Heshun
means peace and harmony. The title of the township is derived from
a verse describing "the rising clouds that herald auspicious
future and the gentle breeze that breathes peace and harmony." The
town consists of over 1,300 households and 6,300 and more people.
From ancient times on, it has been a place where talented people
were brought up. So far as the modern times are concerned, the
following names are important: Zhang Chengxin, a martyr who laid
down his life in the anti-imperialist struggle and a member of Dr.
Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary organization Tong Meng Hui, Li Yuegai,
secretary-general of the First Army of the Yunnan Troops for
Safeguarding the Republic and "Excellent Writer in Southwest
China" as commended by Zhang Taiyan; Cun Shusheng, educator and
late vice-president of Yunnan University; and Ai Siqi, famous
Marxist philosopher. Many of the Heshunxiang people who live
abroad are successful businessmen or scholars of great attainments
doing their bits for the prosperity of the countries they reside.
Heshunxiang
is a very beautiful place with many ornamental structures like
pavilions, memorial halls or archways, lotus ponds, marble
balustrades, etc. The most important scenic spot that a visitor to
Heshunxiang cannot afford to miss is Shuidui, an ancient water
mill near a body of limpid water named Yuanlongtan. Yuanlong
Pavilion which overlooks the clear pond is an ancient structure.
The pavilion was constructed in the 27th year of Emperor
Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1762 A.D.). The sublimity of
the ancient architecture with its excellent layout of the halls,
kiosks, balconies and bowers of carved beams and painted rafters
add beauty to the serenity of nature. The inscriptions, tablets
and couplets, well composed and written by outstanding
calligraphists, are highly attractive. The fountain by the side of
the pavilion is known by the name "Dragon Pond". Ai Siqi's Home is
located right by the side of the Jiaoxi Brook running by the pond.
The Heshunyuan Library situated on the campus of
Yiqun Middle School, the biggest one at the township level, is the
pride of the Heshunxiang people. The
library
buildings with flower gardens in the front courtyard show styles
of traditional Chinese architecture. The library, set up in 1924,
is in possession of over 60,000 volumes of books, many of which
are rare editions of ancient works. The library feels honoured
with the inscriptions by such famous figures as Xiong Qinglai,
Gong Zizhi, Liao Chengzhi, Zhang Tainfang, etc.
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