Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou Ancient Town is a well-preserved old town on the banks of the Jialing River, often called “Little Chongqing” for the way it captures the city’s traditional character. Its history stretches back over a thousand years, and it has actually carried three different names along the way. Founded around 998 AD in the Song Dynasty as Baiyan Chang, it was later renamed Longyin Zhen (“Dragon Hidden Town”) after a local legend that a deposed Ming-dynasty emperor lived here in hiding as a monk at Baolun Temple. It only became Ciqikou — “porcelain port” — in the early Qing Dynasty, once it had grown into a major hub for producing and shipping porcelain along the river.

The old town is made up of narrow, stone-paved streets lined with Ming and Qing-style buildings. Visitors can wander past shops selling tea, spices, and local handicrafts, sample street food, and often catch traditional teahouse performances along the way.

Notable sights include Baolun Temple, the centuries-old Buddhist temple tied to the town’s legend, and the historic Hanlin Academy. Entry to the town itself is free, though a handful of individual sites charge a small admission fee.