Shexian

Shexian is located at the southern foot of Yellow Mountains, Huangshan city, Anhui Province. From the ancient times, it has been a cultural city. It is the major starting place of the quintessence of Chinese culture Beijing Opera, Hui Shang (Merchants in Huizhou) and Hui culture. Besides, this city is the main production place of Hui (Anhui Province) Ink stick and She (Shexian County) Ink Slab (Chinese scholar’s four ‘jewels’: writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper).

About its History

Shexian was set up in 221 BC. It became a cultural center during the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) Dynasties. Later, during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) Dynasties, it changed to a commercial center.

‘Village of Archway’

One of the three famous kinds of ancient structures in Shexian is archway. This county has long been known as ‘Village of Archway’. There are totally over 250 stone archways which are built in Ming and Qing Dynasties. And now, these archways are more like some tridimensional history books with one story about itself. Through these maybe happy or angry or sad stories, people will have a better understanding about the culture and history of this ancient city.

Other Two Ancient Structures

Besides the archways mentioned above, the other two ancient structures in Shexian are residences and memorial temples. Shexian at present can be generally described as ‘primitive simplicity’. Age-old bridges, streets, lanes, wells, buildings, archways etc. everything here mingles together for a natural simplicity and beauty.

The wonderful and harmonious combination of natural beauty with classic ancient structures gives people a sense of not only entering into a natural beauty gallery but a classic art museum. Shexian owns its unique beauty.

Tourism in Shexian

Shexian is one of the four ‘Best-preserved Ancient City in China’ and the other three are Langzhong in Sichuan Province, Lijiang in Yunnan Province and Pingyao in Shanxi Province. Shexian’s tourist resources are very rich, cultural relics and historic sites spreading out just like the chesses on a chessboard.

Local Specialties

Shexian is abundant in product resources. Among them, the most famous ones are Hui (Anhui Province) Ink stick and She (Shexian County) Ink Slab. Because of this, Shexian gets another laudatory name ‘Ink City’. In 1915, Diqiu (a Chinese pronunciation which means the global in English) Ink from Shexian was awarded ‘Gold Medal’ in World’s Fair hosted in Panama.

Besides the above one, tea, Florists Chrysanthemum, San Tan (three natural villages which are all with a ‘Tan’ pronounce Chinese characters in them) Loguat etc. are all worthy your attention. Feel its historical and cultural charming! Enjoy its simplicity! Find another unique beauty!