Yiwu Fotang Ancient Town

Yiwu Fotang Ancient Town is a thousand-year-old town named after Buddha, thriving because of water, and flourishing due to commerce. It is known as one of the four major ancient towns in Zhejiang, along with Wuzhen, Xitang, and Nanxun. There is a beautiful legend about the origin of Fotang Ancient Town. It is said that more than 1500 years ago, the eminent monk Bodhidharma traveled to Shuanglin Temple in Yiwu and encountered a flood in the Yiwu River. To save the people, he threw a chime into the river, which transformed into a ferry, rescuing the people trapped by the flood. In gratitude for Bodhidharma's benevolent act, the locals built the Duqing Temple at the site where the chime was thrown. The temple has a couplet that reads, 'The Buddha's light shines through the ages, the hall's candles illuminate all directions,' hence the name 'Fotang' (Buddha Hall). Fotang Ancient Town was built along the Yiwu River, showcasing a grand aspect with its large river, big bridges, and bustling commercial ports, embodying the elegance of a 'great lady.' Historical records indicate that from the Ming and Qing dynasties, countless merchant ships traveled along the Yiwu River, making Fotang Ancient Town a renowned center of commercial activity, often referred to as the old Yiwu International Trade City. The soul of the ancient town is a 2-kilometer-long old street, witnessing the commercial prosperity of Fotang Ancient Town. Additionally, the Wanshan Bridge is an important landmark of Fotang Ancient Town. This floating bridge was first built in the early years of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, lying across the Yiwu River, with the bridgehead becoming a dock. Subsequently, more than ten docks, including 'Dog Market Dock' and 'Pig Market Dock,' were built along the Yiwu River, making Fotang one of the 'four major towns' in Zhejiang due to its commercial prosperity. Today, although the busy scenes of boats on the Yiwu River are no longer visible, Fotang Ancient Town still retains its unique charm. Its long history and culture, along with its beautiful natural scenery, continue to attract countless tourists to visit and experience.