A Living Water System winding through the city, connecting ancient buildings and the vibrant water spirit of Yangyang. It links historical landmarks like Lu Gong Zhong and Fushi Cheng, with reflections of Ming and Qing ancient architectural groups shimmering in the water, creating a beautiful contrast of blue-grey bricks and tiles with sparkling water. Especially stunning at night, the illuminated silhouette of Yangyang Ancient City resembles a timeless ink wash painting. The lower section of Lu Gong Zhong is the most poetic, near the former residence of Zhuge Liang, with bamboo groves and flowing water creating a serene atmosphere, reminiscent of the echoes of “Out Stepping Table.” The Fushi Cheng ruins on the north bank can still be identified with the military traces of Yan Hu, and the river carries the smoke of the Three Kingdoms, still echoing with historical resonance. As the birthplace of Chu culture, Hu Cheng He was a vital waterway for transporting goods between north and south, and in the Ming Dynasty, Yangyang Magistrate Wang Shizheng praised it as “water runs through the city walls, boats and ships are abundant.” Today, the river has been dredged to preserve its original texture, continuing its strategic value as “Yangyang has always been a vital strategic location for military forces” and becoming a natural painting for citizens to relax. Taking a straw boat through the river allows you to encounter the landscapes of Li Bai’s “Yangyang Ancient Road across the city, mountains are rugged and the water is rapid,” and also to feel the pulse of Han River civilization and the Jin-Chu culture for a thousand years.
