“Free admission today” shouts the sign. Let’s explore Xinchang Ancient Town together. This town is a treasure. Xinchang is known for its rich folk customs. It also has a vibrant agricultural culture.
Xinchang Ancient Town is the earliest established town in western Dayi. It was founded during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Xinchang flourished during the Ming Dynasty. It is a historically significant town along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
As the largest and best-preserved ancient town in Sichuan, Xinchang is special. It features seven ancient streets. These include Xiaozheng Street and Shangzheng Street. You can also find Taiping Zheng Street, Taiping Street, and Taiping Heng Street here. Don’t miss Xiangshi Street and Heba Street. Xinchang also has six alleys. Look for Shuixiangzi Alley and Zhangyi Temple Alley. Also explore Xiejia Alley, Maoshi Alley, Tongshi Alley, and Shangziku Alley. The town’s layout is a well-organized grid pattern. The ancient buildings cover hundreds of thousands of square meters. Most structures date back to the Qing Dynasty. Some are from the Republic of China period. They showcase the town’s historical and architectural significance.
What is the best time to visit? The Spring Festival in Xinchang is lively. Lanterns are displayed from the fifth to the fifteenth day of the lunar new year. You’ll see lion lanterns and pole lanterns. High-foot lanterns and Yaomei lanterns are also on display. Don’t miss the vibrant community lantern festivals.
At the entrance of Xinchang Ancient Town, you can see two ancient-style watchtowers. They replicate those from Touyan Village. Each tower has three stories. They show a unique blend of European and Sichuanese architectural styles.
Let’s visit the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum. This museum focuses on foot binding in China. This practice began during the Song Dynasty. It lasted over a thousand years. The museum exhibits more than 80 artifacts. These include bound shoes and shoemaking tools.
Next, we will visit the Jianghu Gang Museum. It is located within the same watchtower. This museum details the origins of three major secret societies. These are the Paoge organization, Qing Bang, and Hong Bang. The museum explores the intricate world of these gangs.
Now, we move on to Liu Chengxun’s former residence. It is located on Lower Zheng Street. The entrance is modest. The plaque reads “Changle Yongkang”. The bronze door features gilded lion door knockers. Entering the courtyard, notice the wooden and clay sculptures. These reflect Sichuan craftsmanship. The back garden connects to the river. Liu Chengxun was a native of Xinchang. He held important military positions.
The Li Family Ancient Residence was built in 1921. Li Huaifen hired Zhang Wenshan to design it. The stilted shopfront is modeled after Jinhuajie in Chengdu. The paintings on the doorposts capture attention. One shows an Eastern landscape. The other shows a Western church. This juxtaposition reflects balanced aesthetics.
Bishan Temple is known as the Gratitude Temple. It was established during the Ming Dynasty. It commemorates Li Wanchun. The temple is a place to worship deities. Each year, Xinchang celebrates the Bishan Niangniang Returns to Her Family festival.
Now, we’ll step into the Memory Museum of Sichuan Western Ba. The first floor focuses on Xinchang’s history. It showcases folk customs and agricultural culture. The second floor features photographs from Canadian missionaries. These images capture Chengdu from the late 19th century to the 1950s.
Our next stop is the Xinchang Old Record Music Museum. It is the only rural old record music museum in China. The museum houses over 3,000 old records. It also has music-themed terracotta figurines. You can see horns from the Liberation War period. A special hall is dedicated to Teresa Teng. One of the museum’s prized possessions is an early hand-cranked gramophone.
Finally, we conclude our tour at the 3+2 Reading Club. This charming rural library has over 20,000 books. Most staff are volunteers. It is a platform for reading and sharing.
Xinchang Ancient Town offers a rich blend of history and culture. From ancient streets to unique museums, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty. Remember the stories of Xinchang.