the urban-rural junction of Guangzhou in Nanhai County. At that time, Litchi Bay and Pantang in the western suburbs were water towns in Zeguo, and villagers planted lotus roots and Xiangling in ponds in Zeguo. There are some migrant workers who serve the ancient city. They go to the city to sell vegetables, clean the streets, and empty the feces. Just like today's "migrant workers", they are doing all kinds of rough work in the city.
Xiguan can stand out in the development of Guangzhou today, and its geographical position can not be ignored. South of Xiguan is the widest inland white swan pond in the Pearl River, which has been an important place for waterway transportation since Guangzhou was founded.
The cotton produced in Guangzhou in the early Qing Dynasty is famous for its lightness and warmth, and it is called "Guanghua"; "Guang Zhi Yarn" also contributed to the wealth accumulation of Shisanhang. Because our cotton fabrics are cheaper and better than those in Britain, we export a lot. Driven by huge interests, cotton processing with imported materials has risen rapidly, and farmland in Xiguan has been developed in large quantities, and factories and streets have been built. Jinhua, economy, flax and other places facilitated the emergence of this period. The formation of Guangzhou textile belt has promoted the prosperity of printing and dyeing, machinery, sizing satin, clothing, hat making, shoes and socks, wool and other industries. The suburbs of Xiaxiguanyong have also been developed into aristocratic residential areas, and many owners are comprador foreign firms, who benefit from the prosperity of the textile industry. At that time, there were so-called "Eight Bridges Prosperity" in Xiguan (Huiyuan, Penglai, Sansheng, Xi Zhi, Yongning, Milk, Daguan and Dexing).
However, the coastal defense in the Qing Dynasty was looser than that in the Ming Dynasty, and western business travelers mostly entered the southern mainland through the White Swan Pool. There was no foreign trade policy in the imperial era, and Emperor Qianlong had replied to the British that China was vast in territory and abundant in natural resources, and I had everything, so I didn't need to exchange needed goods with Britain, which blocked the communication with westerners from the national policy. However, whether it was the maritime ban in the Ming Dynasty or the closed door in the Qing Dynasty, the coastal people could not help but get in touch with the outside world. When the Ming Dynasty lent Macao to the Portuguese, the business between Guangdong and foreigners never stopped. Foreign businessmen use non-governmental channels to carry out various businesses, and Xiguan is an important port. Senior officials in the Qing dynasty were unwilling to do business with foreigners, but at the same time they liked western gadgets very much. As a result, thousands of miles of mirrors, clocks and watches, women's cosmetics, Mao Se pistols used by senior officials to protect themselves, etc. were sent to Beijing continuously, and exotic western treasures became the best products for southern officials to honor court officials. Later, due to the current situation, the Qing government agreed to do business with foreigners, but it was not allowed to do it in the city. So foreigners built commercial pavilions and docks in White Swan Chi Pan, which our ancestors called "Yiting". Those businessmen who used to do business with foreigners boldly set up businesses around Yiting for the convenience of dealing with foreigners, which led to the later thirteen lines. However, the opium trade is also harmful. Driven by high profits, some businessmen in Guangzhou risked their lives to do this kind of business with foreigners. Officials will turn a blind eye to this situation, and some even convey benefits. At that time, Guangzhou, as the only trading port, also attracted export commodities and business talents from all over the country, promoted the economic development of Guangzhou and created the prosperity of Xiguan. After the Opium War, the imperial court ceded Hong Kong and allowed five ports to trade. Xiguan was no longer the only port in China. However, due to their proximity to Hong Kong and Macao, Chinese businessmen took the lead in moving from Xiguan to the international arena, and some wealthy businessmen even went to Hong Kong and Macao colonies to cooperate with foreigners. Although today's Hong Kong is highly prosperous and modern, some of its famous foreign companies originated in Xiguan.
During the Republic of China, Xiguan was still the main position of Guangzhou's industry and commerce. Although there was an anti-Qing uprising in Huanghuagang, Guangzhou's reaction was quite peaceful when the real guy overthrew the Qing government. Several scholars declared independence before the Advisory Council, because the Governor of Guangdong and his military government were supported by the business community. But after the Republic of China, the military government changed frequently like a lantern. Guangzhou people wait on the ever-changing new government, just as their remarried mothers wait on different fathers. The merchants in Xiguan couldn't stand the beating of the lantern-running government any longer, so they contacted the British in Shamian colony. With their support, they learned from the practices of the Hong Kong industry and set up an armed organization, known as the business group in history. With armed groups, the chamber of commerce in Guangzhou does not sell the accounts of the military government everywhere. Sometimes, business groups are stronger than the military government, and the government's food is unsustainable. Sun Yat-sen became a very big president in Guangzhou, and the chamber of commerce and business groups even launched a rebellion against Sun Yat-sen. According to historical records, the rebel business group set up a solid wall on Taiping Road, dividing Guangzhou into two sides from south to north, and even invited an Englishman to Weah to find Sun Yat-sen. But Sun Yat-sen was the forerunner of the democratic revolution, and his revolutionary ideal was supported by most Cantonese people. He joined forces with all parties and quickly put down the rebellion of the business group. The failure of the business group led to the disintegration of the merchant armed forces, and the original chamber of commerce had no place to stand. Entrepreneurs have to run away, or go to Hong Kong, or flee overseas. By the seventeenth year of the Republic of China, Chen was in charge of Guangdong, and the economy had been revived for several years, but it could not return to its former position. After eight years of Anti-Japanese War, Guangzhou's economy is still on the verge of collapse. The characteristic of Xiguan is xiguan big house. Xiguan big house was the residence of merchants and rich gentry in old Guangzhou. Xiguan big house is mostly a brick-wood structure, with green masonry feet and granite embedded in the front door. Its plane layout is basically developed in the depth direction according to the traditional main hall form of the Central Plains. Its typical plane is three rooms and two corridors; Symmetrical left and right, with the main hall in the center. From front to back, and from south to north, the central axis is porch, entrance hall (gate hall), sedan chair hall (tea hall), main hall (hall or shrine hall), head hall (elders hall), patio, second hall (dining hall) and second hall (tail hall). Each hall is an entrance. Generally, a big house has two or three entrances, forming many central axes. On the left side of the front of both sides are the study and yard, and on the right side are the slant hall and guest room. The guest room has a flat roof, which is used for enjoying the cool in Xiguan Tanabata, enjoying the moon and visiting Yue Bai (Seventh Sister). Behind the slant hall and guest room are bedrooms, kitchens, etc. Flowers and trees are planted in the park, and a rockery fish pond is built, which is quite elegant and quiet.
The old house in Xiguan is made of high-grade hardwood, with short double doors outside, walkways in the middle and gates inside. The interior decoration is exquisite. Furniture, lamps, banners, couplets, books, antiques, calligraphy and painting, vase flowers, potted plants, caged birds, mirror tables, various works of art and mahogany furniture, exquisite wood carvings, Manchu windows and sill windows with local characteristics and their unique layout forms have a strong Lingnan charm.
There is a small courtyard between the hall and the hall. The courtyard is covered with a shed and the high side window is ventilated. On both sides of the central axis, there are mainly study rooms, slant halls, bedrooms and stairwells, which are generally arranged symmetrically. There is usually a small courtyard on the right side of the hall, where precious flowers and trees are planted and rocks, landscapes, fish oil or lotus ponds are arranged for the owner or tourists to enjoy. There is a Qingyun lane on each side of the big house, which means "to the top". Qingyun Lane, also known as cold lane, fire lane and water lane, etc. , with transportation (wife or servant in and out), ventilation, lighting, drainage, sunbathing, planting flowers, removing feces and garbage and other functions.
The facade of xiguan big house is equipped with low hanging doors, rafters and hard wooden doors. Elegant interior decoration is a masterpiece of arts and crafts. Wood and stone brick carvings, pottery gray sculptures, murals and stone scenes, glass and iron leaks, clear windows, carved patterns, mahogany furniture, wood carvings and sills are all full of Lingnan charm and style.
Xiguan big house is a treasure of traditional architecture in Guangzhou. According to statistics, there are more than 100 buildings, among which there are more than 10 buildings with reserved value. The most famous xiguan big house is "Liang Zi Zhengdi" located in Baoyuan North Street 18, Deng Gong Baodi located in Duobao Road and Zhongjia Garden located in the middle of Bao Hua Road. Unfortunately, most of these famous gardens and houses have long since ceased to exist, and the only famous house left is Xiao Hua Fang Zhai. It goes without saying that the unique customs of Xiguan are quite familiar to the public. However, many relics of historical celebrities hidden in the boudoir in Xiguan are not clear to everyone. Let's explore some rare cultural relics, among which, we can look at Pantangta, the hometown of Liu Wanghuawu in the Southern Han Dynasty, and feel the admiration of Xiguan for the style of writing. Wenta, 13 meters high, as the name implies, is a tower to revitalize the style of writing and dedicate it to Wenquxing. When it was built, there is no written record. However, according to the fact that it adopts the traditional xiguan big house masonry footwall, and the details are similar to Pazhou Ancient Pagoda, it can be inferred that it was built from the middle of Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty. Whether there were any scholars or jurors in Pantang after the completion of Wenta has not been recorded in detail, but in the early 20th century, Wei Kun Girls' Middle School and Xiage Women's Medical College in Pantang did cultivate many talents.
Next to Wenta, there used to be a branch on Xiguan. During the Dragon Boat Festival, residents of Pantang would pick dragon boats there. According to textual research, it is also the hometown of Hua Wu when Liu Wang was in the Southern Han Dynasty. "Yangcheng Ancient Banknotes" records: "Liu Wang's chemical weapons are in the west of Bantang ..." "Bantang" is now Pantang. The stone tablet of "Ancient Flower Dock" in Pantang is also consistent with the historical records, indicating that it is the hometown of Flower Dock in South Han Liu Wang. Flowers, trees and bonsai are widely planted around Wenta, and a garden courtyard is built, named "Yunjinyuan", which continues to witness the prosperity of Xiguan talent pool.
In fact, many traditional Xiguan cultures preserved in Pan Pan are very precious. In addition to the well-known "Pan Pan Wu Xiu", there is also the custom of "mentioning four sentences" among farmers. On holidays, people improvise jingles, and some old people still keep relevant manuscripts at home. At the same time, Pan Pan is also the earliest place in Guangzhou to start "dragon boat rowing". Pantang and Nanhaiyanbu in Liwan District walk back and forth every year during the Dragon Boat Festival and perform "Dragon Boat Picking" for more than 300 years. Ren Wei Temple is located in Qian Jie, Ren Wei Temple, Jinlong West Road, Guangzhou, in Old Pantang Township, covering an area of 2,200 square meters. It is a temple dedicated to the true Emperor Wudi of Taoism. At that time, it was the oldest and largest temple word, Pantang, in Zhou En's eighteen townships. Historical records: Ren Wei Temple was founded in the 4th year of Song You (1052). Large-scale construction was carried out in the second year of tomorrow (1622), the year of Qingganlong (1736~ 1795) and the year of Tongzhi (1862~ 1874). During the reign of Qing Qianlong, the temple was rebuilt. There were only the first three buildings in the middle road and the west step, and the second building and the east step were added when it was rebuilt.
When Ren Wei Temple was first built, it was named Beidi Temple. It is said that because Zhenwu Emperor is in charge of water, people call him the Northern Emperor or the Water God. Because the northern real Takeda Xuan God was called "Shenwei", it was later renamed Ren Wei Temple.
There is another story about the name of Ren Wei Temple. Pantang, located in Lingnan Water Town, is famous for its lotus root, water chestnut, arrowhead, horseshoe (water chestnut) and bamboo shoots. In order to "be grateful and invite blessings to God so as not to cause trouble", the villagers in Pantang "worship God". It is said that Pantang had two brothers. My brother is Ren and my brother is Wei. One day, two brothers went fishing and found a strange stone. They took it home and made it an idol. From then on, "Life is smooth and handy" spread all over the village, and there were many worshippers within ten miles of Fiona Fang. When they went to the village to raise money to build the temple, the villagers changed the name of the temple to "Ren Wei".
The plane of Ren Wei Temple is slightly trapezoidal, facing south, with three roads and five steps deep, and a row of bungalows in the east. The first three buildings, including the main building, the east-west hall, the fourth hall and the fifth back building. Along the north-south central axis, there are Toumen, Main Hall, Middle Hall, Houdian and Houlou in turn, and the order from left to right is East-West. The elevation is 1 1m wide and 8m deep. Outside the gate, there is a granite pillar on each side, with a stone lion carved on its head, auspicious clouds carved on its body and two dragons playing with pearls. The lines are smooth and the image is very vivid, commonly known as "Dragon Column". Pantang is located in Xiguan, namely Panxi Hotel, Liwan Lake Park, Jinlong West Road and Pantang wuyue.
It is said that there is a legend that there used to be a pond in Pantang Village. Keep a pond full of water. Even if other ponds dry up, this pond is full. One year, the weather was very dry, and it was irrigated with pond water. Strange things have happened. After the remaining half, the water level in the pond never dropped. The next day, the pond was full again, so the villagers named the village "Bantang", not Banxi, but also Banshui, but these were just aliases. Half soup is called by many people, so how did you add three points of water later? There is also an ancient part here.
Once upon a time, a gentleman went to Bantang and asked where it was. The villagers say this is called half soup, which is half soup. Hearing this, Mr. Wang said with a smile, what's good about half a voice? Wouldn't it be better to add three more glasses of water? The elders in the village heard that the pot with three drops of water means "into the pot", and "into the pot" should be studied in the hall. Everyone in the village has come up with talents. Since then, the villagers have jointly built pagodas to show their love and yearning for cultural knowledge. Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street in a century-old Chinatown is one of the most prosperous commercial pedestrian streets in China, and it is also a symbolic image project in Guangzhou. Known as "Top Ten Tourist Attractions in Yangcheng-Xiguan Commercial Corridor". The whole street consists of a unique and antique arcade teahouse building, which is the product of the combination of southern European architecture and Guangzhou characteristics. There is also one of the best jade market in China-Hualinsi Jade Street and the famous national agricultural and sideline products market and Chinese herbal medicine market-Qingping Market. 1400 years ago, the Indian monk Dharma went to China to preach. He first landed at Xiajiu Road in Xiguan (now "the land of the West") and built the "Xilai Temple" (now Hualin Temple), which created the Zen Buddhism in China and the Shaolin Temple in Songshan. Since the completion of 1995, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street has received many national leaders.
The trading port enjoys a high reputation in ancient and modern times-"Thirteen Lines" was the only trading port of China's foreign trade as early as the late Ming and early Qing dynasties; Shamian Island was once the concession of Britain and France, and it is one of the most European places in China today. There are hundreds of European and American-style buildings in the early 20th century and many ancient trees on the island. Look at the Pearl River White Swan Pool, which is even more spacious and colorful.
"Xiguan cuisine" is the best in the world-strive for the perfect combination of color, fragrance, shape and meaning, and enjoy the reputation of "eating in Liwan". There are hundreds of delicacies here, such as Nanxin Double Skin Milk, Oushangtang Wonton Noodles, Dechang Salted Pancake, Liwan Boat Porridge and so on. Cantonese-style moon cakes represented by Taotaoju, Fun Sweet Cake House, Lianxianglou and Ronghua are well-known at home and abroad and exported to all parts of the world.
Folk customs go down in history-Xiguan is not only famous as a dignified, elegant and trendy "Miss Xiguan", but also has unique achievements in painting, calligraphy and Cantonese opera. Lingnan painting school was founded in Xiguan; Cantonese opera and Cantonese opera have a deep mass base, and there are dozens of "private bureaus", which are known as "the hometown of Cantonese opera".
Chen Academy, the crown of architectural culture in South Guangdong, is a national key cultural relic protection unit, which represents the highest achievement of Lingnan architectural art and is listed as one of the world's representative buildings by international scholars. Stone carvings, brick carvings, wood carvings, pottery carvings, clay sculptures, iron castings, door paintings and murals are all over the halls and corridors, with beautiful shapes and exquisite craftsmanship. The poet Guo Moruo once praised: "Heaven can change jobs, and man-made heaven cannot surpass it"! Xiguan big house is the most characteristic building in Xiguan, with exquisite decoration and exquisite workmanship, and unique doors and windows.