More than half of the total 66 rivers in downtown Guangzhou, come together in the Liwan District. The most profound cultural heritage sites in this area are hidden in the criss-cross water networks, such as Xiguan Ancient Houses, sotto poricos, Painted-Boat shaped house, Antique Street, former residence of Jiang Guangnai (last General and Statesman of Republic of China and People's Republic of China), with tiny bridges over murmuring streams flowing by making their way to the Liwanhu Lakeside.
The history of Lizhiwan Creek can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 25 AD) and it was listed as one of the eight scenic spots in Guangzhou, the Ram City, as Fisherman Singing at Lizhiwan (Lychee Bay) in the Ming Dynasty (1368 --1644).
Around the watercourse of Lizhiwan Creek, is the Xiguan Ancient House, where the cultural essence of Guangzhou lies. Xiguan Museum has also been built. Like the Hutongs of Beijing and Shanghai, Li-Long, Xiguan Ancient Houses can be rated as model residences of the Lingnan building cultures of old.. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the trade and commerce center used to be here, while the tall and bright Xiguan Ancient Houses beautifully decorated were residents for the rich business men of the district. Besides famous residents remaining like Painted-Boat Shaped House, and other authentic Xiguan folk houses are hidden in these small lanes.
It is better to visit the Lizhiwan Creek on a rainy day. Strolling on the Longjing Bridge, you may lean against the rails in the drizzles to appreciate the boats swaying in the river, while your mind has already drifted away to earlier times. On sunny days brilliant flowers on both banks competing to bloom will make the stream filled with reflections of sunlight and colour.. Though the painted boats decorated with flowers passing by look a little gawdy,, the paddling boatman dipping their paddles, and the spray they makes you feel for a moment like you are living in the ancient Lizhiwan.
? Enjoy the customs and features of Xiguan by taking a boat along the Lizhiwan Creek while listening to the Canton music
● Liang Ancestral Hall
Liang Ancestral Hall is located in the northwest corner of Fengyuan. You may buy tickets for Lizhiwan Creek cruise in front of the Hall. Along your trip you may experience the local customs of Xiguan while listening to the singing of Cantonese music by Si Huo Ju (private institutions). Twenty-minute's cruise will take you to the Liwan Lake, during which a staff will introduce the information about the Lychee Bay.
● Liwan Lake
The Liwan Lake Park covers a total area of 27 hectares of which 62% of it is water composed of four small lakes, namely Xiaocui Lake, Yucui Lake, Ruyi Lake and Wuxiu Lake. These lakes are connecting with each other through bridges and dams. Besides the magnificent lake features there are eight garden pavilions, eight bridges, four galleries, three resting rooms, one loft and one chamber scattered amidst the sparkling waters and the green trees.
● Haishan Xian Guan
The Haishan Xian Guan is located within the Liwan Lake Park and hosts the Historical Data Exhibition Hall of Thirteen-Hang Monopoly, and is the most famous garden architecture ever built in Lychee Bay in history. In the tenth year during the reign of Daoguang in Qing Dynasty, the wealthy business man Pan Shicheng renovated it, making it the First Garden in Lingnan.
● Former Residence of Jiang Guangnai and Liwan Museum
Take the flower boat back to the South Gate of the Park in the Liwan Lake Park, and visit the former residence of Jiang Guangnai and the Liwan Museum. Located on the lakeside of Liwan Lake, this former residence was built in the early Republican era, and was listed as a Municipality Protected Historic Site in 1993.
● Xiguan Ancient Houses and Wen Pagoda
Walk east 100 meters from the Liwan Museum and you arrive at the Xiguan Ancient Houses featured with antique flavor and Lingnan characteristics, which covers an area of more than 150 square meters. You will then come to the Wen Pagoda after going across the Longjin Bridge from the Xiguan Ancient Houses. Wen Pagoda faces south, with a height of 13.6 meters. According to folklore, it was used originally to serve as a holy pagoda to worship a Chinese god, Kuixing (also known as Wenquxing), who has right to determine the fate of poets and writers..
● Renwei Temple
Walk 200 meters all the way up the Pantang Road from Wen Pagoda, and you arrive at the Renwei Temple. First established in 1052, it is dedicated to worshiping the Zhenwu god. The Taoist temple was the oldest and largest temple in Enzhou, Pantang when it was built. Its architectural carving includes paintings, woodcut, brick design and lime carve, embodying the art essence of ancient architecture in Lingnan.
? Food:
Xiguan specialties like rice flour noodles, Kuih lapis, Tingzai porridge, Qingping Chicken from Guangzhou Gourmet Garden; Centenary old wineshop – Panxi Restaurant; creamed chicken biscuits and best five staff in Pantang, namely lotus root, arrowhead, chestnut, wild rice shoots and water caltrop from the famous old shop Lianxianglou and the Huangshanghuang cured meat.
※ Transportation:
Metro: take Line 1 and get off at the Chen Clan Academy Station. Walk along the Longjing West Road to the destination, beside Panxi Restaurant, or take Line 5 and get off at the Zhongshanba Road Station, and you will arrive at it, after walking through the Liwan Lake Park.
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