Yangmei Ancient Town
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.