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Theme song
One of Taizhou characteristics is that it offers its residents and visitors the feel of peace and warmth. With this in mind, Chen Xiaoqi, one of China’s top songwriters came up with a welcoming tourism theme song for Taizhou. A number of artists have sung different version of the song, an invitation for travelers to visit all the different colours and attractions of the region. Launched in 2008, this theme song has warmed the hearts of many through its quiet rhymes. Read below for the translation of the lyrics or click here to download the song. If you scroll further down, we've explained the most intriguing parts of the song. |
| 女： |
梅花红似火，仿佛往日的女儿妆； |
| 男： |
竹影摇呀摇，拂过了几度板桥霜？ |
| 女： |
一别多少年，青砖黛瓦翘首望； |
| 男： |
水乡数百里，又见遍地菜花黄。 |
| 女： |
稻河寻故人，是谁在月下轻轻唱？ |
| 男： |
柳絮飘呀飘，风中依稀把评书讲。 |
| 女： |
怯怯的步履，唯恐惊醒了麻石巷； |
| 男： |
熟悉的乡音，犹在耳边说沧桑。 |
| 合： |
我是那只归巢的鸟儿，流连在银杏树旁；
我是那只远行的船儿，带着你的菱藕香。
游子近乡情已醉，心中的故乡最吉祥；
梦里喊你千百遍，只为乡思如水万里长。 |
| 男： |
稻河寻故人，是谁在月下轻轻唱？ |
| 女： |
柳絮飘呀飘，风中依稀把评书讲。 |
| 男： |
怯怯的步履，唯恐惊醒了麻石巷； |
| 女： |
熟悉的乡音，犹在耳边说沧桑。 |
| 合： |
我是那只归巢的鸟儿，流连在银杏树旁；
我是那只远行的船儿，带着你的菱藕香。
游子近乡情已醉，心中的故乡最吉祥；
梦里喊你千百遍，只为乡思如水万里长。 |
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| Female: |
The red color of the plum resembles a fire, as though it were a young girl’s beautiful face (note 1) |
| Male: |
The bamboo’s shadow is shaking, recording the life of Banqiao (note 2) |
| Female: |
Parting from each other for several years, the flashed brick and tile is waiting for you to come back (note 3) |
| Male: |
Watertowns extend hundreds of miles, full of yellow rapeseed flowers 4 |
| Female: |
Finding old friends in Daohe. Who is singing gently under the moon? (note 5) |
| Male: |
Flying catkin seem to be telling stories to the wind (note 6) |
| Female: |
Stepping carefully on the ancient stone road, trying not to awaken Mashi lane (note 7) |
| Male: |
The sound of familiar local dialect seems to whisper many of life’s experiences (note 8) |
| Together: |
I am the bird who has just come back home, beside the Ginkgo trees. (note 9)
I am the boat with a long journey. I will take the sweet smell of lotus roots (note 10)
Arriving to my hometown, place that I left so long ago, I feel joyful and know that this is the most auspicious place in the world. (note 11)
In my dreams I’ve called your name a hundred times, because I miss you deeply. |
| Male: |
Finding old friends in Daohe. Who is singing gently under the moon? (note 5) |
| Female: |
Flying catkin seem to be telling stories to the wind (note 6) |
| Male: |
Stepping carefully on the ancient stone road, trying not to awaken Mashi lane (note 7) |
| Female: |
The sound of familiar local dialect seems to whisper many of life’s experiences (note 8) |
| Together: |
I am the bird who has just come back home, beside the Ginkgo trees. (note 9)
I am the boat with a long journey. I will take the sweet smell of lotus roots (note 10)
Arriving to my hometown, place that I left so long ago, I feel joyful and know that this is the most auspicious place in the world. (note 11)
In my dreams I’ve called your name a hundred times, because I miss you deeply. |
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| 1 |
The plum is Taizhou’s city flower, it is also closely associated with Mei Lanfang. The grand Beijing Opera star played many legendary female roles throughout his career. |
| 2 |
Zhen Banqiao was another Taizhou celebrity. He was capable with a brush and hence, one of the most symbolic artists of the Qing Dynasty. His specialties were drawing flowers, wood, stones, and especially bamboos. |
| 3 |
Tai style architecture of the Qing Dynasty is very famous, as is Anhui and Suzhou styles. However, the features of Tai style architecture are its simple appearance, rational structure, elegant materials, and practical decorations. One of its main embodiments is the flashed brick and tile, typical of Taizhou. |
| 4 |
The Xinghua Yellow Rapeseed plantation is one of Taizhou’s top attractions. When in bloom (March and April), the flower fields are covered in mystical yellow interlaced by streams and canals. |
| 5 |
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the river on the northern front of Taizhou, DaoHe was a center of rice and oil shops, making it an agriculture goods market. Later on, many bridges crossed the river and shops appear, bringing in residents, life, and culture. Years ago, Mr. Hu Jintao swum in this river |
| 6 |
This lyric relates to Liu Jinting, a famous artist of Pinghua. Pinghua is a sort of professional storytelling art in Taizhou’s local dialect. The flying catkins are flowers of the willow tree. Once the wind blows, they appear to be dancing or singing, telling a story. |
| 7 |
Mashi Lane was built with stones given to Chuguan, an important figure of Taizhou’s history. As a child prodigy, Chuguan could complete difficult vertical written couplets. By doing so, he was given gifts, Ma Stones. Later in his life, he used these stones to build a new road, Mashi lane. |
| 8 |
Taizhou’s dialect is a combination of northern and southern dialects, creating a very special blend. |
| 9 |
This phrase specifically mentions the large ginkgo florest and unique seeds that come from Taizhou. |
| 10 |
Taizhou is the birthplace of the Chinese Navy, therefore the reference to boats. Also, The sweet smells of lotus roots bring the idea of water and the life it carried. Taizhou is a land full of fish and rice, water based foods. |
| 11 |
Taizhou’s Buddhist culture is deeply rooted in the region. The most famous temple is called the Guangxiao Temple. Here, the main building is called Auspicious Hall. |
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