Strolling through the ancient city of Ganzhou, experiencing the charm of the Song Dynasty: Yongjin Gate and Bajing

The old city area of Ganzhou, surrounded by the Zhangjiang and Gongjiang rivers, is the location of the ancient city from the Song Dynasty. Bajing Terrace, Yugu Terrace, the ancient floating bridge, and Zao'er Alley are all in this area, forming the historical and cultural tourism area of the Song City in Jiangnan. Yongjin Gate Yongjin Gate is located at the intersection of Zhanggong Road and Lianxi Road. It is still a major traffic artery for the residents of Ganzhou. Yongjin Gate was a pier during the Song Dynasty. Goods sent from Ganzhou to the north departed from the piers of the Zhangjiang and Gongjiang rivers. Travelers and goods coming from the north often chose to disembark at this first pier, Yongjin Gate, after several days of traveling upstream on the Ganjiang River. It was one of the busiest piers in Ganzhou, bustling with merchants and wealth, making its name quite fitting. An ancient poem once described the bustling scene outside Yongjin Gate in Ganzhou: 'Spring waters rise in front of Bajing Terrace, and thousands of boats line up outside Yongjin Gate.' Yongjin Gate is located north of Jianchun Gate, and further north is Bajing Park. Bajing Terrace Built along the city wall, Bajing Terrace is located on the ancient city wall at the northeast corner of Ganzhou City, at the confluence of the Zhang and Gong rivers at Yuwei Point. It was constructed by Kong Zonghan, the 46th generation descendant of Confucius, during his tenure as the governor of Qianzhou in the Northern Song Dynasty (1056-1063). After its completion, Kong Zonghan drew a picture and asked Su Shi to write a poem. Su Shi composed 'Eight Poems on the Bajing Picture of Qianzhou and Preface' and 'Postscript to the Bajing Picture,' which is how Bajing Terrace got its name. Today, there is a statue of Kong Zonghan at the base of Bajing Terrace. Originally a wooden structure, Bajing Terrace has been rebuilt multiple times due to fires. The current Bajing Terrace was reconstructed in 1983, featuring flying eaves, dougong brackets, painted beams, red pillars, and colorful glazed tiles, designed in an imitation Song Dynasty style. The plaque inscribed with 'Bajing Terrace' hanging in the pavilion was written by Zhao Puchu, the former president of the Buddhist Association and a renowned calligrapher. Inside Bajing Terrace, Su Shi's 'Eight Poems on the Bajing Picture of Qianzhou and Preface' and the Bajing Picture of Qianzhou are on display. 'Smoke thick and thin in the eight scenes, people coming and going on the six streets,' is how Wen Tianxiang of the Southern Song Dynasty described Ganzhou at that time. When visiting Bajing Terrace, be sure to climb to the third floor to admire the beautiful 'Eight Scenes' of Ganzhou.