The flavor of history
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Strangely, although it is called Jizi temple, there isn't much related to Ji. Most parts of the temple are newly built and the only thing that is old and original in here is the "Ten Inscription Stele" in the second courtyard. The stele is believed the personal calligraphy of Confucius, who left it to commemorate Ji's model manner that he so much advocated after Ji died. It is said that this is the only example of Confucius' calligraphy that's so far been found.
The good thing about this place is that there are three cultural relic units all situated together. Leaving the temple, you may come across Jihe Bridge, an old bridge with a half human and half divine stone idol at its access. For hundreds of years, people had to get off their horses and walk on this bridge as a show of respect in return for good blessings.
Nevertheless, what interested me most were the famous six ancient wells known as "boiling wells" because they're constantly bubbling. The 50-year-old local resident who is also the guide here revealed me the secret behind them. "We call them 'Guo Guo' wells since the water inside the well sounds like this," she said. "The water isn't really boiling, it's just the cracks beneath the wells producing bubbles that make it look like it's being boiled."
She said there used to be a hundred wells like this. "The flooding widened the wandering Xiangcao River beside and drown the wells, so these six well are all that's left now."
And the strangest thing is that the water from the wells is not only drinkable, but they each have their own flavors that taste like beer, Sprite, and soda water. The other two are spicy and bitter flavored. I tried all, and the taste is surprisingly like natural Sprite and beer (the water is also said to be a cure for body itch or beriberi, but I wouldn't know about that).
The tour goes by quickly. Less than a hour later, we got on the car heading back to the city with a stomach full of flavored water that's over a thousand years old.
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