Eastern Ancient Castle｜Taoping Qiang Village

📍 Taoping Township, Lixian County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province

🏰 Taoping Qiang Village is nestled by the mountains and water, with fertile soil and abundant water. The Zagu Nao River, a tributary of the Min River, flows through the village. It is a typical representation of Qiang ethnic architecture. The village is filled with yellow-brown stone houses built step by step along the steep mountain slopes, with numerous watchtowers standing among them, earning it the title of the most mysterious "Eastern Ancient Castle." Its well-developed underground water system, extensive passageways, and maze-like architectural art combining watchtowers have been praised by scholars at home and abroad as a "living fossil of Qiang architectural art."

⏰ Open from 09:00 to 18:00, open all year round.

📷 There are three viewing platforms on the mountains on both sides of the village, each offering a high-altitude panoramic view of the Qiang village and the beautiful mountains and rivers from different angles. Be sure to climb them if you have time.

💰 The main attraction is the old village, with an entrance fee of 60 yuan per person; (friends from designated areas in Zhejiang can enter for free, so be sure to check the free ticket policies of various scenic spots. Many classic sites in Aba Prefecture offer free or half-price tickets for friends from Zhejiang, which is great!)

🚗 There is a parking lot next to the scenic area, offering paid parking services at 10 yuan per vehicle. Actually, parking on the roadside is also fine, as the roadside is usually full of parked cars.

👔 Try to avoid wearing skirts, as climbing the watchtowers requires climbing many wooden ladders, and some places are very narrow. Wearing comfortable clothes is better!

Post by James Reed#63 | Oct 24, 2025