aeeble

Shuangxi Ferry Landing sits at the far end of Chang-an Street, commanding the confluence of the Pinglin and Mudan Rivers. During the Qing dynasty it was a vital checkpoint on the Danlan Ancient Trail; its river traffic brought endless prosperity to the little town of Shuangxi. Yet once railways and highways were built, the ferry landing declined, leaving only century-old stone houses to bear witness to its former glory. In those days Shuangxi Ferry was the trail’s freight depot: bulk goods and passenger boats sailed downriver to Jiushe on the coast, where they transferred to sailing ships bound for every quarter; on the return leg, small craft carried daily necessities upstream to Shuangxi itself. Thanks to this strategic site, Chang-an Old Street turned Shuangxi into a bustling market town. At its height the street held every kind of shop—cinemas, Chinese-medicine stores, rice stores, cloth shops, even inns and shoe stores. Today the glory has faded, replaced by the quiet of a mountain town—perfect for travelers who wander the alleys to photograph and admire the scenery.