“Five Streams” refers to the five major tributaries in the middle and upper reaches of the Yuanshui River. According to Commentary on the Water Classic compiled by Li Daoyuan, a Chinese geographer during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 A.D.), the Wuling area was home to five streams, namely Xiong Stream, Man Stream, You Stream, Wu Stream and Chen Stream.
Known as the Bei River in the ancient time, the You Stream originates from Xiyuan Mountain in Xuan’an County of Hubei Province and runs through Hubei, Chongqing, Guizhou and Hunan. In Hunan Province, it passes through Longshan, Baojing, Yongshun and Guzhang in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture and flows to the Yuanshui River in Huaihua City. The shallow, narrow and swift-running stream zigzags through the Wuling Mountains, offering breath-taking attractions with mountainous surroundings for visitors.
The Chen Stream, which used to be called the Chen River, is known as the Jinjiang River above Lvjiaping Town of Mayang County, originating from Fanjing Mountain in the northwest of Jiangkou County of Guizhou Province, and winding from west to east, flowing through Miao villages in Mayang and merging with the Yuanshui River in Chenxi County. Like the name suggests, the Jinjiang River is famous for the sceneries along the banks, which provoke people’s fondness. It is said that when Shen Congwen (1902-1988), the greatest lyric novelist in modern China, left his hometown Fenghuang in Hunan Province for Wuhan in Hubei Province, travelling along the Jinjiang River to the Dongting Lake, he couldn’t help appreciating the picturesque view by boat along the river.
The Wu Stream, which is today’s Wu River (㵲水), originates from Luoliutang in Fuquan County of Guizhou Province, running through Xinhuang County, Zhijiang County, Hecheng District and Zhongfang County and flowing into the Yuanshui River at Qiancheng Town of Hongjiang County-Level City. For thousands of years, Dong and Miao people have been living in the Wushui River basin, leaving behind numerous splendid cultural heritages, such as the Zhijiang Memorial Hall of Accepting Japanese Surrender, Zhijiang Mazu Temple, relics from the mysterious ancient Yelang State and symbolic architectures of Dong ethnic group like stone pavilions, roofed bridges and stilted dwellings.
Known as today’s Wu River (巫水), the Xiong Stream originates from Wu Mountain in the southeast of Chengbu County, Hunan Province, and flows into Yuanshui River through Suining County, Huitong County and Hongjiang County-Level City, blending in well with its surroundings which are featured with green mountains and waters.
The Man Stream origins in Zhuandipo, Liping County, Guizhou Province, but its name cannot be found in ancient atlases, nor can the name of any stream with the same or similar sound. Therefore, many historians and scholars tried to prove that the Man Stream was actually the Lang Stream because “Man” was pronounced as “Lang” in some local accents. The Lang Stream, which was called the Lang River, is known as Qushui River nowadays. According to records, the Qushui River is a tributary of the Yuanshui River, extending for 220 km with its origin in Liping County. According to the historical research conducted by Mr. He Jiejun, ancient cultures of Dongting Lake and Five Streams were passed to Liuzhou of Guangxi Province along the Qushui River, which flew into the Qu River, one of the tributaries of the Xi River…This was the most important channel connecting the Yangtze River and the Pearl River since ancient times.
Historically, “Five Streams” refers to the You River, the Qu River, the Wu River (㵲水), the Wu River (巫水) and the Jinjiang River that flow into the Yuanshui River in Huaihua. The term “Wuximan” refers to the ethnic groups living in the drainage areas of “Five Streams”, while “Wuximan region” include Huaihua City, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Zhangjiajie City and parts of Shaoyang City, Changde City and Loudi City in Hunan Province, Qiandongnan Autonomous Prefecture and Tongren Region in Guizhou Province, Qianjiang District of Chongqing Municipality, and Enshi Autonomous Prefecture in Hubei Province. As history progresses, the ethnic groups have jointly shaped the cultural characteristics of the region, creating the unique and mysterious Wuxi culture. The mystery of Wuxi culture lies in its ancient mythology that mixes fantasy and historical events, in its primitive worship of nature and witchcraft, and in its embodiment of folk customs. This region distinguishes itself with many historic remains left by men of letters in Chinese history on the base of its natural landscapes and geographic wonders. Its natural and cultural charms arouse disparate thoughts.
According to a survey conducted by the National Tourism Administration in 1996, 20% of inbound tourists liked to see scenery with mountains and rivers, 8.3% preferred to visit cultural relics and 14.7% were inclined to travel to places where folk customs are well preserved. “Five Streams” is a good place for tourism with its panoramic views dotted with beautiful mountains, rivers and historical sites.
(Translated by Yang Hong)