Shawan Ancient Town
沙湾古镇
On a quiet morning in Shawan Ancient Town, the first thing I noticed was the stillness—the kind that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another century. The town's labyrinth of narrow stone-paved alleys seemed to stretch endlessly, winding between gray-bricked homes adorned with intricate carvings and faded murals. Wandering without a map felt almost meditative; every turn unveiled something new—a weathered ancestral hall, a local artisan quietly crafting, or the faint notes of traditional Guangdong music drifting through the air. For a place with over 800 years of history, tucked away in Guangzhou's Panyu District, Shawan has a way of making time slow down.
For just 40 RMB (a little over $5 USD), you can purchase an entrance ticket that grants access to four of the town’s most significant landmarks. Each building tells a story of its own: the Liu Gengtang Ancestral Hall exudes a dignified air with its intricate wood carvings, while the Shawan Guangdong Music Hall pulses with the heritage of He Xian music, a traditional Lingnan sound. San Ren Hall’s stately presence speaks of generations past, and the Academician He Binglin Memorial Hall offers a tribute to one of Shawan's most influential figures. It’s a small price to pay for the rich tapestry of culture and history woven into these spaces. If you visit, go early and take your time—there’s magic in losing yourself in those alleys before the crowds arrive. Finish your trip with a bowl of Shawan’s famous double-layer milk pudding; it’s the perfect end to a morning steeped in history.
在一个宁静的早晨，我来到了沙湾古镇，第一眼就被这里的静谧所吸引——仿佛一脚踏入了另一个世纪。古镇的石板小巷蜿蜒曲折，灰砖老屋间隐藏着精美的雕刻和斑驳的壁画。漫无目的地游走成了一种冥想，每个转角都能发现新的惊喜——一座古老的祠堂、一位安静工作的手工艺人，或是空中飘来的广东音乐的悠扬旋律。沙湾古镇已有800多年的历史，位于广州番禺区，尽管时光流逝，这里的每一寸土地都仿佛能让时间慢下来。
只需40元人民币（约合5美元），你就可以买一张门票，进入古镇内的四个重要景点。每座建筑都有着自己独特的故事：刘更堂祠堂以其精美的木雕散发着庄重气息，沙湾广东音乐馆则充满了岭南传统音乐“鹤咏音乐”的魅力。三稔堂的雄伟见证了代代相传的历史，而何炳林院士纪念馆则是对沙湾一位重要历史人物的致敬。这四十块的门票，承载的是丰富的文化与历史。如果你打算来访，建议早点到，慢慢逛——在游客到来前，迷失在那些小巷中的感觉最为奇妙。最后，不妨品尝一碗沙湾招牌双皮奶，用这份甜美为这段历史之旅画上完美句号。
