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Soak up crafts and habits of past life
February 27, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
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BELL Floatedfrom Afar
It's one of the "seven treasures" of the town, with a three-story tower located in the north entrance of the old town. The ancient legend says it came with the construction of the Qibao Temple -- when the temple was just completed, it rained heavily one day when lightening illuminated the sky and thunder roared like the devil. It rained cats and dogs, a hurricane persisted and river water swelled up for seven days.
Suddenly, something was floating on the Xianghua River, a brook surrounding the temple, and that magic thing was accompanied by a huge sound. On the next day, the rain stopped and the sky cleared, and people went to the river to behold it.
Then, they saw a huge bell floating on the water had already reached the foot of the temple. With great awe and reverence, the townsfolk placed the bell inside the Qibao Temple and local people began to regard it as a treasure from the heavens.
Now, the bell is kept in the bell tower, where the first floor and the second floor display some calligraphy works. The bell is hung on the third floor. Go and toll it, and you will get good luck for your life!
The Textile Mill
Step out of the bell tower and go straight inside the town, and you'll find the Textile Mill at 41 North Street.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qibao was one of the production and trade centers for domestic clothing.
The British Museum still displays exhibits of some Qibao products from that period. Inside the Textile Mill there are displays of various scenes and methods used in the workshops with real machinery and wax statues.
In addition, there's also a simulated wedding room in the pavilion, showing the traditional wedding scenes of Qibao Town.
With the celebratory red patterns and sedan chair at the door, you'll even get the chance to have a simulated wedding ceremony, experiencing what it meant to be an ancient Chinese bride or bridegroom.
Old Trades and Crafts of Qibao
The reappearance of local old trades and crafts will definitely invoke nostalgic sentiments about the past. Traditional handicraft skills have recorded the history: the blacksmith's shop, the bamboo crafts workshop and carpenters' workshop are all closely connected to the daily life of old Qibao Town.
Walk into these shops, and they'll take you back to that period of traditional Chinese style.
The Qibao Zhou's Micro-sculpture Hall
The art of stone carving and micro-sculpture have not only been passed down successfully but also carried forward by Zhou and his daughter. Their famous achievements are known as the micro-carving series of "The Treasure of Cathay," the stone-carving series of "A Dream of the Red Mansions," the series of stone-sculpture of teapots. In the hall are displayed over a thousand works of art, with multifarious forms and distinctive features.
The Qibao Pawnshop
Pawnshops were generally set up during the ruling period of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty and soon became an important financial center in the area. The exhibition recreates the scene of a traditional pawnshop. You can sink into the town's former cultural style right here.
It's one of the "seven treasures" of the town, with a three-story tower located in the north entrance of the old town. The ancient legend says it came with the construction of the Qibao Temple -- when the temple was just completed, it rained heavily one day when lightening illuminated the sky and thunder roared like the devil. It rained cats and dogs, a hurricane persisted and river water swelled up for seven days.
Suddenly, something was floating on the Xianghua River, a brook surrounding the temple, and that magic thing was accompanied by a huge sound. On the next day, the rain stopped and the sky cleared, and people went to the river to behold it.
Then, they saw a huge bell floating on the water had already reached the foot of the temple. With great awe and reverence, the townsfolk placed the bell inside the Qibao Temple and local people began to regard it as a treasure from the heavens.
Now, the bell is kept in the bell tower, where the first floor and the second floor display some calligraphy works. The bell is hung on the third floor. Go and toll it, and you will get good luck for your life!
The Textile Mill
Step out of the bell tower and go straight inside the town, and you'll find the Textile Mill at 41 North Street.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qibao was one of the production and trade centers for domestic clothing.
The British Museum still displays exhibits of some Qibao products from that period. Inside the Textile Mill there are displays of various scenes and methods used in the workshops with real machinery and wax statues.
In addition, there's also a simulated wedding room in the pavilion, showing the traditional wedding scenes of Qibao Town.
With the celebratory red patterns and sedan chair at the door, you'll even get the chance to have a simulated wedding ceremony, experiencing what it meant to be an ancient Chinese bride or bridegroom.
Old Trades and Crafts of Qibao
The reappearance of local old trades and crafts will definitely invoke nostalgic sentiments about the past. Traditional handicraft skills have recorded the history: the blacksmith's shop, the bamboo crafts workshop and carpenters' workshop are all closely connected to the daily life of old Qibao Town.
Walk into these shops, and they'll take you back to that period of traditional Chinese style.
The Qibao Zhou's Micro-sculpture Hall
The art of stone carving and micro-sculpture have not only been passed down successfully but also carried forward by Zhou and his daughter. Their famous achievements are known as the micro-carving series of "The Treasure of Cathay," the stone-carving series of "A Dream of the Red Mansions," the series of stone-sculpture of teapots. In the hall are displayed over a thousand works of art, with multifarious forms and distinctive features.
The Qibao Pawnshop
Pawnshops were generally set up during the ruling period of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty and soon became an important financial center in the area. The exhibition recreates the scene of a traditional pawnshop. You can sink into the town's former cultural style right here.
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