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White Deer Town
Fri 05 Oct 2007 Post by : invisible
Category : travelling
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Author Annie Chen
Issue 3
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Built by Hong Chuanguang, a French priest who came to China in 1865 on a mission, the church at White Deer Town has only recently become an object of interest for local photographers.
Attracted by the modesty and humbleness of the locals, Hong built a Catholic school at White Deer Town called Xia Shuyuan in 1893. Two years later, with the help of townspeople, he started work on the church. Because of its ornate interior, which utilizes marble and colored glass that had to be transported long distances, the church took 13 years to complete.
At the time, the church was known as Shang Shuyuan—“Shuyuan” meaning “academy.” The building was used as a divinity school where priests were trained.
Landslides damaged the church in 1934, and it was later used as school classrooms, offices or warehouses, without proper repair or renovation, until it was eventually vacated.
Nowadays this church has become a destination for photographers and is a particularly popular location for couples to have their wedding photos taken. The government has recognized it as a place of historical interest and, meaning there’s an entry fee, albeit a minimal one (5 RMB per person).
How to get there:
Take the 69 bus to Wukuaishi bus station (五块石车站). Transfer to the bus to Pengzhou (彭州), which takes about one hour on the highway and will set you back 11.5 RMB. After arriving in Pengzhou, take the bus to White Deer Town(白鹿镇), lasting around two hours as it stops frequently. After you arrive at White Deer Town, take the 40-minute walk along the mountain road or hire a driver to get to the church.
Annie Taylor is a freelancer instructor specializing in teaching Chinese as foreign language.
Chen annie314_2000@yahoo.com.cn
squirrels.hug-a-tree.org is a freelancer instructor specializing in teaching Chinese as foreign language.
Stephan Hase is an Austrian traveler who spent some time in China.
stephan_hase@gmx.at
Photo and text by Annie Chen
The article was first published in chengdoo CITYLIFE issue 3
