经典英语美文欣赏-茶马古道
“茶马古道”是中国西南大地上一条进行对外经济文化交流，传播中国古代文明的国际通道,是西南的“丝绸之路”。For thousands of years, only humans and horses treaded the mountains of
Southwest China as they followed an ancient pathway through the Chinese
hinterlands and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Along the unpaved and rugged pathway that was formed, commodities like tea,
salt and sugar flowed into Tibet. Meanwhile, horses, cows, furs, musk and other
local products made their way to the outside world. The road was called the
tea-horse ancient road, and it stretched across more than 4,000 kilometers,
mainly through Southwest China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces and the Tibetan
Autonomous Region.
The ancient commercial passage first appeared during the Tang Dynasty
(618-907). It also experienced the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties - or a
period of more than 1,200 years. The road promoted exchanges in culture and
religion, and saw ethnic migration that closely resembled what was experienced
on the well-known Silk Road.
Along the ancient road lived more than 20 minorities. Concentrations of
beautiful and mysterious natural landscapes and traditional cultures developed
in various sites, including Dali old city, Lijiang old city, Shangrila, Yarlung
Zangbo River Grand Canyon, Potala Palace. The road features temples, rock
paintings, post houses, ancient bridges and plank roads. It is also home to many
national minorities and their dances and folk customs.
Two major routes
Roughly speak- ing, there were two main routes:
Route One: Begins in Ya’an in Sichuan Province to Qamdo via Luding, Kangd-
ing, Litang and Batang before mer- ging with Route One into Lhasa.
Route Two: Begins in Xishuangbanna and Simao, home of Pu’er tea (via Dali,
Lijiang, Zhongdian, Benzilan and Deqeng) in Yunnan Province to Zugong, Bamda,
Rewoqe, Zayu or Qamdo, Lholung, Benba, Jiali, Gongbogyangda, Lhasa, Gyangze and
Yadong in Tibet, before continuing into Myanmar, Nepal and India.
Tens of thousands of traveling horses and yaks created a definite pathway
with their hooves on the once-indiscernible road. Today, although even such
traces of the ancient road are fading away, its cultural and historic values
remain.
The Eternal Road
No matter what is happening in the world, three types of things in the
tea-horse ancient road will continue to exist: the beautiful and rustic nature
scene, inviolable religion and simple Tibetan people.
This ancient road features the imposing scenery and a soul-stirring quiet.
Some- times, things seem static and the sur- rounding mountains stand silent.
There is a kind of beauty in the desolation that may easily lead people to
believe they are experienced a prehistoric place when they visit.
The distant mountains reveal strong and exquisite ridges while rain and
snow melt together, rushing down from the mountains and rapidly gathering before
flowing into innumerable rivers.
If the mountains could form a skeleton of Tibet, the resulting rivers and
streams might form their vessels, which pour vigor and vitality into the
plateau.
Besides mountain and rivers, there are also many peculiar stones,
incomparably marvelous clouds, as well as unusual light illuminating the sky as
one travels the road.
Walking the tea-horse ancient road might allow one to see reverent pilgrims
heading to holy city Lhasa. They walk slowly along the rugged road, some of them
even crawling, butting heads as they move toward their sacred destination. Their
arms and legs fester - foreheads dripping blood - but with eyes still full of
light, granted comfort from their beliefs.
When you walk the road of Tibet in a cloudless dawn or under the glow of a
sunset, the sights can stir the senses and seem an awakening experience.
Caravans on the Way
From ancient times, mabang (caravans) have been the main vehicles used for
transportation.
Year after year, thousands of cara- vans traveled the rough road while the
hoof beats and the sounds of clear bells broke the tranquility of the canyon.
The road opened a vital pathway for economics and trade with the outside
world.
In World War II, the tea-horse ancient road became the only transportation
line for the southwest of China. Caravans trans- ported large quantities of
international as- sistance from India, which greatly supported China’s
Sino-Japanese War.
After the accomplishment of the Dian- Zang Highway and the Chengdu-Lhasa
Highway, automobiles replaced the cara- vans, and the tea-horse ancient road be-
came a part of history. But in the outlying mountainous area of Yunnan Province,
caravans remain the main source of trans- portation today.
The tea-horse ancient road - from ancient times through its present history
- contributes greatly to the national spirit of the Chinese people. It
represents continuity as an eternal monument in the history of China.
Culture Treaded by Feet
The tea- horse ancient road is hard and dange- rous, yet the natural land-
scape along it stimulates people’s un- derlying courage, strength and endurance
while helping to provide meaning to life.
In addition, Tibetan Buddhism has provided widespread doctrine on the
tea-horse ancient road, further promoting economic dialogue, cultural exchanges,
along with unity and friendship between the nationalities of Naxi, Bai, Tibetan
and other ethnic groups.
Some reverent artists have drawn and carved massive images of Buddha,
Bodhisattva, eminent monks, God animals, conch, and other heavenly bodies on
rocks along the roadside. These have increased a kind of sacred dignity for the
ancient roadway.
With thousands of years of history behind it, the tea-horse ancient road -
like a big corridor connecting various nationa- lities - has developed the local
economy, stimulated the commodity markets in co- mmunities, and promoted the
develop- ment of border trade as well. It has pro- moted agriculture and the
raising of animals while at the same time providing a source of enjoyment for
local art, religion, culture, and ideologies. It has helped many in the nation
obtain unprecedented prosperity and development.
Important Towns along the Tea- horse Ancient Road
Pu’er: hometown of Pu’er tea with a long history.
Xiaguan (Dali): a main processing and collection center for tea.
Jianchuan: bazaar on the tea and horse ancient road.
Shaxi Sideng: the only surviving bazaar.
Lijiang: the most famous distribution center on the road.
Deqin: The last road station within the boundaries of Yunnan.
页:
[1]