Nanshan, Shenzhen - Lonely history Remnant of Song & Qing Dynasty
Visited Shenzhen Musuem on 30 Jan and particularly attracted to poems by Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) - “Song of Righteousness” (Zhengqige), and “Passing Lingdingyang”.
He is one of the most famous symbols of loyalty and patriotism in China and His writings on righteousness are still widely taught in schools today.
He mentioned:
人生自古谁无死，留取丹心照汗青。– None since the advent of time have escaped death, may my loyalty forever illuminate the annals of history.
His words inspired me to trace the final footsteps of Song dynasty in Shekou district, Shenzhen.
The local chinese map (Yuan 6) serves useful guide to Song Shaodi (宋少帝) cemetry.
Going to Nanshan area from Shenzhen city centre requires about 1.5 hrs, by bus 204 (Yuan 3). This follow by a further walk towards the Chi Wan road direction. Finally reach the destination, It’s not as big as what I thought initially, small… A statue of Lu Shiu Fu (陸秀夫) carrying Shaodi is clearly seen.
It’s a sad episode Lu was forced to carry Shaodi to leap into the sea and drown himself to prevent further disgrace and insult by the Yuan’s army. I pay my respect to the cemetry, thinking of Wen Tianxiang.
His “Passing Lingdingyang” was written when crossing the Shekou region, about ~ 700 years ago. However, this area now is covered with a lot of cargo containers (a cargo containers terminal), with quite some factories, didn’t feel much sorrowness that I expect earlier.
Stroll down to another side for Chiwan Old Battery and Lin Zexu statue.
There were two defensive positions on either side of the Chiwan bay, known as the “Left Old Fort” and the “Right Old Fort.” The Left Old Fort, or Zou Pao Tai is the one only left. I was surprised to found that the right old fort was destoryed to pave way for developments.
Chiwan Left Old Fort - old stone landmark
Chiwan Left Old Fort - newly made stone landmark
Climb up, you can see magnificent statue of national hero Lin Ze Xu. Although he was ultimately defeated by the British, his stand against the British policy of importing drugs to destroy the Chinese people’s strength earned him a place in the people’s hearts.
Former president of China Jiang Zemin praised patriotism of Lin Zexu!
Lin Zexu statue
Didn’t see crowd of visitors here.