xingming

2017-12-28 21:12:05

Dou Shan Street is a residential street famous for its old buildings, old alleys, sculpture, old wells and memorial arch. Dou Shan Street is in the south of Shexian County, near Jiefang Street, which is the commercial street of Shexian County and from where you can see parts of the city walls. Dou Shan architecture is predominantly Ming and Qing. Here you will see the mansions of the Wang and Yang clans and also the Chastity Memorial Arch of a woman surnamed Ye, Toad Well, and the Wooden Shield Memorial arch. Apparently Dou Shan Street was mostly settled by Hui merchants who regarded education as a fundamental part of one’s life. Many families still keep the tradition of hanging a picture of Confucius on the wall. We did see a ticket counter - perched directly under the Chastity Arch thus ruining that photo opportunity! - but were not asked to purchase tickets. Perhaps a ticket would have given access to some of the mansions however our time here was short so we did not pursue this.