Huanglongxi Ancient Town is one of the prominent historical destinations, attracting tourists by its ancient beauty and unique culture. With a history of hundreds of years, Huanglongxi is not only a place to preserve precious Chinese heritages but also a living symbol of traditional architecture and indigenous people's life.
Some features of Huanglong Ancient Town, West China
Located in the southwest of Chengdu Shuangliu District, Huanglongxi Ancient Town is about 42 kilometers away from Chengdu City. It is an emerging tourist destination in the suburbs of Chengdu. With rich natural scenery and humanistic tourism resources, the ancient town has received many honorary titles such as the most beautiful environmental town in China, the hometown of Chinese folk art Fire Dragon Dance, and the demonstration town of comprehensive development of small town economy.
Huanglong Ancient Town, West China. Photo: @mielikkim_tong_hoang
As a historical and cultural ancient town of Sichuan Province and a provincial-level tourist scenic spot, Huanglongxi Ancient Town has been built for more than 1,700 years. The main features of the ancient town are: ancient streets, ancient trees, ancient temples, ancient waterfronts, ancient architecture and exotic folk customs. The ancient town is not only beautiful, but also a famous natural film and television shooting base, known as the "Film Studio City" and "Hollywood of China".
Huanglongxi Ancient Town not only has rich ancient culture and cultures related to water, Buddhism, tea, ecological agriculture, but also has colorful culture related to folk customs, movies and television as well as food. The specialties in the ancient town include fried & braised pork leg, tofu pudding, wild vegetable omelette, braised freshwater fish, etc. There are also many special snacks, such as diced sugar, sesame cake, fried small fish and shrimp, etc.
This is an ancient town located in Sichuan province. Photo: @larissaxc_How to get to Hoang Long Tay ancient town?
To get to Hoang Long Tay ancient town , you can refer to the following options:
Plane: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport is the largest airport near Huanglongxi Ancient Town. From Lanzhou Airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Huanglongxi. The taxi journey takes about 2 hours.
Train: From major cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, you can take the train to Lanzhou. From Lanzhou, you can continue by bus or taxi to Huanglongxi. The travel time by train from Beijing or Shanghai to Lanzhou is usually around 12-15 hours.
Bus: If you are already in Lanzhou, you can take a bus from the city's main bus station to Huanglongxi. There are many local buses serving this route, and the journey time is usually around 2-3 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Private Car: If you want more freedom in traveling, renting a car and driving from Lanzhou to Huanglongxi is also an option. However, make sure you have a map and road information ready as the terrain can be complex and driving conditions can change.
Depending on your departure point and the time you have, you can choose the most suitable transportation option to get to Hoang Long Tay ancient town.
Photo: @ciaofreda
Best time to visit Hoang Long Tay ancient town
The best time to visit Huanglongxi Ancient Town depends on your interests and the type of experience you want to have. However, generally speaking, the two most ideal times are:
Spring (April to June)
Weather: Spring in Huanglongxi is cool and pleasant with temperatures usually ranging from 10°C to 20°C. This is the ideal time to explore the old town and surrounding areas without being too hot or cold.
Landscape: The spring scenery is beautiful with blooming flowers and green trees, creating a lively and attractive scene.
Autumn (September to November)
Weather: Autumn brings cool and pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. This is an ideal time to travel, avoiding the sweltering heat of summer and the cold of winter.
Landscape: Autumn can be the best time to enjoy the natural scenery as the leaves turn yellow and red, creating beautiful and romantic landscapes.
Note: Avoid going in summer (July and August) as it can be quite hot and dry with temperatures reaching 30°C or higher. Winter (December to February) can be cold and there is a chance of snow, which can make travelling and sightseeing more difficult. However, if you enjoy cold air and winter scenery, this is also a good option.
Choosing a time based on your personal preferences and the type of experience you want to have will help you have the most enjoyable and comfortable trip.
This is a year-round attraction. Photo: @bellebonggAttractions in Hoang Long Tay ancient town
Old Quarter
With a history of more than 1,700 years, Huanglongxi Ancient Town still retains many of its original features and layout. It features seven ancient streets, most of which date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. These streets are paved with stone and are approximately 3.44 meters wide, giving visitors a true glimpse into how the city was planned and built in the past. In addition to the streets, there is also a Yamen (ancient government office) located in the old town, adding to the historical value of the site.
Huanglongxi is not only architecturally outstanding but also has an important strategic location. Its location is at the center of important surrounding areas since ancient times. With a river flowing beside it and ideal feng shui, this area has attracted the attention of the Chinese and was chosen as the site for important construction works. For that reason, Huanglongxi quickly became the economic and political center of the region.
Today, the old government building in Huanglongxi has been renovated, preserving the original features of the Ming Dynasty. It is now used by many television companies as an ideal setting for TV and film productions, helping to preserve and promote the historical and cultural values of the old town.
Explore the old town. Photo: @diahdamen
Ancient Temple
Gulong Temple is the oldest temple in Huanglongxi Ancient Town . The temple is located in the south of Zheng Street and faces north, with an ancient temple, an ancient theater stage, and an ancient banyan tree. The theater stage is located at the front gate of the ancient temple, covering an area of 103 square meters. Among the nine theater stages of ancient Huanglongxi, this is the only one that still exists. It is said that the two banyan trees planted in the temple are sacred trees, and touching them will ward off illness and disaster. The other two temples, Zhenjiang Temple and Chaoyin Temple, are located in the middle and north of Zheng Street.
Ancient temple in Huanglongxi. Photo: @zhangjiajietourguide
Ancient banyan tree
The six ancient banyan trees bring a lot of fun and ups and downs to Huanglongxi with their twisted roots and crooked branches. There are many interesting legends about these trees, one of the most famous is about Zhuge Liang. It is said that Zhuge Liang found the soil on the riverbank soft when he arrived at Huanglongxi town, so he thought that a big enough tree would be useful to prevent the collapse. At night, he dreamed of an old man telling him that the tree Zhuge Liang needed was on a nearby mountain. Fortunately, Zhuge Liang succeeded in finding a big tree on that mountain and saved Huanglongxi from collapsing. People named this tree Zhuge Tree to remember Zhuge Liang.
Photo: @visitourchina
Chen's Watermill
Chen's Watermill, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty, is a special and important historical relic. During that period, it played an essential role in the agricultural life of the ancient town of Huanglongxi. All the grains of the residents in the area were milled at this watermill, making it the center of the rural economy and life in that area.
Today, Chen’s watermill has become a prominent landmark, located on a small island in the old town. It is not only an ancient architectural work but also a symbol of the traditional agricultural period. Many people, including tourists and history enthusiasts, visit the watermill to reminisce about a time when agriculture was the center of community life. Chen’s watermill not only reminds people of the past but also becomes an attractive destination for those who want to learn about the history and agricultural culture of the area.
Chen's water mill. Photo: @chinadragontoursThings to do in Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Walk along the stream
Hoang Long Tay Ancient Town is surrounded by two winding and poetic rivers, possessing many valuable scenic spots that visitors should not miss. The clear streams flowing around the ancient town create a picturesque scene, bringing wonderful experiences to those who love nature. Strolling along the stream, you will enjoy the feeling of relaxation when your feet touch the cool water, feeling the purity and freshness of the surrounding environment.
In the summer, immersing yourself in cool water is an indispensable activity. The cheerful sounds and laughter echoing in the space will make your experience more lively and interesting. The cool and refreshing feeling from the water combined with the fresh air will create unforgettable memories during your tour.
Walking along the flowing stream. Photo: @4_1c1c_phoebe
Wear traditional Chinese clothing
Wearing traditional costumes and taking photos by the stream is a very popular activity in Huanglongxi Ancient Town , especially since this area has become a favorite location for historical dramas. In fact, more than one hundred and eighty historical costume dramas have been filmed here, making the ancient town an ideal setting for recreating the atmosphere of ancient times. To satisfy your passion and experience it more deeply, you can easily find many traditional Chinese costume rental shops around the area.
These shops offer a wide range of period costumes, from elaborate costumes to traditional accessories. Wearing these costumes and posing by the stream, you will feel the charm and allure of the historical period, while creating precious photos to remember your trip.
Photo: @suvek_sth
Enjoy local snacks
Huanglongxi Ancient Town is not only famous for its historical beauty and charming landscape, but also a culinary paradise with a variety of delicious snacks. Attractive dishes such as fish noodle soup, sesame pudding, crispy pork leg, yellow catfish, pearl tofu pudding, tiny fish and all kinds of candy have become the typical "marks" of this ancient town. These snacks not only attract tourists but also satisfy many food lovers, bringing a diverse and rich culinary experience.
Among these snacks, yellow catfish stands out as the most popular. Yellow catfish is known for its soft meat and delicious taste, especially without any fishy smell, making it the top choice of many people. In addition to yellow catfish, one-string fish noodle soup is also a dish that you cannot miss when coming here. One-string fish noodle soup is not only a delicious dish but also an indispensable part of the culinary experience of Hoang Long Tay ancient town. In the colorful space of stalls and eateries, these snacks promise to satisfy every palate and make you want to come back again and again.
Local flavors of the cuisine. Photo: @yqprawiroWith its ancient beauty and peaceful atmosphere, Huanglongxi Ancient Town is one of the ideal destinations for those who want to learn about Chinese culture and history. This is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the ancient atmosphere, experience the slow life and enjoy the beauty of the everlasting Chinese heritage.
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