Travelogue of Ancient Longzhong in Xiangyang

Travelogue of Ancient Longzhong in Xiangyang On a hot summer day, I chose a weekend to embark on a journey to Ancient Longzhong in Xiangyang. Xiangyang, a city renowned for its historical and cultural heritage, has nurtured countless heroes, among whom the most famous is the sage of the Three Kingdoms period—Zhuge Liang. Ancient Longzhong, as the former residence of Zhuge Liang, has always been a sacred place in my heart. In the early morning, the sunlight streamed through the car window and fell on my face, warm but not scorching. The car drove on the streets of Xiangyang, with the plane trees swaying gracefully on both sides, as if telling the story of the city. After an hour's drive, we finally arrived at the Ancient Longzhong scenic area. Upon entering the scenic area, the first thing that caught my eye was the quaint 'Ancient Longzhong' archway. The middle and lower lintels of the archway are separated by a stele with the inscription 'Ancient Longzhong', and the lintels are decorated with bas-reliefs of fishermen, woodcutters, farmers, and scholars, as well as two dragons playing with a pearl. On the front of the pillars on both sides, there is a couplet carved with 'Frequent visits to devise strategies for the world; Serving two emperors to benefit the old minister's heart.' It inspires respect for Zhuge Liang's wisdom and loyalty. Passing through the archway and walking along the winding path, not far ahead is a quaint stone bridge—Xiao Hong Bridge. The bridge spans a stream, connecting the green mountains and trees on both sides. Standing on the bridge, listening to the babbling of the water and feeling the cool breeze on my face, I seemed to see Zhuge Liang's figure coming and going in Longzhong. Crossing Xiao Hong Bridge, we came to Zhuge's Thatched Cottage. This cottage is a Han-style building reconstructed by later generations based on historical records. Despite the vicissitudes of time, it still retains its simple and elegant style. The interior of the cottage is simply furnished with a zither, a sword, and a few scrolls of books, bearing witness to the most important time of Zhuge Liang's life spent here. Standing in front of the cottage, I seemed to hear the melodious sound of Zhuge Liang's zither and see his figure splashing ink with a brush. Leaving the cottage, we continued to venture deeper into the Wolong area. This was where Zhuge Liang and his close friends and relatives gathered to share their thoughts and where they planned grand strategies together. Here, I felt the deep friendship and the determination to pursue their ideals. The courtyard is filled with the constant chirping of pine trees and cranes, and its tranquility is refreshing to the soul. Finally, we arrived at the Ancient Longzhong Wuhou Temple. This temple, built during the Tang Dynasty, is one of the main structures in Longzhong. Inside the temple, statues of Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and other famous Shu Han generals are enshrined, majestic and lifelike. Here, I felt a reverence for the heroes and awe for history. After touring the entire scenic area, I was deeply moved by Zhuge Liang's wisdom and loyalty. His life was dedicated to the interests of the country and the nation, and his deeds and spirit will forever inspire future generations. At the same time, I was impressed by the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Xiangyang, which has nurtured countless heroes and cultural figures, becoming a treasure of Chinese culture. This trip to Ancient Longzhong in Xiangyang was very rewarding. It allowed me to appreciate the beautiful natural scenery and rich historical and cultural heritage, and it also gave me a deeper understanding of life and ideals. I believe this trip will become a precious memory and a source of inspiration in my life.