Xiangtang Water Town is located in Fengfeng Mining Area and Donghe Village. It is located at the foot of Xiangtang Mountain and built on Fuyang River. It starts from Hezhuang Village of Hecun Town in the north and reaches Donghe Village of Hecun Town in the south, with a total length of 765 meters. The water town involves three beautiful villages, Hezhuang, Donghe Village, and Xihe Village. The planned area covers a total area of more than 500 acres.

The past glorious history

Xiangtang Water Town is located in the northernmost part of Dadifengfeng mining area in southern Hebei and Donghe Village in the hinterland of the village. Sanli northeast of the water town is the birthplace of the Fuyang River. The gurgling springs have spurted for thousands of years and flowed into He Village to the southwest to nourish the fertile soil and nourish the people. Beibali is the site of Cishan Culture, the birthplace of Eastern civilization, and the earliest discovery place of grain millet, domestic chicken and Central Plains walnut in the world.

Nanshili of Water Town is the ancient town of Pengcheng, the hometown of China's Cizhou kiln. The fire of Cizhou kiln has not been extinguished for thousands of years. The myths and legends of Chinese ceramics are interpreted with white ground and black flowers. It can be said that this is a holy land where the ancient Cishan culture, Cizhou kiln culture, Xiangtang culture, and Fuyang River culture are nourished and blended!

Then quietly declined

After the reform and opening up, Hecun’s economy developed rapidly and became a key small town in the country at the beginning of this century. However, the environment of Donghe Village was severely damaged due to the lack of overall planning and coordination at the time, especially the Fuyang River flowing through the village, which became a river channel for residents to dump garbage and discharge sewage from industrial and mining enterprises. The beautiful scene of fish fat has become the memories and homesickness of many Donghe villagers.

Brilliant now

Today's Xiangtang Water Town is one of the top ten beautiful villages in the country in 2017. It is the first choice for people from surrounding provinces and cities to travel, and it is a shining pearl on the land of southern Hebei. Since its official opening on September 21, 2017, this once little-known village has welcomed tourists from all over the world with an open, tolerant and enthusiastic attitude. The long-silent Xiangtang Water Town has finally ushered in its glory again!

With the three-element culture of "Water Street, Ancient Street, and Food Street" as its soul, the water town block is planned to focus on four areas, including four functional areas including folk custom sightseeing area, dining and leisure area, culture and art area, and merchant workshop area.

Fuyang River Wetland Park: Taking Jiuhe Tower as the center, on the basis of traditional parks, through wetland restoration, green vegetation, and construction of dams to store water, the Fuyang River Wetland is practically penetrated into the water town scenic spot.

Merchant's Workshop Street: With the ancient Yuhuang Pavilion as the center, the residential houses on both sides of the river in the water town are transformed into antique folk-custom commercial workshops, and the merchant's workshops in the ancient town of the village during the Qingming period are meticulously restored. Amorous Snack Street-a gathering of local delicacies from Fengfeng, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Henan and other places.

Hecun Folk Street: The main tone is to reflect the history and rich folk culture of Hecun. Show visitors the traditional folk custom nodes such as Lao Mentou, Village History Museum, Folk Custom Commercial Street, Dyeing Workshop and so on. Restore the original appearance of the traditional old house to form a unique folk tourism area with architectural style.

Pagoda of Nine Harmony: From bottom to top, it is: Seeing Harmony, Caution Harmony, Body Harmony, Mouth Harmony, Mind Harmony, Li Harmony, Human Harmony, Earth Harmony, Heaven Harmony. The highest level of the tower represents Tianhe. Tianhe is the highest state pursued by the country in life and society, and a harmonious society is also the meaning of Tianhe. On the inner wall of the Jiuhe Pagoda, there are exquisite murals based on the implication of the Jiuhe Pagoda.

Jade Emperor Pavilion: Built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, it is a landmark building in Xiangtang Water Town and a representative building on the Fukouxing Ancient Road, one of the ancient Taihang Eight Bridges. It is a sister building with Nanxiangtang Wuliang Pavilion, both of which were built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The newly built Jade Emperor Pavilion has basically maintained its original appearance.

Nowadays, there are small bridges and flowing water, blue tiles and white walls, gathering of snacks, and full of voices, which not only integrates the characteristics of Jiangnan town, but also combines the local northern culture. No matter where you are from, here, you can always find that familiar feeling. This is the charm of Xiangtang Water Town. Editor/He Yuting