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The town's layout and architecture date back to the Ming Dynasty.
The town's layout and architecture dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Basic elements, such as the four streets, eight lanes and 72 corners are still kept well. However, most ancient houses have been replaced by newly built ones. These ordinary buildings with white tile walls stand out in this 2,600-year-old town.
The residence of Wu Yuxiang, a Tai Chi Chuan master, was built in the late Qing Dynasty and well preserved. The house is composed of three courtyard residences and a rectangular yard. Graphics of Tai Chi Chuan movements have been carved on the walls around the yard. Wu once taught more than 100 students here. Now, it is open to the public as a museum of Wu-style Tai Chi Chuan.
Climb up the city wall and look into the distance -- there is a huge swamp covering a total area of 30 square kilometers to the south of the town. A Tai Chi-themed park will be built in the swamp in the near future. To the north, old residences have been pulled down, and a large amount of pseudo-classic buildings are under construction in an attempt to reproduce the original appearance of Guangfu. Although built in the traditional style, these shining buildings are too young to tell the story of Guangfu town. However, locals report that these buildings have been sold out. Soon, restaurants, inns and stores will be opened here.
A gust of chilly wind raised a dust cloud from the construction site nearby, with a white plastic bag dancing along the street with the wind. An old peddler, wrapped up in his scarf, waited beside his stall at the entrance of the town.
"There will be more tourists, and my life will be better," said the man.
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