My Visit To Daxu Ancient Town (Part 1)

Posted by : foongpc | Saturday, August 14, 2010 | Published in

ADVERTISEMENT


On our 2nd day in Guilin, Jam, his friend and I visited Daxu Ancient Town (大圩古镇) which is located about 15km southwest of Guilin city on the eastern bank of Li River.

We reached the Guilin Bus Terminal at about 9.30am to board a bus to Daxu. Here we were approached by a local guide who tried to convince us that there was nothing much to see in Daxu and recommended other destinations instead.



As I was not fluent in Mandarin, I let Jam did all the talking. Luckily, he was adamant about going to Daxu and was not influenced by the guide.

While walking towards our bus, we came across this young lady squatting at the sidewalk.



There were writings on the paper in front of her requesting for donation of 6 yuan for bus fare. I was like, what?! Did she really need to beg for money for a ride home?

I could not believe my eyes when Jam's kind-hearted friend actually gave her 6 yuan but guess what? After taking the money, she continued to squat there! Now if that's not a scam, I don't know what is!

Anyway, we boarded our bus and arrived at Daxu about an hour later. We were dropped off at Daxu new town area and had to walk about 5 minutes to reach the ancient town.

It was quite a sight to see ancient buildings with their unique architectural designs lining up both side of the street.



Look at these unique carvings at the rooftop! I was thrilled to see them!





There were also many stalls selling handicrafts, food and souvenirs.



I did not buy anything here.



Except for some beautiful Chinese paintings from this shop!



This is one of the paintings I bought for 10 yuan straight from the artist himself! Nice?



If not mistaken, I have passed this painting to one of the winners of a contest I organized last year!

Now what did they have here? Chicken eggs and quail eggs?



No I did not buy any of those eggs! Haha!

There is a temple in this ancient town called Longevity Temple. Can you see the dragon carvings on the two red pillars? Oops! Could not really capture the whole dragon on the right pillar!



While we were there, a group of Japanese tourists were also there admiring the temple!



Hmmm, these ancient buildings look better in sepia right? See the strange looking vehicle below? I don't even know what you call it!





They like to hang red lanterns outside the buildings.



Rows and rows of red lanterns lining the street outside each house.



Coming up in Part 2 : Stepping on the famous Longevity Bridge and How I was scolded by an old lady!

FIRST COMMENTER

(92) Comments

  1. Monica said...

    :D

    August 14, 2010 at 3:48 AM
  2. Mariuca said...

    Woooooo hooooo chop! :D

    August 14, 2010 at 3:48 AM
  3. Mariuca said...

    Def that beggar was scamming ppl... but I guess this is normal in this area...or even here sometimes right? :(

    August 14, 2010 at 3:51 AM
  4. Mariuca said...

    Love those souvenirs, so many to choose from! :)

    August 14, 2010 at 3:52 AM
  5. Monica said...

    now back to Guilin? :D abt that young lady, hmm that must be a scam!

    August 14, 2010 at 3:52 AM
  6. Mariuca said...

    I like the sepia pics too, looks very zaman dulu! :)

    August 14, 2010 at 3:52 AM
  7. Bill said...

    Nice picture here. I agree with Marzie that must have been a scammer.

    August 14, 2010 at 4:16 AM
  8. Nizam Gtz said...

    Huhu... its so interesting to be there...

    One day, I'll travel around China... This is my ambition

    August 14, 2010 at 7:25 AM
  9. Caroline said...

    eh how come back to Guilin ??? lol! anyway nice la! i mean those eggs! :P

    August 14, 2010 at 8:26 AM
  10. Caroline said...

    ahh i remember dat paints! hehhe. how come u didnt bought anything at there?? look nice ahh. :)

    August 14, 2010 at 8:27 AM
  11. Caroline said...

    aiya u shud take proper picture of the dragons la! its unique! :D

    August 14, 2010 at 8:28 AM
  12. Caroline said...

    woooo.. u get scolded?? wahahaha sounds interesting la!! cant wait for ur next post then! :P

    August 14, 2010 at 8:28 AM
  13. fufu said...

    nice and cheap painting!!!!!!! but why guilin again???

    August 14, 2010 at 8:56 AM
  14. Che-Cheh said...

    How did you bring back the painting? (I always wonder those that bought paintings from oversea)

    Do you roll it and keep in a long cylinder tube?

    August 14, 2010 at 9:36 AM
  15. Tekkaus said...

    What? Suddenly from cambodia we have to go back to Guilin? :p

    August 14, 2010 at 11:42 AM
  16. Tekkaus said...

    So today you are going to bring us to Daxu town lar? :D

    August 14, 2010 at 11:43 AM
  17. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! Thank goodness huh! Some of them just wanna bring you to other places so that they can earn money.

    August 14, 2010 at 11:44 AM
  18. Tekkaus said...

    Aiyoh....buat malu only. She is well dressed...but then no money? Must be a scam. This happens everywhere. What a shame!

    August 14, 2010 at 11:44 AM
  19. Tekkaus said...

    Jam is really kind hearted. If I were Jam. I would have kicked her. :/

    August 14, 2010 at 11:45 AM
  20. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! Some of the buildings look just like the ones in TVB drama. LOL :D

    August 14, 2010 at 11:45 AM
  21. Tekkaus said...

    Hmm...there are crafts made from ivory right? :D Everything looks kinda exquisite...but...well...better not waste money right?

    August 14, 2010 at 11:46 AM
  22. Tekkaus said...

    The painting is really, really gorgeous. :D A masterpiece. I thing it has a very soothing effect on the viewers

    August 14, 2010 at 11:47 AM
  23. Tekkaus said...

    Har? That is how they cook eggs? An d then they expect us to eat right away? :p Yerr...not so hygiene right?

    August 14, 2010 at 11:47 AM
  24. Tekkaus said...

    2 dragons trying to get the dragon ball right? It looks quite old. :D I mean both of the dragons look faded.

    August 14, 2010 at 11:48 AM
  25. Tekkaus said...

    Indeed bro. Sephia really give the pictures more depth and details. :D Look very pro o.

    August 14, 2010 at 11:49 AM
  26. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! What was that vehicle? Trishaw? :p

    August 14, 2010 at 11:49 AM
  27. Tekkaus said...

    Red lanterns mean good luck mah. My house also hang red lanterns. :)

    August 14, 2010 at 11:49 AM
  28. Tekkaus said...

    Haha :D Ouh...you were scolded by an old ah ma. :p

    August 14, 2010 at 11:50 AM
  29. khengsiong said...

    I thought you were writing on Cambodia. Suddenly you bring us back to China!

    August 14, 2010 at 12:23 PM
  30. lina said...

    Love the photos.

    Some of it like photos of 1930s China. :)

    August 14, 2010 at 4:06 PM
  31. Erika Toh said...

    Wow, I like the chinese brush paintings~ Lovely pictures, panda^^

    August 14, 2010 at 4:08 PM
  32. இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

    If not mistaken Bananaz saw this too, a lovely authentic art piece from the artist himself all the way from the ancient town of Daxu in Guilin..looks very very familiar huh..

    Daxu painting

    August 14, 2010 at 11:10 PM
  33. இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

    Think you should also squat at the bus station with a sign saying all you need is another 6yuan to fly back to Malaysia..an another 6 yuan will never end.. hehe

    August 14, 2010 at 11:12 PM
  34. இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

    Love the rooftop craving & the two dragons on the red pillars also love the two 'solid' doors with the ring knockers..tQ Xiexie

    August 14, 2010 at 11:15 PM
  35. இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

    The last pix would be a good place for those swordsman or kungfu movie nice row of lanterns..

    August 14, 2010 at 11:52 PM
  36. wenn said...

    love the handicrafts n the paintings!

    August 14, 2010 at 11:54 PM
  37. Ken Wooi said...

    the girl is obviously a beggar lah!

    August 15, 2010 at 12:46 AM
  38. manglish said...

    who is the half naked guy? hahahah ;p

    August 15, 2010 at 9:54 AM
  39. Kelvin said...

    I think there is half develop fetus inside the egg.

    August 15, 2010 at 11:49 AM
  40. bluecrystaldude said...

    It looks like in a Kungfu Movie! Haha. I can imagine one's jumping from one rooftop to another. Hehe

    August 15, 2010 at 1:21 PM
  41. bluecrystaldude said...

    Enjoy your Weekend Mr. Panda!

    August 15, 2010 at 1:21 PM
  42. Irenelim said...

    This town looks so calm and nice. The painting is very pretty!

    August 15, 2010 at 3:15 PM
  43. Bengbeng said...

    why did she scold u

    August 15, 2010 at 4:39 PM
  44. Restnrileks said...

    Olla.. eh! when was all these?

    I like the red lanterns. They bring out the colours of the place and make the place looks more lively.

    Owh! you were being scolded by an old lady? Sounds interesting (not on the part you were being scolded but more of wanting to know why?"

    The painting is awesome. Looks serene

    August 15, 2010 at 8:03 PM
  45. Restnrileks said...

    Love the things on that souvenier stall. I think i can spend time there looking at all those small2 items. hehehe

    August 15, 2010 at 8:05 PM
  46. Reanaclaire said...

    hey, nice to go backpacking with you, foong.. u can really go into so many places..
    Got scolding by the locals?? sigh.. that is normal one.. we tourists sure experience that at least once in our lifetime.. hahaha...

    August 15, 2010 at 8:33 PM
  47. foongpc said...

    mariuca, congrats you are FC! That girl does not look like a beggar to me, but she's definitely cheating people! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:40 AM
  48. foongpc said...

    monica, haha yes must finish all my China posts before proceeding to Cambodia posts! Yes, it's a scam alrite!

    August 16, 2010 at 3:41 AM
  49. foongpc said...

    bill, thanks! Yes it's a scam most definitely!

    August 16, 2010 at 3:41 AM
  50. foongpc said...

    cikgu nizam, your ambition to travel China? Wish you can fulfill your ambition! Good luck! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:42 AM
  51. foongpc said...

    caroline, yeah gotta finish all my Guilin posts first! I didn't buy anything there cos I was thinking of buying souvenirs at the Guilin Night Market instead.

    August 16, 2010 at 3:43 AM
  52. foongpc said...

    fufu, I have yet to finish all my Guilin posts, so gotta finish them before proceeding with Cambodia trip posts : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:44 AM
  53. foongpc said...

    che-cheh, actually the painting is not very large. The artist just wrapped it in newspaper for me and I placed it nicely in my travel luggage back at the hotel.

    August 16, 2010 at 3:45 AM
  54. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, haha everyone is asking me the same question so yes, I have to finish all my China posts first before blogging about my Cambodia trip.

    It was not Jam who gave the girl the money but his friend : )

    Yes, I love that painting too! That's why I bought it!

    Yeah, the temple looked old. It's after all in Daxu Ancient Town.

    August 16, 2010 at 3:48 AM
  55. foongpc said...

    khengsiong, yes I have decided to complete my China posts first! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:48 AM
  56. foongpc said...

    lina, yes I think the sepia effect really good for the old ancient buildings! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:49 AM
  57. foongpc said...

    erika toh, yes me too! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:49 AM
  58. foongpc said...

    bananaz, haha! Are you the one who won the painting from me?

    August 16, 2010 at 3:50 AM
  59. foongpc said...

    wenn, yes me too! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:51 AM
  60. foongpc said...

    ken, she's more like a conwoman than a beggar.Haha!

    August 16, 2010 at 3:51 AM
  61. foongpc said...

    manglish, haha! Definitely the half naked guy is not me! : D

    August 16, 2010 at 3:52 AM
  62. foongpc said...

    kelvin, what?!!

    August 16, 2010 at 3:52 AM
  63. foongpc said...

    bluecrystaldude, good imagination! Haha! Enjoy your weekend too! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:53 AM
  64. foongpc said...

    irenelim, yes it's a quiet town and yeah I love the painting!: )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:53 AM
  65. foongpc said...

    bengbeng, you will know why in my next post! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:54 AM
  66. foongpc said...

    incik restnrileks, this was last year around July/August. Can you believe I took one year to blog about this? Haha!

    Love the painting too! : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:55 AM
  67. foongpc said...

    reanaclaire, why? You also got scolded during your travels? : )

    August 16, 2010 at 3:56 AM
  68. mNhL said...

    The painting so cheap!!!

    Sigh! Those people cheating people's money. My dad met this one arm little boy (about 10 y.o) when he traveled to Thailand years ago. He was there begging for money. Pity him, dad gave him some money and later he saw this boy at a corner counting his money with both arms ! He hid one of his arm inside his giant T shirt.

    Hmm...got scolded....poor you but am interested to know what happen.

    August 16, 2010 at 10:21 AM
  69. HappySurfer said...

    OMGoodness! You're only at day 2. LOL!

    The place looks neat and clean even though ancient. That must have been a big temple with high ceiling too. No visitor allowed inside(?) as there's no picture.

    August 16, 2010 at 1:34 PM
  70. HappySurfer said...

    That souvenir row sure looks interesting - great for browsing and trinket-picking. It's great to be able to buy a piece of art from the artist himself. I was told that paintings from a pile are sometimes from some (children) art schools where pupils churn out the pieces (for sale).

    August 16, 2010 at 1:40 PM
  71. HappySurfer said...

    Btw, injecting your recent travels with China posts seems like a great idea. That way, we get new contents (sort of) and you get to finish your old travels. Two birds, eh? Thanks for sharing, Foong. Great effort. Happy Monday!

    August 16, 2010 at 1:46 PM
  72. lechua said...

    it's ilke walking back in time through those alleys. the sepia effect makes it feel even more ancient.

    August 16, 2010 at 4:58 PM
  73. Merryn said...

    When i was in some outskirt part of China (couldn't remember where) william n i were about to board a bus when he was pulled down by a beggar, a disable beggar. pulled and tugged and refused to let go until william gave him some coins.. gosh! scary i tell u! beggars are everywhere there..

    August 16, 2010 at 11:53 PM
  74. Naomi said...

    that vehicle looks like tut tut

    August 17, 2010 at 1:22 PM
  75. Iriene said...

    You should visit Wuzhen - water village (Shanghai trip), beautiful scenery, truly transported us back to 100 years ago. I do not have the photos as my hubby accidentally deleted all :(

    August 17, 2010 at 9:22 PM
  76. LifeRamblings said...

    love the ornate rooftop.

    August 17, 2010 at 9:31 PM
  77. Carol said...

    Unique piece of carvings.Really loved all the photos,the temples, Chinese paintings,everything was awesome...

    August 19, 2010 at 1:10 PM
  78. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, do not be alarmed! Although it's only Day 2 I have blogged most of other days out of that 10 days already : )

    We did not go into the temple. I think it was locked or something.

    Haha, I think I will finish all my China posts before proceeding with my Cambodia posts, but then again, I may change my mind. We shall see : )

    August 19, 2010 at 11:36 PM
  79. foongpc said...

    lechua, glad you like the sepia effect : )

    August 19, 2010 at 11:36 PM
  80. foongpc said...

    merryn, how unfortunate! Haha! But I didn't really encounter any beggars in Guilin.

    August 19, 2010 at 11:37 PM
  81. foongpc said...

    ghosty nana, do you mean tuk tuk? : )

    August 19, 2010 at 11:37 PM
  82. foongpc said...

    iriene, this Wu Zhen village is in Shanghai? I have not visited Shanghai before!

    August 19, 2010 at 11:40 PM
  83. foongpc said...

    life ramblings, I love it too! : )

    August 19, 2010 at 11:54 PM
  84. foongpc said...

    carol, thanks for dropping by! You should go on a trip to Guilin! : )

    August 19, 2010 at 11:54 PM
  85. Suzanne said...

    Thanks for the post. The photos are really very nice specially the Longevity temple and the dragon carvings on them They are quite unique.

    August 21, 2010 at 12:10 PM
  86. [SK] said...

    wah, you've been dragging with the china post, still somemore want to split into parts for a single town!! SALUTE

    August 21, 2010 at 12:44 PM
  87. [SK] said...

    anyway, i like that painting, and also that two photos you made with retro feel.. nice..

    August 21, 2010 at 12:44 PM
  88. Ayie said...

    i remember that painting foong and i made a chinese/japanese themed ink render which i have been meaning to scan to post but it's been ages and i still haven't done it

    August 21, 2010 at 4:40 PM
  89. Home and Garden Logo Design said...

    This is a Great Website You might find Fascinating that we Motivate A person.

    April 19, 2012 at 5:57 PM
  90. business logo designs said...

    I am really impressed your collection and cool stuff....

    company logo designs

    April 24, 2012 at 6:26 PM
  91. business phone broadband said...

    I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful
    who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.


    business phone broadband

    January 24, 2013 at 12:16 AM
  92. Art Attackk said...

    Thanks for the post. The photos are really very nice specially the Longevity temple and the dragon carvings on them They are quite unique. Art Attackk

    November 12, 2021 at 1:17 AM