Yangmei ancient town is located in the downstream of the Zuojiang River and it is surrounded by rivers on three sides, about 30 km away from Nanning, its land and water transportation is convenient. Town was built in the Song dynasty, because of water transportation it is rising, also for waterway it became silence, and it has experienced thousands of years. Yangmei was developing in the Ming dynasty, the Qing dynasty was more prosperous. When Yangmei ancient town was in its prime time, it had eight piers. Yangmei ancient town residents were mostly from Shandong, a small number of them were from Guangdong, settled down after doing business here.
It is said that the Yangmei ancient town was developed in 1999 and by 2003 Yangmei was named the first of "the top ten landscapes" in Nanning. When Yangmei ancient town had been developed it kept the Ming and Qing dynasties ancient architectural complexes for more than 700 large complexes, where is the most complete preservation of the Ming and Qing dynasties buildings in Nanning. Ten years later there only left 300 ancient buildings, and in 2009 Yangmei ancient town was not one of the "top ten landscapes” anymore. Modern buildings are more and more, concrete covers in the ancient stone road, the old house was demolished and the new building is under construction.
My schedule:
08:50 Diagonally across the Nanning Railway Station in Huaqiang Road, there is the special vehicle to Yangmei ancient town, 12 RMB a person (there is a bus from 07:30)
10:15 arriving Yangmei ancient town, the ticket is 10 RMB a person
12:40 having lunch
15:40 taking return bus to Nanning, 12 RMB a person. The latest return bus is at 16:30
17:10 arriving Nanning
Bumps along the way, I come close to Yangmei. Outside the window I see countless rich oranges, thick canes, green banana trees, for me, how fresh it is and it is completely another world. After getting off the bus I walk a short way to the center of the town, there is a full map of town. And there are some local residents ask whether you want a tour guide.
Monday's Yangmei indeed exceptionally deserted with precious few visitors, but I like it. The ancient town can return to her real quiet, that is her temperament. Stroll Yangmei, local women sat in the corridor to weave stuffs, the old women some selling things in their stands, some chatting while men are playing cards. There ire flocks of chickens walk in the middle of the road.
The roadside stalls along the way.
Yangmei Old House. I don’t know if this house is at the same age with Yangmei Ancient Town.
Wudietang Hotel. Wudietang used to sell Tofu, now it was developed into hotel. We are gonna to have lunch here, but it is a bit late that the master is going out.
The Huang Manor
The House of Ming Dynasty
Private House of Qing Dynasty
Juren House
The Riverside Street
I have lunch in a small restaurant, there are no customers. This meal I eat the dish steamed pork with preserved vegetables, a soup and green vegetables, my friend talk to the landlady to give some famous dried turnip of Yangmei ancient town. Unexpectedly, she gives us a grail filled with adequate weight. The dried turnip is very sweet and we eat out.
All the above is according to my route to record. In the morning the weather is fine, but at noon is very hot.