[photopress:love_garden.jpg,full,alignright]The capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province is creating an amorous environment with country’s first theme park of love. With an investment of RMB500 million ($657,890), the Qujiang Pond Ruins Park, which features the famous Humble Cave Ruins, is expected to open on April 8, 2008.
Located in Wudianpo Village in Qujiang New District in Xi’an, the Humble Cave Ruins is well-known city landmark because it’s where a popular Shaanxi Opera tells the love story between Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan.
The story goes that a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) had three daughters. The youngest named Wang fell in love with and married a poor man called Xue, despite her family’s strong opposition.
After their marriage, the couple lived in a humble cave near Qujiang Pond. Soon afterwards, the government forced Xue to join the army on its western expedition and he was away for 18 years. Wang’s mother tried many times in vain to persuade her daughter to marry somebody else. Finally, the couple was reunited after Xue returned from the expedition.
As a result, the humble cave has become a symbol of faithful love. And Qujiang New District has rebuilt a cave at the site of the legendary one with a statue of Wang.
In addition to its historical references, Qujiang Pond Ruins Park will feature the restored 45 hectares of water in the Qujiang Pond.
The park is part of a 167-hectare tourist attraction which includes the 67-hectare Tang City Wall Ruins Park and 6.4-hectare Zhenguan Cultural Plaza.
With an investment of nearly RMB1 billion ($132 million), the Zhenguan Cultural Plaza will include the Xi’an Concert Hall, Xian Theater, Qujiang Cinema Town, Shaanxi Artists Gallery, Shaanxi Folk Art Hall, and Shaanxi Literary Hall.
Source: Jongo News