Zhu Jia Jiao A TRAVELLER'S journey
Surrounded by the tranquillity of nature, Zhu Jia Jiao sits as a haven for travellers who seek ancient history and serenity. Zhu Jia Jiao is an ancient water town which is known throughout China, with a history of more than 1,700 years. The ancient town is described as “fan-shaped” which “glimmers like a bright pearl” giving it its second elegant name “Pearl Stream”. Walking around the streets and sitting in wooden boats are the only transportations to get from one place to another in Zhu Jia Jiao. You are free from the sound and smell of buses and cars and are able to relax and absorb the peace of the town.
The town has old bridges scattered across the streams and rivers which are shaded by big and beautiful willow trees. It is said by the towns people that if ‘you have been to Zhu Jia Jiao and not seen any bridges means that you haven’t been to Zhu Jia Jiao at all’. There are approximately 36 unique bridges around the water town, built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They are built from different materials such as marble and stone, coming in different shapes and styles. Fang Sheng Bridge is a popular tourist attraction in the town. It was built in 1571 and is the tallest and longest stone bridge in Zhu Jia Jiao. A stone tablet named Dragon Gate Stone stands on the bridge, which is engraved with 8 coiling dragons encircling a shining pearl.
The City God Temple is one of the most spiritual places to visit in Shang Hai. In Zhu Jia Jiao, this temple is a prime place of worship for Taoists. As soon as you step into the court yard you are instantly hit by a sweet fragrance smell from the joss sticks. There are red strips of silk with Chinese characters hanging from the trees in the courtyard. Every strip symbolises an individual wish in hope that it might come true. Inside the temple is a where people go to pray.
Taoist belief about the afterlife is reflected in the religion’s approach to life rather than death. In Taoism, death is seen as another phase in life and something that must happen and that we must all accept. People believe if they do what they have to do in life then when they die they will be granted immortality. Inside the City God Temple, there are 9 paintings representing Hell. Every Taoist, after death, wants to be an important ancestor in their Heaven, but there is a Hell, like a ‘Purgatory’, with 9 stages of punishments. Each one of the 9 stages are controlled by a demon king and the prayers can help them to get out of there.
SACE number: 956384W School Number: 194