Qiantong Ancient Town

This ancient town, made famous by a film, isn't very big. If you walk briskly, you can explore it in half an hour. However, if you enjoy taking photos, you can still get some beautiful pictures if you walk slowly when it's less crowded. I really like the ancient stage; sitting on it is quite a feeling. The town is quite old.

Last year, I went on a family orienteering trip to Qiantong Ancient Town for my team. The experience was truly impressive and unexpected. This small, roughly 60-square-meter town is packed with so much culture that it's enough to spend a whole day exploring. My colleagues also exclaimed that it's one of the most unique of all the ancient towns and villages we've visited. It boasts rich historical architecture and folk culture, along with a wide variety of engaging and engaging activities (root carving, wood carving, making tofu puffs, etc.).

Qiantong Ancient Town in Ninghai has always been famous for its well-preserved environment, developed water system, distinctive architectural features and profound cultural heritage.

As you enter the gate of the scenic area, what appears before you is a building made of blue bricks, white walls and horse-head walls. Walking along the cobblestone road, upstream along the river, and through the alleys, time seems to have gone back to the past. Wandering among them, time seems to have slowed down. There are not many residents in the town. The younger generation has moved to new homes outside the town, and most of those left are the elderly and children.

The homestays in Qiantong Ancient Town are developing rapidly. Runshehe is one of the earlier homestays in the scenic area, but Xiangxuhe is also highly recommended.

The scenic area is not big and there are not many restaurants. Most of them specialize in Qiantong's three treasures, namely dried tofu, tofu skin and fried tofu.

The scenic area is mainly composed of the old street, with attractions such as the Tong Family Ancestral Hall, Yifei Cinema, Folk Museum, Dazong Hall, Qunfeng Zanhu, Zhisiqi Residence, Mingjing Hall, Dafudi Residence, and Haoyi Hall.

Qiantong Ancient Town, known as the "No. 1 Confucian Town in Jiangnan", has old houses from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, cobblestone streets, streams, stone bridges, ancient ancestral halls, old houses and old streets and alleys. There are also a few indigenous residents living here. It is half commercial and half primitive, with both noisy and bustling sides and a quaint and peaceful side. It is a relatively niche tourist attraction near Cixi, Ningbo, and it is worth a visit.

In addition to being convenient, it is quite unique and there are few people, so you can take a walk and relax.

In the ancient town of Qiantong, Ningbo, Zhejiang, the Tong family settled here and laid out the village in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (Hui), forming the Nine Squares and Eight Diagrams. Streams flow in front of every household in the ancient town, and it is said that the water now comes from the Grand Canyon of Eastern Zhejiang.

There are people washing clothes and vegetables in the stream, white gables and green roof tiles, stone roads and carved windows... a full ink painting style

There are not many tourists at present, so you can stroll around slowly.

The tickets are expensive, and some places that are not covered by the scenic spots need better repairs... It is still suitable for taking pictures

Rediscovering a bit of my childhood, the entire town was built around a canal. People back then lived much more comfortably than we do now, with wind and water. Unlike us, we're not trapped in concrete walls.

The ancient town isn't large; it takes less than an hour to walk around. Half the old houses are abandoned, and large tracts of land are unused. The main restaurants are scattered along the old street, with only four or five in total. Opposite the town is a hill, essentially a mound, which offers a bird's-eye view of the entire town.

It's a very quaint town, you can still go and have a look. It's not overly commercialized, and the old buildings still have a sense of history.

As a local Chengguan, I absolutely do not recommend buying a ticket. After an hour of walking, you can grab a ticket for 70 yuan, and the locals still charge an entrance fee. I've been to many ancient towns in China, and the new part of Wuzhen crushes all the others.

Come to Ninghai to see rape flowers, soak in hot springs and eat seafood.

It's a quiet, uncommercialized town. It's famous for its various soy products, which are perfect for my taste. It's a great place for friends to spend the weekend there. There are also many nice inns here. My friend booked a very quaint one, and we stayed there for one night. Overall, I really enjoyed waking up to the sound of birdsong, haha.

I feel that Qiantong Ancient Town is not as good as I imagined. I don’t know if my expectations were too high. There were not many people when I went there, and there was garbage in the scenic area.

Breaking away from the stereotype of traditional ancient towns, the Bagua Water System is a highlight, but the tickets to the ancient town are quite expensive.

The scenic area is a bit far from where you buy tickets and it takes 10 minutes to go back and forth. There are not many tourists in the ancient town. The local architecture is very unique. Compared with other ancient towns, this place has not been commercialized.

Qiantong Ancient Town doesn't have many signs of commercialization, and many residents still live here. The whole ancient town is quiet and peaceful, and you can often see old ladies washing clothes by the stream at their doorstep. The town has a strong sense of life and a slow pace. It's suitable for a quiet stroll.

There are few signs of development, so it's worth a visit! Go to the village before 8 am and there's no entrance fee!

Time flows through the years, leaving behind mottled memories. ~Silence in the hustle and bustle

The old town still retains a lot of its rustic charm. There are many ruined stone houses that I love.

An ordinary ancient town, it became famous because of the movie "The Barber". Although the filming location is not open to the public, there is a cinema where you can watch the movie.

If you drive there, the parking lot and the attraction are quite far apart, about a 10-minute walk. The ticket office is in the parking lot, so don't go back after you reach the entrance of the attraction.

The weather was nice, but the ancient town lost some of its charm. During the May Day holiday, it was still quite popular. The entire ancient town is surrounded by rivers and many wells, creating a pattern where the river doesn't interfere with the wells.

Not far from the county, it is an ancient village with simple folk customs.

Qiantong Ancient Town was first built in the sixth year of Shaoding in the Southern Song Dynasty (1233 AD) and is located in the southwest of Ninghai County, Zhejiang Province. Qiantong is famous for its unique residential layout, well-preserved ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and many talented people. It was first built in the late Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. As of 2005, it still preserved more than 1,300 ancient buildings of various types.

Just left. The town feels peaceful and not too commercialized. The food is characterized by its three treasures: tofu, soaked dried tofu, and the beans are rich and delicious. A reminder: you must eat on time. The restaurant chefs here all leave work very on time. I couldn't get a meal several times and had to eat noodles. The restaurant on the right, diagonally across from the town intersection, is not very affordable. In fact, if you have time, you can talk to the owner of the accommodation and let him use his kitchen. You can just buy the groceries yourself. We were just lazy. The grandfather at the accommodation said we could cook. I originally wanted to share the meal, but he said that guests are not allowed to sell food. He provides free breakfast every morning when we wake up, so everyone should stay in the town. After eating, just walk around the town and walk on the stone road. It's very beautiful. If you want to experience the tranquility, I suggest staying for two days. The villagers are simple and honest, almost all of them are elderly. After dinner, I saw them doing square dancing. Hahaha, it really is popular all over the country.

Qiantong is a quaint place with little commercial development, making it quite fascinating. I was particularly captivated by the mottled walls and the trickling water in the ancient town.

In the ancient town, there are small bridges, flowing water and winding paths. Compared with Zhuwang Village in Jingde County, Anhui Province, the well water here really does not interfere with the river water!

Having visited many ancient towns, Qiantong Ancient Town stood out as a favorite. It's perfect for a leisurely stroll, boasting a rich cultural atmosphere and welcoming people. It doesn't feel overly commercial, as one might say. I actually prefer quiet, less crowded towns like this. This trip was primarily about extreme adventures, so I didn't explore it thoroughly. I did, however, manage to snap some photos, which was satisfying.

Tickets are 70 yuan per person. The parking lot ticket office is quite far from the actual entrance to the ancient town. I heard they used to sell tickets there, but somehow they were moved. There were no signage, and after buying my ticket, I couldn't find the intersection. When I asked the staff and was told it was in a different direction, I was completely confused. ▲The stream flows into the village, flowing through every household. Every home has a small bridge over the water, and every house has a winding cobblestone path. The water is relatively clean, and locals still do their laundry here. My dad wondered what would happen to those living downstream. It seems like that's a real problem.

Qiantong Ancient Town, located 14 kilometers southwest of Ninghai County, is a town in eastern Zhejiang that retains the most authentic Confucian charm. It boasts a collection of ancient buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, primarily consisting of ancestral halls, old houses, and streets. Qiantong gained international recognition through Chen Yifei's film "The Barber."

After a sudden downpour, we entered the ancient town. It was tranquil, with neat, clean alleys and cobblestoned pavement. Though ancient, the buildings were neatly constructed, mostly high-rise buildings with deep courtyards. A canal circled the village, and beside it stood an ancient well, a classic example of a well-kept-from-the-river relationship.

Since it was raining, there were almost no people on the street. We visited a courtyard called Zesiju, which is a typical Taizhou-style quadrangle.

As the rain began to intensify again, I looked up and was surprised to see a large red plaque on the blue brick wall: Huaqiao Youju. After going upstairs to tour the guest rooms designed by the proprietress herself, we settled in with great satisfaction. We had dinner in the lobby on the first floor, where there were several tables. The owner personally cooked a few side dishes (the Qiantong Three Treasures: Qiantong Tofu, Qiantong Dried Tofu, and Qiantong Hollow Tofu are incredibly delicious and well-known). We enjoyed them with warm Huadiao tea and chatted with the proprietress.

She's from Xi'an. She met her husband while he was working there, and after they got married, they returned to Qiantong together. It's clear that life here was quite difficult back then, when the area was still undeveloped. The proprietress is shrewd, forward-thinking, and unconstrained by the status quo. She has many creative ideas for the inn's development. She showed us the plaque she had just written and shared her many visions. We sipped fragrant tea by candlelight, watching the drizzle outside, listening to the gurgling stream in front of the door, and chatting to the gentle tunes of Jiangnan...

After a satisfying meal and a few drinks, we asked the hostess for the bill, but she was embarrassed because her meals were not priced. In the end, she reluctantly charged us 120 yuan, which really embarrassed us!

Several tourist attractions still have elderly people living there, giving you a glimpse into their lives. Personally, I don't like having this kind of life exposed to the public, so I can't accept it. If you feel the same way, I wouldn't recommend going.

Yifang Town, with its uniquely designed artificial Bagua water system, has created a community of its own.

I went to Qiantong in April and had an unexpected harvest. The flowers in the old wall were blooming in all colors. The scenery was beautiful, especially in the area where the wells did not interfere with the river. The whole scenic spot is actually a residential area with several entrances, and the others are connected by alleys.

Very quiet and unique ancient town, but a little small

There is really nothing to do. It was mainly because a brother wanted to go, but the result was just like that. I don't recommend it.

At the tourist service center of Qiantong Ancient Town, we bought tickets and walked to the ancient town scenic area (more than 1 kilometer away). I was worried that some attractions would close at 5 pm, so I wanted to take the electric car at the door of the ticket office. Unexpectedly, the driver said embarrassedly, "You'd better walk, as driving inside will cause more traffic jams!"

At 4 p.m., we entered Qiantong Ancient Town and took a walk with the crowd.

As for ancient towns, I have said that they are mostly similar, but the "slight difference" of Qiantong Ancient Town lies in the architectural type of the residential houses, just like the photos on the scenic spot ticket and the photos on the website: there is a waterway outside the gate of each household, and you have to walk through the small stone slabs to get to the streets of the alleys.

Many buildings in the ancient town look like real historical sites rather than renovated ones.

Even I, who have seen so many ancient towns and cities that I am a bit numb, and can be considered a traveler, or to put it bluntly, a tourist who just takes a quick look and doesn't know anything about it, think that the wood carvings in many houses in this ancient town are very exquisite.

The 70 RMB entrance fee to Qiantong Ancient Town includes several attractions with ticket checks at the entrance. These individual attractions all close at 5 PM. For example, I didn't check the time and wasn't prepared for the Qiantong Folk Museum. As I was about to step through the main entrance, the waiter slammed the wooden door shut from behind, startling me! A foreigner would have hit their nose. Before I could complain, a young girl called out from behind, "Go to the small gate, go to the small gate."

I quickened my pace and rushed to the small gate, but ugh! I was rejected twice in a row. Only then did I remember to check the clock: it was 5:00 PM!

Oh... forget it.

In 2002, renowned director and painter Chen Yifei brought the crew of "The Barber" to Qiantong for filming, bringing the ancient town into the film's story. Ten years later, Qiantong villagers and tourists once again have the opportunity to discover the beauty of the ancient town and the memories Chen Yifei left behind through the film.

The last time our tour leader, "Lazy Man," visited Qiantong, he was able to enter the cinema, where Chen Yifei's "The Barber" was playing continuously. He took a few photos; the ceiling fans and long wooden benches inside were truly captivating. When I got there, I caught up with the big iron lock.

Outside the gatehouse of Qiantong Ancient Town, there's a low, almost hilly earthen hill. Seeing many tourists hiking up it, I figured I'd get a panoramic view of the ancient town, so I followed suit. Unfortunately, it was already late, and the simple town didn't have any fancy lights to cater to tourists. Plus, the sky was gloomy, so the photos I took were pretty average.

I drove there from Ningbo, a total distance of more than 90 kilometers!

There's absolutely no commercial atmosphere in this place, not even the small shops. Many residents live there, using the water from the ancient town to do the same things they once did, like washing vegetables and clothes. The entrance fee is a bit pricey, 70 yuan per person, but I found it online for 45 yuan. But that's understandable, considering most of the ancient buildings here haven't been restored, and the price is probably because they want to use the proceeds for renovations. The ticket office is a bit far from the main entrance, but you can drive there, and parking is 5 yuan. The paths inside are difficult to navigate, and I got lost several times. The small attractions are small, and the buildings are all very quaint and beautiful. The weather had been bad for the past few days, but I didn't expect the blue skies and white clouds to be so beautiful when I visited! I didn't eat the Qiantong Three Treasures because I don't like tofu, but the wheat cakes (Xiake cakes) at the entrance of the ancient town are delicious. They also sell them in Ningbo. I like the ones with seaweed, which has a sweet and savory flavor. However, each cake is quite large, so I didn't buy two.

There is a small hill opposite the ancient town. You can climb up to see the panoramic view of the ancient town.

After driving about ten kilometers from the ancient town, we arrived at the Shili Hongzhuang Museum. No tickets are required, just ID card required. Well, it's just average, not as good as the Ningbo Museum, but it does have a lot of stuff! It's really detailed!

We had Japanese food for lunch in Ninghai County, a restaurant called Washoku. It was very good, with fresh food and a wide variety!

I originally wanted to go to Lianghuang Mountain, but I couldn’t walk anymore. There are only three places to visit in Ninghai.

I went there during last year's Lantern Festival. The scene was spectacular. The local wheat dumplings and soup dumplings were delicious. My dad had been to Qiantong Ancient Town before and took me there specifically. There's a section there that explains a person's life, which was very touching. Qiantong is very beautiful. I saw the example of keeping things to ourselves. Oh, and you must try the three treasures of Qiantong.

Qiantong Ancient Town is relatively remote and not very convenient to get to. It's well-preserved, without much commercial development. It feels like my grandmother's home from childhood, very quaint, with every brick and tile well-preserved. It's a great place for a family trip in spring and autumn. The downside is that tickets are too expensive and there are too few attractions.

Every household has running water in front of it, a characteristic of this ancient town. The ancient stage and ancestral hall are no longer the same, but strolling around can calm your mind. There's a post office in the town where you can buy postcards and send them to your loved ones back home, a truly unique way to spend your travels.

Tickets are quite expensive. You can go directly into the ancient town after get off work, but the small attractions inside the ancient town are closed and cannot be seen. If you come to Qiantong Ancient Town, you can get off the bus directly at the visitor center to buy tickets, or take the evening bus to Qiantong Ancient Town to visit and stay overnight, and then decide whether to buy tickets. Accommodation in the scenic area is quite expensive. Accommodation in the ancient town is sold as homestays in the form of ancient beds and ancient buildings. If you like to sleep on ancient beds, you can book them directly online. By the way, if it is the peak tourist season, it is recommended that you do your homework in advance and book a restaurant in advance. I personally recommend a day trip to the ancient town and the East Zhejiang Grand Canyon. Go to the East Zhejiang Grand Canyon in the morning, bring some dry food for lunch, and eat it directly in the East Zhejiang Grand Canyon. Then take a bus directly to Qiantong to stay in the afternoon. This way, the one-day trip can be considered relatively complete. The ticket price is 70 yuan per person, with those aged 70 or over 60 and those serving in the military free. I personally think that with a student ID, you can still explore the ancient town. The price is 35 yuan per person, but if you buy a ticket, you don't have to take the cable car, which is 2 yuan per person and not included in the ticket price. You can walk from the visitor center to the intersection and turn left to the entrance. Most people who buy tickets don't go into the ancient pavilion hall to see the characteristic ancient pavilions of Qiantong Ancient Town during the Lantern Festival, which is a unique way for the people of Qiantong to experience the town. Visiting Qiantong during closing hours is a good way to explore the town, see the people and the stream, and experience the unique atmosphere of a quiet town. People in the ancient town generally go to bed early, so remember to bring a flashlight at night. The lights in the ancient town are a warm yellow, giving it a slightly artistic feel. For photography enthusiasts, don't miss this nighttime stroll! Don't miss Lushan, directly opposite the ancient town sign. Photographers can climb it for a panoramic view of the ancient town. While some areas are currently undergoing renovations, this doesn't affect your panoramic view. Standing near the Martyrs' Pavilion on Lushan, you can still clearly see the M on the opposite side, which is Tashan. There are unidentified insects on Tashan, so I wouldn't recommend taking the risk. Lushan is also a great spot for sunrise photography, and the sunrises there are quite good. Interested hikers should give it a try! Even when the ancient town is deserted, your photos can still be beautiful. Different people see things differently, just as my perspective on scenery and beauty is certainly different from yours. I enjoy walking quietly, watching the people passing by, and yet I always feel a strange sense of melancholy. I'm a sentimental girl, so naturally, my perspective is different from most people's.

Qiantong Ancient Town was first built in the Ming Dynasty. Its buildings are arranged in the shape of Yin and Yang and the Eight Diagrams. It is almost like a maze.

This ancient town is small, but relatively quiet, not crowded, and not particularly commercialized. It's nice to take a quiet walk.

One of the destinations for this department activity in Ninghai is Qiantong Ancient Town~

This ancient town is famous for the barber photographed by Chen Yifei~

There's even a quaint Yifei Cinema in town that plays this movie for free on loop.

We stayed at Qiantongyishi in the ancient town, so the entrance fee was free.

You can stroll around the ancient town freely, but you are not allowed to enter attractions such as the Folk Museum.

It's quiet and quaint here. It's not very commercialized yet. You can see more of the locals' authentic lives.

Bamboo basket weavers, laundrymen, children playing in the stream.

There was also a shop where the owner of a shop gave us free Pu'er tea after we took photos of her children.

There were very few people around during the typhoon. We posed freely inside and took many beautiful photos. The whole pace seemed to slow down.

If you are interested in the old houses and ancient walls, you can take a look. The specialty is wheat cakes.

Qiantong was the first stop for Xu Xiake, the first Chinese travelogue writer. The scenic area isn't crowded with tourists. The village is laid out in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (Hui), with cobblestone streets and houses built on cobblestone foundations. The narrow streets and densely packed buildings create a maze-like experience. Most notably, the Bagua water system flows throughout the village, ensuring that every household has access to fresh water for washing, ensuring that well water doesn't interfere with other water sources. The Ming and Qing dynasty buildings here are remarkably well-preserved, with whitewashed walls, green tiles, carved beams and painted pillars, and carved windows. Though now fading, they still reveal a sense of past splendor. Many old furniture and antiques are also exquisitely crafted. Because Chen Yifei's film "The Barber" was filmed here, ticket prices are quite high. Booking and collecting tickets on China-TravelNote is very convenient. The tourist service center is a short distance from the scenic area. A one-way electric car ride costs 2 yuan per person. If you drive, you can park at the entrance for 10 yuan. I generally don't try Qiantong Sanbao. The Xiake pancakes are definitely better served warm, as they're softer. The sponge cakes are pretty good. Some of the buildings at the scenic spots have burned down.

Our trip to Qiantong Ancient Town in Ninghai was quite serendipitous, and even more so, the day it happened to be Qiantong's grand annual Lantern Festival. The town was bustling from day to night, and the spectacular stage parade was an eye-opener for us city folk. Perhaps it was fate that brought us to Qiantong. I'd actually heard of Qiantong a few years ago, when Chen Yifei's film "The Barber" was released. I'd always been curious about what kind of ancient Jiangnan town Qiantong was. It must have something special to be so famous that Director Chen chose it over Zhouzhuang as a filming location. Qiantong didn't disappoint.

It is relatively remote and the transportation is not very convenient. The ancient town is well preserved, without much commercial development and few tourists. Overall, it is still worth a visit. It is a typical eastern Zhejiang style ancient town, which is completely different from the common Jiangnan water town architectural style.

We were incredibly lucky to truly immerse ourselves in local life. For us two northern girls, living in such a water town was truly incredible. Even as we explored, lingered, and marveled, the locals naturally went about their daily lives. Grandpa and grandma played chess and chatted, and the sound of "Where Are We Going, Dad?" drifted from the house. Everything felt incredibly authentic, and it's this authentic beauty that's so captivating.

I chose Qiantong in Ninghai, Zhejiang as the first stop of my trip to Ningbo, partly because of its reputation as a thousand-year-old ancient town and partly because of Chen Yifei's movie "The Barber".

Qiantong Town, founded over 780 years ago in the sixth year of Shaoding in the Southern Song Dynasty (1233 AD), is a place where descendants of the Tong family have settled. Located in front of the Baixi River, it was named Qiantong. This ancient town, steeped in history, has earned the nicknames "Jiangnan's First Confucian Town," "Jiangnan's Little Lijiang," and "a Living Folk Museum." It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

Transportation and service information:

1. Take the train from Ningbo to Qiantong Ancient Town.

From Ningbo Railway Station (28.5 yuan, 30 minutes) to Ninghai Railway Station, take bus No. 102 to Nanmen Bridge Station (1 yuan), then transfer to a rural minibus to Qiantong (4.5 yuan). The journey takes 30 minutes.

2. Take a bus from Ningbo City to Qiantong Ancient Town.

Take a bus from Ningbo South Bus Station to Ninghai (28 yuan, approximately 70 minutes), which stops at Ninghai Bus Terminal. From there, take a taxi to Ninghai West Bus Station (6 yuan), where you can transfer to a rural minibus to Qiantong.

Ticket price for Qiantong Ancient Town is 70 yuan per person. Included attractions: Zhisiqi Residence, Mingjing Hall, Zesi Residence, Shangtangwu, Folk Custom Museum, Old Street, Dazong Temple, and Qunfeng Zanhu.

Opening hours: 8:00--16:30

Food: Qiantong's three treasures are fried tofu, dried tofu, and hollow tofu, all soy products. The local tofu is made using traditional methods, resulting in a more authentic flavor. Enjoy a Qiantong-style "tofu feast" here.

Accommodation: There are several guesthouses within the Qiantong Scenic Area, including Qiantong Yishi and Haoyitang Inn. Bookings can be made online, and the owner can bring you in for a 70-yuan entrance fee. Outside the scenic area, there are Qiantong Restaurant and Qiantong Ancient Town Tuwei Restaurant Inn, both not far from the scenic area.

Leaving Qiantong: The bus back to Ninghai was at the entrance of the ancient town, and the locals helped "stop" it. I heard that the last bus was at 5 pm.

We arrived at Qiantong Ancient Town at 10:45. Qiantong Town, founded during the Southern Song Dynasty, boasts many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. We briefly wandered around the open area and decided not to purchase a ticket. We climbed the small hill at the edge of town to overlook the town. The entrance fee is 70 yuan, but what's annoying is that seniors over 70 are exempt, while those between 60 and 70 are charged the full price, which seems a bit unfair.

Qiantong Ancient Town is a quiet, authentic ancient village (it's better to call it a village, as it's quite small), with cobblestone roads, old houses, and, of course, the most amazing thing about it is the Bagua River system, where every house is nestled among small bridges and flowing water. However, the 70 yuan entrance fee is definitely too high and not worth it; 30 yuan is more affordable.

I came to Qiantong Ancient Town in Ningbo because it was the filming location for Chen Yifei's The Barber. It is a very small ancient town, but the ticket is expensive, 90 yuan a ticket. Personally, I think the 90 yuan ticket is not worth it. It is a very small village. Apart from the barber's area, which is a little bright spot, the villagers have too high expectations for the rest of the scenery. It should be open to the public for free, so that this place will show that it has different characteristics from other villages.

It's a tiny place. If it weren't for the movie "The Barber", I might not have paid attention to it. Although I felt a little guilty and went in without buying a ticket, I'm still glad that I didn't buy it. It's far from the value of the 90 yuan ticket.

Qiantong, a remarkable replica of Ming and Qing dynasty dwellings, offers a rural landscape rich in ancient charm and a breathtaking display of Jiangnan string music. Renowned for its unique residential layouts, well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, and its remarkable talent, Qiantong boasts over 1,300 ancient dwellings of varying styles. Built in the late Song Dynasty and flourishing during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qiantong boasts over 1,300 preserved dwellings as of 2005. Here, "every home boasts carved beams and running water." The Baixi River flows through the village along a canal, gurgling its waters around every household. Small bridges connect every home, and smooth cobblestone paths lead to every home, creating a unique spectacle for Jiangnan market towns. The Bagua River system, with its gurgling, melodious flow, flows through every household, creating a truly remarkable water town.

The streets are paved with cobblestones, and most of the house foundations are also made of cobblestones. The streets and alleys are extremely narrow, and the buildings are extremely dense, making walking through them like walking through a maze.

The village is laid out in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (Hui), forming the nine squares and eight trigrams. Following the principles of the eight trigrams, the ancestors of the Tong family brought water from the Baixi River into the village. The gurgling stream flows through every household, allowing everyone to wash vegetables and clothes in the water. Every home is connected by a small bridge over the flowing water, and every household has a smooth cobblestone path leading to it. Ivy-lined white walls and black tiles, carved stone windows, and carved and painted gatehouses reveal a once prosperous past amidst the desolation.

At first, we followed the signposts, but soon we got lost, so we decided to just wander. We wandered, taking in the sights, seeing the "Three Treasures of Tiantong" beside the bluestone path, the Chinese pastoral dogs wandering through the alley, the shy eyes of the children, the elderly women chatting by the stream, the sounds of mahjong playing in the early morning, and the tall, wide stage.

The stream running through the alleys still echoed the distant sound of the ancient town. All of this combined to create the ancient town of Qiantong in the Jiangnan region. Two hours passed without a second thought. Pippi was thrilled and enthusiastic.

Because it was already past 5:30, there was no need to buy tickets, and I entered the ancient town easily.

The small stone bridges, over 1,200 in total, serve as the only access for every household to wash vegetables and clothes, as well as to enter and exit their homes. It's said that in 1509, the fourth year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty, Qiantong's ancestor, Tong Hao (style name Ji Le), mobilized villagers to dig a channel from the Baixi River, five miles away, to bring the clear stream water. Previously, Qiantong's water resources were poor, and a good harvest depended primarily on the weather. Therefore, Tong Hao resolved to divert water from the Baixi River to irrigate the fields. Mobilizing the entire village, young and old, and contributing their wealth, he dug a channel from bottom to top, following the principles of the Eight Trigrams. This created a unique water environment where "every household has access to running water," thus alleviating the worries of drought and flooding for crops.

Qiantong, a town under the jurisdiction of Ninghai County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, is a quiet, quaint town. Its streets and houses are mostly built of cobblestones, with ivy-lined white walls and black tiles, and stone windows with carved patterns, creating a quaint atmosphere. The streets are narrow and the buildings are densely packed. Every house is connected by a small bridge over a stream, and every house has a smooth cobblestone path leading to it. Walking through it is like walking through a maze.

Qiantong is an ancient town with characteristics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Every household has a stream. The town is quiet, peaceful and tranquil, with its own unique characteristics. There are not many tourists, and it is worth a visit.

This is just a small town. Ninghai Qiantong.

Yes, there are only green bricks and green tiles and flowing water.

 

There is no commercial activity in the town, so there are no restaurants or inns. There are only old houses.

But the hot dried tofu is soft and fragrant. It costs 2 yuan a bunch.

Qiantong wheat cake, 3 yuan each. Don't miss it.

It’s a pity that I can’t drink soy milk. It’s very thick and delicious.

The streets here are all paved with pebbles, and most of the house foundations are also made of pebbles. Over time, many of the pebbles have grown moss, giving them a unique charm.

 

The streets and alleys here are wider than those in Zhouzhuang, but the buildings are very dense, and it feels like a maze when you are in it.

 

The villages here are laid out in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (Hui), forming the nine squares and eight trigrams. Following the principles of the eight trigrams, the ancestors of the Tong family brought water from the Baixi River into the village. The gurgling stream flows through every household, allowing everyone to wash vegetables and clothes in the water. Every home is connected by a small bridge over the flowing water, and every household has a smooth cobblestone path leading to it. Ivy-lined white walls and black tiles, carved stone windows, and carved and painted gatehouses reveal a once prosperous past amidst the desolation.

 

What Qiantong gives us more is its vicissitudes, haggard beauty and the most perfect tranquility.

Qiantong Ancient Town, located 14 kilometers southwest of Ninghai County, is a town in eastern Zhejiang that retains the most authentic Confucian charm. Visitors can enjoy well-preserved historic residences such as Zhisiqi Residence, Mingjing Residence, Shangtangwu, Wufulinmen, Haoyitang, and Mingzong Temple, as well as the old streets, the Folk Customs Museum, and scenic spots such as Lushan Mountain, Shijing Mountain, Xiaonu Lake, Chai Wanying Cypress, and the Xu Xiake Ancient Trail. Qiantong Ancient Town in Ninghai features over 50% of the footage in Chen Yifei's posthumous film, The Barber.

History: The local Tong family settled here during the Shaoding period of the Southern Song Dynasty, diligently cultivating and studying. In the early Ming Dynasty, Tong Boli twice invited Fang Xiaoru to lecture at Shijing Jingshe, laying the foundation for a renowned scholar of poetry and etiquette. Since then, adhering to the virtues of diverting water and planting trees to improve the environment, cultivating harmony through farming and studying, and nurturing future generations, generations of talented individuals have emerged, fostering a cultural landscape characterized by "small bridges and flowing water throughout the courtyards, and ancient alleys and courtyards housing art and literature." This area is also the hometown of Tong Baoxuan, the Zhejiang commander-in-chief of the Xinhai Revolution, and the Taishu Revolutionary Base.

Note: The ticket price for Qiantong Ancient Town is 70 yuan per ticket, and it is 60 yuan per ticket if you book online.



Note: The ticket office and e-ticket exchange area for Qiantong Ancient Town are both 600-700 meters away from the scenic spot. Xiaolinzi and I suffered this loss. We thought it was very close. Alas, the sightseeing bus costs 2 yuan.

Qiantong Town, a remarkable example of Ming and Qing dynasty residential architecture in Jiangnan, offers a rural landscape steeped in ancient charm and a captivating melody of Jiangnan string music. Renowned for its unique residential layouts, well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, and numerous talented individuals, Qiantong was founded in the late Song Dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, over 1,300 ancient dwellings of various styles remain. Here, "every home boasts carved beams and running water." The Baixi River flows through the village along a canal, gurgling through every household. Small bridges over flowing water connect every home, and smooth cobblestone paths lead to every home, creating a unique spectacle for Jiangnan market towns. The Bagua River system, with its gurgling and subtle flow, flows through every household, creating a truly remarkable water town, even if not a water town. Qiantong Town is surrounded by mountains on its northwest and southeast borders. The peak of Lianghuang Mountain, located on the northwest border, rises 768 meters above sea level. Major streams include the Baixi and Lianghuang Rivers. Baixi River enters the area from Chalu Town in the west, flows past Qiantong Village, and then east out of Zhulin Village. Lianghuang River originates at the southeastern foot of Lianghuang Mountain, passes Qiantong Village, curves around to Zhulin Village, and merges with Baixi River. At the southern foot of Lianghuang Mountain stands Lianghuang Temple (Chongfu Temple), built during the Tang Dynasty's Wude reign (618-626). Xu Xiake, a Ming Dynasty geographer and traveler, once visited Lianghuang Mountain. At the foot of Qiantong Nan'ao Mountain stands the Stone Mirror Jingshe, built by the early Ming Dynasty Confucian scholar Tong Boli, where Fang Xiaoru lectured. Tower Mountain and Deer Mountain stand on either side of the mountain, offering breathtaking scenery. Historic sites such as Xiaonu Lake, Miaohu Lake, Zhisi Hall, Xueshi Bridge, and Nangong Temple still exist today. The Tong Clan Ancestral Hall, designed by Fang Xiaoru in the early Ming Dynasty, remains largely intact. The ancestral hall, built during the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu reign, has garnered the attention of experts and public admiration both within and outside the province.

Qiantong Ancient Town, located southwest of Ninghai County, Zhejiang Province, is a town in eastern Zhejiang that retains the most ancient Confucian charm. It boasts a cluster of ancient buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, primarily consisting of ancient ancestral halls, old houses, and old streets. It gained international recognition thanks to Chen Yifei's film "The Barber," earning it the designations of "Zhejiang Province Historical and Cultural Town," "Zhejiang Province Tourist Town," and "China's Historical and Cultural Town."

The houses are all in the typical Jiangnan style, with dilapidated walls and upturned roofs. Inside the City God Temple are small shops.

The entrance fee to Qiantong is 70 yuan. The main entrance ticket gate is on the left after getting off the bus. Observe that the village isn't fenced off. Walk straight ahead for 30 meters and you'll see an open space on the left, which is also the scenic area exit. There's a road leading into the village. Cross it and walk straight in. It takes about 5 minutes to reach Haoyi Hall. To be safe, I saw temporary ticket checkpoints marked in many alleyways, so I exited the same way I came. If you're not on your way, the trip to Qiantong isn't worth it. The entrance fee has increased from 40 yuan to 70 yuan. After reviewing it, I think free is almost the same. It's a rip-off.

Qiantong, a remarkable example of Ming and Qing dynasty dwellings, offers a rural landscape steeped in ancient charm and a breathtaking display of Jiangnan string music. Renowned for its unique residential layouts, well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, and its remarkable talent, Qiantong boasts over 1,300 ancient dwellings of varying styles. Construction began in the late Song Dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As of 2005, over 1,300 dwellings of various styles remained. Here, "every home boasts carved beams and running water." The Baixi River flows through the village along a canal, circling each household. Small bridges over flowing water connect every home, and smooth cobblestone paths lead to every household, creating a unique spectacle for Jiangnan market towns. The Bagua River system, with its gurgling melodies and subtle serene flow, flows through every household, creating a truly remarkable and picturesque scene. Qiantong Town is surrounded by mountains on its northwest and southeast borders. The peak of Lianghuang Mountain, located on the northwest border, rises 768.2 meters above sea level. The central region is flat. Major streams include the Baixi and Lianghuang Rivers. Baixi River enters the area from Chalu Town in the west, flows past Qiantong Village, and then east out of Zhulin Village. Lianghuang River originates at the southeastern foot of Lianghuang Mountain, passes Qiantong Village, curves around to Zhulin Village, and merges with Baixi River. At the southern foot of Lianghuang Mountain stands Lianghuang Temple (Chongfu Temple), built during the Tang Dynasty's Wude reign (618-626). Xu Xiake, a Ming Dynasty geographer and traveler, once visited Lianghuang Mountain. At the foot of Qiantong's Nan'ao Mountain stands the Stone Mirror Jingshe, built by the early Ming Dynasty Confucian scholar Tong Boli, where Fang Xiaoru lectured. Tower Mountain and Deer Mountain stand on either side of the Qiantong Town, offering breathtaking scenery. Historic sites such as Xiaonu Lake, Miaohu Lake, Zhisi Hall, Xueshi Bridge, and Nangong Temple still exist today. The Tong Clan Ancestral Hall, designed by Fang Xiaoru in the early Ming Dynasty, remains largely intact. The ancestral hall, built during the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu reign, has garnered significant attention from experts and the public both within and outside the province. Deer Mountain houses a tomb and stele pavilion for revolutionary martyrs.

Qiantong has experienced over 760 years of development, leaving behind a collection of intact ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. These buildings primarily consist of ancient ancestral halls, old houses, and old streets. The Tong Grand Ancestral Hall, built in the 18th year of the Hongwu reign of the early Ming Dynasty, covers an area of 1.2 mu (approximately 1.2 acres). It features four main sections, two corridors and pavilions, a stage in the south, and a shrine in the north. Dozens of smaller ancestral halls, such as the Yansi Shrine, the Yongyan Shrine, and the Chongben Shrine, circling the village, were built during the reigns of the Tianqi, Shunzhi, and Qianlong and Jiaqing emperors of the Qing Dynasty, respectively. Their outlines have remained unchanged over the centuries. Surrounding the ancient ancestral hall are courtyard houses (siheyuan) with dark green and whitewashed walls. Over 40 courtyard houses, including the "Qunfeng Zanhu," "Zhisiqiju," and "Xinsuoji," retain their nearly intact aesthetics from the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods of the Qing Dynasty.

Qiantong's most remarkable feature is its flowing water, which continues to this day. Later, I learned that its water flows in a pattern formed by the Eight Trigrams, connecting thousands of households. It's not a water town, but it's more than a water town. Everyone washes vegetables and clothes in the stream, a habit that residents still maintain today. The accompaniment of waterways, the interplay of yin and yang, and the unity of nature and man embody the wisdom of the ancients.

About purchase:

In addition to the farmhouse restaurant and rice shop, there is also a "specialty shop" in the scenic area, which sells some local mountain products and tourist handicrafts. Because the scenic area is not very popular, it seems a bit deserted.

Public Transportation:

After the long-distance bus arrives at Ninghai Bus Terminal, walk (1.4 kilometers) or take a taxi to Ninghai West Bus Station. From there, take a minibus bound for Qiantong, Chalu, Sangzhou, or Baixi (12 kilometers, fare approximately 3-4 yuan). Ask the conductor to get off at the Lianghuangshan intersection, and then walk for about ten minutes. This isn't a popular tourist area, so don't expect tricycles or other vehicles to take you in; you'll still have to walk.

By the same token, in the past, when children went to Lianghuang Mountain, they would take a bus to the intersection and then walk in.

The scenic area lasts about 2 hours (after reaching Lianghuang Tea House, return the same way or go down the Xu Xiake Ancient Trail). Friends who are not driving should arrange their itinerary.

★Tickets and Services

Tickets:

The listed ticket price is 50 yuan, but booking with Tongcheng for 40 yuan includes a 2 yuan bonus (booking via the mobile app costs 35 yuan). I personally think this price is a bit high, and a reduction of 10 or 20 yuan would be more appropriate. Lianghuang Mountain doesn't offer any significant features, and the only things to see are the streams and waterfalls along the way (though they're all relatively small). For a province like Zhejiang, known for its stunning scenery, it's hard to overestimate the value of the experience. However, for those weary of the concrete jungle, the scenic beauty of this place, with its clear waters and fresh air, offers a rare opportunity for relaxation and relaxation, and the ticket price is acceptable.

Seniors aged 60-69, children and students can enjoy a 50% discount (25 yuan), but it should be noted that the elderly and children should not book tickets through Tongcheng, because the booking price for these two groups of people is 5 yuan more than buying on-site. This is really a strange rule.

◆Services:

There is a tourist service center in Lianghuang Mountain, but it is very small. It is actually a ticket office. It is connected to the Lianghuang Mountain Ancient Road Hotel and cannot provide a place for tourists to rest. Of course, if you are tired, it is okay to sit in the hotel’s restaurant.

Living in a small town, you can feel a casual and slow life, with fresh air and a relaxed mood, which naturally attracts endless streams of tourists. It is no surprise that it has been rated as one of the eight great ancient towns in the country.

If you have time, remember to take a look around.

Qiantong, if you are willing, I really want to speak for you.

 

We'd read online that children were free during the Qiantong Festival, but when we inquired at the entrance, we found out it was only half-price, not free. This was a bit disappointing, but it wasn't going to be a problem for us, so we decided to explore the surrounding small gates and alleys. Qiantong is connected to the village, so getting in shouldn't be difficult. If that didn't work out, we could buy tickets later. After some wandering, we finally stumbled upon the Tong Clan Ancestral Hall.

The ticket price for Qiantong Scenic Area is 70 yuan. There is no student ticket. It is free to enter before 8 am and after 5 pm. Some attractions in the scenic area require tickets to visit. There are ticket checks at the entrance, but some are strict and some are loose.

Qiantong Ancient Town is located at the southern tip of Ninghai County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 3 kilometers from the Lianghuang Mountain Scenic Area. Founded in the sixth year of the Shaoding reign of the Southern Song Dynasty, it boasts a history spanning over a thousand years. The town's magnificent buildings, featuring carved beams and painted rafters, whitewashed walls and black tiles, form a seamless, integrated whole. The Baixi River flows into the town in the shape of the Eight Diagrams, with small bridges flowing through each house and winding cobblestone paths. The Tong surname accounts for over 95% of the town's population, making it the largest Tong-speaking community in Jiangnan. Qiantong Ancient Town is renowned for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, its rich and enduring Confucian heritage, and its authentic folk customs. It is a National Key Historical and Cultural Town, a National Key Historical and Cultural Protection Area, and a National Key Folk Culture Protection Area. It is hailed as "Jiangnan's First Confucian Town," "Jiangnan's Little Lijiang," and "a Living Folk Museum." Qiantong offers a timeless, weathered beauty and a perfect tranquility.

Compared to some famous ancient towns, Qiantong is still an undeveloped village. Walking through its deep alleys, you might even spot domesticated pigs or a stray spider. Free from the ravages of the commodity economy, it has better preserved local customs and traditions. The walls are gray with age, and the houses are gray with age.

The old street is lined with shops with long wooden facades. Adjacent to the old street are a group of well-preserved ancient buildings, with beams, doors and windows covered with carvings. The exquisite wall patterns of leaping fish and horse heads and ridge sculptures are unique to the local style.

The horse-head wall is a symbol of the power of the official residences of wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River in ancient times. It is said that the higher the level, the higher the position. The wall is inlaid with carved stone windows, the outer wall is sculpted with relief characters, and the top of the wall is sculpted with leaping fish and flying dragons soaring into the sky, implying the meaning of "carp jumping over the dragon gate". The two movable upside-down lions on the doorposts and the pair of porcelain basins on the door wall, each decorated with 5 flying bats, symbolize the five blessings. The large ancestral hall was built in the 18th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty. There are 32 large columns in the hall, like 32 chess pieces, implying the overall situation of a game of chess; each column is large in the middle and small at both ends, which is a typical Sui and Tang style Ming-style architecture.

Accommodation:

There are hotels and inns in the town, and you can also stay in villagers' homes. Rooms are generally decent, ranging from 30 to 120 yuan. There are over 30 guesthouses and 20 large hotels in the county town. There's an Ancient Town Inn (a private house) near the bus stop: 40-50 yuan per three-bed room. Alternatively, stay at the Sanxing Hotel near Ninghai Bus Station. A standard room for two or three people costs 80 yuan. It's very affordable and clean, with 24-hour hot water. The Sanxing Hotel is located at 1-2 Chengguan Outer Ring Road, Ninghai. General Manager's phone number: 13906605040

diet:

Tofu: Made from high-quality early soybeans soaked in well water, it's tender, white, and firm. It's delicious whether braised, stewed, pan-fried, or served cold. Qiantong's tofu alone can create a delicious family feast.

Soup dumplings: Wheat flour is rolled into a thin skin, and the filling is made of soybeans, lean meat, dried shrimp, winter bamboo shoots, etc. It can be steamed or boiled, and it tastes delicious when eaten.

Wheat paste: Mix wheat flour into a paste, spread it into the shape of wheat cakes, top it with lard, eggs, chopped green onions, etc., eat it while hot, it is fragrant and crispy.

Qiantong's roadside wheat cakes and Qiantong pancakes are very good and worth trying. Wheat cakes are made of wheat flour, with goose egg-sized dough wrapped in shrimp.

Qiantong Town in Ninghai County, Ningbo, celebrates the traditional Lantern Festival on the 14th day of the first lunar month, commonly known as "Fourteenth Night." This custom originated in the 16th year of the Zhizheng reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1365 AD). The world-famous Qiantong Lantern Festival commemorates Tong Hao, a Ming Dynasty expert in water conservancy. This mobile lantern festival, also known as a guild, celebrates and prays for a good harvest. Its distinctive performance features drum pavilions and raised pavilions, making it a unique and spectacular spectacle in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. After the 11th day of the first lunar month, Qiantong's streets and alleys come alive, with residents flocking from all over the village. The sound of gongs and drums echoes across the mountains and fields, reaching its climax on the 14th day.

A drum pavilion is a pavilion for gongs and drums, about 5-7 meters high and tiered with five to seven stories. Each tier is intricately carved and adorned with lights and colorful ornaments. It's carried by seven or eight people or on wheels, guided by several people in front and behind. A "tiaoge" is essentially a movable stage, about 2 meters long and 1 meter wide. Its lower portion is shaped like a boat, carved with dragons, phoenixes, lions, and scales, draped in red and green, and wheeled around. Each "tiaoge" has an educational meaning. Inside, the most attractive boys and girls from each village dress up as three or five opera characters, wearing phoenix crowns and bridal robes, tall hats and wide belts, or golden helmets and iron armor. They dress up as the Old Lady, the Young General Yue Yun, the Female Commander Mu Guiying, and so on. They sit or stand, resembling stilts and swings. The most captivating attraction is the "tiaoge" that can be tilted up and down. The children's kicks and kicks send the pavilions tumbling endlessly, creating a lively and spectacular spectacle.

At the start of the grand event, a drum and gong procession blended with lion dances, dragon dances, and colorful boat parades. Led by dragon flags and flanked by a band, the procession blared with drums and music, the roar of cannonballs and artillery deafened the heavens, and the crowds thronged with activity. The band's tunes were simple and unrestrained. Sometimes, hundreds of gongs blared in unison, the sound resembling thunder. The procession stretched for miles, drawing crowds from all over the country to witness the spectacle. In every village and town where the drum and gong procession passed, bowls of red date, longan, and black fungus soup were laid out, free for all to enjoy.

The highlight of the Qiantong Lantern Festival is the evening lantern show, where the display of lanterns and fireworks are the main activities. The Lantern Festival is inseparable from "noise," and the display of lanterns and the display of lantern competitions are called "lantern noise." As night falls, every household hangs homemade lanterns in front of their doors, and the town's main streets are ablaze with color. Simultaneously, the fireworks display begins. Fireworks as thick as buckets are ignited, and in an instant, the fireworks soar into the sky, creating a variety of lifelike patterns. Not wanting to be left out, the drum pavilion and the lifting pavilion eagerly begin their evening performance.

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Qiantong Lantern Festival - a grand event that has lasted for 500 years. During the festival, the children of the Tong family, wearing heavy makeup, are shown on the pavilion. Confucian culture has a long history in Qiantong.



The procession of carrying pavilions through the streets and alleys protects the prosperity of the descendants of the Tong family and is a unique landscape in Qiantong folk customs.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, several schools in Yin County (formerly Ningbo) were ravaged by the Japanese invaders and eventually relocated to Qiantong to form a joint school. This monument commemorates the reopening of classes. Apparently, this place was relatively remote at the time, providing temporary refuge. Another introductory note: In 1945, at the end of their invasion of China, the Japanese invaders captured Ninghai County. Less than a year later, Japan surrendered and the region was liberated.

The entrance to the ancient town. We arrived before 7:00 am and were free to enter and exit. After 9:00 pm, there was a gatekeeper.

Wandering around the village, we saw locals visiting relatives and tourists, and many homes were filled with gatherings of friends and family. A virtuous daughter-in-law shared rice cakes with her octogenarian mother-in-law; a kind grandmother invited us into her home for a tour. During our visit, I chatted with some villagers and felt it was a shame that many houses had fallen into disrepair. They could open a hotel or tour the village, freeing many villagers from having to leave their homes to earn money. The villagers seemed unenthusiastic about the idea of charging entrance fees, saying the money wouldn't benefit the villagers. Some villagers even offered suggestions for making it easier to enter and exit the village. In my opinion, if the local government truly wants to benefit the people and preserve the ancient town's character, they could encourage and guide villagers to effectively utilize the village's existing buildings, perhaps opening something similar to a hotel. This should be done by the villagers themselves. Otherwise, the houses will be worm-eaten and water-rotten, leaving only the elderly and children guarding the precious ancient village year-round while the younger generation leaves to earn money outside. It's a dissonance. Nowadays, if tourists want to stay overnight, they can only stay in a limited number of hotels outside the village, which is completely different from the feeling of staying in an ancient house in the village.

The main attractions in the village include the layout of the ancient town streets and alleys, the shape of the ancient houses and courtyards, brick carvings, wood carvings, stone carvings, and ancient wells.

At noon, I took a minibus to Ninghai (4.5 yuan fare), which took over 20 minutes. I crossed the Yuelong Bridge and waited for bus No. 107 at the foot of a mountain next to a temple to the passenger terminal. The fare was 1 yuan. The expressway cost 30 yuan and the journey to Ningbo took over an hour and 20 minutes.

A beautiful and relatively well-preserved ancient town. Of course, it's also one that's slowly disappearing. It's well worth a visit.

The Qiantong Visitor Service Center is quite well-built, with a spacious parking lot for 5 yuan. Simply provide the name you provided during your online reservation at the ticket counter, pay, and collect your ticket—very convenient. The 700-800-meter walk from the center to the scenic area entrance is available via electric sightseeing buses for 2 yuan each way. Walking along Qiantong's cobblestone paths, you'll find the tranquil water flowing by the roadside, and alongside you'll be greeted by Ming and Qing dynasty buildings with dark blue bricks and black tiles, their beams and rafters richly decorated with carvings. The intricate horse-head walls and stone window lattices create a quaint atmosphere, making it no wonder Chen Yifei chose this spot to film his film "The Barber."

Perhaps because this place does not have the commercial atmosphere of Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, it still has a rare simplicity and nature. The old houses here are old and gray, and the walls are dim due to vicissitudes of life. It seems like returning to childhood, everything is so warm and familiar.

This is where the Baixi River flows into the canal, flowing around every house and connecting each house with a small bridge over the water. There are winding paths leading to secluded places, and every house has a cobblestone path leading to it.

The ancient town of Qiantong becomes more peaceful and graceful in the rain. The cobblestone roads are covered with moss.

I wandered into the ancient town and was very disappointed. It didn't feel like an ancient town at all. It was very commercial.

Then we climbed Lushan Mountain, where we could see the whole panorama of the ancient town. It was quite high.

The GPS showed it was only 18 kilometers from Wenquan to Qiantong. I chose the "system recommended" route and drove off. But then something started to feel off. The GPS took me onto the highway, and it took me 35 kilometers to reach my destination. Later, I figured the 18 kilometers might be the distance along a village road.

At Qiantong Ancient Village, you can buy a ticket at the service area after entering the parking lot. The regular fare is 60 yuan, and during festivals it's 70 yuan. Discounts are only available for those over 70 years old. As other hikers have mentioned, the distance from the ticket office to this gate is over 700 meters. Electric carts are available, costing 2 yuan one way and 4 yuan round trip.

The ancient village is well preserved. After all, there are still villagers living in it, so it is not a deserted city.

This is the home of an official of the next rank. The house is very old and has been there for hundreds of years, but its carved and painted beams are worth seeing. It is conceivable that it must have been magnificent and grand at that time.