Seventy-seven kilometres upstream from Yichang City lies the mouth of the Xiangxi River on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Nearby was Zhaojun's Hometown. In her hometown, there are many beautiful stories about Wang Zhaojun, one of the four Chinese greatest beauties. It is said once when Zhaojun was washing her face in the river, a string of pearls of her ornaments fell into the water. Ever since then, the river water carried the scent like that of perfume. Xiangxi River boasts the Peach Blossom Fish, a rare and protective species. Transparent and creamy coloured, it is shaped like an umbrella. Legend tells that, after a home visit, Zhaojun started on her trip beyond the Great Wall to be married to the Xiongnu chieftain. As she sailed along the river, her tears dropped into the water to mingle with the floating peach blossom and turned into beautiful fish. Wang Zhaojun was born in Baoping Village whose original name was Yandunping, or Wangjiawan, 5.5 km from Xingshan County. There are some sites in Zhaojun's hometown, such as Dressing Table, the Well of the Nanmu Tree, Zhaojun's Shrine, Zhaojun's Residence, etc. In 1979, Zhaojun's Residence was rebuilt. |