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Shuyuanmen - the receding figure of the ancient capital
Shuyuanmen is now the gathering place of various paintings and calligraphies.
Works by both celebrities and amateurs can be found here. Visitors can witness
on-the-spot painting and calligraphy
by grass-root artists, and can also often find the exhibitions of top-notch
artistic works. Stalls on the street and exquisite displays in upscale shops can
both be found. Figure, landscape, flowers, and birds paintings as well as
various calligraphies compete with one another for beauty and fascination. A lot
of the shopkeepers not only sell paintings, but also paint themselves. 
The four treasures of study, namely, writing
brush, ink stick, ink slab, and paper,
are indispensable for painting and calligraphy. Skillful craftsmen make painting
brushes on the spot. There are a number of small shops that specialize in
selling the four treasures of study, where prime quality rice paper, refined ink
stick, and slab can all be found. However, most of the shop owners are not
locals but rather specialists who came to the street a dozen years ago from
Jiangxi and Anhui
provinces when the street was being revamped.
The night view of the city in the past was like the "eye s of drowsy man," as described by famous literati Zhu
Ziqing. Today, however, the night view of Shuyuanmen is much brighter. The
street lamps are unique from shape to design. The lights are hexagonal and on
each side there are paintings of figures and Chinese
characters. Some brief introductions or quotes of great literati like Sima
Qian, Yu Youren, Duan Jian, and Feng Congwu can be seen on these lamps, adding
extra flavor to the night view of the street.
The glory of the ancient capital Chang'an seems to have elapsed, leaving only
a silent figure. Shuyuanmen, untouched by the hustle and bustle of the modern
city, stands there serving as the receding figure of the ancient capital.
Author: Jeff
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