Huangyao Ancient Town 黄姚古镇

Despite its rapid industrialization， there are still some corners in China that have maintained its original color.

Ancient towns and villages in China are places where traditions are well preserved in terms of architecture， lifestyle， folk customs and craft.

Next， well introduces one of the most beautiful old towns in China to give you a glimpse of Chinas rustic local charms.

Huangyao Ancient Town is located in Zhaoping County in Hezhou City， south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is said that the town was named after two common surnames back then—Huang and Yao.

Covering an area of 3.6 square kilometers， Huangyao boasts typical karst landscapes and abundant water resources. Streams and rivers mark the territory around the old town like a serpent.

Huangyao has a history of nearly 1，000 years with its origins dating back to the Song Dynasty （960—1279）. It reached its prime in the Qing Dynasty （1644—1912） under the reign of Emperor Qianlong （1733—1735）.

盡管工业化发展迅速，但在中国仍有一些地方保持着原始的色彩。

中国的古镇和村落，在建筑、生活方式、民俗和工艺等方面都很好地保存了传统。

接下来，我们将介绍中国最美丽的古镇之一，带你领略中国的乡土风情。

黄姚古镇坐落在中国南部广西壮族自治区贺州市昭平县。据说，这个小镇是以当时两个常见的姓氏——黄和姚命名的。

黄姚古镇占地面积为3.6平方千米，是典型的喀斯特地貌，水资源丰富。小溪和河流犹如蛇一般盘绕着这座古镇。

黄姚古镇已有近千年的历史，可以追溯到宋朝（960—1279）。清朝（1644—1912）乾隆年间（1733—1735），它的发展达到鼎盛。

For this reason， there are many buildings from the Qing and Ming eras that remain unchanged in their architectural styles today. Now it is home to approximately 300 folk houses， 20 temples and ancestral halls， and 10 pavilions and opera stages.

Traditional festivals and customs have been carried on for hundreds of years. During Chinese Lunar New Year， over 20 traditional performances are held， including the dragon dance， lion dance and suona horn （Chinese trumpet） show.

On July 14 in the Chinese lunar calendar， local residents often come to the riverbank and put pomelo lanterns into the river to celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival， or Zhongyuan Festival.

Huangyao tofu is a must-try local dish when you visit， as it is exclusively made and sold in Huangyao. Also， fermented black soybean is often added to its local specialties to create a distinctive flavor.

It usually takes a day or two to tour around the old town due to its small size. But you can always linger longer to experience more of its local hospitality and culture.

因此，清朝和明朝时期的许多建筑在今天仍然保持着原有的建筑风格。现在这里有大约300座民居，20多座寺观庙祠，10多处亭台楼阁。

一些传统节日和习俗在这儿已经延续了数百年。在中国农历新年期间，人们会进行20多种传统表演，包括舞龙、舞狮和唢呐（中国小号）。

在中国农历七月十四日，当地居民通常会来到河边，把柚子灯笼放到河里，以庆祝中元节。

黄姚豆腐是来这里必尝的当地美食，因为它只在黄姚古镇制作和售卖。此外，当地的特色美食经常会加入一种发酵的黑豆，创造出一种独特的风味。

由于古镇面积不大，所以通常只需一两天的游览时间。但你可以逗留更长时间，去体验更多当地的热情好客和文化。

Word Bank

rustic /'r?st?k/ adj. 乡村（人）的；乡村（人）特色的

serpent /'s??p?nt/ n. （尤指）大蛇

exclusively /?k'sklu?s?vl?/ adv. 仅仅；专门地；单独地

ferment /f?'ment/ v. （使）发酵

Fruit juices ferment if they are kept for too long.