Top 10 Ancient Towns to Experience Antique Sichuan Features

Huanglongxi Ancient Town of more than 1,700 years old is located at the southwest edge of Shuangliu, Chengdu. It is the best preserved ancient town in western Sichuan and has been listed as the top tourist attractions in Chengdu. So many Chengdunese like to go to Huanglongxi Ancient Town see this profound ancient town during weekend and holidays. This place is themed with spring and stream, therefore, ancient streets scattered with stores selling local snacks and special old objects, ancient trees towering for more than one hundred years, ancient folk houses in pile dwelling style, and traditional activities of Sichuan features are presented in this antique town. Visitors can walk along the old walkway and taste the local snacks, which is really enjoyable!

Luodai Ancient Town is situated 10 km north from Longquan, Chengdu. It has been prosperous from a street since Han dynasty, about over 1,800 years ago. And since this ancient town is most famous for its large number of Hakka immigrants, it is called the “No. 1 Hakka Town in West China”. Strolling on the old streets for more than one thousand years, you can see the precious historic sites, Hakka folk buildings, taste Hakka food, hear the Hakka dialect, watch wonderful traditional shows, and experience the mixture of culture of Sichuan inhabitants and Hakka people. Moreover, Luodai Ancient Town is a lucky and unforgettable memory to join in the local activities like Fire-dragon Festival and Water-dragon Festival in summer.

Jiezi Ancient Town is around 50 km from Chengdu and has a long history of over one thousand years. Enjoying continuous clear water all year round and moisture climate, Jiezi Ancient Town is called the “Watery Town in Western Sichuan” and the “Hometown of Orchard”. Since it is also the home town of the “One Gourd Ladle Poet” - Tang Qiu, this ancient town is full of historic and cultural glamour. As a result, people can appreciate its eye-pleasing landscape with water and blossoms and admire the ancient temples, ginkgoes of more than one thousand years, ancient towers from Qing dynasty and try the delicious food here, such as the Jiezi Tang Sesame Cake.

Anren Ancient Town was first built in 620 AD in Dayin County of Chengdu. The buildings in Anren Ancient Town are distinctive from those in other ancient towns, and most are courtyards of the combination of eastern and western style, grand, elegant and handsome. Visitors can see a string of significant old buildings from Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, such as the Liu’s Manor and Liu Wenhui’s Mansion among all the 27 mansions within this town. What’s more, the Jianchuan Museum Cluster that tells the vital events, historical war, folk customs, earthquakes and other aspects in Sichuan always gives tourists a new experience.

Shangli Ancient Town is located at Ya’an city, about 140 km southwest from Chengdu downtown. Though Shangli Ancient Town is not very famous as Langzhong Ancient City or others, this one is bestowed with very fascinating sightseeing, with lush mountains surrounding and crystal clear water running by. Tourists who come here can be totally intoxicated in this fairyland. Dozens of treasurable constructions here in Shangli Ancient Town are very interesting and rich in meaning, like the old tower, old bridges, old springs, old archways and old building groups. Moreover, since the Red Army has passed Shangli Ancient Town in the Anti-Japanese War period, a lot of relics and cultural sites can be found here.

Pingle Ancient Town in Qionglai city is about 19 km southwest from Qionglai city, 90 km southwest from Chengdu city and has a long history of more than 2,000 years. Since it not only is the starting point of the Southern Silk Road, but also featured in quaint streets and unsophisticated folk customs of western Sichuan people, Shangli Ancient Town has a very important status among visitors. Everything will calm down here with the clever mountains, lakes, flowers, trees, etc., and every corner shows the antique flavor of this old town, the streets, temples, weirs, bridges, trees, paths, archways, customs, songs, and so on. This is really a great place to enjoy the beautiful landscape and feel the authentic customs of western Sichuan.

Situated at the west bank of Yangtze River, east suburb of Yibin city, southern Sichuan Lizhuang Ancient Town is more than 1,460 years old. As being one of the important cultural centers in the Anti-Japanese War period, this town is rich in historic culture, and now some words, materials of that period still remain in this old town. Walking on the crossing paths paved with flagstones linking the town together, watching the small stores selling local snacks and handicrafts, appreciating courtyards, tasting the old wine, you can feel the real traditional life of southern Sichuan. And the famous Lizhuang Plain Boiled Pork of special Yibin flavor will make your visit to Lizhaung Ancient Town perfect.

Liujiang Ancient Town is first built over 800 years ago and located about 150 km southwest from Chengdu. Being the “Top 10 Ancient Towns in China”, Liujiang Ancient Town enjoys more than old streets filled with local customs, 108 ancient trees for over 1,000 years, ancient wharf prosperous in the past, old houses of renowned hosts, special courtyards of Chinese and Western styles, the world largest lying Bodhisattva, etc. but is abundant with fascinating natural scenery as well, clear water embracing, green peaks surrounding, various birds flying, fishes swimming in the lakes, lush trees forming a mystery forest, colorful blossoms dancing along the blowing wind… All are like in a Chinese ink landscape painting.

Yuelai Ancient Town is situated 8 km from Dayi County in the western Chengdu plateau, near to Xiling Snow Mountain, and Huashuiwan Hot Spring Resort. This ancient town is not big with 4 streets, along which are buildings of western Sichuan style from late Qing dynasty to the Republic of China, and a large number of folk houses combined with Chinese and Western features, which is the special aspect of Yuelai Ancient Town. Furthermore, visitors can appreciate the various delicate wood carvings on the external walls made of very thick bricks and stones. Wandering on the ancient paths, you can see many local residents drinking scented tea while playing the long suit of Sichuan characteristic, and feel the leisure time here.

Luocheng Ancient Town is first built in 1628 and situated 60 km from Leshan city. Although it is not the oldest ancient town, it has great fame home and abroad due to its ship-shaped street. And also it is called the “Noah’s Ark in China” for that. Besides the ancient buildings in mosaic style, there are a series of precious temples that have long history. And on the ship-shaped street, there are some drama stages for the performance of Sichuan Opera, which is the unique experience among all the ancient towns in Sichuan. Along the streets, local people often sit here drinking liquor, tasting tea, enjoying ditties, etc. And since seven minorities like Han, Tibetan, Miao, etc. live here, tourists can enjoy different cultures in this mysterious place and taste their featured snacks.