The Gu Lei Pond Cultural Base in Wangjiang, Anhui, has a long history and is worth a visit

Wangjiang County is located in the southwest of Anhui, historically known as Lei Pond, with a history of more than 1600 years. The idiom 'Not daring to step beyond Lei Pond' originated here, and the stories of Wang Xiang lying on ice, Meng Zong weeping over bamboo, and Zhong Yuan crying at the grave from the Chinese 'Twenty-four Filial Exemplars' also took place here, making it a county with a long history and rich culture. When visiting Wangjiang County, there are several attractions you must check out, one of which is the Wuchang Lake Wetland, also known as the Gu Lei Pond Integrity Culture Education Base. Wuchang Lake, located in Gaoshi Town of Wangjiang County, is part of the ancient Lei Pond relics, with a water area of hundreds of square kilometers, offering a mesmerizing blend of lake and mountain scenery. Today, the wetland park still has boundary markers recording the historical stories of that time. The Lei Pond Pavilion and boundary markers have been restored, with the pavilion maintaining the traditional Chinese style with upturned eaves and red pillars with black tiles. Walking by the lake, looking at the ancient-style buildings, and thinking of the thousand-year-old history, feelings of nostalgia and contemplation naturally arise. Standing in the pavilion, Wuchang Lake is vast with gentle ripples, reeds swaying in the wind, waterbirds gathering, playing and foraging on the water or soaring in the sky, presenting a scene full of vitality. 'Not daring to step beyond Lei Pond' in today's context carries the educational message of 'being loyal and maintaining integrity,' making this place an integrity culture education base. Walking in the scenic area, the stories of integrity that happened on this ancient land serve as constant reminders and warnings. Poems and couplets by historical figures known for their integrity can be seen everywhere, such as 'Frugality is the gold, and literature is the root of fragrant osmanthus,' written by Chen Shuping, a Qing dynasty prefect of Wuchang, which reflects the image of a clear-minded and honest local official who loved the people and was diligent in his duties. The design of the seats is mainly in the ancient style, and on one side, they are accompanied by historical anecdotes or famous family instructions, allowing visitors to read a story and learn some history while resting and basking in the sun. Wangjiang is the hometown of Lei Pond and also known as the land of three filial acts. The education base not only showcases integrity culture but also has a filial culture exhibition area. The rich content composed of the three filial cultures, integrity stories, family instructions, ancient poetry, and famous couplets is very suitable for bringing children to experience.