Some of the most beautiful ancient towns in China
China has an extraordinarily long history so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that with that there are a lot of very, very ancient towns in China. As emperors came and went so did towns either being forgotten of transforming into some of China’s bustling cities. Fortunately, there are still some places you can go to experience the old way of Chinese life. China’s ancient towns make very interesting places to explore , below are some of the most beautiful ancient towns or villages in China that would be a good choose for you if you want to have a leisure vacation.
1. Wuzhen Water Town- Zhejiang
Wuzhen, one of the top 10 charming famous towns in China, has long history of over 1300 years. Also, as one of the top 6 ancient towns in Jiangnan area, Wuzhen Water Town is your ideal place to savor the authentic features of a Jiangnan water town. In this best ancient place, streets are built along the water path with old bridges linking together into a complicated net, and the ancient houses constructed by two banks of the small river provide best cradle of the pure life of the locals.
Though this ancient town has been so aged, it still keeps the original appearance and a lot of praisable carving techniques on the doors, windows, pillars, etc. for visitors’ admiration. Besides, no matter you leisurely stroll on the old paths, sit on a small boat to see the onshore scene, visit the top sites to get close to their culture and history or take some great pictures of this amazing beauty, you could surely enjoy your wonderful go!
2. Fenghuang Ancient Town - Hunan
Fenghuang Ancient Town is a particular old town of ethnic culture of Miao and Tujia minority groups in the western Hunan province. With the special wooden tilted-houses standing on the two banks of Tuojiang River floating through, Fenghuang is a charming ethnic lady for your discovery. For the fascination of Fenghuang, an Irish writer praised Fenghuang as the “most beautiful town in China” after his visit.
It is said time slows down in Fenghuang, so when you visit there, you could shower in the sunshine along the hundreds-year old streets, appreciate the look of this town on the old pavilion of the bridge, walk across the stones on the river, take a boat to see the vivid scenes onshore, immerse into the romantic night splendors of the old but vigorous old town in China. Furthermore, a series of interesting ancient sites still tell about the stories and legend of famous writer Shen Congwen and others, and the relation and development of the ethnic groups for your enjoyment.
3. Zhouzhuang Water Town- Suzhou
The well-known Zhouzhuang is praised as the “No.1 Water Town in China”. keeping over 60% residential buildings of Ming and Qing styles and 14 distinctly featured ancient bridges and the idyllic structure of water winding across the houses, Zhouzhuang Water Town shows perfectly of the scenes of small bridges, floating water and households in people’s dreams.
As a historic and typical water town near Suzhou, the black tiles and white walls, red lanterns hung on eaves, drifting boats along the narrow water way, calling of local products from the wooden shops, and the real life of local residents, you would have a true experience of a water town of tender Jiangnan style. Also, as the hometown of the famous businessman Shen Wansan and the world influential painter Shen Yifei, you could visit their old places to know their stories and savor their ancient buildings. During every minute in Zhouzhuang, all the worries and troubles would disappear, what left there is the interest of getting lost in the maze and enjoy the pure life style in old China.
4. Hongcun Ancient Village- Huangshan
Representing old villages of Anhui style, Hongcun is really a great place to enjoy the traditional Chinese image. It has been listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site and reputed as the ancient village in Chinese paintings for its amazing landscape. This old village was established during 1131-1162 AD, but for near 900 years, it preserves its buildings and layout really well.
Besides, the world famous movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed in this place, so this attraction has been increasingly popular. If you visit this village, do not miss its two major essences. One is the waterscape formed by the water conservation system, which you could enjoy at the large South Lake and the half-moon shaped Yue Zhao; another is the three carvings of Anhui category on the local buildings, namely the brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings, and all that are exquisite like paper cuttings. As Hongcun is so tranquil and elegant that you are recommended stay some days to appreciate the different sceneries from the morning mists to the night moon light.
5. Wuyuan Village - Jiangxi
Wuyuan is one the places preserving the most and best old buildings in China, with 113 old memorial halls, 28 old mansions, 36 old private houses, and 187 old bridges. Also, it is complimented as the “most beautiful village in China”, is an ideal place to treat your eyes and mind in all the four distinct seasons, particularly during spring and autumn. From middle March to April, the shimmering sea of rape flowers attracts a large number of photographers to record the fabulous landscapes, and also you could also taste the fresh spring green tea during such nice months.
Besides, in the middle and later part of every November, fiery red and golden leaves contrasting the monochrome old rural houses with the surrounding morning mists changes Wuyuan into an idyllic fairyland. More importantly, Wuyuan gives you more surprise in the fall when the large-scaled crops drying scenes would put on a show by the local villagers drying their bumper crops under the sun, which is a nice opportunity to enjoy the traditional culture and life of Wuyuan village.
6. Xitang Water Town - Zhejiang
Xitang is described as living ancient town. This old water town of more than 10 centuries old maintains its simple and ancient characteristics with a featured leisurable and cozy life style. The countless specially shaped ancient bridges and lanes is one of the unique features of Xitang Ancient Town. And after the shooting of the world famous Hollywood movie Mission Impossible 3, this mysterious old place has been listed in the traveling lists of more visitors in and to China.
Therefore, even you take a simple walk along the old streets, lanes or take a ramble boat to enjoy the antique houses and their reflections on the glittering water, happiness and interesting time you could easy enjoy. During day time, you could savor the real life style of locals by watching the old men playing chess, women doing daily routines at the river, however, at night hours, you could sip a glass of wine to feel the modern vigor of this old town.
7. Lijiang Old Town - Yunnan
Lijiang Old Town, also called Dayan Old Town, located in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. At an altitude of 2,416 meters, the city covers an area of 3.8 square kilometers.,it's the most preserved and most Naxi-style ancient town in China.
The houses in the Lijiang Ancient Town are all traditional buildings with carved beams and painted rafters. Through the town runs Jade River, across which there are 354 bridges, linking streets and lanes. Many were built during the 14th to the early 20th centuries. These bridges are densely scattered with a variety styles and features, adding beauty to the old town.The old streets are the network of the old town, flowing water is the blood, the bars and shops are the temperament and the Naxi folk customs are culture are the soul of Lijiang Old Town.
You can not only explore the amazing ancient town with hundred years’ history, but also experience the spirit and feel romantic, relaxing charm of the town without city walls.Thus, it has gained a beautiful name "Suzhou in Highland" and "Eastern Venice".
8. Dali Old Town - Yunnan
Once being the capital city of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom, Dali has been the center of Yunnan during ancient Tang and Song dynasties for over 500 years. So ancient city gates, city walls, pagodas, towers, academy, old streets, memorial halls, and many other historic sites are you best place to know about the prosperous history and culture of this special old town in Yunnan. As located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and near Erhai Lake, Dali is really a favored town for spend a leisure vacationwith warm sunshine, colorful floras, and easy life pace.
Also, it has praised with a good of word, “wind, flower, snow and moon – romantic themes” by the wind of Xiaguan, flowers of Shangguan, snow of Cangshan, and moon of Erhai, so you could enjoy a literary and poetic life there. Apart from the rich culture of Bai minority group that you could enjoy by walking along the streets to find some interesting items of this minority, there also you could savor many types of local food, go up high on the towers to have a panorama of this antique and lively town.
9. Xidi Ancient Village - Huangshan
Xidi Ancient Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed together with Hongcun Village. Reputed as the museum of ancient buildings of Qing and Ming dynasties, Xidi is among the top recommendations to savor the elegant constructions of Anhui features, such as Hu Guangwen’s Memorial Archway, Zouma Building, Jing’ai Hall, and so forth.
If you go to this popular village, you could stroll along the aged streets and alleys paved with the flagstones to track the past stories, appreciate the fantastic glamor of the carvings on the old buildings to feel the talent of ancient people on the residential environment and construction design, an also could visit some of the prominent buildings to know about the rise and fall of this village and the old Anhui province. Moreover, during March and April, Xidi Ancient Village is particular appealing with wide spread of blooming golden rape flowers, therefore, you could get some fabulous shots with the groups of sketching art students there.
10.Shaxi Ancient Town - Yunnan
An old town along the ancient Tea Horse Road (also known as South Silk Road) that it’s often forgotten by most of the tourists it’s Shaxi . Unlike Lijiang and Dali, Shaxi retains the charm of the old Chinese towns and it’s a very peaceful place, a perfect retreat if you are tired of tourist traps.
The streets, residential houses, temples and theaters have been kept intact over the years. Authenticity and seclusion add more charm to the place.
The meticulously kept residential houses with delicate wooden carvings and exquisite ornaments testify to the areas past glories and affluence. Today, the unique atmosphere can still be felt in the cobbled streets.
