Chaozhou pays respect to ancient past while keeping its eye on future
Far-reaching effect
In addition to the immigrant population, officials dispatched from the royal court were another force pushing Chaozhou ahead.
Among them was Han Yu, a noted high-ranking official and philosopher during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). He created many great works of literature, including On Teaching, an essay on education, which is a standard section of high-school textbooks in contemporary China.
Han was sent to Chaozhou in 819 to head up the city. He left a rich legacy in Chaozhou during his eight-month service, spending almost all of his income at the time promoting education and Confucianism. "Han's greatest achievement in Chaozhou was his role as a guide to cultural enlightenment in the city," Huang said. What Han did still has a far-reaching influence over Chaozhou's character. Since his service, Confucius teachings and a focus on education have gained common acceptance in the city.
Guangji Mansion. CHINA DAILY
In gratitude to Han, locals built a memorial temple in 999 to worship him, which has become a national-level heritage site.
The mother river was even renamed the Hanjiang River and a nearby mountain was renamed the Hanshan Mountain. The school at the foot of the mountain evolved into today's Hanshan Normal University, which prepares future teachers for their careers.
Chaozhou is a city of gratitude, a local official said.
Successful businesspeople from Chaozhou like to pay something back to their hometown.
Another example is Shantang, a type of traditional nongovernmental charity organization, where Chaozhou people help or donate to those in difficulty. They also hold gatherings and cultural events there. Currently, Shantang facilities are active both at home and abroad.