Cultural Tour: Exploring Ancient Mysteries — Ancient Town & Boat-shaped Mansion

The Boat-shaped Mansion, hailed as the sacred site of the Hongmen Secret Society and a unique ancient residence south of the Yangtze River, boasts a history of more than 300 years. With a distinctive, magnificent, primitive and mysterious layout, the building looks just like a huge ship sailing eastward against the current. In recent years, it has attracted numerous experts, scholars and tourists from home and abroad for sightseeing and field research.

To further promote the tourism brand of the Boat-shaped Mansion at East China Mountain, the county has leveraged its strengths in eco-green scenery and ancient charm in accordance with the standards of a 4A-level scenic area. With an investment of over 5 million RMB, the county built viewing platforms, parking lots, a memorial archway for the scenic area, a cultural square, and a tourist reception centre integrating accommodation and catering. The hiking trails were also renovated and expanded. Improved infrastructure has greatly upgraded the environment, taste and appeal of East China Mountain Scenic Area.

As a local ballad goes: “I step aboard the Hong ship and welcome travellers from all corners of the land.” The Zhouhu Boat Mansion is the birthplace of Hongmen culture and a masterpiece of Jiangnan folk architecture. Highlights include the invaluable mural Two Dragons Contending for the Tripod, the largest Red Army slogan wall left from the Soviet Area, immortal’s footprints and natural hot springs.

Blending rich cultural heritage and natural ecological resources, the mysterious East China Mountain Scenic Area with legendary Hongmen stories has become increasingly popular among tourists after optimized sightseeing arrangements.

The Zhouhu Boat Mansion Scenic Area under Huashan Reclamation Farm was once ranked first among the city’s Top Ten Tourist Attractions and was among the first batch awarded the title of “Jiangnan Water Town” across the province. The ancient architectural complex of Qing-dynasty boat-shaped houses centres on the Huangdongxi Ancestral Hall (the sacred Hongmen site) and the ship-shaped mansion, surrounded by Middle Hall and Upper Hall, former residences of Red Army soldiers.

Near the mansion lies a natural hot spring with a daily output of 1,368 tons and a constant temperature of about 50°C all year round. The ancient post road stretching across the site is another major attraction. The scenic area is covered by 12,000 mu of primeval secondary broad-leaved forests dotted with exotic peaks and grotesque rocks. It serves as a paradise for rare wild animals including black bears, golden monkeys and antelopes, as well as a treasure trove of rare plants such as Chinese yew, pear trees, Evodia lepta and square bamboo and Guanyin bamboo.

Tour guides introduce that more than 12 million RMB has been invested in renovation projects in recent years. Meanwhile, stricter site management has been carried out with dedicated staff and professionally trained tour guides, bringing visitors a refreshing experience filled with amazement and relaxation.

East China Mountain Scenic Area is located in Zhouhu Village, Huashan Reclamation Farm, Lichuan County, roughly 33 kilometres from the county seat. In May 2006, the scenic spot was designated the Second Batch of Patriotic Education Bases by the municipal government. In March 2007, the ancient Boat Mansion complex was listed as a Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

This comprehensive tourist resort integrates red revolutionary culture, ancient history and green ecology, featuring more than ten scenic spots: Red Revolutionary Sites: Former residences of Mao Zemin and Xiao Jinguang, the millennium-old post road (Red Army courier route), the Six-Slab Stone Bridge and Martyrs Monument. Eco-green Sights: Natural hot springs, the legendary thousand-year-old cedar, Chair-shaped Rock exploration, Basin Rock and stone sarcophagus. Ancient Cultural Landmarks: The Boat Mansion complex, Two Dragons Contending for the Tripod murals, swastika stone carvings and dragon-and-phoenix auspicious patterns.

The scenic area is blanketed by 12,000 mu of lush primeval broad-leaved forests shrouded in mist. The mountains teem with rare birds and beasts, and sweet cool mountain springs. It remains a habitat for black bears, golden monkeys, antelopes and copper pheasants, and abounds with precious flora including Chinese yew, Aralia decaisneana, pear trees, tripleleaf evodia, square bamboo and Guanyin bamboo.