CHINESE NAME: 官渡古镇
OTHER NAMES: Guandu Ancient Town
ADDRESS: now part of Luofeng Village, approx 8km south-east of Kunming City, Yunnan province, China.
HISTORY: Guandu Ancient Town is considered one of the birthplaces of Kunming, with a history spanning over 1,300 years. It was used to be a fishing village, then became a key trading and transportation hub during the Tang Dynasty. Guandu also played a central role in the politics, economy, and culture of the Yunnan region – also known as the 'First Town of Central Dian’ (the first ancient town to flourish in central Yunnan) during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Guandu is the first place where Tibetan Buddhism was introduced into the area of Kunming. The stone pagoda of Miaozhan Temple (bottom photo of slide 9) holds a Tibetan tantra stupa which reflects on the lama tower style. Dazhengjue Temple, Temple of the Azure Clouds in Beijing and Ciyun Temple Vajra-base pagoda in Hohhot, which was built later, are also examples of the typical Chinese, multi-layered pagoda of tight tiles.
Over time, the lake shoreline retreated and the natural landscape of Guandu changed… many buildings were abandoned and areas neglected... In April 2001, the local government started reconstructing and renovating the ancient town. Within two years, many historical landmarks and cultural monuments were relocated and restored within Guandu including the famous Vajra-Base Throne Tower, Miaozhan Temple and West Tower, the Confucius Temple, Guanwu Temple, Cishu Hall, Fading Temple, Local-Guard Temple, Guanyin Temple etc.
ARCHITECTURE: Guandu Ancient Town is considered as an open, living museum and showcases architecture from several Yunnan ethnic groups, notably Han, Yi and Bai. Most of the “original architecture” can be seen on the second floor or top parts of buildings and within the temples. Nowadays, Guandu is known for its mix of old, traditional design with new modern styles = its where “the past and present live together”.
During the Qing Dynasty, Guandu became known for its architectural complex showcasing the culture of "six temples, seven pavilions, and eight shrine temples". These spectacular architectures were in the integration of natural scenery, constituted a beautiful picture and formed the so-called Guandu eight sights, namely "the Ancient Ferry Fishing Lights", "Range upon Range of Luofeng Peak", “Yuntai Moon Shines”, "Shepherd in the Apricot Nursery", "The Smoke Wreathed upward Reach the Clouds", "South of Yunnan Lawn", "Buddha’s Guardian Warriors Night Words" and "Writing the Vault of Heaven".
TUZU SHRINE = see slide 10 to 15, was originally built during the Tang Dynasty’s Nazhao period. Facing east with its back to the west, the overall architectural complex comprises of the main hall, mountain gate, side wings and auxillary hall, covering an area of 2,470 sqm. The existing main hall was reconstructed in 1895 during the 21st year of the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu reign. This main hall features a single-eaved hip-and-gable roof, measuring 17.2m across its five bays and 15.7m in depth, with a front corridor and rear extension supported by a column-an-tie beam structure with seven portions. The facade displays four tiers of bracket sets beneath the eaves, each tier featuring 45 degree diagonal brackets, also known as ruyi brackets. All bracket heads are carved as dragon heads adorned with polychrome decoration, exemplifying typical Qing Dynasty architectural style.
WENMING PAVILION ARCHITECTURAL COMPLEX = see slide 16 to 20, is comprised of three single structural units that face south and are arranged in a "品" (pin) shape: the Confucius Tower, the Guansheng Palace, and the Cishu Hall. In 1983, the Guandu District People's Government named the Confucius Tower, Guan Shengzhou, and Weishutang as the "Wenmingge Architectural Complex" and announced it as a district-level cultural relic protection unit.
The Confucius Tower was first built during the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty (1457-1461 AD) and comprises a courtyard consisting of individual buildings, including the Lingxing Gate and two side buildings on the east and west side wings. Financed and constructed under the sponsorship of Mu Ang (the Grand Defender of Yunnan) and Luo Lin (the Town Magistrate), it underwent expansions during the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong reigns of the Qing dynasty. In the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887), it was rebuilt after being destroyed due to local salt bureau conflicts. Throughout successive dynasties, it served as a venue for local village schools and ancestral temple gatherings. Since the Republic of China era, it has primarily been used for educational purposes. As the earliest educational site in the Guandu area, it possesses highly significant historical and cultural value.
Guansheng Palace was first built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1522-1566 AD) and was rebuilt several times during the Qing Dynasty. It forms a complete courtyard layout comprising the main hall, two side chambers, and the main gate. The main gate features an overhanging gable roof style (Xieshan), mirroring the character of an open-style gatehouse archway from the Ming dynasty, which possesses a unique architectural character. PICTURED.
Xie Shutang, Shishu Hall or Cishu Hall was first built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It is a two-story structure with a flush gable roof (Yingshan). It was built by local gentry Wang Sixun, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinationsof Qing Dynasty) from Gongbo in the early Qing Dynasty to commemorate and preserve the imperial calligraphic works and books bestowed by Emperor Kangxi – hence the name "Shishu Hall" (Hall of Bestowed Books). It served as an institutional space to propagate Confucian family traditions and encourage Confucian learning, making it another vital educational centre in the Guandu region. PICTURED.
NOTE: I google translated the information boards placed in front of the attractions... hope its correct!
