Deep Exploration Experience of the Ancient City of the State of Ju
Step into the ancient city of Ju and embark on a millennium-long journey of fireworks and cultural heritage.
Before the morning mist has fully lifted, the Yongcheng Gate of the ancient city of Ju stretches gracefully in the morning light. This city gate, bearing three thousand years of history, is built with nine layers of rammed earth. The varying depths of the rammed marks on the walls resemble fingerprints carved by time, with layers clearly distinguishable at 7 to 10 centimeters. The surface feels rough and solid, carrying the warmth of earth and time. The gate tower’s eaves curve upward, and neat copper nails adorn the carved beams and painted rafters like stars embedded in the vermilion door panels. When pushed open, it emits a low creak, as if the ancient city is softly greeting you. Standing beneath and looking up, the 35-meter-wide city wall stands majestic, with the moat’s flowing water gently passing by. For a moment, one can almost see the merchants and carriages of Ju from a thousand years ago slowly entering the city in the morning light.
Passing through the gate, the bluestone path winds forward, and suddenly a rich aroma of wine drifts through the air. Following the scent leads to a quaint, antique-style winery. A wooden plaque reading “Ju State Fine Brew” hangs on the door, and red lanterns sway gently under the eaves. Inside, rows of ceramic jars are neatly arranged, their mouths covered with fine gauze. The fragrance of wine mingles with the fresh scent of grains. A master brewer skillfully stirs the fermentation starter with a wooden spoon, sweat trickling down his cheek and dripping onto the fermenting grains. After permission is granted, a small sip reveals a sweet and refreshing liquor that slides down the throat with a warm, lingering aftertaste, as if drinking in the sunshine and rain of Ju land, warming the whole body. The winery owner smiles and says this wine is made with water from the ancient city’s deep well, using brewing techniques from the Spring and Autumn period, with every drop carrying the spirit of Ju.
Not far ahead, the sign for “Ju State Paper Cutting” stands out vividly. Inside the shop, red paper is spread across wooden tables, and several artisans concentrate on their craft. Scissors flutter at their fingertips, and red paper scraps fall like fluttering butterflies. Picking up a freshly cut pattern, it combines Ju’s totems with modern elements, featuring smooth and delicate lines, with even the petal veins clearly visible. Trying it out, a master patiently guides the folds and pressure. The red paper gradually takes shape under the scissors. Though clumsy at first, a simple Ju auspicious cloud pattern emerges. Holding the creation, the fingertips still feel the fibers of the red paper. Suddenly, it becomes clear that this intangible cultural heritage has lasted a thousand years because every cut carries craftsmanship, and every piece carries the roots of culture.
At the corner, the “Hemu Time Wood Workshop” fills the air with the scent of wood and shavings, instantly calming the mind. Tools such as planes, chisels, and ink lines are neatly arranged on the wall. Sunlight streams through the window, illuminating curls of freshly shaved wood that resemble clouds and carry the fresh scent of pine. Selecting a piece of walnut wood, under the master’s guidance, you learn to sand and join, experiencing the marvel of mortise and tenon joints—no nails or screws needed, two pieces of wood fit tightly together. Focusing on the wood in hand and listening to the rasping sound of the plane, time seems to slow down. Finally, a small wooden hairpin is crafted, with natural grain and the warmth of your palm—this is the unique souvenir the ancient city bestows.
Continuing along the bluestone path, a towering archway comes into view—this is the Zhuangyuan Archway erected by Zou Weixin, the top scholar of Ju during the Ming Dynasty. The structure features four pillars, three bays, and five stories with a Xieshan-style roof, solemn and elegant. The inscription on the archway is vigorous and still clearly legible after years of weathering. The couplet on both sides reads, “Loyalty and dedication inherit through a thousand autumns, kindness and filial piety flourish for five generations,” carrying profound meaning. Touching the carved patterns on the archway, the dragon and cloud motifs seem vivid, as if one can feel the glory of passing the imperial examination. Occasionally, students dressed in Hanfu pause here, bowing with clasped hands—perhaps to honor the sages or to express hopes for the future. Sunlight filters through the archway’s dougong brackets, casting mottled shadows on the ground, like a dialogue of cultural heritage spanning a thousand years.
At the heart of the ancient city stands the imposing Wenchang Pavilion, a five-story tower that, together with the city gate and Ju King’s Palace, forms a majestic trio. Built by Ming Dynasty scholar Chen Xu, it was originally a place for education and worship. Today, it showcases stories of Ju’s famous imperial examination figures such as Zou Weixin and Zhang Xingjian. Climbing the wooden stairs, each step echoes steadily. Ancient books, brushes, and imperial examination artifacts are displayed on every floor. At the top, the breeze from outside stirs the wind chimes hanging from the eaves, producing crisp sounds. Looking out from the railing, the ancient city’s blue bricks and black tiles spread out below, with people coming and going on the bluestone path, the moat winding like a ribbon, and distant fields merging with the sky. As light and shadow shift, the pavilion’s flying eaves gleam in the sunlight, as if telling the story of Ju’s “land of heroes and spirits” and witnessing the continuous vitality of traditional culture today.
As the sun sets, lanterns in the ancient city light up one by one, and Wenchang Pavilion appears even more solemn in the glow. Reflecting on the day’s journey—from the solid city gate to the rich aroma of the winery, from the lively paper cutting to the steady woodworking, from the glory of the Zhuangyuan Archway to the cultural heritage of Wenchang Pavilion—every corner of the ancient city of Ju moves the heart. Here, there is no noisy commercialization, only the warmth and depth accumulated over a thousand years of history. It turns out that the most beautiful meaning of travel is not just to see the scenery, but to converse with history, embrace culture, and find inner peace and cultural belonging through touching relics and experiencing intangible heritage. The ancient city of Ju, with such warmth, allows every visitor to read the stories of time and take away an unforgettable millennium-long promise.