Just a hop, skip and a jump away in the city's northern Baoshan district, Shanghai residents can appreciate the ancient beauty of historical Anhui architecture at the Scarlet Ecological Leisure Park without even stepping foot into the neighboring province.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away in the city's northern Baoshan district, Shanghai residents can appreciate the ancient beauty of historical Anhui architecture at the Scarlet Ecological Leisure Park without even stepping foot into the neighboring province.
Covering an area of more than 800,000 square meters of greenery, the resort park showcases a dozen of the old buildings from the Anhui counties of Xiuning and Tunxi. Dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the buildings from some 500 years ago detail Anhui culture through handcrafted Huizhou carvings, which were typically set in wood, stone and brick materials.
Built by local craftsman, the two-storey buildings feature pillars and rooftop structures laced in the intricate carvings illustrating traditional Chinese folklore, designed with symbolic dragons, phoenixes, lotuses and peonies.
Long part of Anhui history, these carvings also surfaced various household items and furniture, including window ledges, table and chairs. Many of these designs can still be found in nearly every Anhui village today.
In a bid to showcase Anhui heritage to a wider audience in Shanghai, the park has spent the past five years on the project, investing over 100 thousand yuan on the relocation and restoration of each building. Local Anhui craftsman have been responsible for a large part of the process, tinkering with them for hours to match the authenticity of that from when they were first constructed.
Of course, like everything else in the city, the traditional buildings have borne some modern elements. Enhancing the everyday function of the old buildings, one of the two-floored homes has been turned into a restaurant and bar, and now features a new wide wall made completely of glass. Another large house has been made into a hotel resort and is equipped with modern day facilities.
Apart from visiting the unique buildings, the park hopes to build itself into a top spot for viewing other ancient architectural wonders, such as old stone bridges. A museum dedicated to these masterpieces is expected to be created in time for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
Address: 2888 Panjing Road, Luodian town
Tel: 021-66860859
Public transport: Pengjing Line and Baocun No.1
Driving:
Take the Hutai Road exit from A30 and turn left to Hutai Road, go straight and turn right to Yueluo highway, take a left at Panjing Road to the Scarlet Ecological Leisure Park
Take the Yunchuan Road exit from Gonghexin Road, go straight and turn left to Yueluo highway, take a right at Panjing Road to the Scarlet Ecological Leisure Park
Shi Yingying