If you talk about the water town of Qiandeng Ancient Town, I am afraid that not many people know it, but when you mention Chinese Kunqu Opera or the ancient saying that "every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world", I am afraid that most Chinese people will know it. Gu Yanwu, the birthplace of Kunqu Opera and the author of famous quatrains, comes from Qiandeng Ancient Town under the jurisdiction of Kunshan, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Qiandeng Ancient Town Archway (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

On the morning of March 30, 2021, the reporter and Shanghai friends Wang Guojian, Huang Qiaomei, Zhang Youshi, Qiu Zelian, Liu Feng, Wang Jinkui, Jin Fukang, Xu Heyin, Luo Jianqing, Ye Renmin, Zeng Weixin, Wang Jue and others left Jinxi Ancient Town and drove for more than an hour to this Jiangnan ancient town. This is the third ancient water town that the reporter arrived in this trip after Luzhi and Jinxi.

Monument to the birthplace of Kunqu Opera (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In particular, the reporter has a special liking for Kunqu Opera because he has participated in reporting the Kunqu Opera repertoire performed by the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater for many years, which has deepened his love for this ancient town. To this end, I also took a picture of "Qiandeng, the birthplace of Kunqu Opera" and passed it to Wang Jing, Director of the Art Department of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater. Please share my special feelings about Kunqu Opera here.

Qiandeng Ancient Town Propaganda Board (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Looking back at the origin of the place name "Qiandeng", there are many explanations. Some say: "There are thousands of mounds here, so it is called 'Qiandeng'"; others say: "It turns out that there are madder here, so it is called 'Xidun'"; some even say: "It turns out that there are many lights here, so it is called 'Qiandeng'."

Scenery of Qiandengpu (Photo: Wang Jue)

But restoring its history, in fact, the old title of "Qiandeng","Qiandun", does have its origins. According to the "Song Nan Zhi" written by Chen Yuanmo of the Qing Dynasty, 36 miles east and south of Kunshan, there is water in Sanjiachuan Township called Qiandunpu. The Gaisong River flows down from the east of Wumen to this point. There are Dun and Thousand Dun in the north and south of the river, which are renamed Qiandun. In the second year of Xuantong of the Qing Dynasty (1910), because the mound in the area was covered with a grass: "The roots can be used as red dye or medicinal materials. This grass is called 'madder'."

Ancient Town Wharf (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In view of the above reasons,"Qiandun" was renamed "Xidun" at that time. The place name "Xidun" has been used since liberation. Xidun is a place where people gather together. People feel that calling it "Xidun" and "Qiandun" is a bit inappropriate. It is better to use this "lamp".

Qiandeng Qinfeng Tower (Photo: Wang Guojian)

The word "lamp" symbolizes the messenger of light, symbolizes glory, symbolizes prosperity, and is consistent with the "golden thousand lanterns". This is where the place name "Qiandeng" came from. In April 1966, with the approval of the People's Committee of Jiangsu Province, it was finally renamed "Qiandeng" and is still in use today.

Scenic Pedestrian Street (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The Shipaifang passing through Qiandeng Ancient Town walks along a spacious pedestrian street leading to the scenic spot. There are rows of small shops selling various commodities and specialty restaurants on both sides of the street. It takes about ten minutes to walk to the ancient town and water town scenic spot. From the entrance of the scenic area, the Qinfeng Tower in Yanfu Zen Temple is the most eye-catching.

Yanfu Zen Temple (Photo: Huang Qiaomei)

Qinfeng Pagoda, also known as the Shakya Buddha Pagoda, is located on the west bank of Shangshupu, Qiandeng Town. It was built in the second year of Liang Tianjian in the Southern Dynasties (AD 503). Wang Shu, a native of the village, donated his house, and the monk Congyi opened the mountain to build Boruo Temple. Wang Jue, a native of the village, donated his house to broaden the foundation of the temple and build this tower. Because it is located in the sun of Qinzhu Mountain, it is named Qinfeng Tower. By the first year of Xiangfu in Dazhong of the Song Dynasty (1008 AD), Prajna Temple was changed into Yanfu Zen Temple, and Qinfeng Tower was also rebuilt. It has a history of more than 900 years.

Group photo of Qiandeng Ancient Town Scenic Area

At the entrance of the scenic spot, the reporters and his party first left the first group photo of Lai Qiandeng on the side of the commemorative stone of "Qiandeng National 4A-level Tourist Scenic Spot, a Famous Chinese Cultural and Historical Town", with Hengsheng Bridge and Qinfeng Tower as the background. When you come to the bridge and look around, you can see that the Zhuangyuan Wharf is located on the side of Qiandeng Pu. On both sides of the Pu River are grey-and-black houses where people live on the water.

Small bridges and flowing rivers and homes (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Wandering through Qiandeng Ancient Town, people will find that it still retains the checkerboard pattern of "water and land parallel","river streets adjacent" and the simple style of "small bridges, flowing water, and people's homes". It is said that as far back as the Neolithic Age, ancestors survived and multiplied here and created a splendid prehistoric civilization. Today, the ancient town is full of vitality on the basis of its continued beauty, richness and antiquity.

Shiban Street, Ancient Town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Strolling through Shiban Street in the ancient town is a leisurely and comfortable enjoyment. Shiban Street in Qiandeng Town runs through the ancient town from north to south and connects various branch roads, taking a centipede shape. It has a total length of 1.5 kilometers and a main street is 800 meters long. It is made of 2072 long strips of granite. There is a wide and deep sewer under the stone slab, which is connected to the river ports and river beaches throughout the ancient town. Therefore, even if it rains heavily, there is never water on the stone streets and it dries when it clears, which amazes ancient architecture experts.

Corner of the ancient town and water town (Photo: Huang Qiaomei)

Strolling along the winding stone streets and alleys, the essence of the ancient town is located deep in the small streets. Especially when it comes to lights, there is a Thousand Lantern Hall in the ancient town. The smart people in ancient town can be said to have exerted the "lights" to the extreme and fully reflected them in the development of tourism.

Photo taken by Ning Xunqiao (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In Qiandeng Ancient Town, people will find that there are lights on the street, on the bridge, on the bank, on the tower... Especially when the lanterns are first turned on, thousands of lights outlined here are bright, and thousands of lights are lit up. The beautiful scenery of the night is intoxicating... Visiting thousands of lanterns at night is really a person walking on the street, better than a middle stream of lanterns. The name "Qiandeng" can be said to live up to its name.

Statue of Gu Yanwu (Photo: Wang Jue)

You must visit the former residence of Qiandeng Sage Gu Yanwu. As the hometown of Mr. Gu Yanwu, an outstanding thinker, litterateur, and patriotic scholar in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, his famous saying "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world" has always inspired countless people with lofty ideals around the world to work hard. Coincidentally, there is a Guangning Park near the reporter's home in the capital, where there is a statue of Gu Yanwu and famous inscription.

Gu Yanwu's famous inscription (Photo: Wang Jue)

Gu Yanwu, formerly known as Jiang, also known as Ningren, was born in Qiandeng Town, Kunshan in 1613. He died in Quwo, Shanxi in 1682 (the 21st year of the Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty). He was born from his son Gu, and his brother Gu Yan carried the coffin back to Qiandeng's hometown in Kunshan. He was buried in the tomb next to the tomb of his ancestral father Gu Tongji and his adoptive mother Wang Zhenxiao. There is a stele in front of the tomb engraved with "The Tomb of Mr. Gu Tinglin and Wang Shuoren".

Gu Yanwu's former residence (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

There are low brick walls around the cemetery, with one Qing stone tablet embedded; to the south of the tomb is Zhenxiao Square, where Mr. Jingbiao's adoptive mother Wang of the Ming Dynasty; behind the tomb, there are four willows and dozens of pines and cypresses are surrounded. In the twenty-first year of Guangxu (1894), Wan Lijun, the magistrate of Xinyang County, rebuilt the tomb.

Former Residence of Yi 'antang (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In order to protect historical relics and inherit historical culture, in 2002, the Qiandeng Town People's Government hired Southeast University to compile the "Gu Yanwu Tomb Protection Plan" and invested heavily in comprehensively renovating the former residence, ancestral hall and tomb. 240 square meters of residential buildings, 120 square meters of reading buildings, 100 square meters of water wall doors, and 150 square meters of dining rooms have been restored. Gu Garden, which covers an area of 30 acres and has the characteristics of private gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, has been built. Gu Yanwu's former residence covers an area of 60 acres and has a building area of 5450 square meters.

Corner of Gu Yuan (Photo: Zeng Weixin)

Walking into the restored and renovated Gu Yanwu's former residence to pay homage, the Yi 'an Hall and other halls and courtyards that come into people's eyes have been renovated. The tables, chairs and homes are set up according to the style of the Qing Dynasty. Ancient trees stand tall and cover the sun. The wind is simple and elegant.

Qiandeng Guide Board (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Gu Garden, which is separated by a wall from Gu Yanwu's former residence, has a unique cave. The construction of ten scenic spots, including Zhiyong Pavilion, Songju Pavilion, and Xiushi Qiusongzhuang, has been completed. The pavilions and pavilions in the park have flying eaves and corners, surrounded by strange trees, rocks and clear water. Relevant historical materials, poems, portraits, etc. of Gu Yanwu will also be arranged here. Next to Gu Garden is Gu Yanwu's tomb.

Photo taken by Qiandeng (Photo: Wang Guojian)

Due to time constraints, although the reporter's visit to Qiandeng Ancient Town was a quick visit, its rich historical and cultural relics and the simple style of the Jiangnan water town are deeply unforgettable and unforgettable. (Photo and text: Feng Ganyong)