Live Your Best Lives
Explore the well-preserved ancient architecture and narrow streets of Qiluo Ancient Town. You can visit traditional workshops, stroll along the old streets, and experience local culture. Don't miss the old city wall and watch the beautiful sunset from the town's elevated areas.
Qiluo is located at the southern foot of Laifeng Mountain in Tengchong City, about 4 kilometers north of the county seat, covering a total area of approximately 30 square kilometers. It is divided into Upper Qiluo, Middle Qiluo, and Lower Qiluo. It is a renowned overseas Chinese hometown with beautiful scenery, a long history, numerous talented people, and simple folk customs. It is also a renowned cultural town in Tengchong. Lower Qiluo, an ancient village of about 500 households, was known for its scholarly atmosphere. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it produced 11 generals and 67 Jinshi, Juren, and Gongsheng scholars. Qiluo is named after the ribbon-like river in front of the village, which resembles silk.
Qiluo Town is a crisscross of alleyways, with residents living according to their surnames, forming their own lanes. Each lane entrance boasts a "main gate," serving as a shared entrance for all households. The town's roads are paved with one to three rows of stone slabs, making mud rare during the rainy season. Opposite the "main gate" is often a platform with a half-moon screen wall built to protect feng shui. Camphor trees are planted on either side of the platform, with stone platforms beneath them, creating a truly elegant atmosphere.
The narrow stone-paved road of Qiluo Ancient Town is lined with ordinary farmhouses and dilapidated mansions. But after a bend, a vast expanse of open space emerges. Small bridges, flowing water, ancient trees, and the magnificent buildings of blue brick, green tiles, and double eaves create a tranquil and harmonious scene.
The tropical monsoon climate combines the advantages of continental and maritime climates. Winter and spring are sunny and warm, while summer and autumn have a mix of sunny and rainy weather and are cool and pleasant. All four seasons are suitable for travel.
There are many cultural relics in Qiluo Town, and there is a saying that there are "one palace, two temples, and five ancestral halls", namely Wenchang Palace, Shuiying Temple, Jinglan Temple, Qingqi Li Clan Ancestral Hall, "Yuhu" Li Clan Ancestral Hall (destroyed), Yin Clan Ancestral Hall, Duan Clan Ancestral Hall, etc. Most of them are buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and have become living fossils of Qiluo Town's ancient buildings.
Walking through the alleys and passing through the main gates, a cluster of towering ancient buildings comes into view: Qiluo's famous Wenchang Palace. Its towering pavilions, with eaves reaching into the sky, exude a solemn and majestic grandeur. Located on a golden turtle-shaped mound on the banks of the Qiluo River in front of the village, Wenchang Palace combines the architecture of a Confucian temple with that of a Taoist temple.
Shuiying Temple, located at the foot of Shuiwei Mountain in Qiluo, faces Wenchang Palace across the water. It is known for its beautiful ambiance: "Water reflects the temple, the temple reflects the water, and the water flows through the temple." Construction began in 1524, the third year of the Jiajing reign. Shuiying Temple comprises the mountain gate, Maitreya Hall, Main Hall, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Guanyin Hall, Three Officials Hall, and other ancillary buildings. It is one of the eight great ancient temples in Tengchong.
The Qiluo Library, built in 1919, predates the Heshun Library. Its main entrance features a traditional screen-walled structure, exuding a simple and elegant aesthetic. The building houses a lending room, a reading room, a children's reading room, and a newspaper storage area, making it a relatively comprehensive rural library. With a collection of over 10,000 books, it is considered the leading village library in China.
It is recommended to visit for about 1 day.
free
Open all day
Qiluo Ancient Town is a historical town that dates back over 500 years. It was an important trade center in the region and has preserved many traditional buildings, offering a glimpse into the ancient culture and architecture of southwestern China.
Qiluo Ancient Town is located in Baoshan, Yunnan Province. The most convenient way to get there is by taxi or private car from the nearby city center, which is around 30 minutes away. Public transportation options might be limited.
Qiluo Ancient Town is open year-round. The best times to visit are during spring and autumn when the weather is mild. Avoid the summer peak tourist season if you prefer fewer crowds.
The entrance fee is approximately ¥40. Tickets can be purchased on-site, but it is also possible to buy them online through local tourism websites, especially during high tourist seasons.
Booking tickets in advance is not necessary, except during peak seasons like Chinese New Year or national holidays, when it is advisable to book a few days ahead.
It typically takes 2-3 hours to explore the town, including visiting the key historical sites, walking through the ancient streets, and enjoying the local atmosphere. If you plan to visit the surrounding countryside or engage in more leisurely activities, consider spending half a day.
Must-see highlights include the old town gates, traditional courtyard houses, and ancient temples. The old city wall and narrow cobblestone streets are perfect for photography. Visit the local workshops to observe traditional handicrafts.
Guided tours in Chinese are available. Audio guides may be available in Chinese as well, but English guides are limited. It's recommended to arrange a guide in advance if you're not familiar with Chinese.
The best viewpoints are from the old city walls and elevated areas surrounding the town, offering panoramic views of the ancient streets and surrounding landscapes. The narrow alleys also provide great photo opportunities for capturing local life.
Start by visiting the main gate, then walk through the ancient streets, stopping at historical sites like the old city walls and temples. End your visit with a stop at one of the elevated viewpoints to take in the scenery.
There are no special night tours or light shows in Qiluo Ancient Town. However, the town is peaceful in the evening, and you can enjoy a quiet stroll through the streets after sunset.
Qiluo Ancient Town can be crowded during national holidays and weekends. The least crowded times are early in the morning or on weekdays, especially during the off-peak tourist seasons (late autumn and early winter).
Basic facilities such as toilets, rest areas, and shops are available in the town. There are several small shops selling local crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. For more extensive dining options, visit the nearby town of Baoshan.
The town’s narrow streets and uneven cobblestone paths may be challenging for elderly or disabled visitors. Children can explore the town, but adult supervision is recommended in the more crowded areas.
Cash is accepted, but mobile payments (like WeChat Pay and Alipay) are commonly used. Credit cards may not be widely accepted, so it's advisable to have some cash or use mobile payment options.
There are a few small restaurants and local eateries offering traditional Yunnan dishes inside the town. For more variety, head to Baoshan where you'll find a wider selection of restaurants and cafes.
Vegetarian food options are available in Qiluo Ancient Town, with many Yunnan dishes catering to plant-based diets. Halal food options may be limited in the town, but Baoshan offers more variety in this regard.
Nearby hotels in Baoshan provide accommodation options, ranging from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels. There are also some guesthouses near the town itself, offering a more traditional experience.
Nearby attractions include the Baoshan Stone Forest and Tengchong Hot Springs. These sites are within a few hours' drive and can easily be combined into a day trip with Qiluo Ancient Town.
There are several souvenir shops selling handmade crafts, such as pottery, embroidery, and local textiles. Traditional Yunnan tea and local snacks are also popular souvenirs.
The best transportation options to continue your trip are by taxi or private car. Baoshan city is nearby, where you can access buses or taxis to other parts of Yunnan, including Tengchong and the Stone Forest.
