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Yangmei is an ideal place to re-discover your inner peace,
and to grasp the spirit of China's long history.
Located about 30 kilometers to the west of Nanning, the Ancient
Town of Yangmei has been restored, becoming a charming and popular
destination for tourists visiting the region.
Founded during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the town of Yangmei
burgeoned during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and reached its
heyday during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912 AD), when it became a
major port on the Yongjiang River.
Today Yangmei, which covers an area of 6.5 square kilometers, is
studded with well-preserved old buildings dating back through the
dynasties, and boasts the most beautiful scenery that a southern
river town of its kind can offer. The 5300 townspeople continue
to live as they have for a thousand years, just as if the time had
stopped.
A highlight of the town is the Guixing Pavilion, built in 1736
and shaped like the imperial seal. Three wooden figures are enshrined
separately on the three floors of the building, these are the gods
of scholars. As a matter of fact, Yangmei is the hometown of quite
a few famous scholars in Chinese history, and the cradle of the
new thought that finally gave birth to the 1911 Revolution, which
ended imperial rule in China.
Though the town is open to tourists, local residents have hardly
altered their way of life as a result. Women are often seen making
shoes or doing embroidery by the gates of their houses, evincing
a peaceful and undisturbed countenance. The local people love the
arts, especially the Yue Opera, which is as old as the town itself.
You can wander through the ancient alleys of the town, accompanied
by the enchanting sound of people singing and playing instruments,
recalling the feelings of long-past times.
Yangmei is an ideal place to re-discover your inner peace, far
away from the pressures of modern life, and to grasp the spirit
of China's long history.
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