Ciqikou Ancient Town

The area has a strong commercial atmosphere, with many selling fried dough twists (mahua) and hot pot bases. The fried dough twists are flavored with Sichuan peppercorns, a Chongqing specialty. There are also some linen shops, fan shops, and drum shops, as is typical in other ancient towns. It's quite lively. I visited in late April, and several azaleas were in full bloom, their vibrant colors were particularly striking. I also happened to catch a Sichuan opera performance. The costumes were quite beautiful, the operatic pronunciation was powerful, and the pacing was resonant and forceful. The only drawback was that the plot was a bit confusing.

Ciqikou Ancient Town is famously crowded, and you can probably tell from the moment you get off the light rail. Whether arriving or leaving after a visit, you'll find it's a sea of people everywhere you look.

There are not only many people from other places, but also locals are very keen to go there (I don’t know why, maybe because there are so many people and it’s lively?)

The sidewalk at the gate of Ciqikou is incredibly narrow. Don’t think that you can escape the crowds once you enter the gate of the ancient town. This is where all kinds of people go with the flow.

There is a large Chen Mahua shop at the entrance, which is very popular. Walking further in, you can see various snacks, as well as handmade silver jewelry, paper-cutting and various small jewelry shops. Some alleys also have art studios and teahouses. The painters can paint the girls very beautifully, haha, and the price is about a few hundred yuan.

Everything here is delicious, from Chen Mahua (stir-fried fried dough sticks) to spicy skewers, dried tofu, grilled glutinous rice cakes, roasted pig's trotters, ice cream that makes you breathe, even Indian flatbreads. And of course, there's the famous Guzhen chicken offal. If you haven't eaten yet, you can enjoy a snack, but be sure to save some room for the chicken offal; it counts as a full meal.

I bought a baked glutinous rice cake on the way for 10 yuan. There was a long queue and it looked cute. Maybe my expectations were a bit high, so I was a little disappointed with the taste.

Inside Ciqikou

There are many small teahouses, and the prices are basically the same. If you are tired of shopping or you happen to come across one that you think has a good environment and atmosphere and also has a good place, it is nice to come in and take a break.

There are countless small forks here, each with its own characteristics. One may hide an ancient courtyard, another may have a cat selling cute things at the door, and in countless music bars on the roadside, singers are playing guitar and singing, and craftsmen are busy with machines and knives. All kinds of novel gadgets are quietly placed on the counter waiting for people to discover.

Keep going uphill and you will reach Ciqikou at the end. It is worth mentioning that there may be fewer tourists at the end of the slope, so the shop owners may be a little extra enthusiastic in order to attract popularity.

Ciqikou Ancient Town, located on the banks of the Jialing River in Shapingba District, Chongqing, was founded during the Song Dynasty. Covering an area of 1.5 square kilometers, it borders the Jialing River to the east, Shapingba to the south, Tongjiaqiao to the west, and Shijingpo to the north. It is 3 kilometers from the main urban area and is a key protected traditional street in Chongqing, having survived through millennia of change. Ciqikou Ancient Town boasts a unique topography characterized by "one river, two streams, three mountains, and four streets." Ma'anshan sits at the center, Jinbishan crouches to the left, and Fenghuangshan rises to the right. The three mountains stretch out in the distance, and two deep valleys cut into them. Fenghuang and Qingshui streams flow together, while the Jialing River flows from the north. The river is wide and calm, creating a natural alleyway. As a major water and land port on the Jialing River, Ciqikou is known as "Little Chongqing" and is a great place to relive the memories of old Chongqing.

Ciqikou is easily accessible by light rail. Although it was rainy when I visited, the ancient town still felt quite popular. Perhaps due to its proximity to the city center, it's always crowded with tourists, perhaps even more so when the weather is nice. As a result, it's quite developed, with a strong commercial atmosphere. But it's still quite pleasant. Different areas are distinct, with a strong sense of old Chongqing. Some of the smaller streets offer unique character. Whether you consider it a scenic spot or an ancient town, it's great to be able to walk in, explore, relax, and have fun.

Ciqikou is packed after 9:00 PM. The only difference from other ancient towns is the hot pot base and local specialties like chili peppers; everything else is pretty much the same. The trail to Ciqikou's Back Mountain Park and the Chongqing Memory Museum was a pleasant surprise, a tranquil escape amidst the hustle and bustle, allowing for a glimpse into the more down-to-earth town scenery. Finally, I'd like to single out three dishes for criticism: the spicy chicken is priced differently on the menu than the rest of the menu, misleading you into thinking it's 59 yuan per portion, when it's actually a different dish. The actual price is 136 yuan per portion, and the taste is mediocre. It also seems like chicken and duck are mixed in. A very poor review.

Although I knew Ciqikou had become heavily commercialized, I still went there with the intention of checking in. The streets of Ciqikou are teeming with local specialties and internet-famous snacks. Tourists crisscrossed the ancient town's narrow streets, enjoying the bustling crowds of people strolling and eating. The main street of Ciqikou was incredibly crowded, so I wandered in and found a less crowded area. Elderly people chatted in doorways, children ran freely, and cats and dogs roamed the streets—a world away from the usual bustle. This tranquil spot, nestled amidst the bustle, boasted many historic buildings, making it perfect for capturing photos of the ancient town's charm.

Those who like the ancient town style can come to Ciqikou to have a look, but the commercial atmosphere here is quite strong now, and there are many people on holidays, so it is better to avoid the crowds on weekdays.

Finally arriving at Ciqikou, we were greeted by signs advertising Maoxuewang (Chinese mao xu wang) and all sorts of skewers. Every city has a street like this, packed with people and all sorts of snacks. I bought this pig's trotter, but it was so salty that we both went back to the Ciqikou archway to buy milk tea. There are many hot pot bases in Ciqikou. I'd read in travel guides that the ones cooked on site were delicious, so we decided to buy some. We each bought three packets, plus some other stuff, and it was shipped back home – a great bonus. After returning home, we used this hot pot base, and my mom said it was too spicy. I bought the mild version and only used a small amount… Some friends also tried it and said it was fragrant and delicious. It was truly delicious!

I bought some hot pot soup base and fried dough twists. It was very lively and crowded, so I could eat whatever I wanted. Hahaha, the atmosphere was pretty good. There were a lot of fried dough twists and hot pot soup bases, and I couldn't tell which one was the most authentic. Hahaha, as soon as I entered the fruit shop, they weighed everything for 35 yuan. It was weird and didn't feel worth it. I walked around a lot and then came out to enjoy the atmosphere.

Ciqikou Ancient Town shares similarities with many other ancient towns in China, but even if you venture into the side streets, you'll discover elements of a mountain town. With careful observation, you'll find something to discover. It's quite far from the city center, so it's recommended to visit early in the morning. Arriving at 9 a.m. is early, as shops gradually open. Around noon, tourists start to fill up. Here, you can enjoy a variety of snacks, which still retain some of the characteristics of a mountain town.

I feel that there is no big difference between the ancient towns. It is not crowded, but if you stay in a store for a few minutes, your companions may disappear. We went to find Fat Baby Chicken Offal in the ancient town to have lunch. We followed the navigation, walked, looked, and ate.

There are many shops selling fried dough twists in Ciqikou. There are four of them connected on this street. There is also a Xia Mahua shop opposite. Chen Jianping Mahua has the most people in front of it.

There are various flavors of fermented bean curd. I tried it and it had a strong wine flavor. It is not like the bottled fermented bean curd we buy, which is soft. This one is very solid and delicious.

Ciqikou is similar to the snack streets in the ancient towns of famous cities. The whole street is filled with food, drinks and souvenirs. It basically exists for tourists. There are a lot of people, and it is crowded. You can imagine how crowded it will be during the peak season.

When walking down this street, you have to look up at the buildings. It's a long road, and there are often surprises along the way: a stunning building, a charming shop, a temple, a memorial archway... You stop and go, and the uneven road surface is uneven, so you lift your feet. Right now, I'm feeling refreshed and not tired at all.

Ciqikou is a long snack street. One of the most interesting things about it is the fire-baked ice cream. It's a sticky outside, but the inside is ice cream, so it won't melt even if it's baked. We also had the "Laoma Rabbit Head" (a type of rabbit head), and the layers of chili peppers on top were so refreshing. There are many vendors selling hot pot bases here, all freshly brewed. They sell 10 bags for 100 yuan, including shipping, but I don't recommend buying them. Supermarket hot pot bases are all over 25 yuan, and they're made with genuine branded butter, which is a rip-off. Speaking of which, there's a popular and enjoyable service here: ear cleaning. With a cup of tea, you can get your ears cleaned while you get your feet done. It's so relaxing, and it costs about 30 yuan per person. If you're interested, give it a try.

We got up early and went to Ciqikou. It turned out that the early bird catches the worm. There were very few people there. There were very few people there before 9 o'clock. After 9 o'clock, more and more people started to come. It was so crowded that we couldn't even move.

I wouldn't recommend Ciqikou unless you're looking for fried dough twists. But the fried dough twists are definitely worth the trip! I brought some back for my parents and aunt, and they all said they were delicious.

It's true that it's heavily commercialized, and even the small commodity shops don't inspire me to buy anything. However, we were headed for the famous Chen Mahua (Fried Dried Dried Flower) and finally found it following the navigation. We saw a bunch of places called Chen Mahua, like Chen Jianping Mahua and Chen Changyin Mahua... How could we tell which one was the real thing? So we ended up at a fake one...

Take the subway from Liziba Station to Ciqikou, and then walk about 10 minutes to the main gate. The buildings in Ciqikou Ancient Town are very beautiful, but they are full of shops, and they are very repetitive. I don't like these shops, but I am interested in the decoration of the shops and the style of the entire building complex. I walked and took photos along the way. There was a casual tranquility in the bustling atmosphere. Although there were many people on the main road, you can walk in the alleys and find peace in the hustle and bustle. I had a pot cake in the ancient town. It was a little expensive, but it tasted very good!

Having visited many ancient towns, which are generally disappointing, I was prepared for this. My fondness for Ciqikou Ancient Town soared. The main roads are crowded, but walking through the alleys, there are very few tourists. Many of the places are inhabited by locals. This kind of scenery truly reflects the pristine ecology of an ancient town. My top recommendation is to walk along the small path to Ciqikou Back Street Park, which is where the Chongqing Memory Museum is located. The museum is small and quiet, with two or three old men drinking tea nearby. The scenery behind the museum is also beautiful, but the key is that there was no one there when I went! My friend and I walked around the back hill, stopping and posing for photos for nearly half an hour, but no one else came. The quietness of the alleys in the bustling city is really great!

In short, there is everything you need to eat, drink and play here. There are various pubs scattered in every alley here, and each pub has a resident singer. If you have enough time, you can sit in the pub and drink and listen to the songs, which is very pleasant.

In short, there are all kinds of snacks, old-fashioned teahouses, and antiques. You can eat, watch, and play while walking, and experience the real and original life in Chongqing.

The Ciqikou Ancient Town is indeed very popular, and the prices of the things sold there are quite reasonable. Although I am not impressed by the business model of these pseudo-ancient towns and old streets in every place, the food sold in Ciqikou is relatively delicious and reasonably priced. Especially after trying the food on the whole street, I basically didn't need to eat lunch. In this regard, Chongqing people are really generous and honest. I give them a thumbs up.

I like this street. Even though it is crowded, it is still very pleasant to walk on the slopes and stone pavement.

The ancient town in the mist and rain is so charming that people can't help but linger.

Ciqikou Ancient Town: a national AAAA-level scenic spot, a famous historical and cultural street in China, a key traditional street protected by Chongqing, one of Chongqing's "New Twelve Scenic Spots of Bayu", and a member of the Bayu Folk Culture Tourism Circle.

Ciqikou Ancient Town, located on the banks of the Jialing River in Shapingba District, Chongqing, was founded in the Song Dynasty. Its unique topography of "one river, two streams, three mountains, and four streets" forms a natural harbor and serves as an important water and land port on the Jialing River. It once flourished with "thousands of people clasping their hands during the day and thousands of bright lights at night."

Ciqikou Ancient Town is rich in Bayu culture, religious culture, Shaci culture, Hongyan culture, and folk culture, each with its own unique characteristics. With a single stone pavement and the millennia-old history of Ciqikou, it epitomizes and symbolizes Chongqing's ancient city, earning it the nickname "Little Chongqing."

Ciqikou Ancient Town boasts traditional performances such as oil pressing, silk spinning, sugar making, dough figurine making, and Sichuan opera, as well as a variety of traditional snacks and teahouses. The Ciqikou Temple Fair, held annually during the Spring Festival, is its most distinctive traditional event, attracting tens of thousands of residents. Ciqikou's distinct ethnic and regional characteristics demonstrate its vibrant vitality and immense appeal, attracting a constant stream of visitors from both home and abroad.

Ciqikou Ancient Town is located in Shapingba District, Chongqing. It is one of the must-see places for tourists to Chongqing. At 8 o'clock in the morning, most shops are closed. Except for the residents and children going to school, there are almost no tourists. There is a park on the mountain, which is located high up, but it does not open until 9 o'clock. The view at the top should be very wide, but I couldn't get in, so I don't know.

There were no bustling tourists and no places worth staying, so we just walked around quickly and left.

One of the must-see attractions in Chongqing. Although there are many people, it is still necessary to come here.

Hidden in the ancient town is a sparsely populated and very relaxing place.

Most of the streets are in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. They are paved with stone slabs and lined with shops.

In fact, the elderly people you see in Ciqikou Ancient Town selling various small accessories and snacks are mostly people who live nearby.

Not far from the entrance of the ancient town, there is a small path leading to the heights of Ciqikou. There are not many people here, so you can experience the leisure of the ancient town quietly.

After less than five minutes of strolling, I wanted to leave. Because it is no longer commercialized, it doesn't look like an ancient town, and there are too many people. If you have been to Lijiang, Dali, or Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, there is no need to go there.

When you're in Ciqikou, you always have to eat some snacks. The only thing I ate was the brown sugar glutinous rice cake I bought when I first entered the store. It tasted pretty good. The most common stalls in the entire commercial area are fried dough twists, followed by hot pot base and various chili peppers.

Today, Ciqikou is a must-visit place for every tourist in Chongqing, but it is still worth a visit. The stilt houses in the ancient town are surrounded by a wide variety of Chongqing specialties, including local snacks and Bayu specialties. In order to attract tourists, many families make and display various unique skills on the street.

Jinbi Main Street is located next to the "Young Woman Urinating on a Child" statue. It's easy to find by following the signs inside Ciqikou. Crossing the small bridge to Jinbi Main Street, it feels like a different world compared to Ciqikou on the other side of the bridge. It's sparsely populated, with elderly people chatting in doorways, children running around, and cats and dogs roaming the streets, undeterred by the National Day holiday.

This quiet place in the bustling city now has some homestays to facilitate tourists in Ciqikou, but there are still many old Chongqing people living there. These buildings are quite old and are very suitable for taking photos in the style of the ancient town.

Duration of visit: 2-5 hours.

Ciqikou is similar to the ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River. Compared with the south of the Yangtze River, it lacks the water town, but there are food everywhere. There is nothing you can't eat, only what you can't think of. It can be said to be a paradise for foodies.

You won't get lost in the ancient town. There is only one main road, and you can just follow the crowd. The ancient town is quite large, and there are not many people in the small tributaries on the side. People with free time can take a walk. The small tributaries and the main road are always tourist routes, and you can't experience the slow tranquility.

One of the major features of the ancient town is "Chen Jianping Mahua", which is considered the most famous in Ciqikou. The queue was so long that I joined in the fun and bought a few bags.

Another major feature of Ciqikou is the various folk music bars. Each bar has different characteristics, and each bar has a few resident singers. It is a unique experience to go in and order a glass of wine or juice and listen to folk music in your spare time.

We traveled neither too much nor too little. Every tourist city has an ancient town or street. To put it bluntly, it is a commercial circle with a slightly literary and artistic touch. For example, Xitang and Lijiang are places where you cannot miss out on their ancient charm, but once you go there you will be disappointed by the commercialization.

So from the beginning I didn't have any hope for Ciqikou.

With this mood, Ciqikou is quite satisfying. There are food stalls on both sides of the road, hot and bubbling hot pot bases, piles of butter, beef jerky, hot sauce, nougat, twisted dough sticks, and all kinds of food samples are overwhelming, making up for the regret of half-full breakfast. Here, you can really skip breakfast and eat from the street to the end.

As soon as you enter Ciqikou, the aroma of the hot pot base hits you in the face. It really proves the saying that even the air in Chongqing is filled with the smell of hot pot base, at least in Ciqikou, yes.

The dazzling array of small accessories shows its commercialization all the time, but it still does not affect the unique charm of Ciqikou.

Take Metro Line 1 to Ciqikou Station and follow the crowds. There are tons of fried dough twists in Ciqikou, with tastings available. Just buy what you like. They also make hot pot base on site, but we didn't buy it because every hot pot restaurant sells it. There are also many bars in Ciqikou, and you can see many handsome young men performing from the second-floor windows.

As soon as you enter the ancient town, you will see fruit vendors selling all kinds of fruits at a uniform price of 9.5 yuan per half catty. It looks cheap at first glance, but it is actually expensive because no single fruit is priced above 9.5, but that’s another story. The store will wash and cut the fruits for you, put them in a container and eat them with bamboo sticks! The Ciqikou Ancient Town is filled with the hawking of various shops and the aroma of butter made from hot pot base. Along the street, either hot pot base is sold, or Chen Mahua, peanut crisps, snowflake crisps, and nougat are sold! The store owners are very enthusiastic and will try their best to let you taste them. Even if you don’t eat all the way, you can still eat as much as you want! Chen Mahua is very crispy and fragrant, and the Mahua is delicious. Those candies and crisps are not as delicious as the ones I make.

The ancient town is really beautiful, with many photo spots, suitable for young ladies.

Take Metro Line 1 to Ciqikou Ancient Town, located on the bank of the Jialing River in Shapingba District, Chongqing. It was built in the Song Dynasty and is an important water and land port on the Jialing River.

So many tourists skipped the main entrance and went through the side gate, Jinrong Gate. Upon entering, I saw dozens of hot pot base specialty shops. Unlike Hongyadong, each shop has a large pot at the entrance, with chefs stirring and simmering. The cauldrons simmered constantly, and the air was filled with the aroma of chili peppers and butter. I bought two different brands of base, but when I got back to hot pot, I found that neither was as delicious as Dezhuang's packaged base. I usually buy it at Metro, but the two local brands are both oily and lacking in flavor or sweetness.

This Bashi hotpot base costs 100 yuan for five packs, buy five packs and get one pack free. It comes in spicy, mildly spicy, and spicy.

The town is home to numerous porcelain shops. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Jiang brothers, originally from Tingzhou, Fujian, relocated here and began producing ceramics. With convenient land and water transportation, porcelain production and sales flourished in the town, making it a major supplier of folk porcelain to eastern Sichuan and the wider region. Additionally, there are several art souvenir shops selling items like refrigerator magnets, postcards, and Sichuan opera figurines, as well as shops selling beef sauce and bacon.

Ciqikou Ancient Town is somewhat similar to Shanghai's Qibao Old Street. You'll find yourself weaving through the alleys, and like in Chongqing, you'll also have to go up and down. If you're feeling energetic, you can climb all the way up to the Chongqing Memory Museum, which offers a bird's-eye view of Ciqikou's dark bricks and tiles.

Many shops set up a large pot at the door to stir the beef hot pot base.

Ciqikou Ancient Town, formerly known as Baiyachang, is located in Shapingba District, Chongqing. It is a national 4A-level scenic spot, a famous historical and cultural street in China, a key protected traditional street in Chongqing, and one of Chongqing's "New Twelve Scenic Spots of Bayu".

The ancient town is well-preserved, and there's a temple inside, so you should definitely visit. The front street is busier than the back street, but the back street has a better view. The old lady selling fried dough twists on the front street was so enthusiastic that it was a bit scary.

First-time visitors to Chongqing absolutely must visit Ciqikou. I'd assumed it was a similar ancient town across the country, but I had to go anyway. My lasting impression is of the narrow alleyways, the throngs of people, and the Geleshan spicy chicken, which I'm not sure if it's authentic. (I also learned that Geleshan was the place where revolutionary martyrs were executed.)

As a Chongqing native, I have visited Ciqikou many times, but never went to see it, which is the essence of Ciqikou.



Ciqikou is very busy and crowded even on weekdays. Even so, Baolun Temple is very quiet. You have to walk up a long and steep flight of stairs to enter, after which you can see the scripture hall and the pagoda. The ancient buildings with exquisite carvings and decorations are matched with the golden trees in autumn and winter, which is particularly beautiful.



This temple has a long history. Folklore says it was built by Yuchi Gong during the Tang Dynasty, while some believe it was first constructed during the Western Wei Dynasty (535-556 AD). The Ba County Chronicles record it as having been built during the Xianping reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty (998-1003 AD). Regardless of which version is correct, it has existed for a thousand years.

Qingyang Temple, located southwest of Chengdu, is the oldest and largest Taoist temple in the city. Built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, the current Qingyang Temple boasts a vibrant Taoist atmosphere. Off the beaten path for tour groups, it boasts a quiet atmosphere and serves as a leisurely retreat for local elders. It stands in stark contrast to Wenshu Monastery, one considered the "premier temple in western Sichuan" and the other the "premier Taoist temple in western Sichuan." Let's explore:

1. The fastest way to get to Qingyang Temple is to take Metro Line 2 or Line 4 and exit at the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Station, Exit B. Walk south from the traffic post for about 15 minutes. The main entrance of Qingyang Temple is on the left at the next intersection.

2. Tickets are only 10 yuan, and the temple is open from 08:00 to 18:00. There are free guides in the temple, and there are also many fortune tellers who will ask you to have your fortune told. Please do not trust them easily. You can choose a regular Taoist priest to draw lots to answer your questions and burn incense.

3. The temple's biggest attraction is the Daoist Canon (Daozang Jiyao) engraved in the 32nd year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu. There are over 13,000 blocks in total, all carved from pear wood. They are the most complete collection of blocks from Taoist scriptures in my country today and are extremely precious Taoist historical relics. Another attraction is the two bronze green sheep in the Sanqing Hall. The one-horned bronze sheep on the left is very unique in shape. At first glance, it looks like a sheep, but a closer look reveals that the sheep are the incarnation of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, with mouse ears, ox nose, tiger paws, rabbit back, dragon horns, snake tail, horse mouth, sheep whiskers, monkey neck, chicken eyes, dog belly, and pig buttocks. The design is unique.

4. What makes the Taoist temple different is that it has a tea garden, which is very crowded. You can enjoy tea and discuss Taoism in a very leisurely way. After drinking tea, you can also visit the surrounding cultural park, Sichuan Museum, Du Fu Thatched Cottage and many other attractions.

Ciqikou and Zhazidong are both within a single day, making them both easy to explore. There's no entrance fee to Ciqikou Ancient Town. I bought some of their famous fried dough twists... they were delicious. It was raining that day. Wandering around Ciqikou with an umbrella, I stumbled onto a smaller path leading uphill, where there were fewer people. Suddenly, I stumbled upon a unique building: the Chongqing Memory Museum. The cobblestone streets, facial masks, and hot pot all capture memories of Chongqing. Back in the main street, at the entrance of a restaurant, I heard a man playing and singing this Cantonese song. I sat down and listened. It felt really good.

Ciqikou is basically a commercial street. The west gate is currently under renovation. What makes me most angry is the Baolun Temple inside. Damn, this is the first time I see a place where I am told to either donate money for merit, scan the code, or get out (*￣m￣). I am speechless. This damn gatekeeper is too arrogant. It would be better for him to just ask for money directly.

Compared with other ancient towns, Ciqikou Ancient Town is quite conscientious. There is no entrance fee and it is also quite fun. Although it is a bit commercialized, it is still quite unique and you can spend most of the day there!

Ciqikou Ancient Town is rich in Bayu culture, religious culture, Shaci culture, Hongyan culture, and folk culture, each with its own unique characteristics. With its cobblestone streets and millennia-old history, Ciqikou epitomizes and symbolizes Chongqing's ancient city, earning it the nickname "Little Chongqing." A visit to Ciqikou is a must-see when visiting Chongqing!

I went there on the weekend, and since it wasn't a major holiday, it wasn't as crowded as I'd imagined. I thought it was just an ordinary commercial street before I went, but when I got there, I found that the street area and the variety of shops were huge, and it had Chongqing characteristics (strong hot pot flavor). So I still think it's worth a visit.

There are mountains, and there are indigenous people on the mountains; there is water, and there is the Phoenix Corridor by the water; there are people, and the crowd is bustling and noisy.

The old district is being renovated, and the new district is just average. There are many specialties, and the area is not very large. It is still worth a visit if you come to Chongqing.

Exit 1 of Ciqikou Station on Line 1, and you will find Ciqikou Ancient Town. Although I know that ancient towns across the country are all modeled after the same model, I still want to come and see it.

The ancient town can now be called a market, with small shops everywhere.

I go to the ancient town near my home every year and never get tired of it. Haha, there is so much food to eat, it has a very Chongqing flavor.

A thousand-year-old street that began in the Song Dynasty, full of charm

It feels like every city has this kind of place, and the things they sell are pretty much the same.

Ciqikou Ancient Town is a popular place. It is best to go there early during holidays, otherwise, you will end up like the situation shown in Figure 1. It feels no less attractive than the Chenghuang Temple area in Shanghai.

It's a big street for eating and shopping, but it's not recommended to eat inside.

It is a commercial street, similar to Lijiang Ancient Town.

I really don't recommend crowding during holidays, unless you go up the mountain through the crowd, it's quiet and comfortable!

The pedestrian street is a bit bumpy and you have to take a special bus to get there.

This place sells snacks, which are very similar to the Koi in Chengdu. There are also many Chongqing specialties, such as hot pot base, Chen Mahua, etc.

You won’t know the beauty of the mountain city until you visit it...

Just came out, it’s very regrettable, now all the ancient towns in our country are the same, just selling all kinds of things, the term internet celebrity is disgusting enough.

Also, look for Qingshuimen. There's a Fatty Hotpot up there that's pretty good, but forget about the others. I also went to a place called Suiyue for tea, which looked nice but was actually a rip-off.

Although all the ancient towns are the same, selling the same Wuzhen products, it was drizzling when I went to Ciqikou, so it had a different flavor. The air in the ancient town after the rain is even fresher, and it's also perfect for taking photos.

It's OK~~~The commercialization is too obvious, and the feeling of the ancient town is not very obvious. I went to the back mountain according to a guide on the Internet. There were few people and the natural scenery was pretty good~~

The old neighborhood is quite long and has distinct characteristics, but it is too crowded.

In the bustling city, surrounded by a jungle of steel and concrete, the profound black and white images may bring back a bit of tranquility.

📸 | @FuqiangVISION

Chongqing, China

It's a nice old town. Although it's full of things to sell, I don't know why it feels good. Mahua is delicious haha

In April 2017, I went to Chongqing for a 6-day trip on my own. I visited Ciqikou Ancient Town as a must-see attraction. It felt great and was worth a visit.

I also petted a cat on the second floor of an art store.

A thousand-year-old ancient town with a long history is really beautiful. In fact, the ancient towns in China are all similar, full of commercial atmosphere. In comparison, it is difficult to find a pristine place like Haxian Island nowadays.

I went there during the Spring Festival more than ten years ago, and there were so many people.

In fact, there is no need for outsiders to go to the tourist streets. It is all marketing and they cannot experience the authentic local culture.

Although it is also a commercialized ancient town, it has convenient transportation and the old houses have not been renovated or the roads repaved, so it is still acceptable. It is said that the spicy chicken and chicken offal nearby are particularly famous, and there are many related restaurants.

I went there during the Spring Festival and it was packed with people. I left within a few minutes, but I had a good time.

I don't like the commercialization of Ciqikou. Like most other ancient towns, the streets are filled with all kinds of delicious food, which makes it noisy and chaotic, and has lost its original appearance. But fortunately, the Time Museum I loved is still there.

During the New Year, this place is just a sea of people game, with only a small street selling food.

The best thing to do is to come to Hanlin Tea Garden to drink tea, where you can find peace and quiet in the bustling city and savor the atmosphere of the ancient town.

Like many old streets, it is a place for fun and leisure as always.

Ancient architectural features, but other than that, the food is nothing special

Today's Chongqing excursion took us to Ciqikou, a historic and cultural street. Coincidentally, it was National Day Golden Week, and the entire journey from the subway to Ciqikou was practically swamped by crowds. I'd guess we were counting heads even though we were sick. The weather was damp and cold in Chongqing, and the throngs and bustle of people on Ciqikou were almost dizzying. Thinking about the long subway lines we'd soon have to wait for back to the airport, our curiosity quickly faded, so we decided to head up the mountain to see other, quieter sights.

We have visited ancient towns in many cities, but only Ciqikou Ancient Town, with its unique topography of one river, two streams, three mountains and four streets, allows people to glimpse the prosperous times of the past when "thousands of people bowed in the daytime and thousands of lights were lit at night."

Ciqikou Ancient Town

A famous historical and cultural street in China, a traditional street that is key to protection in Chongqing, one of Chongqing's "New Twelve Scenic Spots of Bayu", and a Bayu folk culture tourism circle.

Ciqikou is an ancient town that is packed with people. You can only walk by being squeezed. This attraction is a place you will regret not visiting on your first trip to Chongqing.

However, there's a shop in Ciqikou that sells weird-flavored beans that are truly delicious! After returning to Shanghai, we recommended them to many of our colleagues, and some even repurchased boxes.

In fact, this place is just like other ancient towns in China, especially commercial. The most distinctive feature is that the terrain of Chongqing is very steep. So it looks patchwork.

Like any other small town, Ciqikou boasts ancient, charming architecture, heavy commercialization, and a tourist-filled atmosphere. However, it's certainly the busiest ancient town I've ever encountered. It doesn't feel like an ancient town at all, with its overcrowded crowds and average sanitation. Perhaps it's because the crowds are too numerous to manage, but I personally wouldn't recommend visiting.