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Heshunxiang
Township
Heshun
means peace and harmony. The title of the
township is derived from a verse describing
"the rising clouds that herald auspicious
future and the gentle breeze that breathes
peace and harmony." The town consists
of over 1,300 households and 6,300 and more
people. From ancient times on, it has been
a place where talented people were brought
up. So far as the modern times are concerned,
the following names are important: Zhang
Chengxin, a martyr who laid down his life
in the anti-imperialist struggle and a member
of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary organization
Tong Meng Hui, Li Yuegai, secretary-general
of the First Army of the Yunnan Troops for
Safeguarding the Republic and "Excellent
Writer in Southwest China" as commended
by Zhang Taiyan; Cun Shusheng, educator
and late vice-president of Yunnan University;
and Ai Siqi, famous Marxist philosopher.
Many of the Heshunxiang people who live
abroad are successful businessmen or scholars
of great attainments doing their bits for
the prosperity of the countries they reside.
Heshunxiang is a very
beautiful place with many ornamental structures
like pavilions, memorial halls or archways,
lotus ponds, marble balustrades, etc. The
most important scenic spot that a visitor
to Heshunxiang cannot afford to miss is
Shuidui, an ancient water mill near a body
of limpid water named Yuanlongtan. Yuanlong
Pavilion which overlooks the clear pond
is an ancient structure. The pavilion was
constructed in the 27th year of Emperor
Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1762
A.D.). The sublimity of the ancient architecture
with its excellent layout of the halls,
kiosks, balconies and bowers of carved beams
and painted rafters add beauty to the serenity
of nature. The inscriptions, tablets and
couplets, well composed and written by outstanding
calligraphists, are highly attractive. The
fountain by the side of the pavilion is
known by the name "Dragon Pond".
Ai Siqi's Home is located right by the side
of the Jiaoxi Brook running by the pond.
The Heshunyuan Library
situated on the campus of Yiqun Middle School,
the biggest one at the township level, is
the pride of the Heshunxiang people. The
library buildings with flower gardens in
the front courtyard show styles of traditional
Chinese architecture. The library, set up
in 1924, is in possession of over 60,000
volumes of books, many of which are rare
editions of ancient works. The library feels
honoured with the inscriptions by such famous
figures as Xiong Qinglai, Gong Zizhi, Liao
Chengzhi, Zhang Tainfang, etc.
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