The soft light of dawn, ascending to a high vantage point, gazes at Yanzhou Island. Distant peaks resemble ink paintings, still tinged with traces of the night. The river flows steadily and slowly, and a few boats, adorned with red lights, drift like fallen leaves with the current. Yanzhou Island is enveloped in a gentle mist rising from the river.

As the sun rises, its rays illuminate the landscape. The mountains become clear, and the river begins to ripple, stirring with the morning light. It cascades onto the endless white sand beaches, awakening the sleeping islands. Yanzhou Island is gradually coming to life. Lights flicker in the houses on the island, and a thin mist quietly slips away from the treetops, alleys, and fields. Gradually, crimson clouds appear, flowing over the reflecting fish ponds and water fields, spreading across the pathways and roads... Yanzhou Island is like a dream.

The sun, stirring the morning glow, awakens the world. As everything comes to life, the hues of dawn gradually subside, revealing the true colors of Yanzhou Island. Lush tree-lined forests, scattered fields, and ponds divide the entire island into vibrant colors like emerald green, pale yellow, and rich gold, adorned with ancient residential buildings. The blue waters of the West River flow gently, with boats constantly traversing its surface. The entire Yanzhou Island stands in the river like a well-proportioned and exquisite giant inkstone.

Climbing to the top of Yanzhou Island, one arrives at the Baogong Building, surrounded by green trees and adorned with blue bricks and yellow tiles. Legend has it that Bao Zheng, also known as Baogong, once served as an official in Duanzhou (modern-day Zhaoqing). While sailing through the Lingyang Gorge, he encountered fierce winds and waves. Bao Zheng then threw a piece of inkstone into the river, and immediately, the wind and waves subsided. Later, that inkstone transformed into a sandbank, known as an "Inkstone Sandbar". In honor of this event, people built the Baogong Building on the island during the Qing Dynasty. Other ancient structures on the island include the Ancestral Hall of the Chen Family, the former residence of Chen Huanzhang, and the Luo Clan Ancestral Hall.

Along the mottled stone path, weaving through ancient alleys, many grey brick houses on both sides of the alley, constructed with gray stones, quietly settle with the weight of history and culture. Arriving at the Ancestral Hall of the Chen Family, white walls and yellow tiles, green tiles, undulating roof ridges, and delicate gray sculptures showcase the craftsmanship of the artisans. In front of the ancestral hall stands a flagpole representing achievements, recording the glory brought to the island by Chen Huanzhang, known as the "first overseas-returned doctor along the West River". Water stains in ink colors on the white walls and moss dots on the roof ridges bear witness to the passage of time.

Mulberry fish ponds, the shade of big banyan trees, and the banana groves of the water town... Yanzhou Island paints a picturesque scene with the distinctive charm of Lingnan. Sunlit beaches, boat rides on the waves, parasailing in the sky... Various entertainment activities bring new vitality to the island. As the wind rises, it blows away the waves in the oasis, and the rivers on both sides of Yanzhou Island continue to flow. The new generation is using this ancient "inkstone" to create a new and prosperous picture.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

肇庆砚洲岛：西江中的“绿宝石”

晨光熹微，登高眺望砚洲岛，远峰如黛，还带着点点夜色。江水深沉而缓慢地流动着，三两船只带着红色灯火似落叶般随水而行，砚洲岛笼罩在淡淡的江雾中。

随着太阳升起，阳光洒下来了，山清晰了起来，江水荡漾了起来，卷动着朝晖，拍在绵绵的白色沙滩上，叫醒着沉睡的岛屿。整个砚洲岛正逐渐醒来。岛上的民居亮起了点点灯光，薄雾从树梢、巷尾、田头悄悄溜走。渐渐地，红霞出现，流动在映红的鱼塘水田中，铺散在阡陌道路上……整个砚洲岛如梦似幻。

太阳拨动着朝霞唤醒着人世间，随着万物苏醒，霞光渐敛，砚洲岛显现出本来的颜色。绿树成荫的树林，星罗棋布的农田、池塘把整个岛屿分割出碧绿、鹅黄、赤金等绚丽颜色，古建民居点缀其中。青色的西江水波潺潺，江面上船只来往不歇。而整个砚洲岛，像一方规整而精巧的巨大古砚，屹立江中。

登上砚洲岛来到被绿树环抱的蓝砖黄瓦的包公楼。传说包公曾在端州（今肇庆）为官，后坐船途经羚羊峡口，骤被狂风恶浪困阻。包公便把一方端砚抛下江中，随即风平浪静。后来那方端砚竟化成沙洲，被称为“墨砚洲”。人们为了纪念此事，于清代在岛上修建了包公楼。岛上还有陈氏宗祠、陈焕章故居、罗氏宗祠等古建筑。

沿着斑驳的石板路，穿梭在古巷中，巷子两边的许多的灰色砖石搭建的老屋静静沉淀着厚重的历史和文化。来到陈氏宗祠，白墙黄瓦、绿瓦当，起伏的屋脊、精致的灰塑，足见匠工巧思。宗祠前竖立着代表功名的旗杆，记录着被称为“西江第一留洋博士”陈焕章给岛上带来的荣光。白墙上水墨色的水痕，屋脊上星星点点的苔藓见证着时光。

桑基鱼塘、大榕树荫、水乡蕉林……砚洲岛上绘就着岭南特色的风情画。阳光沙滩、逐浪划船、飞行跳伞……各式各样的娱乐项目又给岛上带来新的活力。风起绿洲吹浪去，砚洲岛两侧江水不息，新一代人正用这方“古砚”绘就出新的繁荣画卷。

策划统筹 | 魏琴
文 | 记者 牛智杰
图、拍摄 | 戴梅芬
译 | 林佳岱
责编 | 王楠
校对 | 马曼婷