Chongqing Wujiang Gongtan Tourist Resort

After visiting Chiyou Jiuli City, we continued along the Wujiang River from Pengshui County, passing the entrance to the Wujiang Gallery Scenic Area. After about 60 kilometers, we arrived at the Gongtan Ancient Town North Gate Parking Lot. Admission was 16 yuan. The ancient town's narrow, but not crowded, stone-paved streets, about two kilometers long, were quite charming, free from the overly commercialized crowds. Gongtan Ancient Town's greatest feature is its location on the banks of the Wujiang River, which is incredibly beautiful. Across the river, majestic mountains rise, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.



Gongtan Ancient Town is located at the confluence of the Wujiang and Apeng Rivers, facing Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, across the river. It is the starting point of the Wujiang River Hundred Miles Gallery in Youyang. Since ancient times, it has been a renowned cargo transit point along the Wujiang River and even the Yangtze River. It is the only well-preserved ancient town on the shores of a major river in the world. Gongtan Ancient Town is a National Historical and Cultural Town, the No. 1 Historical and Cultural Town in Chongqing, a National AAAA-level tourist attraction, the core scenic area of the Wujiang River Gallery, and a shining pearl. It is a renowned tourist destination in Chongqing.

I went there before it was flooded, and personally, I think it's the best ancient town, bar none. I don't know what Gongtan looks like now. Old Gongtan was on the banks of the Wujiang River, a steep location with cliffs on both sides. Many of the houses near the shore are stilt houses, old wooden structures stacked up against the mountainside, with dense eaves covering a vast expanse. The Wujiang River is emerald green, and the ancient town blends seamlessly with the vast landscape, truly showcasing both the insignificance and greatness of humankind.

The thousand-year-old town is worth a visit. The scenery is breathtaking, and the morning sun rising over the cliffs, shrouded in mist, is breathtaking. Take a boat ride with the locals, and the boatman is friendly and down-to-earth. I encountered a group of mud monkeys playing during the boat ride, which was a pleasant surprise. Lunch breaks are also affordable, unless you have special requests. A bowl of noodles, the local way, and a piece of braised tofu are enough for me. The mountains and rivers of our motherland are magnificent and beautiful. I hope to explore every corner of them in my lifetime! (Keep your eyes open and do your homework before you go out to explore.)

Gongtan Ancient Town has a history of more than 1,700 years. Today's Gongtan is the Hanfu County of the ancient Fuling County.



Early in the morning, I walked along the river and circled the ancient town.

The journey is 4 kilometers.

If I could really live here for a year or two and immerse myself in it

Wouldn't it be nice to experience the quiet, solitude and real local customs and practices?

Tickets are 15 yuan, boat tickets are 150 yuan, and the reference time is 2.5 hours.

I really don't recommend taking the Wujiang River cruise at Gongtan Ancient Town. The most beautiful section of the Wujiang River is from Gongtan to Pengshui. If you're not driving, you can take a boat from Gongtan to Pengshui. The cruise at Gongtan Ancient Town goes in the opposite direction of the most beautiful section, and the round trip takes one hour. The scenery isn't bad, just a bit monotonous. Later, driving along the Wujiang River to Pengshui was much more beautiful than this, so there's no need to waste more than an hour.

The scenery is beautiful! It's worth it! Welcome to come here!

An ancient town built on a small mudflat, with too dense buildings and serious commercial involution.

Gongtan Ancient Town - a dream that has intoxicated people for a thousand years, a poetic home.

It's a relatively pure ancient town. There aren't many people there. It's very quiet and time passes slowly.

This is my favorite ancient town among all the ones I have visited. It is not because it is so beautiful, but because it is located between green mountains and clear waters. In addition, there are not many tourists due to the inconvenient transportation, so it is very quiet. The ancient town is not big and is also undergoing commercial development like other ancient towns.

I have heard of Wujiang Gallery for a long time. Gongtan Ancient Town is indeed like a painting. Commercial development is not particularly strong, but the gameplay is quite simple. The mountains by the river and the stilt houses are unique.

We set out from Pengshui Wanzu Wharf to Gongtan Ancient Town. The green mountains on both sides faced each other, and the river was sparkling. Looking at Gongtan Ancient Town coming from afar, I felt relaxed and happy.

Gongtan Ancient Town is an ancient city growing on the Wujiang River. Standing anywhere in Gongtan Ancient Town, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the Wujiang Gallery.

Gongtan Ancient Town is relatively small, with numerous stilt houses stacked one on top of the other, and stone-paved streets, making it a unique architectural feature. Compared to Ciqikou Ancient Town, it's less bustling and more tranquil. The town is less commercial, retaining a simple and leisurely atmosphere.

Walking slowly on the stone streets of the ancient town, feeling the strong atmosphere of life here, I also wish time would stay here~

Gongtan sits on the banks of the Wujiang River, flanked by towering mountains and a vast, clear river. The town is small, with wooden houses clustered side by side, mostly housing hotels and restaurants. The alleys are narrow, with stone-paved streets and lush roadside plants and flowers. Along the way, we visited the Dong Family Ancestral Hall, the Chuanzhu Temple, and the Tusi Mansion. At a riverside restaurant, we dined on "Wujiang Silver Carp." At first glance, I thought it was the spiny variety from northern China, but it tasted as tender as catfish.

Gongtan is even more beautiful in the evening than at night, with a quiet and peaceful beauty. As the night darkened, large red lanterns outlined the ancient town. While filming, the concrete buildings on the hill to the east inadvertently appeared in the camera, somewhat spoiling the view.

There is no harm without comparison. It is far inferior to the quietness and comfort of the border town! I found a parking space by myself when I got off the bus. It was still under construction, just like a construction site. Three security guards stopped me at the door and asked me to walk by the side. It turned out that I had to buy a ticket (if you eat or stay inside, you can contact the merchant to enter for free. It is not worth spending money). After entering, I climbed up the stairs and it was the ancient street. A lot of things were under construction. The moment I entered the ticket door, I felt that I was ripped off. A bottle of water cost 3 yuan. What kind of hodgepodge was it? It was just meat wrapped in noodles and fried dry. It was not fresh and had no color. I had no desire to pick up my chopsticks. The cheapest fish was 60 yuan per catty, and a bowl cost 158 yuan. After half an hour of eating, the three of us ran to the WC. Every attraction closes at 5 o'clock, and there is a 10 yuan ticket per person. I didn't even have the desire to take pictures. It was just a yard and a stage. I wanted to complain even if it was free! Disappointed

Gongtan Ancient Town is located on the banks of the Wujiang River, about an hour's drive from Youyang Ancient City. It's small and not very commercialized, so there aren't many tourists during the day. Its most distinctive features are the stilt houses. Dining in the town is reasonably priced, and I found a random restaurant. The river shrimp were very fresh.

Gongtan Ancient Town is a famous historical and cultural town in China, the first historical and cultural town in Chongqing, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, and a famous tourist destination in Chongqing. It is known as the "core scenic area and shining pearl of the Wujiang Gallery". [1] Gongtan Ancient Town is located at the confluence of the Wujiang River and the Apeng River, facing Yanhe County, Guizhou Province across the river. It is the starting point of Youyang's "Thousand Miles of Wujiang, Hundred Miles of Gallery". Since ancient times, it has been a cargo transit station in the Wujiang River Basin and even the Yangtze River Basin.

Gongtan Ancient Town originated from the Shu Han Dynasty (according to Liu Lin's Huayang Guozhi Jiaozhu: "Han Fu County, established in the Three Kingdoms period, belonged to Fuling County, and its seat was in Gongtan Town, Youyang County today"), and was established in the Tang Dynasty (in the second year of Linde (665 AD), Hongdu County was moved to Gongtan), with a history of about 1,800 years. [2]

On November 17, 2017, Gongtan Ancient Town was named one of the top ten ancient towns most popular among netizens in 2017.

A visit to Gongtan Ancient Town in Chongqing is a fantastic option. It boasts one of the largest and best-preserved architectural complexes from the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. Stilt houses, quadrangle courtyards, and beacon walls blend architecture, water, and mountains into a seamless whole, making this a truly memorable experience. The town's commercial atmosphere is minimal, and a leisurely two days here will bring you peace of mind.

Wu Guanzhong also travels extensively! He was painting in Lijiashan Village near the ancient town of Qikou. He was also painting in Gongtan Ancient Town on the banks of the Wu River in Chongqing. The locations he chose all had layered landscapes, creating a very three-dimensional effect.

Gongtan is not dull during the off-season. The Second National Gongtan Ancient Town Sketching Art Festival for College Teachers and Students is basically all booked by the inns. I hope their future will be as colorful as the palette.

I will go to this ancient town countless times if I have the chance. It is very quiet without the hustle and bustle of other ancient towns. I like to watch the green river water from the balcony of the inn.

Unlike other ancient water towns in the south of the Yangtze River, Gongtan gives people a sense of grandeur! Next to it is the Wujiang River. It is a beautiful place with clear water and beautiful mountains.

The ancient towns are all built on the mountains, so they give you a sense of déjà vu of Spirited Away, especially at night.

There weren't many people there when I went, so the ancient town was very quiet. It's really nice ~ I recommend it.

Take a walk on the streets of the ancient town, don’t worry, you will always encounter beauty from the depths of your soul, whether it is you, me, or them.

Stop and look back. Perhaps, the tranquility is right beside you, but you have never felt it.

After dinner in the evening, I walked around the streets of the ancient town and prepared to buy some gifts. The most common specialties I saw were noodles and wild mushrooms. Unlike other ancient towns, most of them were "imported products".

A half-day visit to the ancient town is sufficient. Food and accommodation are convenient and affordable, with inns easily available for around 100 yuan. Getting there: From Youyang to Gongtan Ancient Town, take bus No. 1 to the Water Conservancy Bureau stop. From there, cross a bridge to North Station and catch a bus as you arrive or walk to the station. The distance from Youyang to Gongtan is 60 kilometers, and the fare is 23 yuan. The ride takes 1.5 hours, with good road conditions. From the bus stop, take the escalator down and walk into the ancient town in 10 minutes. The road is about 2 kilometers long.

After I went there, I found out that the original site of Gongtan Ancient Town was not here. It was moved here from another place due to the construction of a reservoir, and it has become very commercialized.

In Gongtan Ancient Town, you can stand on the upper reaches of the Mother River and admire the stunning scenery. This moment is not only breathtaking, but also showcases the world's largest complex of Tujia stilt houses. Gongtan Ancient Town captures the essence of the Wujiang River Basin, creating a town of Tujia stilt houses on a grand scale. This view is absolutely not to be missed when visiting Youyang.

Gongtan Ancient Town is a true ancient town, not a tourist attraction created out of thin air. The polished stones on the ground bear witness to the traces of time. Come to Gongtan Ancient Town and experience the true essence of an ancient town on the Wujiang River. This feeling is perhaps rare in China.

Walking along every street in Gongtan Ancient Town, you can see signs built later to distinguish each street. Walking slowly on the streets of such an ancient town can immerse you in the life of the thousand-year-old town.

This ancient town, with a history of more than 1,800 years, was once the number one ancient town in Chongqing and is described in Wu Guanzhong's paintings as "the best-preserved ancient mountain town in China."

The stilt houses and the bluestone street are known as the two most famous wonders of Gongtan Ancient Town, and are praised by experts and scholars as "architectural wonders". The ups and downs, winding and deep bluestone street and the Tujia stilt houses built by the river are praised by experts as "notes on the cliff".



The ancient town is lined with rows of stilt houses, each built on a wooden frame with beams and beams. Downstairs, goods are stored or shops are set up, while upstairs are used for living. These houses, surrounded by corridors, are typical Tujia architecture.

In ancient times, this was an important transit point for Sichuan salt and a necessary route for water transportation. Over one million tons of salt were transported from here each year, earning Gongtan the nickname "the ancient town that thrived because of salt." The town still retains the tradition of hanging "salt lamps" in every household.



The bluestone streets, as green as jade and as gleaming as a mirror, connect the entire town. Ancient shops line the old streets, and Tujia stilt houses, built on the riverside, are suspended in the air. Walking along the bluestone streets is like returning to the hometown I miss in my dreams. Every brick and tile, every blade of grass and every tree, is so familiar. This is what the Chinese painting master Wu Guanzhong wrote: "It is a Tang street, a Song Dynasty city, and the home of my grandparents."



The lifestyle of Gongtan people is just like the bluestone streets and ancient buildings, which still maintain their simplicity. The bluestone streets have been polished to a sleek shine by the footsteps of people over the years, and the ancient buildings have been baptized by the wind and rain of history. More than 1,700 years have passed, and the old streets here are still the same as they were before, and the Tujia stilt houses built by the river are still the same as they were before.

I traveled east from Wulong to Gongtan Ancient Town, taking a nighttime drive that meandered along the river. The road was narrow and winding, and the tunnels were incredibly poor, causing cars to bottom out. Off-road vehicles, however, were fine—I'm talking about hardcore off-roaders; SUVs aren't afraid of the bumps and can drive faster. Because of the poor road conditions, the attractions here are relatively less crowded than other ancient towns, but the parking lots were still packed. There are two: one by the river and one at the visitor center. The ancient town, rebuilt from the original logs of the original town, is quaint and clean, with every household displaying gardens filled with flowers and trees. The Wujiang River's Ten-Mile Gallery lives up to its reputation, with the river shimmering a soothing light green. Mornings, when the crowds are minimal and the mist is shrouded, are truly beautiful. It's a great place for photography. The town's guesthouses are just so-so, not as good as budget hotels. Furthermore, there's significant construction going on along the highway north of the town, and commercialization is imminent, eroding the quiet atmosphere of the Wujiang River. Go early. The people are still very kind and friendly. The summer heat is mild, making it a great vacation destination.

This trip to Gongtan Ancient Town in Youyang was just that. Ancient towns always inspire endless reverie, whether it's a romantic encounter in Lijiang, the border town scenery of Fenghuang, or the flowing bridges of Zhouzhuang. What kind of sounds and faces would I encounter in Gongtan? With this curiosity, I set out on the road to Gongtan Ancient Town in Youyang. Passing through the town's antique archway, it felt like stepping through a portal in time: on one side, the bustling modern world, on the other, the ancient world I longed for. Arriving late at night, I fell asleep before I could even take in the scenery. Nestled between mountains and rivers, Gongtan Ancient Town vaguely captured the poetic and picturesque atmosphere of misty Jiangnan, as if stepping into a dream, yet it felt real. In the heartfelt month of September, the drizzle in Gongtan Ancient Town continued, its gentle, gentle drizzle like mist and fog. Here, with its ancient and tranquil atmosphere, remnants of Tang Dynasty style and the lingering waters of the Song Dynasty, it seems to tell the story of a thousand years of history and the rich culture of Bayu. And so, quietly, I arrived, drifting into Gongtan Ancient Town like Xu Zhimo's poetic thoughts... Yes, this is my first impression of Gongtan Ancient Town.

The scenery is beautiful and it is located in a remote corner. Even during the Spring Festival, there are few people here. It is suitable for staying overnight, boating on the Wujiang River, strolling in the ancient town, tasting delicious food, and relaxing.

A small town nestled on the banks of the Wu River, Gongtan boasts a relatively undeveloped tourism industry. Gongtan is small, making it easy to explore in an afternoon. The cobblestone streets and steps are everywhere, and many shops along the street are closed. Tourists are scattered here and there, perhaps due to its location. While there might not be much to see for those who enjoy a leisurely trip, it's a great choice for those seeking a place to unwind, escape the hustle and bustle, and enjoy a relaxing time.

The small town by the Wujiang River has beautiful scenery. The town is full of inns and restaurants. It is very quiet at night and is suitable for vacation and rest.

Gongtan Ancient Town, nestled along the Wujiang River, stands as a pearl in the Hundred Miles of Art Gallery. The ancient town's architecture has been well-preserved for tourism, while the new town has been built on a separate hillside site, separate from the old town. The ancient town is characterized by its riverside location, rising in a stepped pattern from bottom to top, with a crisscrossing network of streets and alleys arranged in an orderly fashion. Roads are mostly stone steps, and the houses are all wooden. The ancient town has become highly commercialized, with many residential buildings offering restaurants, accommodation, and other services. There is also a boat dock for boat trips along the Wujiang River.

This is a small town nestled between mountains and rivers. The Wujiang Ten-Mile Gallery passes through the town. The town has simple folk customs and pleasant scenery. It is a place worth visiting carefully.

Gongtan Ancient Town is a famous historical and cultural town in China, the first historical and cultural town in Chongqing, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, and a famous tourist destination in Chongqing. It is known as the "core scenic area and shining pearl of the Wujiang Gallery."

Gongtan Ancient Town is located at the confluence of the Wujiang River and the Apeng River, facing Yanhe County, Guizhou across the river. It is the starting point of Youyang's "Thousand Miles of Wujiang River, Hundred Miles of Art Gallery". Since ancient times, it has been a cargo transit station in the Wujiang River Basin and even the Yangtze River Basin.

Gongtan Ancient Town originated from Shu Han (according to Liu Lin's "Huayang Guozhi Jiaozhu": "Han Fu County, established in the Three Kingdoms period of Shu Han, belonged to Fuling County, and its seat was in Gongtan Town, Youyang County today), and was established in the Tang Dynasty (in the second year of Linde (665 AD), Hongdu County was moved to Gongtan), with a history of about 1,800 years.

The ancient town with a thousand-year history sank into the Wujiang River. The current Gongtan Ancient Town is an A-grade replica of the original. In fact, I don’t care whether it has a long history. It brings me real relaxation and tranquility, which is something you can’t even think about in a big city of steel and concrete. However, December is indeed the off-season, and the restaurants in the town are basically closed. I finally found two restaurants, and the food was really average.

If you have the chance, talk to the locals, or go to Mr. Bookstore to read a book and chat with the owner. There are many historical stories here.

We arrived at the long-awaited Gongtan Ancient Town! However... As soon as we got off the bus, the ancient town gave us a surprise... A super long, long, long, long, long stone staircase... The thought of having to leave here later almost made me cry...

Compared to most developed ancient towns, this one lacks a touch of commercialism. There aren't the throngs of tourists, nor the hustle and bustle of a big city. But there's a sense of something missing... a strange sense of despair... As my mom put it: In a place like this, it's no wonder young people are leaving. (I can't deny Gongtan's beauty and tranquility, but as you pass those mountain roads and the old houses, you get a little hopeless. If you get sick and need to see a doctor locally, you still have to travel 70 kilometers to Youyang County. In the off-season, the ancient town is basically populated by the elderly and children.)

I visited this place in 2012. Back then, it wasn't as popular as it is now, and there were few vendors in the ancient town. To prevent flooding, the town was moved uphill, giving it a newer look. You can take a boat tour of the Wujiang River's Hundred Miles Gallery, and it's also relatively close to the Peach Blossom Spring scenic area.

The original town was flooded, and a new town was rebuilt on the bank of the Wujiang River. I went there during the National Day holiday. There weren't many people there, and it wasn't very distinctive, but it was surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the scenery was still nice. It was quiet and peaceful to stay there for two days.

The quiet town, Tujia stilt houses, stone roads and the emerald green Wujiang River complement each other.

Even after the National Day holiday, there were no crowds.

It is located between Youyang and Pengshui, so it takes some time to go to either side. If time permits, it would be very pleasant to take a boat from Chongqing or Pengshui.

This ancient town is nestled against the mountains and surrounded by water. It is very unique and different from other ancient towns. Other ancient towns have a strong commercial flavor, but this one still retains its ancient flavor. Moreover, this ancient town is three-dimensional and very different. It is worth visiting again.

Chongqing is surrounded by numerous ancient towns. I chose Gongtan because I could take a boat tour along the Wujiang River, and it was also close to Wulong, where I wanted to visit later, making it a convenient itinerary. However, the current Gongtan Ancient Town is actually a relocation; the original site was submerged after the Three Gorges Dam project. It's said that the old buildings along the river were demolished and rebuilt in their original locations. I hope I can still glimpse what they looked like back then! Shortly after the bus left the county town center, I saw the following scene: the first glimpse of the misty Wujiang River.

The second comment is dedicated to the owner of the book bar I met in Gongtan.

Because I am too lazy to rewrite it, I just took what I wrote in my circle of friends. Forgive me.

☆＊☆＊☆＊☆＊☆＊☆＊☆＊☆＊☆

The lost ancient town of Gongtan.

My initial high hopes were dashed by the sight of garbage floating on the Wu River. A quick tour revealed even more disappointment. The rebuilt Gongtan is a complete mishap, a misshapen attempt at commercialization that fails miserably. It's so disgusting I can't quite put my finger on it. The streets are lined with various inns, each with a small stall selling local specialties. It seems the Tujia people have nothing else to do, their normal routines disrupted. I was about to leave when I wandered over to Long Xiaozhu. While such shops are common in ancient towns in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, they're rare in mountain towns, and certainly unique in Gongtan. Wandering around Yu Si, I became unexpectedly acquainted with the owner of the bookshop, unexpectedly spending the entire day there. Mid-afternoon, I went with the couple to scavenge the old Gongtan site, finding an old TV, a hanging basket, and some wild leeks. That evening, the three of us worked together to prepare a dumpling feast. The locals had never seen dumplings from Jiangsu and Zhejiang before, and even though my cooking was extremely poor, I felt a bit embarrassed to receive such praise. As the meal was about to end, an old friend of the host came to visit. The five of them sat around and enjoyed a meal. Wasn't it a delight? Time flew by in the joy of conversation, and by the end, it was already three o'clock in the morning. They each went home, and all night in the small building, listening to the wind and rain, there was no conversation. That morning, we climbed to a high point and gazed out across the Wujiang River. At noon, we said goodbye to each one and left.

Climb Qingcheng tomorrow!

On the way, I'd been assuming Gongtan wouldn't be crowded. But when I arrived, the parking lot was completely empty. All the cars were parked along the road, stretching for hundreds of meters. My heart sank. Why were there so many cars? I was worried I wouldn't be able to find accommodation in the ancient town. After parking, my first priority was finding a place to stay. I asked several hotels, and even though I wanted a river view room, all the single rooms without bathrooms were sold out. I was so anxious, wondering if I'd just stand there like a tree on the cobblestone streets all night. After asking door to door, I finally found a room without a bathroom. Finally, I had a place to stay. In summary, it's best to book a room during peak travel times. No matter where you go, don't expect it to be crowded. During the holidays, everything is packed. After dropping off our belongings, we started wandering around. The town was quite crowded, with numerous restaurants lining the streets. Their specialty, handmade wide noodles, was quite popular, and everyone was strolling around leisurely. I bought a piece of braised tofu, which is sold everywhere on the street. It was quite delicious and fragrant.

The Wujiang River Gallery is breathtakingly beautiful. If you join a tour group, you need to pay 100 yuan for a boat ride. The center of the river is used as the boundary to separate the two provinces of Chongqing and Guizhou. There are also a few Miao villages on the opposite mountain top. Sitting in the pavilion on the shore, basking in the warm sun, and looking at the green river water is really very pleasant. Living here every day, the air is really fresh... As for food, you can taste the fish here, and there are also homemade noodles here, which you can take home.

I've been there twice. It's a very nice ancient town. I won't say much, just one sentence: it's an excellent ancient town that you must visit...

As a person who has a passion for ancient towns, after having visited Wuzhen, Nanxun, Xitang, Tongli, Shuhe, Lijiang, Dali and other ancient towns, Gongtan Ancient Town located on the bank of Wujiang River still left a deep impression on me. Sitting in the inn and looking at the river view outside the window, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, life seems to have stopped!

Gongtan Ancient Town is located in western Youyang. Buses run from downtown to the ancient town every hour and only depart when full. We waited an hour for the bus to fill up, and we were the only two people on the bus going to the ancient town; the rest were locals. Another way to get to the ancient town is by taking a boat from Pengshui, but I heard the boat doesn't run due to low crowds. Upon arriving at the ancient town, I realized it wasn't worth the trip. First, transportation was inconvenient. Second, the houses in the ancient town were all newly built and the architecture was simple, not particularly beautiful. The ancient town is nestled along the river, with a few boats docked and few people around.

Gongtan Ancient Town is located in the lower reaches of Wujiang River. Walking on the road of the ancient town, there are inns and restaurants all the way, countless ancient buildings and houses, all in a uniform manner. The ancient buildings are hung with lanterns, which complement the mountains and rivers in front. This is such a perfect combination of nature and humanity. The famous painter Wu Guanzhong created the famous "Wujiang Town" based on Gongtan, which made the Gongtan Ancient Town, which was hidden in the deep boudoir and unknown to the world, famous.

I skipped my summer experiment and went to Chongqing. Gongtan was my last stop, a delightful end to my trip. I have a deep love for ancient towns. Before I came, I learned that the town had been relocated and rebuilt. But I believe travel isn't about seeing classics; it's about experiencing something authentic and different. As long as a town is primarily inhabited by its original inhabitants, I want to go. My visit confirmed my original intention: the town is sparsely populated, full of life, and filled with fruit and vegetable plantings. Spend a couple of days here, even if it's just to sit and relax. A boat ride on the Wujiang River is a must. The scenery from the bow is breathtaking. There's an observation deck to the west, and when the lights come on, the town looks like something out of a Hayao Miyazaki animation.

The scenery is beautiful. Although the momentum of the two banks has decreased a lot after the water was stored, the water surface has become wider and more beautiful.

The tranquil Gongtan Ancient Town is worth a visit. It's a quiet and elegant place. Its remote location means few tourists and a lack of commercial development. The town's original inhabitants still live there. If you truly crave tranquility and a break from the hustle and bustle of the world, spend two days in Gongtan. Explore the quaint stilt houses and experience a life of seclusion and contentment.

The current Gongtan Ancient Town was rebuilt a few years ago. The old town was submerged in the Wujiang River. Despite its new construction, some of the original ruins were relocated. The town retains its simple local customs, with few shops, mostly restaurants and inns run by local residents. The town is a long strip, sandwiched between the highway and the Wujiang River, with parking lots at both ends (after 6:00 PM, you can drive along Binjiang Road into the town below). A single main street connects the two ends, making it relatively easy to navigate, without complicated routes. The architecture is primarily stilt houses, built along the steep cliffs of the Wujiang River, blending seamlessly with the emerald waters and the mountainsides on the opposite bank. Boat tours are available along the riverside, offering a truly enjoyable experience while admiring the steep cliffs on both sides. Gongtan Ancient Town and the Wujiang Gallery offer a wonderful blend of cultural and natural attractions. Accommodation in the town is mostly residential, and the environment is average, but the river views make up for the basics. For those seeking a more refined stay, book the Renyi Hotel in advance. It should be noted that the water supply to the entire ancient town will stop at around 10 pm, so you should wash up in advance.

Gongtan Ancient Town is a famous historical and cultural town in China, the first historical and cultural town in Chongqing, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, the core scenic spot of Wujiang Gallery and a shining pearl, and a famous tourist destination in Chongqing.

To be honest, Gongtan Ancient Town has also been commercialized, but the boat trip on Wujiang River is still nice.

The wooden buildings and stone pavement are the only things that give people a sense of antiquity. Now, they are crowded with shops selling things, and the commercial atmosphere is quite strong.

Although the original ancient town is gone, this is almost the last place where you can see the more authentic Wujiang culture.

Gongtan Ancient Town is built on the Wujiang River. The waters of the Wujiang River are lush green, and the view of the ancient town from a cruise ship is like a beautiful ink painting. The ancient town's pavilions and towers, and strolling through the stone streets are like stepping back in time.

As a semi-developed town, it's truly wonderful! It's a relaxing place to spend the afternoon sunning yourself, or to chat in the breeze after dinner. A night in Gongtan Ancient Town is a must to truly experience its charm.

We had local dishes for dinner. The fish was caught from the nearby Wujiang River and cooked fresh, so it was delicious. We also had local mung bean noodles, stuffed tofu, etc. [The meal, one fish and two vegetables, plus drinks, cost about two to three hundred yuan.]

The Wujiang River Gallery is breathtakingly beautiful. It's located in Youyang Tujia Autonomous County, a place rich in culture and history. It's quite far from the county seat, about a two-hour drive. Gongtan Ancient Town is a 5A-rated scenic spot. The Wujiang River is right next to the ancient town. When I visited, I took a long stroll through the town and even stopped at a restaurant to eat fish. The food was quite good. I took a cruise on the Wujiang River and truly experienced the Wujiang River Gallery. A different place, a different feeling. Sitting on the boat, feeling the river breeze, and experiencing this delightful scene, I can only say that I was thrilled and happy to have had the opportunity to experience this. Thinking back on the Wujiang River now, the lingering mystery still captivates me, yet it also keeps me captivated. Haha. It was a great time. I also visited the famous Xia Family Courtyard in Gongtan Ancient Town. Wearing my inner clothes, my friends said I looked like the small landlord I used to be. Haha. 😂

I first heard of Gongtan from the "Gongtan Cup Ancient Town Photography Competition" hosted by Dayu.com a long time ago. I participated in that event and the name has stayed with me ever since. Gongtan, located in western Youyang, Chongqing Municipality, is one of the famous treacherous rapids along the Wujiang River, bordering Yanhe County, Guizhou Province. On the banks of the Wujiang River, a series of stilt houses nestled against the mountainside offer a tranquil atmosphere. I visited during the twelfth lunar month, and the ancient town was quiet. Inns were completely empty, and small shops were mostly closed. The occasional restaurant or two seemed to be open, but the owners weren't eager to attract customers; they were simply passing the time. A single bluestone road runs through the town, and another riverside promenade winds along the Wujiang River. A true tourist destination would take less than a day to explore the ancient town, but I spent three leisurely days there. From Youyang Train Station, I shared a ride to the bus station, then took a bus to Gongtan Ancient Town. The bus stops by the roadside, and a staircase leads directly down to the town itself. There's no entrance fee. There are many houses and inns in the ancient town, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, and the scenery is quite beautiful. Chongqing is known as the foggy city, and the weather was gloomy for several days, but one evening, the sun came out for a while, which made people very excited.

The ancient town is relatively undeveloped, so if you want to experience some peace and quiet, you can go there. At night, the river is lit by fishing fires and the smoke from cooking rises, creating a peaceful and tranquil scene.

The ancient town is not very big, but it has local characteristics. It is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Chongqing.

Gongtan has received mixed reviews, with some arguing that the newly renovated town lacks the old charm, while others believe the new location offers a unique charm. For me, finding such a sparsely populated ancient town so close to a major city during the May Day holiday is well worth the trip. The scenic beauty along the Wujiang River is a truly remarkable experience, surpassing even those Jiangnan ancient towns built along small ditches.

The ancient town is not big and has much less commercial atmosphere than Wuzhen and Lijiang. At night, Gongtan is a relaxing place to stroll along the river.

**********【Gongtan Ancient Town recommendation (out of 3 stars): 2 stars, a good place for weekend leisure】**********

Like Zhang Fei Temple, it was relocated due to water conservancy projects and the new ancient town was rebuilt on the original site. The current environment is good, but it is hard to say what will happen in the future.

I think Gongtan Ancient Town is the most beautiful ancient town in Chongqing, with mountains, water, flowers, trees and houses.

Wujiang Historical and Cultural Corridor. This is my favorite place. In the evening, walking along this long corridor, facing the river breeze, is just pleasant.

Since it was already past 4 o'clock when we arrived at Gongtan, and I wanted to see the night view, I found a hotel in the ancient town. The hotel was very cheap and clean, as if it had just opened, only 40 yuan. I was the only one in the hotel, and the owner was very welcoming.

The Wujiang River in the evening is very charming, completely different from the daytime.

The ancient town was a bit eerie at night, maybe because it was the off-season, or maybe it was because I ran into a funeral on the way...

There are so many places to eat in Gongtan Ancient Town, and the streets are almost lined with

The town has been relocated as a whole, but its flaws are not enough to hide its beauty. It is like a girl nestled by the Wujiang River, gentle and lovely, very quiet. The dark green river water is like a mirror, reflecting her beautiful face.

To reach Gongtan, you need to travel from Chongqing to Wulong, and then from Wulong to Pengshui. Buses are available from Pengshui to Gongtan. The ancient town, with its magnificent clusters of Tujia stilt houses and the emerald green waters of the Wujiang River, is aptly called a gallery. Wu Guanzhong's famous Chinese painting "Old Street" was created here. He described this place as "a Tang Street, a Song Dynasty town, and the home of my grandparents." I imagine anyone who walks along the gleaming stone pavement here will resonate with this sentiment.

Located on the banks of the Wujiang River, the ancient town has a history of over 1,700 years. The original town was submerged during the construction of the Wujiang Dam, and the current town was relocated and rebuilt from its original location.

According to residents of the ancient town, many old buildings were rebuilt by dismantling the original building materials, numbering them, and moving them to their original appearance, so as to restore the original appearance of the ancient town to the greatest extent possible.

The ancient town still boasts a cluster of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, including narrow stone-paved streets, quaint courtyard houses, and a variety of stilt houses. More importantly, nestled in the Wujiang River Gorge, it embraces the breathtaking scenery of the Wujiang River's Hundred Miles Gallery and the Apeng River Gorge. The town blends seamlessly with the mountains and water, and the morning mist shrouding the town and the Wujiang River landscape is even more stunning, making it the most beautiful ancient town in Chongqing.

The town is quite far from downtown Chongqing, about 280 kilometers away, making transportation difficult. Perhaps because of this, the town still retains a relatively quaint atmosphere. However, during holidays, the town is still crowded, and rooms are hard to come by. On weekdays, however, the crowds are minimal, which is a great bonus.

The entire ancient town is essentially a single street, with inns dominating the area, creating the illusion that photos of the buildings are actually the inn signs. The town remains untouched by commercial activity, retaining a rustic and tranquil atmosphere. Even on National Day, the streets aren't overly crowded. After nightfall, the town becomes quiet, save for a few dancing women and off-key singing emanating from a bar.

Arriving at Gongtan Ancient Town, we thought it would be just like Lijiang and Fenghuang, with a simple stone road. We walked to a complex of buildings that were different from the city. That was the ancient town. The sun shone on the mossy stone road, and the silhouettes of the houses were left on the stone road. At the end of the road was a green field that was greener than the water of Wujiang River.

Because there were not many people in the ancient town, my attention was focused on the stone roads with various literary and artistic atmospheres in this ancient town.

There are many characteristics here, and those characteristics are not the characteristics of Chinese ancient town tourist attractions, but a way of life.

The sparse population is the characteristic of this place, and the undecorated mossy walls remind me of the ancient city that has been submerged under the Wujiang River.

The Wujiang River on the left is a painting from any angle, and the abundant midsummer sunshine is just right.

If I have the chance, I will definitely take a lot of artistic photos leaning against this ancient earthen brick wall in Gongtan Ancient Town.

I'm so glad I made it here despite the rain on my first day. I finally got to see Gongtan, a charming town that's captivating both rainy and sunny. This is a completely uncommercialized ancient town. Unlike Lijiang, which is heavily commercialized, or Fenghuang and Wuzhen, which charge entrance fees and are situated around a river, this ancient town is truly nestled between the mountains and the water, pure and unpretentious. This ancient town was very different from what I'd imagined. With so little commercialization, the natural, unpretentious atmosphere was incredibly tranquil.

This historic, first ancient town in Chongqing, has been lost forever along with the towering gorges and flat lakes. While the present-day Gongtan is a relocation of the old town, it cannot recreate its past. Walking through the streets, I struggled to grasp the difference between the old and new. Today's Gongtan feels a bit "new." Despite its recent relocation, the Wujiang River Gallery and the ancient town's scenic beauty are still worth a visit. I'd love to visit Gongtan again if I have the chance, and I'd definitely stay a night at the Linjiang Inn to experience the charm of the ancient town.

Strolling along the flagstone streets and pavilions of the ancient town, climbing up and down the layers of cloud-like ladders, we city dwellers will feel a little breathless from the "high altitude". The flagstone streets are as green as jade, and the stilt houses on both sides of the street are gray-tiled, with upturned corners and eaves. They are built along the river and follow the mountainside, like an ink painting. After dinner, stepping on the bluestone slabs of the ancient town, looking up at the big red lanterns, the darkness reveals a sense of tranquility, freshness, and beauty. Accompanied by the sound of the night watchman's hammer, a beautiful and leisurely day quietly passes by. The night will pass, and a new day will begin. The leisure here arouses our urge to continue "staying" until we leave the ancient town.

I walked slowly into the ancient town and sat down at random. The Wujiang River flowed by the town, and stilt houses were lined up one after another. I leaned over the railing and watched the time pass quietly. Gradually, the rain stopped. I walked quietly on the streets of the ancient town, feeling the flavor of the thousand-year-old town.

Honestly, the ancient town isn't too big, so you can explore it in half a day. It was off-season, and on a weekday, so there were very few tourists, allowing the town's authentic feel to shine through. There's a viewing platform a little past the Ran Family Courtyard, with a nice view.

At night, it was quiet. Walking along the river was a bit scary. When I got to the intersection and returned to the bluestone road, I felt relieved. The big red lanterns and the bluestone road made the town look very ancient and quiet.

It combines the landscape of Guilin, the ancient city of Lijiang, and the stilt houses of Fenghuang. But without the crowds of these attractions.