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When it comes to ancient towns, the first thing that comes to mind is the famous six ancient towns in the Jiangnan region, such as Wuzhen and Xitang. However, my country is actually home to many other unique and treasured ancient towns. Not only in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but also in places like Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, and even Beijing, there are many ancient towns worth visiting and full of the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year waiting to be discovered. Today, we will introduce you to 12 niche and interesting ancient towns, perfect for planning your Lunar New Year holiday!
📍Location: Anhua North Road, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City
It is said that Anchang Ancient Town is the life of the old Shaoxing people described by Lu Xun, with water on the south bank, oars sounds and lights, and time passes slowly.
Anchang Ancient Town is a typical Jiangnan water town. There has been no large-scale development here, and the streets still retain the authentic flavor of cured duck and sausage.
The streets of the ancient town are long and narrow, with a total length of 2-3 kilometers. A river runs through it, with old houses scattered on both sides. Walking back and forth is the best way to visit the ancient town, which takes about 3 hours.
Remember Lu Xun's "Kong Yiji"? Here, you can find a genuine "Xianheng Hotel." Order a pot of Shaoxing rice wine, a plate of steamed and pickled herring and fennel beans, and listen to the street vendors hawking sugar. The simple atmosphere of everyday life will make you feel like you're in the time and space of Ah Q in Lu Xun's novel.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation Recommendation: [Self-driving] 1.5 hours from Hangzhou, 1 hour from Shaoxing
3. Delicacies: steamed buns with fermented rice wine, various cured meats, fermented bean curd, pickled mustard greens, rice wine, fennel beans, and pulled sugar
4. Recommended activities: the Master's Hall, the Stone Sculpture Hall, the Former Site of the Bank of China, the Folk Customs Hall, the Renchang Sauce Factory, and the Wupeng Boat
📍Location: About 200 meters north of the intersection of Yuanyuan Road and Xixiaohe Street, Linping District, Hangzhou
Tangqi Ancient Town, a canalside water town steeped in the nostalgic charm of Jiangnan, is also the closest ancient town to Hangzhou's main urban area. If you haven't heard of it, you've undoubtedly heard of the Grand Canal, with Tangqi Ancient Town situated at the starting point of the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal.
Tangqi Ancient Town has a long history. It was a gathering place for merchants in the Yuan Dynasty. It became even richer in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is ranked first among the "Top Ten Famous Towns in Jiangnan". There are many cultural relics and heritage sites here, such as the Guangji Bridge, the Qianlong Imperial Stele, the Shuinan Niangniang Temple, etc., which are silently telling us the history of the past.
There are old buildings here from ancient times, and the hawkers on both sides of the road are constantly shouting. Just looking at Tangqi will give you the feeling of visiting a temple fair as a child.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation Recommendation: Take Hangzhou Metro Line 1 to Linping Station and transfer to Bus No. 786
3. Food: Fagen Cake, Wang Damama Zongzi Shop, Steamed Rice Cake, and Meatballs
4. Recommended places to visit: Guangji Ancient Bridge, Shuibei Street, and Jingshan Temple
📍Location: No. 51, Renrui Road, Nanxun District, Huzhou City
It's said everyone dreams of a Jiangnan water town. Having visited Wuzhen and Xitang, the most endearing and unforgettable place is undoubtedly Nanxun. Nanxun Ancient Town still retains its simple folk customs and authentic atmosphere. It's not overdeveloped, and its architecture showcases a fusion of Eastern and Western influences.
Nanxun has produced many remarkable people and is also a hub for wealthy merchants, including Shen Wansan, the richest man in Jiangnan. Coming here, you can fully experience the gentleness and tranquility of the Jiangnan water town, as if you were in a secluded place away from the world.
Tips:
1. Ticket price: 100 yuan, 75 yuan for online purchase
2. Transportation: Take the high-speed rail to Huzhou, then take bus 101 directly to Nanxun Ancient Town
3. Delicacies: Embroidered brocade, thousand-piece buns, double-cross noodles, Huyang, Xun hoof, Taihu whitefish
4. Recommended places to play: Baijianlou, Xiaolianzhuang, Gujia Grandpa and Grandma Shop, Chunlan Tea House, Rowing Boat
📍Location: No. 15, Changshouli, Liangxi District, Wuxi City
Huishan Ancient Town boasts three key attractions: numerous historical sites, numerous temples, and numerous ancestral halls. Compared to other ancient towns in Jiangnan, Huishan Ancient Town boasts a much less commercial atmosphere and offers a wide variety of delicious and enjoyable activities at affordable prices. Less than 3 kilometers from downtown Wuxi, Huishan Ancient Town is known as the "Open-Air Museum of Wuxi's History and Culture," attracting numerous tourists.
A visit to Huishan Ancient Town is a must-see for the ancestral halls within. Most of these ancestral halls date back to the Tang Dynasty and the Republic of China period, and many are designated as key ancestral hall complexes under national cultural heritage protection and are on the tentative list for World Cultural Heritage. The memorial archway inscribed with the inscription "Outstanding People and Beautiful Land" is a landmark of Huishan Ancient Town.
The ancient town is also home to a wealth of delicious food. In the morning, enjoy a bowl of Huishan Tofu Pudding, sprinkled with chopped green onions, dried shrimp, and preserved mustard greens, or a piece of Wuxi's uniquely soft and glutinous "Plum Blossom Cake." At noon, enjoy a bowl of noodles from Xin Wanxin Silver Silk Noodle House. In the afternoon, try the glutinous rice balls from Qingshan Restaurant, with sesame and meat fillings, and both savory and sweet options. This is the most authentic Wuxi life.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation Recommendation: Take the high-speed rail to Wuxi Station, and take bus No. 207 from North Square and get off at Yinyuan Park Station; or take bus No. 83 from Wuxi Railway Station and get off at Huishan Station.
3. Food: Fried pastry, Old Street fried bread, highland barley steamed buns, Huishan tofu pudding
4. Recommended places to visit: Pioneer Bookstore, Jichang Garden, Xihui Park
📍 Location: No. 43, Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan City, Suzhou
"Water towns are full of narrow alleys, and every house is nestled along the river." Zhouzhuang, a place whose vibrant life is fueled by water, is a place where streets are built along the river, with arcades crossing the streets. The gurgling water and the pavilions along the banks of the river are perfectly integrated, creating a scene filled with poetic beauty.
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is surrounded by water. The river formed the town, the waterfront formed the streets, and the streets became the market. Fourteen ancient stone bridges dating from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties are well-preserved across the well-shaped river. Over 800 indigenous households live along the river, and over 60% of the residences retain the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Tips:
1. Ticket price: 100 yuan/person
2. Transportation Recommendation: [Self-driving] About 2.5 hours from Hangzhou, about 1.5 hours from Shanghai
3. Delicacies: Wansan pig's trotters, clam meat and tofu, sock-bottom pastry, Wansan cake, green rice dumplings, and Sanmao Teahouse
4. Recommended activities: Shen Hall, Zhang Hall, Shuangqiao, Zhouzhuang Museum, Carton King Theme Park, boat tour, Nanhu night view
📍Location: Heshun Town, Tengchong City, Baoshan City
In this border town with a history of over 600 years, you can see ancestral halls, memorial archways, ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the smell of fireworks from vendors in the alleys in the early morning.
Most of the people in the ancient town are locals, so the local customs and culture have been preserved to a large extent. There are 8 ancestral halls in Heshun, which are not only the landmark buildings of Heshun Ancient Town, but also a place to learn about the history of Heshun. It is a must-see.
In Heshun, start the day with a bowl of thin bean noodles with fried dough sticks, then visit the morning market in the heart of the ancient town. Spend the morning strolling through the streets of the old town, and for lunch, visit a local family-run private restaurant. The Burmese painted fish and steamed egg with matsutake and black truffles are incredibly delicious. In the afternoon, find a teahouse to relax and chat with the owner about local life. Relaxing through tea is a daily routine in Tengchong. In the evening, be sure to experience Tengchong's hot springs. Bailian Hot Springs, located right next to the old town, offers a stunning setting, and soaking in the sunset is simply pleasurable.
Tips:
1. Ticket price: 55 yuan per person
2. Transportation Recommendation: Tengchong Tuofeng Airport is a 20-minute taxi ride away; Tengchong Bus Station is about a 15-minute taxi ride away.
3. Delicacies: Cun Dama bean flour, Lin Dama pine flower cake
4. Recommended places to visit: Cross Street Morning Market, Heshun Library, Wild Duck Lake, Wanlouzi, and Eight Surnames Ancestral Hall
📍Location: County Road 084, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
Shaxi Ancient Town in Dali, Yunnan, hailed by the United Nations as "the only surviving market town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road," is a truly pristine ancient town. If Shuhe is the Lijiang of 10 years ago, then Shaxi is the Lijiang of 20 years ago. While the alleys, flowing water, and square streets are the same, Shaxi offers a more quaint, authentic feel.
This is an area where ethnic minorities live, mainly Bai, with Han, Yi and Lisu people living together. It is a place praised by people as "a land of fish and rice and a land of song and dance with beautiful mountains, beautiful waters, beautiful plains and even more beautiful girls."
Stroll along the red sandstone slabs of the ancient street, climb onto the ancient stage, visit the shops and inns of Sifang Street, walk across the Yujin Bridge over the Heihui River, go to Xingjiao Temple to experience the temple that combines various schools of Buddhism, listen to the ancient music of Shaxi Cave Sutra, enjoy the traditional Bai Bawang Whip, dance the traditional Bai Xiao Lazhe dance, listen to a Bai tune sung by a Shaxi girl, and taste Shaxi's local specialties. It is very suitable for tourists who like to spend their days leisurely, bask in the sun, daydream, and take humanistic photography.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation recommendation: [Self-driving] About 2 hours from Dali
3. Food: Donkey Beef Hot Pot with Skin, Universe Bread, Shaxi Mabang Restaurant, Three Fish Snack Shop, Love and Ancient Food
4. Recommended places to visit: Sifang Street, Ancient Theater, Xingjiao Temple, Yujin Bridge, and Pioneer Bookstore
📍Location: No. 1, Huangyao Town, Zhaoping County, Hezhou City
Someone once described Huangyao like this: "Huangyao Ancient Town is like a thousand-year-old poetry collection, forgotten on a secluded shelf in a library. When people inadvertently walk by and open this beautiful chapter, they will immediately be conquered by its simple and elegant style."
Huangyao Ancient Town, located in Hezhou, Guangxi, is surrounded by towering peaks, dense bamboo forests, and clear streams. Its buildings, arranged according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams formation, are Lingnan-style and blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The streets are paved entirely with gray-black stone slabs, remaining intact and smooth despite the vicissitudes of life.
Huangyao Douchi (Fried Black Beans) gets its name from the ancient town of Huangyao, where it's produced. Refined through over a decade of research, it's crafted using Huangyao's unique black beans, spring water from Xianjing, and the unique craftsmanship of the indigenous people. Its rich aroma makes it a must-have souvenir.
Tips:
1. Ticket price: 75 yuan per person
2. Transportation Recommendation: [Self-driving] About 1 hour from Guilin
3. Delicacies: Stuffed Tofu, Sour Plum Duck, Pork Belly with Black Bean Sauce, Bitter Melon and Beef
4. Recommended gameplay: Dragon Claw Banyan, Watchtower, Guo Family Courtyard, Immortal Ancient Well, Dragon Bridge, and various ancestral halls
📍 Location: Xinjie, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin
Everyone knows that Guilin's landscapes are among the best in the world, but lesser-known is that Yangshuo, Guilin's most beautiful scenery, is also the setting for the background image on the 20-yuan RMB note. In July 1998, then-US President Bill Clinton toured the Li River and visited Xingping Fishing Village, sparking a wave of tourists from China and abroad who sought to follow in the president's footsteps.
Xingping Ancient Town is located northeast of Yangshuo, 25 kilometers from the county seat, where the Li River makes a sharp curve. Nestled between mountains and water, Xingping boasts a breathtaking scenery, with whitewashed walls, black tiles, and slate-paved alleys, making it one of the most beautiful ancient towns along the Li River. While the scenery is truly breathtaking, Xingping itself is relatively small, with relatively few shops to explore. The small shops and buildings along the street retain a pristine, ancient atmosphere.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation recommendation: [Bus] Depart from Yangshuo Bus Station, it takes about 40 minutes to arrive, 10 yuan/person; if you depart from Yangshuo High-speed Railway Station, it only takes 15 minutes.
3. Food: That small shop, private restaurant, old neighborhood restaurant
4. Recommended attractions: Laozhai Mountain, Yellow Cloth Reflection (pictured on the back of the 20-yuan RMB), Pier, Xianggong Mountain, Nine Horse Painting Mountain, Chaoban Mountain
📍Location: Anchu Road, Dayi County, Chengdu
Xinchang Ancient Town, known as the "last plain in western Sichuan," is a renowned historical and cultural town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. It's the largest and best-preserved ancient town in Sichuan. Most of the buildings date back to the Qing and Republican periods, showcasing a rich tapestry of folk customs and farming culture.
Free from excessive commercialization, the small shops in the ancient town primarily sell locally produced products. The town is nestled beside a river called Xihe, and built along its banks, it's often referred to as the "Western Sichuan Basin" by locals. Amidst the lush greenery and fragrant flowers, birdsong and the gurgling water, the townspeople leisurely chat and play mahjong, while cats lazily lie on the ground basking in the sun. Everything is tranquil and pristine.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation Recommendation: [Self-driving] Depart from Chengdu and drive for about 1.5 hours to arrive
3. Delicious food: Xinchang blood curd, sesame duck, and meat tofu pudding
4. Recommended places to visit: Yaoshi Rock, Chuanwang Palace, and Old Street
📍Location: Qionglai City, Chengdu
Jiaguan Ancient Town, with a history spanning over 2,300 years, is one of the three major ancient towns in Qionglai and a key post station on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. Surrounded by mountains, it boasts a pristine, pure, and tranquil environment, remaining largely untouched by commercialization. Ancient houses, watchtowers, and covered bridges blend seamlessly into the lush greenery and mountains.
Tips:
1. Tickets: Free
2. Transportation Recommendation: [Self-driving] Depart from Chengdu and get to Jiaguan Town, about 1.5 hours
3. Food: Mabang cuisine
4. Recommended activities: Ancient Tea Horse Road ruins, ancient bridge monument, stone archway, Xiangya Temple, tea mountain
📍Location: Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing
Can you believe it? Just outside Beijing lies a place reminiscent of a Jiangnan water town. Not only can you enjoy water activities, but you can also admire the mountains. The Simatai Great Wall is also located here. It's the perfect weekend getaway for the family.
Beijing's winters are brutally cold, but at Gubei Water Town, playing in the water becomes ice skating. A wide variety of ice activities attract visitors of all ages, including ice sleds, ice slides, bumper cars, and ice sculptures. If the cold outside is too cold, there are plenty of fun activities indoors, like New Year paintings, kites, paper cuttings, lanterns, tie-dyeing, and more—all fun and DIY.
Tips:
1. Ticket price: 140 yuan
2. Transportation recommendation: [Self-driving] From Beijing, about 2 hours
3. Recommended activities: ice entertainment, Simatai Great Wall, mountaintop church, hand-dyeing, outdoor hot springs
There are so many ancient towns in China, and many of them have not yet been discovered. If you have any recommendations, you can leave a message in the comment area.
