Afternoon at Yuliang Dam

🌟 Shexian Yuliang Dam: Huizhou Memories in a Millennium of Water Charm

On a quiet afternoon, strolling along the stone-paved road of Yuliang Ancient Town, every step echoes with history. This small town hidden in Shexian County is like a pearl forgotten by time, quietly lying by the Xin'an River. Built during the Tang Dynasty, Yuliang Dam is one of the most complete ancient water conservancy projects remaining in Jiangnan and is known as the "Dujiangyan of Jiangnan." The dam, divided into left, middle, and right water gates, is constructed with Huizhou-style sunmao joints and still functions along the banks of the Lian River today.

🏞️ A Millennium of Water Conservancy Legend
1,360 years ago, the people of Shezhou built this stone dam to resist floods from the Xin'an River. The fish-scale-shaped dam, about 143 meters long, is built with granite blocks, each stone engraved with the wisdom of ancient people. Standing on the dam, you can almost see Huizhou merchants from the Tang and Song Dynasties loading and unloading goods here, with boats full of tea and silk sailing from here to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

🐟 Slow Time in Yuliang Ancient Town
The ancient town adjacent to Yuliang Dam preserves the most authentic Huizhou-style architectural complex. Afternoon sunlight slants on the mottled horse-head walls, shadows fall on the bluestone road, and the staggered Huizhou residences on both sides weave a flowing ink painting. Above the doorframe of Yao Nai’s former residence, the plaque of "Ziyang Academy" remains prominent; this representative of the Tongcheng School once lectured and wrote here. The Yuliang fish lanterns in the market lie lazily, as if resting and gathering strength, waiting to bloom and wave at night.

⛵️ Waterway Merchant Stories
Walking along the alley beside the former residence of Ba Weizu, you will find a hidden ancient dock. This was once the starting point for Huizhou merchants’ long journeys; the young Hu Xueyan began his business career here. The hustle and bustle of merchants long gone, only the gentle lapping of the Lian River against the embankment remains, telling the glorious past of "No Huizhou, No Town."

As the sunset gilds the ancient town with golden outlines, sitting in a century-old teahouse sipping a cup of Huangshan Maofeng tea, you can almost hear the local dialect of Huizhou merchants bargaining back then. The flowing water of Yuliang Dam still sings, like an endless Huizhou folk song.

Post by Aiden Simmons Aiden91 | Oct 6, 2025