Tradition works like a charm in villages
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, September 17, 2014
Xiashan Village
Xiashan Village in Quzhou is listed as a protected historic cultural village. It is noted for an ancient folk performance combining stilts with a hobby horse.
In China, stilts were originally used in coastal provinces where fisherfolks used them to catch fish.
Different from a children's toy, the hobby horse used in Xiashan folk performances are made of bamboo and truly resemble a horse.
In the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the villagers integrated the hobby horse into stilts and created a new folk performance called gaoqiao zhuma dancing.
At the beginning, the dance was simple and comprised only a few easy moves. Later in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), villagers improved the dancing, adding more complicated steps. Tourists still come to Xiashan to see the folk performances.
In addition, the old buildings of Xiashan are worth exploring. In ancient times, Xishan was part of Huizhou in Anhui Province. Therefore, most buildings feature a Hui style of architecture characterized by up-turned eaves and carved beams.
How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway—Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway—Longyou-Lishui-Wenzhou Expressway—Sanjiang Road
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