Ladies and gentlemen (experts/leaders/tourists), good morning. Welcome to Gaoyou. I am the guide xxx. I will be your guide along the way.
The road our car is currently on is called Wenyu Road, named after the famous scenic spot, Wenyu Terrace, located to the north of this road. This road serves as the city's central axis and is part of the old provincial highway Huaijiang Highway. To your right lies the old town of Gaoyou, where there are many Ming and Qing dynasty buildings that are exceptionally well-preserved. Since the Grand Canal and Gaoyou Lake are to the west, the western part of the city cannot expand further. Therefore, the entire Gaoyou city has expanded eastward, with our new urban areas and new residential complexes all on your left.
When visiting a place, everyone is certainly interested in what delicious food and fun activities it offers, how many years of history it has, and who the famous people are... Combining all this, I have a question for you: guess the price of commercial housing in Gaoyou, with good locations and floors, at 1 square meter?... Ha ha, the average housing price in Gaoyou is about 10,000 yuan per square meter. Gaoyou is a beautiful small city with good air quality and low living pressure. It boasts a long history and was listed as a Chinese Historical and Cultural City in 1995. Among more than 2,000 counties and cities nationwide, it is one of the few cities named after "Yao." Despite its small size, it has a rich cultural heritage. As early as 7,000 years ago, humans lived within the territory of Gaoyou during the Neolithic Age, which was a matrilineal clan society. Our ancestors cultivated this land and already knew how to grow rice artificially, a discovery that shifted the origin of rice cultivation in China from south of the Yangtze River to south of the Huai River, pushing back the history of Gaoyou by 2,000 years. During the Qin Dynasty, after Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China, he established postal relay stations across the country centered around the capital Xianyang (Shaanxi). At that time, "high platforms" and "post stations" were built within the territory of Gaoyou, giving rise to the name "Gaoyou." Because it was established during the Qin Dynasty, it was also called "Qin Post." "Qin Post" is now a well-known trademark, known for Qin Post duck eggs and Qin Post Dong candy.
The county was established in the Western Han Dynasty, which has a history of more than 2,000 years. In the Song Dynasty, the city wall of Gaoyou was built, and at that time, Gaoyou was called Gaoyou Army. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was called Gaoyou Prefecture, which governed three counties: Gaoyou, Baoying and Xinghua, and belonged to the sixth grade of Yangzhou.
In this long and profound history, our Gaoyou has produced many celebrities. The legendary figures Yao, one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, was born in Tianshan Town west of Gaoyou Lake. The two familiar lines of love poetry, "If two hearts are truly devoted, why should they be together day and night?" were penned by Qin Guan, a renowned poet of the Song Dynasty. We, the people of Gaoyou, also have our own heroes. Wang Pan, the master of Southern Drama during the Ming Dynasty, is another native son of Gaoyou. His poem "Chao Tianzi: Ode to the Trumpet" vividly describes the scene during the Zhengde period when eunuch Liu Jin sailed through Gaoyou, oppressing the local populace. Wu Sangui, a formidable warlord at the end of the Ming and beginning of the Qing Dynasties, was also from Gaoyou. Additionally, Wang Nian Sun and Wang Yin Zhi, both Qing dynasty philologists, were also natives of Gaoyou. In modern times, Xu Pingyu, Deputy Minister of Culture before the Cultural Revolution, the famous writer Wang Zengqi, former UN Ambassador Qin Huasun, and Foreign Minister Jiang Enzhu, among others, are all from Gaoyou.
Gaoyou is an ancient city with outstanding people and spiritual land. At the same time, the hard-working people of Gaoyou have also protected many scenic spots left by their ancestors. At present, there are 6 cultural protection units and 7 provincial cultural protection units.
We have now turned onto Pipa Road, which was once a street that combined dining and entertainment in previous years. Look to the left; there is the Pure Land Temple Pagoda and Civic Square from the Ming Dynasty. In 2010, during the 20th anniversary of Gaoyou's transformation from a county to a city, this square and pagoda were renovated. Looking ahead to the right, you can see the Song Dynasty-era city wall of Gaoyou, with the canal water channeling into the moat beside it. We are currently outside the ancient city wall, and further north lies another Song Dynasty-era East Water Gate. Above us is where scholars used to gather, the Ming Dynasty-era Kuixing Pavilion. Next to the pavilion is the garden of Wang Yongji, a high-ranking official of Gaoyou during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. After taking office in the Qing dynasty, he also participated in politics. Due to the suspicion of his uncle Dorgon, the Qing emperor, Wang Yongji later stepped down and retired to his hometown. Because Wang Yongji enjoyed planting flowers and grass, as the saying goes, "flowers attract butterflies," this square has been known as "Butterfly Garden Square" since the Ming Dynasty. Before we get off, I'll give you a riddle: Hanghang Xin, what is a place name? —— Gaoyou.
Ok, let's take a look at why Gaoyou is a city named after the post, making friends with the post and developing the post.
Yingyi Lane archway
We are now at the eastern entrance of Yucheng Post Station Scenic Area. Look at the three characters "Guan Yi Alley," which are masterpieces by Master Qi Gong. This alley is over 500 meters long and has been passed through by many officials and merchants who left behind poems. So why is our post station called Yucheng Post Station? Yucheng, an alternative name for Gaoyou, comes from the Song Dynasty poet Qin Shaoyou's verse describing his hometown as "my hometown like a covered basin." Thus, Yucheng Post Station got its name. It is one of the best-preserved and largest ancient post stations in China, and it is the only postal station museum open to the public. It is also one of the World Heritage Sites and a national key cultural relic protection unit, making it one of the few open ancient post stations in China.
Visitor Service Centre
This is our newly upgraded visitor service center, covering more than 500 square meters and divided into six functional areas. First, this side is the ticketing and inquiry area; the other side includes the sales area, multifunctional reading area, reading area, and film screening area. In the middle is the rest area, with several additional services nearby: tea and water supply, baby care room, medical room, and smart interpretation. Additionally, there are 18 free service items: tea and water supply, free Wi-Fi, computer internet access, smart interpretation, mobile phone charging station, baby care room, medical room, book and newspaper reading, shoe shining, crutches, umbrellas, wheelchairs, strollers, small item storage, sewing kit, air pump, and brochures introducing each scenic spot.
Local products sales center
Next, please follow me to the opposite local products center. You can see all kinds of tourism products in Gaoyou, such as double yolk duck eggs, Qin Post Dong sugar, Jieshou tea cakes, Gaoyou Lake silver fish cakes, dried geese, pine flower eggs, Gaoyou Pearl light rice, Zhuhu three treasures and so on.
We have also created the "Yucheng Post" brand of local products, so that you can feel the ancient charm of Gaoyou, and at the same time send our greetings to your family and friends.
Mocheng Teahouse
Mengcheng Teahouse is located on the upper floor of the local specialty center, covering an area of about 200 square meters. It's a place for you to relax, enjoy leisure activities, and have a pleasant trip. Here, you can chat while sipping tea. Every day, we offer free folk performances such as solo yangqin, erhu, and guzheng performances, complemented by folk songs, fully showcasing the beauty and charm of the water town. Let you forget your worries and experience the poetry and rhythm of Gaoyou, the water town.
(Lower floor) The old impression of Gaoyou on both sides that we see now is also the business format of our scenic spots, which shows the old stories, old streets, old houses and old industries of Gaoyou. This side will be developed into the sales of characteristic products of Gaoyou in the future.
The seal marks the passage of time
(Follow me) China is one of the countries with the earliest and most developed postal stations in the world. Successive feudal rulers have always attached great importance to these stations, referring to the postal network as "the lifeblood of the nation." The names and functions of each station varied over time and periods. What you see here is the seal, which records the station names from the Qin Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty in Gaoyou: Gaoyou Pavilion, Yinghua Station, Gaoyou Station, Qin Post Station, Yucheng Station, and Qin Post Office. When couriers delivered official documents, they had to stamp them with this large seal, indicating that there were no issues at this stage in Gaoyou, and that they arrived on time and relatively intact. After stamping the seal, they continued to the next station. (Continue walking forward) Since all deliveries were official documents, the seals on the documents were guaranteed to be intact. If anything was wrong, the responsibility would be traced back to the previous station. Documents had to arrive on time; late arrivals would face severe punishment, typically receiving 60 lashes or more. In military matters, delays could result in execution.
If you look to the left, this is our 3A public toilet in the scenic area. There are men's toilets, women's toilets and a humanized third toilet for family members to take care of their opposite-sex family members who need care.
The seal marks the passage of time to Wen Tianxiang Square
On the left of us is an underground parking lot. Our scenic spot parking lot is divided into three places, covering a total area of about 11,000 square meters.
The number of post stations varied across different periods. Historical records show that during the Tang Dynasty, there were over 1,700 post stations nationwide, and in the Ming Dynasty, this number was around 1,300. These stations formed an invisible network, serving as crucial institutions for central government communication with local areas. Their functions evolved due to differences in region and population density. At that time, our Yucheng Post Station was located on the Grand Canal, ranking among the upper-tier stations. It had four primary functions: First, the postal function, which was the most important. It handled official documents, similar to today's post offices, making it a precursor to modern postal services and their origin. Second, the reception function. When officials were transferred or dispatched to various regions, they needed accommodation and rest during their travels, all of which were provided at the post stations, akin to modern government guesthouses. These stations also received visiting officials and foreign envoys, but private matters were not accommodated. Third, the grain transport function. Our post station was near the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. During the Ming Dynasty, this canal connected the north and south of China, serving as a major transportation artery. The Yucheng Post Station was responsible for transporting grain, salt, and goods between the north and south, all of which had to pass through our station for transit. Another function was the escort of convicts. To ensure urban safety, the Yucheng Post Station had a prison with both temporary and long-term detention facilities. To this day, in the northeast corner of the post station, there are old houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with signs still preserved at the corners of the walls indicating the names of male and female wards. This special function of the post station is similar to today's detention centers. When you think about this, you might think of a play called "Su San's Release". When Su San was falsely accused and exiled, she had to be temporarily detained on the way, so she must have been detained in an inn on the way.
Wen Tianxiang Square
Here you see the Wen Tianxiang Square. Wen Tianxiang (1236——1283), from Jishui (now Jiangxi), was a loyal minister of the Southern Song Dynasty, Right Chancellor, literary figure, and national hero. His poem, "Since ancient times, who can escape death? Let my loyal heart shine in history," demonstrates his unwavering resolve to uphold national integrity until his last breath. According to historical records, in the second year of Deyou (1276), Wen Tianxiang was appointed as Right Chancellor and concurrently Chief Military Commissioner to negotiate peace with the Yuan army. He was captured by the Yuan forces but later escaped through Gaoyou. To avoid causing disturbances in the city, he hid himself in the horse drinking pond outside the city walls. Later, he escaped from this pond and made it to Tongzhou. During his time in Gaoyou, Wen Tianxiang left many poems that document his experiences there. To better commemorate him, the Wen Tianxiang Square was built on the place where he once stayed. The lifelike statue of the loyal minister Wen Tianxiang stands by the river, and four ancient stone carvings— "Nostalgia for Gaoyou," "Departure from Gaoyou," "Departure from Gaosha," and "Arrival at Gaosha" —record Wen Tianxiang's deep bond with Gaoyou.
Qingqiu Bridge to the willow shade Zen forest
This bridge is called Qingqiu Bridge. The Tang Dynasty poet Li He wrote in his poem: "When will the golden helmet be on, and the swift horse trample the clear autumn?" praising the iron-clad steeds of our post station. Now, within your line of sight, all the business formats of our Yucheng Post Station are here. From 2013 to early 2015, the government carried out extensive renovations for the second phase of the Yucheng Post Station project, covering an area of 8 hectares. To enhance the cultural depth of the scenic area and create a leisure path, we upgraded the benches for visitors and installed small ground lamps on the grass. The surrounding water system is dynamic; it's just that the Hai Zi River has been diverted from the canal. This entire area is called Mayin Pond. Why isn't there a large body of water? Why was a small island built in the middle? It's because there is a grain transport wharf on the other side of Mayin Pond, where many cargo ships have historically come to transport grain. The island serves as a docking area for these ships. There is a thatched cottage called Liuquan Cottage, where Pu Songling once chatted with local people and told stories. Pu Songling, also known as Liuquan Jushi, is commonly referred to as Mr.Liaozhai and is a distinguished literary figure of the Qing Dynasty. In the ninth year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, Pu Songling was invited by his fellow townsman Sun Hui to serve as a secretary in Gaoyou, while also managing the Yucheng Post Station, which he was responsible for. During his tenure, he often chatted with locals about historical anecdotes and family matters here. (Continue forward) In the 17th century, there was a novel called "The Marriage Mirror," which tells a story set in the Yucheng Post Station of Gaoyou in Chapter 88 (whether or not to mention it depends on the time context). Notably, the author's name is listed as Xizhou Sheng. Later, Hu Shi, Lu Dahuang, and others confirmed that Xizhou Sheng is none other than Pu Songling. The characters, times, and places mentioned in the story are all very consistent with those of our Pu Songling.
The two houses beside us are called Willow Shade Zen Forest, a municipal cultural heritage site built during the Jiaqing period. Look at the old bricks in the corners of the walls; they are still from the Qing Dynasty. What were they used for? They were where respected elderly monks came to meditate and cultivate their minds after retiring. In modern terms, it was a place for retired officials to rest and recuperate. The mountain gate hall is rebuilt with old bricks, and now it displays Pu Songling's life story. Behind it, we have newly set up incense and tea ceremonies. By the way, we have created smart tourism for visitors. You can scan our QR code to listen to audio guides. There are many such smart guides, located at each entrance point. Give them a try.
Cargo terminal
(Leaving the Zen Forest and crossing the bridge) Everyone, look ahead. The grain transport dock is right there. Cargo ships from all over the region come to transfer their grain and salt, making it a crucial hub for cargo transportation between the Grand Canal and the Li Xia River. Those statues and wall carvings vividly recreate the bustling scenes of yesteryear. In this area, you can find several grain and salt shops, including Tongchang Grain Store, Yitaiyuan Grain Store, Yongshunyuan Grain Store, Zhenlong Grain Store, and Zhan Family Alley Salt Shop.
Ma Yintang
(From here to the north) When it comes to post stations, we know that horses are important means of transportation. The number of horses determines the scale and function of a post station. Generally, a post station has 60-80 horses, while our Mengcheng Post Station has over 130. Depending on the urgency of the documents being delivered, the speed of selection will vary. It could be 300 li in one day and night, or 400 li, and for higher priority tasks, it can reach up to 800 li in one day and night. Historical records state that a swift message travels 800 li, and a rapid report covers 600 li, illustrating such speeds. Thus, the horses at the post stations were categorized into strong horses, medium horses, and thin horses. Speaking of speed, the story of Yang Guifei's lychees illustrates this: "A rider in red dust makes the concubine smile; no one knows it is the lychee that has come." The freshness of the lychees from the south was especially remarkable when they reached the hands of the concubine, demonstrating how fast they could travel. However, her lychees never made it to us. Additionally, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang established a special route for the concubine to ensure the freshness of the lychees, as a way to show his affection for her. This route was similar to today's express service, a green channel. (Pointing to a statue of a horse) This is a Ming Dynasty drinking dock where hundreds of horses could play and drink simultaneously.
(Continue north to Guanyi Lane to Yucheng Post)
From the beginning of postal transmission to the end of the post stations, it spanned over 3,000 years. During this period, the Ming Dynasty's Yucheng Post Station was in its largest and most functional phase, with relatively strict laws governing the postal system at that time. In the thirtieth year of Hongwu (1397), Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang compiled the *Great Ming Code*, consisting of seven parts and four hundred and sixty articles. Among these, the "Military Law" specifically addressed the postal stations, setting clear penalties for those who violated regulations while using the postal service. For example, any envoy who exceeded the number of boats and horses allowed would receive eighty strokes on each additional boat or horse, with an additional level for each excess. Another example was that any official on official business who occupied a room in the main hall of a post station would receive fifty strokes, with an additional level for every ten pounds of personal items carried. Such regulations were numerous, yet some still broke them. At that time, Prince Consort Ouyang Lun abused his power and authority, attempting to defy the law. During one official trip, he privately carried over 200 pounds of tea, and when the post station refused to accommodate him, he caused a disturbance, causing extremely negative repercussions. Later, Zhu Yuanzhang learned of this and hoped Ouyang Lun would admit his mistake voluntarily, but he did not. When Zhu Yuanzhang talked to him, Ouyang Lun tried to argue his case, which greatly angered Zhu Yuanzhang. He decided to take action against this arrogant and ignorant son-in-law as a warning to others. Ignoring Princess Anqing's pleas and cries, he resolutely issued an edict to execute Ouyang Lun. This act temporarily curbed the disturbances at the post stations.
Industry introduction
Xinxi Pavilion and the first phase of the project (Zhang Yuanqi photography exhibition, Zhu Kui art exhibition, now famous people singing about Gaoyou stone carvings, civic Square)
Mengcheng Post Station core area
Yucheng Post Station was discovered in 1985 during a cultural relics survey in Gaoyou. Later, after archaeological research and evaluation by experts at various levels, it is said to be one of the best-preserved and largest ancient post stations in China today. The original station was grand in scale, covering an area of about 16,000 square meters. Today, there are approximately 3,000 square meters of ancient buildings, including archways, screens, main hall, rear hall, soldiers 'quarters, warehouses, kitchens, corridors, stables, horse temples, station master's residence, and drum towers. Despite its vicissitudes, the ancient style remains intact, earning it the title of "rare treasure" and "living fossil" of Chinese postal stations. From 1993 to 1995, the Gaoyou municipal government restored Yucheng Post Station and established the only postal station museum in China. It is now a national key cultural relic protection unit and was approved as a national 3A-level tourist attraction in 2014. With the successful application for the World Heritage status of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Yucheng Post Station has also been listed as a World Heritage site.
a screen wall facing the gate of a house
The screen wall is 14 meters long and 3.5 meters high, serving as a symbol of class rule and reflecting the solemn and imposing atmosphere of ancient post stations as government offices. Regarding the screen wall, there were two interpretations in ancient times: one was that for officials, it could display the dignity and majesty of government offices; the other was that for the common people, they believed it could ward off evil and impurities.
Hall of Royal Glory
The term "Huanghua" was a respectful title for envoys at the time. The Huanghua Hall served as the administrative center of the entire post station, primarily responsible for postal communication and document processing. Additionally, high-ranking officials from Gaoyou Prefecture would meet their superiors here. On either side of the eaves hung couplets reading, "Posts set up within the state facilitate swift communication; geese fly from afar in an instant." Below the plaque of "Huanghua Hall," another couplet read, "Messages conveyed with spirit and understanding, virtue left behind through postal dispatches." These two couplets succinctly encapsulate the functions and roles of ancient post stations. On the walls on both sides of the hall hung charts such as the "Postal Regulations," "Dispatch Orders," "Horse and Boat Statistics," and "Division of Labor and Responsibilities," which vividly illustrate the functions of ancient post stations.
The signing room
The room on the west side of the hall is the signature room, where the postmaster signs and signs his office. The main task of the signature room is to sign a word and draw a seal in this room on the west side after the documents have been delivered, confirming that they are correct and undamaged, indicating that the documents have been delivered.
study
The room on the east side of the hall is the study, where the postmaster can rest after handling official business. This postmaster is the senior manager of our station, a ninth-rank official. When it comes to ranks, you might think that a ninth-rank official is nothing special. Indeed, there's a saying in China: "a seventh-rank sesame official." A seventh-rank official is still considered a minor position, let alone a ninth-rank one. However, don't underestimate this small ninth-rank official. He reports directly to central leadership and serves as an administrative officer dispatched by the center to local areas. His relationship with the center is unique, characterized by vertical leadership. Although the postmaster is a minor official at the prefecture or county level, he has significant responsibilities, such as welcoming and seeing off guests and navigating between his superiors and high-ranking officials. Despite being a minor official, he is still an "official," and the station is known locally as an "office." It is equipped with instruments of punishment and can publicly issue announcements.
Stay in the hall
"Stationed" in ancient times meant to stay, and "station" referred to passing envoys. The Station Hall was where the ancient postmaster received various envoys and guests from all directions. The couplet on the eaves of the Station Hall reads: "Passersby should stop for a rest when they meet; here, the journey ends as home." On the pillars on both sides of the hall, there is another couplet: "Plum sends the spring breeze to weary the postman, reeds carry autumn waters to entrust the mail carrier." This was inscribed by General Zhang Aiping, the founding general. Here, "reeds" refers to reeds, just as the Book of Songs says: "The reeds are lush, white mist turns to frost. The one I seek stands across the water." Our Gaoyou Lake is rich in reeds, and every year during the flowering season, the area is covered in a vast expanse of white, creating a truly beautiful scene. On either side of the hall are guest rooms, used for officials and literati to stay overnight. The entire building retains its typical Ming Dynasty style. Please take note of this hall room; it is one of the best-preserved sections of the Yucheng Post Station, a relic from the Ming Dynasty with over 600 years of history. The hall, beams, tiles, and columns have not been altered, fully preserving their original appearance. For example, there are two beam supports here, adorned with some wood carvings. These carvings carry symbolic meanings. On the western beam support, an ancient musical instrument called a qing is carved. The qing was a percussion instrument in ancient times, followed by two fish, symbolizing abundance and good fortune. Here is a curved jade ruyi, topped with a "wan" character pattern, and a long tassel in the middle, symbolizing endless blessings. There are also similar elements on the opposite side, as ancient Chinese architecture emphasizes symmetry. On the eastern beam, there is a bat carved on it, with a copper coin on its belly, symbolizing good fortune and wealth; here, two square cakes are carved, which are diamond-shaped and cross each other, resembling the shape of rice cakes eaten during the New Year, connecting to mean good fortune, wealth, and continuous advancement; here, a brush is placed on an ancient silver ingot, signifying certain victory. Just like modern people, ancient people also yearned for happiness, so they chose names that sounded similar, mainly reflecting the folk customs of the time, fully expressing people's aspirations and pursuit of a better life. When Yucheng Post Station was designated as a cultural relic protection unit in 1996, this hall played a significant role.
Post station
The post station was where the staff of Yucheng Post lived at that time, similar to today's employee dormitories. Let's take a look; the division of labor back then was quite detailed, including watermen, horsemen, dry carriers, cooks, and guards. Watermen transported messages by boat, horsemen carried messages on horseback, dry carriers walked to deliver messages, cooks prepared meals, and guards provided security. At that time, the post station had over 200 staff members, more than 130 horses for message delivery, 18 boats for transportation, and over 100 rooms. The total area originally covered over 16,000 square meters, but this place is only one-eighth of the original scale.
Portrait of Marco Polo
The Italian traveler Marco Polo was born in Europe and served the Yuan Dynasty government for 17 years, becoming very familiar with China. He once passed through our Gaoyou. In his book "The Travels of Marco Polo," he mentioned that this place was recorded as follows: "Our Gaoyou is not only rich in resources but also offers good value for money." He wrote, "With one grosso of Venetian silver coins, you can buy three pheasants as large as peacocks." (Pheasant: refers to a wild chicken)
The Ritz-Carlton
The Reception Hall was a parlor where the postmaster of the time would entertain visiting officials. Inside, an exhibition titled "Famous Figures and Yucheng Post" is displayed on the walls. Let's take a look at who famous figures from history have visited this post station. First, we see Li Jifu, a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, who once lived at Yucheng Post and supervised the construction of the Pingjin Dam. The Pingjin Dam was a water conservancy project built along the shores of Gaoyou Lake to prevent the lake from flooding the entire city. This project is well-known in ancient Chinese water management history. Next, we see Fan Zhongyan, the author of "Yueyang Tower Inscription," who also stayed at Yucheng Post. Everyone knows his famous line: "Worry before the worries of the world, and enjoy after the joys of the world." Moving forward, we see Wang Anshi, one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, who once lived in the post station's guesthouse, guiding young poet Wang Ling on how to write poetry. Wang Ling was from Jiangdu and was very talented; his poetry was distinctive, but unfortunately, he fell ill and passed away at the young age of 28.
Here on display are the national heroes Yue Fei and Han Shizhong. The loyal and patriotic Yue Fei once fought a brilliant battle in our Gaoyou San Duo. This is Wen Tianxiang, another national hero. When people mention Wen Tianxiang, they often recall the famous poem: "Since ancient times, who can escape death? Let my loyal heart shine in history." The origin of this poem has some connection with our Gaoyou Yucheng Post Station. Back then, Wen Tianxiang was pursued by the Yuan army and fled to our area, then set out from our post station's horse drinking pond to Lingdingyang in Guangdong, thus giving birth to this timeless verse.
This is the Italian traveler Marco Polo mentioned earlier. Besides Marco Polo, foreign visitors such as the Dutch envoy Ni Hui and the Korean Choi Bok also came to Yucheng Post Station, all of which are recorded in writing, indicating that the post station was widely welcoming guests from all directions in ancient times. The Rongbin Pavilion has witnessed the changes of eras and the rise and fall of Yucheng Post Station, giving its essence and value a new definition.
Exhibition of ancient Chinese post station history
This is currently the only postal history exhibition in our country, introducing the over three thousand years of postal service from the Shang Dynasty to the Xinhai Revolution. According to oracle bone inscriptions, as early as the Shang Dynasty, there were methods of conveying messages by carriage. The Zhou Dynasty began setting up postal relay stations, specifically responsible for delivering official documents, receiving passing officials, and transporting goods. They also built beacon towers for warning fires to report enemy movements. Early information transmission relied on sound and light; sound came from gongs and drums, and light from beacon fires. Communication at that time was very difficult. A collection of Chinese poetry, the "Book of Songs," includes poems reflecting folk communication, such as "Picking Wild Herbs": My garrison has not been settled, I cannot send a message home. "The Wind" says: Who will return westward, carrying good news? At that time, whether it was soldiers far from home or travelers on business, if they wanted to communicate with their families back home, they could only entrust a familiar acquaintance to deliver a message. Starting from the Qin Dynasty, through the Han and Northern and Southern Dynasties, China's postal system ended its fragmented and chaotic state, gradually moving towards unification and improvement, laying the foundation for future postal services. The hardships of folk communication during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties are reflected in the "Nineteen Old Poems," such as "Drinking Horses at the Great Wall": A guest comes from afar, leaving me two carp. Calling my son to cook the carp, inside is a letter." Some people, due to the difficulty of communication, used wild geese and dogs to deliver messages. Entrusting someone to carry messages did not guarantee both time and safety. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there was a man named Yin Xian (courtesy name Hongqiao). When he was sent to Jiangxi as the governor, his relatives, friends, and subordinates entrusted him with delivering letters home. At that time, the capital of the Eastern Jin was Jiankang (present-day Nanjing, also known as Stone City). As he approached Stone City, he threw all these letters into the river, muttering, "Those who sink will sink, those who float will float; I, Yin Hongqiao, do not deliver mail." Later generations referred to this incident as the "Mistake of Hongqiao." Because he considered himself noble and looked down on the act of delivering messages for others, fearing it would taint his prestigious lineage, he threw over a hundred letters entrusted to him by his relatives and friends into the river. This incident illustrates that in ancient times, entrusting someone to deliver messages could be unreliable.
In China, before the Song Dynasty, the functions of postal stations were relatively comprehensive. By the Song Dynasty, people clearly distinguished between post stations and courier services. Post stations mainly handled the reception of various government officials, similar to today's government guesthouses, while courier services were specifically responsible for communication matters. The Song Dynasty also implemented a system of recruiting soldiers, using box soldiers as couriers to professionalize courier services. Unlike the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang Dynasties, where civilians took turns serving in this role, this was a significant advancement in postal history. The Song Dynasty also allowed government officials to send private letters through the postal system, enabling them to communicate privately, which was another reform in the postal service. Emperor Taizong (985 AD) officially ordered that officials could send private letters through the postal system, allowing foreign and domestic officials to entrust their personal correspondence to the postal service, making communication slightly more convenient for lesser-ranking officials. However, those who enjoyed such privileges were still a minority; most civilian communications still relied on personal messengers or trusted individuals to carry messages along the way. After Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, the postal service expanded, with extensive routes and smooth communication. During the Kangxi-Qianlong period, China's postal service reached its peak, integrating the best practices from previous dynasties, and civilian mail agencies became widespread. However, after the mid-Qing Dynasty, due to the increasing corruption of the Qing government and internal and external difficulties, coupled with the rise of civilian mail delivery, the official postal service gradually declined. By 1913, around the time of the Xinhai Revolution, due to the needs of the Industrial Revolution, the establishment of the Great Qing Railway and the postal service, the ancient method of horseback delivery had become outdated. Therefore, the Beiyang Government announced the complete abolition of all post stations and their integration into the postal service. The post office once promoted the development of history, and after completing its historical mission, it quietly withdrew from the stage of history, but it has always been a magnificent and glorious chapter in the history of Chinese civilization.
Map of the post stations between the two capitals
During the Ming Dynasty, along the Grand Canal between the two capitals, Nanjing and Beijing, a total of 46 post stations were set up, and Yucheng Post Station was one of them. Looking south of Yucheng Post Station, there was Guangling Post Station, which is now Yangzhou; to its north was Jieshou Post Station, where tea cakes were produced. Jieshou is still within Gaoyou today. At that time, these post stations were about 60 Chinese miles apart. In the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, it was stipulated that one post station should be established every sixty or eighty miles, a distance that was exactly what a day's journey for a traveler on foot would cover. This section of the post station network was relatively dense, mainly because after Zhu Yuanzhang founded the dynasty, in the nineteenth year of Yongle (1421 AD), the Ming court moved its capital to Beijing. The massive state machinery and large population of the capital city formed an especially powerful consumer force. However, due to insufficient grain supplies and scarce resources in the north, three to four million dan of grain and goods had to be transported from the south to Beijing annually. Therefore, the Grand Canal became a major economic lifeline, as the saying goes, "the fate of the nation truly depends on this." As a water and horse post station, Yucheng Post Station also had a heavy workload, bearing the heavy transportation tasks assigned by the imperial court. It is worth noting that in ancient times, post stations were as widespread across the country as our current railway lines or highway networks, but not all post stations were as densely distributed as shown in the map. In sparsely populated areas, the number of post stations was correspondingly reduced. For example, in Shihezi City, Xinjiang, there were also post stations at that time, but their distribution was much sparser than here. The faster means of transportation here is horses, while some remote areas once used other means of communication, such as sea buckthorn, which varies from place to place. This is the "Water Post Station Song" compiled by Cheng Chunyu during the Ming Dynasty. It's somewhat like a tongue twister, linking together the names of these 46 post stations for easy memorization. At that time, the personnel who worked at the post stations did not have the same level of cultural education as we do now; many were illiterate, so this made it easier for them to remember the names of the stations.
Statue of Pu Songling
In those days, Sun Hui, a fellow townsman and good friend of Pu Songling, was temporarily appointed as the magistrate of Gaoyou Prefecture from Baoying County. Pu Songling accompanied him as an advisor. He only worked at our Yucheng Post Station for seven months during which time he wrote an article titled "The Gaoyou Post Station." This was a memorial, mainly reporting to the emperor, requesting more funds for the Yucheng Post Station. If you read "The Complete Works of Pu Songling," you can still find this article.
horologe
The sundial is an instrument that measures time based on the shadow of the sun, a method of timekeeping in ancient China. In addition to this sundial method, ancient China also used the water clock and incense burning method for timekeeping. For example, on overcast days, rainy days, or at night, when there was no sunlight, people would use the water clock or incense burning method, which complemented each other. This sundial method primarily uses the shadow of the sun for timekeeping, with a metal rod around it engraved with the twelve hours of the day—Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao. Each hour corresponds to about two hours today, and the twelve hours make up exactly twenty-four hours. By observing the position of the shadow cast by the sunlight on the metal rod, one can tell the time. There is a Chinese idiom called "seeing the shadow of a bamboo pole," which involves placing a bamboo pole on the ground and determining the time by the position of its shadow, similar to the principle of our sundial method. This sundial is made of white marble.
Temple of the Horse God
The Horse God Temple was an ancient place for worshipping the Horse God. In ancient China, both officials and commoners held the deity in high esteem, hoping to receive divine protection. Horses were the primary means of transportation in those days, and post stations relied on them for their livelihood. The horses galloped year-round, facing dangers from the rivers and lakes, social unrest, and the harassment of corrupt officials. To protect themselves, the station personnel had to rely on the power of the gods, praying for the safety of the horses and people at the post stations. If we compare horses to modern cars, then the Horse God is like the "Good Fortune" hanging in front of the car window. The Horse God also has a birthday, which falls on the 23rd day of the sixth lunar month each year. On this day, officials of all ranks from the county government would come here to pay homage. Their offerings were very special—sheep instead of pigs. Ordinary offerings were usually made with pigs because sheep and horses are both herbivores and are sacrificed to each other, making it particularly unique. It is said that the Horse King has three eyes, one of which is the Heavenly Eye. Nowadays, many tourists, especially drivers, come to worship him, praying for a safe journey. It is believed that the Horse King is very efficacious; as long as one's heart is sincere, they will receive his blessing.
The Stone of Ascension
Shima Stone: According to experts, it is said to be from the Han Dynasty, with a history of over two thousand years. The stone used for it is volcanic rock. To the west of Gaoyou City lies Tianshan Mountain, where the rocks formed after volcanic eruptions. The basalt Shima Stone was used by officials, especially civil servants, to mount their horses. Since horses were quite large, people could not easily step on them, so they would step on this stone before mounting. This horse trough dates back to the Ming Dynasty and was excavated from underground when we restored Yucheng Post Station. What we see now is already rusted and weathered, mainly due to long-term burial and erosion. In fact, there used to be a gate here, specifically for the post horses to enter and exit. When officials arrived, they would enter through the main gate we just entered, while the gate for the post horses had no threshold.
drum-tower
In ancient times, places with bells were called bell towers, those with drums were called drum towers, and those with both bells and drums were called bell and drum towers. We have set up a large drum here, so it is called the Drum Tower. According to the "Gao You Prefecture Gazetteer," there were five such towers in our area at that time. Most ancient post stations had drum towers for announcing the time. The drum tower served three main functions: first, to stand guard and observe from a height, seeing the arrival of the relay horses from afar, preparing accordingly—changing horses when necessary or adding fodder; second, to announce the time, using the large drum on the drum tower; third, to celebrate victories, a function rarely used except in emergencies, such as when news of victory came from the front battlefield, the drum would be beaten to mark the celebration, known as the Red Flag Victory Report. The drum tower of Yucheng Post Station has a cross-gable roof with three tiers of eaves, square in shape, standing three stories high at 43 feet 5 inches. The inner walls of the ground floor are lined with black marble, inscribed with the "Record of the Rebuilding of Yucheng Post Station" and the "Donation Monument." It is a landmark building of Yucheng Post Station, and the commemorative stamp "Ancient Yucheng Post Station," issued by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, features this structure as its main design.
Above the Drum Tower are four large characters: "Post for Message Delivery." In ancient China, Confucius used the speed of communication to illustrate the implementation of virtuous governance. He said: "The spread of virtue is faster than the delivery of messages by post." This means that the dissemination of virtuous governance could be even quicker than the transmission of official documents via postal service, indicating that this was one of the faster means of communication in ancient China.
Above the Drum Tower, there are four large characters: "The Pulse of the Nation." This highlights the importance of the postal relay system. Precisely because the postal relay is so crucial and interconnected through various points and lines, it can be described as a "comprehensive network operation" in modern terms. Any mistake at any stage could potentially affect the entire system. Therefore, emperors throughout history have placed great emphasis on postal services, enforcing strict laws to ensure their smooth operation. In ancient times, harassing the postal stations was punishable by law. The Drum Tower was the highest point in the city at that time. From atop the tower, one could see the Grand Canal to the west and the Zhen Guo Temple Pagoda from the Tang Dynasty. On clear days, one could also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Gaoyou Lake, where the lake and sky merge into one. The beauty of Gaoyou Lake can be described using Wang Bo's verse from "Preface to Tengwang Pavilion": "The setting sun and solitary wild goose fly together; the autumn waters blend with the vast sky." Standing here, looking down, we can see that the houses here are very distinctive, arranged in rows, all of which were once part of the postal station. To the north, one could see another cultural site in Gaoyou, —— Wenyu Terrace, but now, due to the increase in high-rise buildings, it obstructs our view. To the east, two more pagodas can be seen: the white one is Kuixing Pavilion, and the black one is Jingtu Temple Pagoda, both from the Ming Dynasty.
Gang Tang Xuan
Gantang Pavilion is a place specifically for upright officials to rest and take a break. According to the Book of Songs, there was an upright official named Yan Zhao Gong who did good deeds for the people. When he toured various places, he did not ask the locals to build houses for him; instead, he would set up a thatched hut under the Gantang tree (a tall deciduous tree) to work and sleep at night. Even the edges of the thatched hut were left untrimmed. After his death, the people missed him dearly and could not bear to harm the Gantang tree. Seeing the Gantang tree made them feel as if they were seeing the ancestral temple, and thus they began to use the Gantang tree as a symbol of upright officials. In China, there is a saying "Gantang Legacy," which means remembering someone who has passed away or praising the achievements of a departed official.
According to the "Gao You Prefecture Gazetteer," during the Qing Dynasty, a special room called "Gan Tang Xia Qi" was set up at Mengcheng Post Station. This hall was specifically designated for officials to rest and take a brief break. Some might ask, how can one prove that someone is an upright official? According to local legend, there was a very large bronze mirror placed outside this hall. When officials arrived, they would look into the mirror. If they felt they were upright officials, they would enter; if not, they would stay out. Of course, it is also said that no official ever refused to enter. It seems that those who bravely admit their mistakes and acknowledge being corrupt officials are extremely rare, reflecting the good side of human nature.
Huanghua archway
The "Huanghua" archway with two columns and three stories can be appreciated for the magnificent momentum and prosperity of the ancient Yucheng Post Station. It is also the landmark building of the Yucheng Post Station. After passing through the archway, we enter the Guanyi Lane, which is still called Guanyi Lane today.
South Gate Street
Nanmen Street is located outside the southern gate of Gaoyou Ancient City in Jiangsu Province, west of the Yucheng Post Scenic Area, adjacent to the Grand Canal embankment. It is commonly known as "Nanmen Ming-Qing Street," which was once a bustling historical and cultural district during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 2014, it was listed as a World Heritage site (an important part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, China's 46th World Heritage site). The street was built during the Song Dynasty, flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and prospered in modern times. It is truly a vital link between the Li Xia River region and the Grand Canal, connecting Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Merchants came from both banks of the canal, transporting goods across the Yangtze River, maintaining this bustling scene for over 600 years until around the 1940s when it suffered severe damage due to war and a fire that destroyed more than 40 shops, leading to gradual decline. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, during the renovation of Yucheng Post by the Gaoyou Municipal Government from 1993 to 1995, Nanmen Street was also restored. The restored street, about 230 meters long, now has over 40 shops of various types, and has become a showcase for Gaoyou's local products and customs.
Qin Post Pavilion
According to the "Gao You Prefecture Gazetteer," in 223 BC, King Ying Zheng of Qin built a high platform and established a post station here, hence the name Gao You, also known as Qin Post. The post station was not only an institution for conveying government orders and managing postal communications but also a small administrative unit, with a long pavilion every ten miles, each manned by a pavilion chief responsible for tax collection, conscription, and the apprehension of criminals. It also served as a lodging facility. The establishment of the Qin Post Station brought over 2,000 years of development and prosperity to Gao You, making it of great historical research value. In 1997, the Gao You municipal government rebuilt the Qin Post Station on the canal embankment beside Yucheng Post, featuring whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs with upturned eaves. Each corner has three stone pillars, totaling twelve. The station is open on all sides, containing a stone stele about three meters high. On the front, it reads "Qin Post Station," and on the back, it is inscribed with "Record of the Rebuilding of Qin Post Station." The stele of the Qin Post Station is engraved with the inscription by Mr.Zhu Yanqing of our city, recounting the unforgettable history of King Ying Zheng (Ying Zheng) setting up a post station along the ancient Han Canal.
Mochengyi Theme Post Office
Now enter the main hall:
The main hall is divided into four parts, namely pavilion, post station, bureau and festival, which respectively represent the four chapters of China's postal history and Gaoyou's postal history in this long historical river.
Since ancient times, communication has been closely related to human activities. Since the beginning of human beings, communication activities have appeared. "Emperor Yao set up the drum of daring to advise, Emperor Shun set up the wood of slander", drum and wood have become ways of transmitting information.
Ancient Chinese post stations originated in the Shang Dynasty, developed in the Zhou Dynasty, and were mainly based on early sound and light such as large drums and beacon towers, and postal communication mainly based on walking and carriages. In the Spring and Autumn, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, post stations carried their historical missions in each period.
During this period, in the eighth year of Hongwu of Ming Dynasty (1375), Huang Kemin, the governor of Gaoyou, opened the Yucheng Post Station outside the south gate, which is a witness to the development of the post station in Gaoyou and also a well-preserved post station site in China.
As times changed, in the 22nd year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1897), the Qing Dynasty Postal Bureau established a telegraph office, marking the completion of the historical mission of ancient post stations. In July of the first year of the Republic of China (1912), all station affairs were taken over by the postal bureau, and provincial stations were successively abolished, with all stations being completely phased out by 1913. The postal communication system that had lasted for over three thousand years was replaced by modern postal services, thus ushering in the curtain of modern Chinese postal history. In the 25th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1899), a second-class post office was opened outside the north gate of Gaoyou City.
This is the fourth chapter of Gaoyou's postal history development. The festival of Gaoyou: China Postal Culture Festival.
As of this year, the China Post Culture Festival has been held seven times. Gaoyou is one of the earliest counties or cities in the country to establish a philatelic association, and its continuous glory is perfectly reflected in the images. In 1996, the State Council designated Yucheng Post Station as a national key cultural relic protection unit, and in 2014, it was listed as a World Heritage Site of the Grand Canal of China.
From the twenty-fourth year of King Ying Zheng of Qin (223 BC), when a high platform and post station were built here, to the eighth year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1375), when the Mengcheng Post Station was established, it proves that Gaoyou's history is inseparably linked with ancient postal stations. A historic and cultural city named Gaoyou, characterized primarily by its postal culture, has now been presented to the world. The city sculpture "The Road of Postal Stations," featuring galloping horses, symbolizes the passionate and enterprising spirit of the people of Gaoyou as they strive for a better tomorrow.
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Dear visitors, the Yucheng Post Station holds scientific, artistic, historical, and cultural value for studying the postal history, transportation history, and water conservancy history of ancient China. It carries forward the postal tradition of our country, bears witness to the glory of the postal route, and highlights the unique charm of Gaoyou Ancient City. It has become a landmark symbol of Gaoyou. I recommend that you do not miss it. Now we can take photos together as souvenirs. The journey to Yucheng Post Station was pleasant yet brief. Thank you all for your full cooperation and support throughout. We warmly welcome you to visit the Yucheng Post Station scenic area again. Goodbye!