Walking Around the Boundary Stone, One Can Reach Hubei, Henanand Shaanxi Provinces

一脚踏三省 三省一条街

Three Provinces in One Street Travelling to Three Provinces With OneStep

绕着石头转一圈瞬间跨越鄂豫陕

Walking Around the Boundary Stone, One Can Reach Hubei, Henanand Shaanxi Provinces

游客在三省界碑亭留影 Tourists take photos in the pavilion at the junction of three provinces

三棱石界碑 A three-sided boundary stone

荆紫关镇明清一条街 Ming and Qing Street, Jingziguan Town

古镇上的山陕会馆 Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall in the ancient town

楚天都市报极目新闻记者 周萍英

翻译：赵玉蕾，卫拉，尹珩（湖北大学）

Jimu News Reporter: Zhou Pingying

Translators: Zhao Yulei, Lisa M.K ,Yin Heng （Hubei University）

在中国版图上，有这样一个神奇的地方。在这里，一条名为“白浪”的古街，是三省分界线，全国少有。“一脚踏三省”“朝秦暮楚”等响当当的地域文化招牌，让这个处于三省交界点的小镇名声在外。湖北的楚文化、陕西的秦文化、河南的中原文化，在这里世代碰撞，相互交融。近日，极目新闻记者打卡了这个中国少有的神奇之地。

China is home to an unusual geographical phenomenon. An ancient street named “Bailang” (meaning white wave in Chinese) is the borderline of three provinces, namely Hubei, Shaanxi and Henan Provinces, and is a rare sight in the whole country. Expressions like “Travel to three provinces with one step”, “Enjoy both the Qin culture and Chu culture” have become local cultural identities that have made the town located at the junction of three provinces famous. For generations, this town has witnessed the convergence of Chu culture of Hubei Province, Qin culture of Shaanxi Province and the Yellow River culture of Henan Province. Recently, a Jimu News reporter paidthis unique locationa visit.

一块陨石，三省界碑

A Meteorite Acts as A Boundary Marker for Three Provinces

从湖北十堰市区出发，约120公里外便是郧阳区白浪镇。车辆驶上该镇，前一分钟，路上门店还写着湖北某店，后一分钟，越过一座牌坊，便是河南南阳某机械公司的大招牌。路上的车牌鄂、陕、豫交织，形成独特的风景。

Starting from Shiyan City of Hubei Province, Bailang town in Yunyang District is about 120 km away. One minute before arriving in the town, one could see a store on the roadside named“XXX store of Hubei”; but just one minute later, a big sign hung for a machinery company of Nanyang, Henan province. Vehicles with plate numbers of Hubei, Shaanxi and Henan provinces can all be found in this town, creating a unique scene.

跟着导航来到三省界碑，一座三角形的青石小亭矗立在路中间，亭中有块三棱大理石的地标，三面分别刻着秦、豫、鄂。不少游客在亭子中三向转体拍照，操着三省不同口音。

Following the navigation system to the Three Province Boundary Stone, a triangular blue stone pavilion can be seen standing in the middle of the road. In the pavilion, there is a three-sided marble landmark engraved with characters of Qin(Shaanxi Province), Yu(Henan Province), and Er(Hubei Province) on each of three sides. Visitors enjoy going around the stone and take photos to get a feel of the three provinces.

有趣的是，以亭子为中心，东南角一座白瓦灰墙、翘角飞檐的老院子挂着“三省客栈”的牌子。南角几间贴黄色瓷砖的两层楼房的商店，挂着“湖北综合门市部”的招牌。而西北边的白色瓷砖墙面的两层楼门口，立着“陕西农家乐”的牌子。三户邻居紧紧挨着，走过去仅几米远，却分属于湖北省十堰市郧阳区白浪镇、河南省南阳市淅川县荆紫关镇、陕西省商洛市商南县湘河镇。

Even more interesting, in the southeast corner of the pavilion, an old white-tiled courtyard with grey walls and angled eaves hangs a sign of “Three Provinces Inn”; in the southern corner, a yellow-tiled two-story shop carries a sign of “Hubei Sale Department”; and in the northwest, at the door of the two-story building with white tile wall, a sign of “Shaanxi Agritainment” has been put up. Though the three are next-door neighbors with only a few meters away from each other, they belong to different administrative regions: Bailang Town, Yunyang District, Shiyan City, Hubei Province; Jingziguan Town, Xichuan County, Nanyang City, Henan Province; Xianghe Town, Shangnan County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province.

“在没有这个界碑之前，三省居民为了争地界纠纷不断。”河南淅川县荆紫关镇文化服务中心工作人员张军研究当地文化多年，他提起当地一个传说。传说突然有一天，从天上掉下一块陨石，村民们认为这是上天的旨意，掉下石头划清界线，提醒人们和谐共处。从此，当地人们融洽相处，并在落下石头的地方建了一座庙。然而，随着时间的推移，这座庙宇已不复存在。

“Before the setup of the boundary marker, residents of the three provinces were constantly in dispute over land boundaries.” Zhang Jun, a staff member at the Jingziguan cultural service center in Xichuan County, Henan Province, has studied the local culture for many years. He explained to the reporters a local legend. One day, a meteorite fell from the sky. The villagers believed it was the will of heaven and the stone dropped to draw a line, reminding people to live together in harmony. Since then, the local people have lived in harmony and built a temple where the stone fell. Over time, however, the temple is now no longer in existence.

1987年，三省乡镇自发集资，在此建立了一座大理石塔式碑。碑文记载，以碑为中心，正南180度属湖北，东南105度属河南，西北75度属陕西。

In 1987, neighbouring towns of the three provinces raised funds by their own will to build a marble tower monument. According to the inscription, with the monument as the center, 180 degrees due south belongs to Hubei, 105 degrees southeast belongs to Henan, and 75 degrees northwest belongs to Shaanxi.

再后来，随着此处名气渐大，来此旅游的游客渐多。2010年，河南荆紫关镇独资改造升级了三省碑。游客踏着三棱石，体验“一脚踏三省”的豪迈。

Later as the town gained popularity, increasing number of tourists visited the location. In 2010, Jingziguan Town, Henan Province rebuilt the Three Provincial Boundary Marker in sole proprietorship, where tourists can walk around the three-sided stone and experience “three provinces with one single step”.

据介绍，中国版图三省交界之地共有40余处，不过，一般地界都以一条河一座山为界，此处应是全国少有明确界点的三省交界处。

In China's territory, there are over 40 boundary areas of three provinces. But it is rare to see such a clear boundary since the general boundary of provinces is usually a river or a mountain.

一家热闹，三省快乐

Enjoy Happiness and Customs of The Three Provinces in One Family

恰恰由于地理位置的特殊性，此处曾有过别处不一样的繁华，也有过“三不管”的尴尬。当地村民说，在计划经济时代，白浪街上三省商店鼎立，来此购物可买到三省特色商品。也曾有段时间此地赌风挺盛，赌客们远远看到河南的警车开来，齐刷刷跨两步就到了陕西或者湖北地带。“现在好了，为了管理方便，三省采取治安、消防等联防联治的管理方式，使得该地呈现和谐安定的局面。”张军说。

Precisely because of it's unique location, Bailang Street was prosperous like no other place else; but was an inconvenient place to govern for local administration. According to local villagers, during the planned economy period (around 1950s to 1980s in China), residents could buy specialty goods from the three provinces from shops in Bailang Street. There was also a time when gambling was prevalent. When gamblers saw police cars from Henan province coming, they would escape to Shaanxi or Hubei province within just a few steps. Zhang Jun said: “It is much better now. The three provinces have now implemented joint prevention and management measures in public security and fire control. It's now safer and more harmonious than it was before.”

三省人们操着不同口音，拥有不同的饮食文化和风俗。河南人以面食为主食，走到河南荆紫关镇的饭馆，不特殊交待，店主默认端上面条作主食。而在湖北地界的饭店，则以米饭为主食。而在陕西地界，则以羊肉泡馍等为主食。在文化生活方面，河南人喜欢听豫剧，湖北人则爱听汉剧，陕西人则喜欢听秦腔。三省人交融。婚丧嫁娶吃个酒席，往往一桌坐上了两三省的人，操着不同的口音、划着不同的酒拳，场面十分热闹。

People from the three provinces have different accents, food cultures and customs. Henan people regard glutenous food as their staple food. If a customer walks into a restaurant in Jingziguan Town, Henan province, the owner willassumethat they are ordering noodles by default . However in a restaurant in Hubei Province, people generally eat rice. In Shaanxi province, people regard mutton and bread pieces in soup as their staple food. When it comes to cultural life, Henan people enjoy listening to Henan Opera, while Hubei people prefer Han Opera and Shaanxi people like Shaanxi Opera. Due to the unique location, its very common for people from all three provinces to meet here, especially at wedding ceremonies or funerals. There, people from two or three provinces can be found sitting around one table, speaking different dialects and playing different games. Such a scene is very lively.

在贾平凹的散文《白浪街》中，非常生动形象地对白浪街的风土人情进行了描述。提到有位陕西老汉养了八个闺女，三个嫁河南，三个嫁湖北，两人留陕西。每到子女给他祝寿的时候，女儿、女婿都来，一家人南腔北调语音不同，酸辣咸甜口味有别，一家热闹，三省快乐。

Jia Pingwa, a famous Chinese writer, once vividly described the local customs of Bailang Street in his essay Bailang Street. In the essay,he mentioned that an old man in Shaanxi Province raised eight daughters, three of whom married to Henan, three to Hubei, and two to Shaanxi. Every time his children,including his daughters and sons-in-law came back home to celebrate his birthday, they spoke different dialects and had different preferences for food. There, different customs of the three provinces converged in one family.

如今，在此生活的三省人民口音和生活习俗渐渐接近，白浪街也成为旅游打卡热门地。采访当天，来自陕西的向先生告诉极目新闻记者，“这是三省福气、灵气聚集之地，第一来看看这个神奇的地方，第二个也是趁着春节假期带着家里人来沾沾福气。”

Now, people from the three provinces living here have gradually developed similar accents and customs, and Bailang Street has become a famous tourist destination. In the interview, Mr. Xiang from Shaanxi Province told Jimu News reporter: “Bailang Street is a place that gathers good fortune and charm of the three provinces. The reason I came here with my family during Spring Festival vacation is because I want to enjoy this unique place and want my family to receive good luck.”

一座古镇，见证繁华

An Ancient Town Witnessed Prosperity

到三省交界处游玩，最不可错过的是荆紫关古镇。

The ancient Jingziguan Town, located at the junction of Hubei Province, Henan Province and Shaanxi Province, is a must-see.

荆紫关，一个饱含诗情画意的名字，位于河南省淅川县西北部。明末清初，丹江漕运鼎盛，来自全国各地的商行在荆紫关落脚，能工巧匠在此留下众多建筑。这里至今保存着一条明清长街，风貌沧桑，韵味十足，独具特色。

Jingziguan, an idyllic name in Chinese, is located in the northwest of Xichuan County, Henan Province. The late Ming and early Qing Dynasties witnessed the heyday of water transport along the Danjiang River, which flowed through the three provinces. Businessmen from all over the country settled in Jingziguan and skilled craftsmen left many historical buildings here. Up to now, a long street which was built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties is still well-preserved, full of charm and uniqueness.

荆紫关之所以称“关”，一是它地处陕豫交界处，关外是八百里秦川，关内是连接中原大地的南阳盆地，是由中原入陕东南之要道。二是因为荆紫关所在地，战国时属楚国，楚王派太子荆来镇守，遂称“荆子口”。三是由于此地漫山遍野盛开着紫色的紫荆花，清代又改称荆紫关，寓意“紫气东来”。明清时期这里商业高度繁荣，也因此有了“小上海”之称。

There are various reasons for why Jingziguan is called “guan” (meaning pass in Chinese). First, it is located at the border of Shaanxi Province and Henan Province. Outside the passis a vast plain in Shaanxi, and inside the pass is the Nanyang Basin, which connects Henan to the southeast of Shaanxi Province. Second, as the location of Jingziguan belonged to Chu State in the Warring States Period ( 476–221 B.C.), the king of Chu sent the crown prince Jing to guard it, and hence gradually came to be called “Jingzikou”. Third, as the mountains and fields were covered with the purple Bauhinia, Jingzikou was renamed the Jingziguan, as the character ziin Jingziguan means purple and indicates “good luck” in Chinese culture. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, business here was highly prosperous, thus earning its name “Little Shanghai”.

从荆紫关的南门进入，扑面而来的是一股非常古朴的气息，楼亭廊阁，无一不是明清时期的古建筑，这些建筑基本上原汁原味地保留着明清时代的建筑原貌，临街的房屋一栋挨一栋，几乎都是用黑色木门，昼开夜闭，便于做生意，那些屋檐廊角包括墙上的彩绘都保存非常完好。

Entering through the south gate of Jingziguan, one is greeted by the simplicity and antiqueness of the buildings. Many ancient buildings including pavilions, terraces and towers,built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, still boast their original looks. The houses facing the street are almost all with black wooden doors, which are open during the daytime for business. The eaves and paintings on the walls are all in excellent condition.

“明清一条街”古建筑群享誉全国，形成于公元1772年前后，该街全长五里，依山傍水，融南北建筑风格和自然特点为一体。街道两旁有房舍楼阁2200多间，1500余间门面房均为清代建筑，房屋建筑雕梁画栋，古色古香。

An ancient architectural complex named “Ming and Qing Street”has gained national reputation. It was built around 1772 A.D., stretching for 2.5km. Situated close to hills and rivers, it is a mix of architecture styles and natural features of the north and south. There are more than 2200 houses and pavilions on both sides of the street, and more than 1500 facade rooms, which were built in the Qing Dynasty. These buildings, with painted beams and carved pillars, are extraordinarily antique.

古街现今还保存着山陕会馆、禹王宫、江西馆、平浪宫等典型建筑和刘家大院、陈家大院等旧时富商住宅；古码头、古关门、古朴的吊脚楼与其他古建筑群错落有致、相映生辉。2001年，“明清一条街”被国务院批准为“全国重点文物保护单位”。《阮氏三雄》《包公》《汉魂》《内乡县衙》等影视作品先后在这里拍摄。

Today, some typical buildings, including the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall, Yuwang Palace, Jiangxi Hall, Pinglang Palace and the old residences of wealthy merchants such as the Liu Family Courtyard and the Chen Family Courtyard have all been well preserved. The ancient wharves, doors, simple stilted buildings, and other ancient complex are exquisitely-located. In 2001, “Ming and Qing Street” was approved by The State Council as “key historical and cultural sites under national-level protection”. Film and television works such as The Three Heroes Surnamed Ruan, Bao Gong, The Soul of Han and The County Government of Neixiang were shot here in succession.

如今，这座古镇依然友善地张开双臂，欢迎各地的游客慕名而来，游古街，观遗存，赏民俗，品美食，体验“一脚踏三省”的豪迈，感受三省的特色文化和习俗风情。

Today, the ancient town opens its arms with friendliness, welcoming tourists from all over the world to visit the ancient streets, view the relics, appreciate the folk customs, taste the food and experience the culture and customs of the three provinces.

（来源：极目新闻）

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