1、Shuyuanmen Gate is located south of the Bell Tower in Xian which is about 570 meters long and about 10 meters wide. It isa bluestone-paved street situated on the eastern side of the South Gate, and is lined by ancient architectures of the Ming andQing Dynasties on both sides.Standing at the street e
2、ntrance, you can notice a decorated archway standing there with 3 golden Chinese characters “ShuYuan Men” carved on the top, and a striking couplet is engraved on each site of the archway, reading “The Stele Forest ContainsNational Treasures and The Academy Gestates Big Talents.” The name of Shuyuan
3、men means academy gate in English and it was derived from Guanzhong Shuyuan (central Shaanxiacademy) which was established here inside the South Gate in the Ming Dynasty . Guanzhong Shuayuan was one of the leading academies in ancient China and the highest institution of Shaanxi Province inthe Ming
4、and Qing Dynasty. However, in 1906, It was occupied by Shaanxi Provincial Normal School and its now where onecampus of the Xian University is located. In 1990, Beilin government launched large-scale reconstruction work on the shabby street. Soon in the following year, theold street took on a new loo
5、k and Shuyuanmen Gate came into being. Walking into the street, you can see the 2-storey stores in ancient style along both sides and smell the aroma of Chineseink. That is because shops and stores here mostly sell four treasures of Chinese stationery including writing brush, ink stick,paper and ink
6、 stone for calligraphy and painting.The earliest commodity sold there is said to be rubbings which gained popularity quickly at that time. Now, it has about 200shops and 100 stalls and are flourished with a variety of cultural products. Other commodities include rubbings from tabletinscriptions, pai
7、ntings and calligraphic works by celebrities, and books with ancient seals. For example, you can find herepaintings by Liu Wenxi, a Xian artist who drew the images on the 100 banknote. The market also has a wonderful collection of oriental paintings which make a colorful display of the traditional p
8、aintingstyles. Every year many celebrated calligraphers and painters meet there with their outstanding calligraphic and painting workson display.If you are lucky enough, you will see the old folk artist giving a traditional Chinese painting or calligraphy presentation in frontof the site of Guanzhon
9、g Shuyuan. Attracted by such fascinating work, perhaps you cannot help but buy one.Therefore, being famous for its collection of calligraphy, Shuyuanmen Gate is in fact known as the Calligraphy Street. Besides, Shuyuanmen Gate is also an authentic destination for hand crafted products. In those anti
10、que shops, you will findsome authentic crafts made by hand such as leather shadow puppet，paper cuttings , and Shehuo ladle mask , which aretypical folk handcrafts of Shaanxi Province. You can always try bargaining for the one you want.Among these handcrafts, leather shadow puppet are made of animal
11、skin and were used for shadow play shows in ancienttimes . The technique of making it is so difficult that now fewer and fewer of them are for sale, so it is a good choice to buy aShadow play figure to bring home as a souvenir or send it to friends and the price varies from 10 yuan to hundreds.Shehu
12、o ladle mask is a work of art painted on the wooden ladle which is a utensil used to scoop water or grain in ancientChina. The forefathers painted gods or amulets on the ladles to prevent their livestock from the injury of natural pests or diseaseand ensure their safe and peaceful life. Therefore, S
13、hehuo ladle mask represent the beautiful wishes for peaceful and happy lifeand thus become quite popular with the visitors of Shuyuanmen Gate. Stalls outside the 2-storey stores are equally attractive. Along the street, Xun (an ancient egg-shaped wind instrument with1eight holes) and jade articles a
14、re commonly seen. Walking in the area of Shuyuanmen Gate, you may hear the sounds of the Xunand the bamboo flute played by storekeepers now and again to drum up trade, which is not quite a melody but more the symbolof Xian.Jade articles here are mostly from Lantian County of Xian, which is famous fo
15、r the quality of jade from ancient China. Shuyuanmen Gate not only carries the legacy of the ancient Chinese art and reflects the richness of traditional Chineseculture, but also transports a peaceful cultural atmosphere to people. Spending the day seeking out hidden treasures andmaking a cultural connection there is definitely a valuable experience for visitors from home and abroad.2
