Shaanxi ancient towns

Shaanxi had served as the political, economic, and cultural center of China in ancient times for a 1180 years and, therefore, hosts many ancient capital cities and ruins sites, which have become our living history books today. The sands of time have eroded the glamour these cities had in ancient times, but when viewed from today’s vantage point they take on new value.

The Ancient Town of Qingmuchuan

The ancient Qingmuchaun Town is located in the northwestern corner of Ningqiang County near Hanzhong City at the intersection of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan Provinces. The town began its time during the mid-Ming Dynasty, took shape in the mid and late Qing Dynasty, and reached its peak during the Republic of China period (1912-1949). Its residents included the Qiang and Han nationalities, changing its name from “Caochangba,” “Huilongchang” and “Yongningli” to “Qingmuchuan.” Once an important passage leading to Sichuan, the town still boasts a number of well-preserved ancient streets, ancient temples, ancient plank roads, and other types of ancient architecture. The ancient Huilongchang Street stretches through the town from south to north and is surrounded on each side by a network of civilian houses with elegantly carved window lattices, lintels and tile ends. The dark stone-floored streets seem to add more peace to this ancient town.

The Ancient Town of Phoenix

The ancient Town of Phoenix stands 45 km southeast of Zhashui County’s Shangluo City. According to local historical documents, during the early years of the Qing Dynasty the convenient water transportation system of the town attracted merchants from Henan, Hubei and Sichuan Provinces and other places for business who also settled down in the town. During the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, with streets full of shops and stores, the town boasted 32 businesses, thereby making itself an important commercial hub to the south of Qinling Mountain because it connected the Yangtze River and the Yellow River water systems. In its heyday, the wharfs of the town saw over 200 business deals every day. Since the 1920s, land transportation gradually replaced water transportation making the town less important and leaving it secluded in the mountains.

The Ancient Town of Chenlu

On top of a mountain 15 km southeast of the Yintai District of Tongchuan City stands a small town named “Chenlu.” The town was named such because of its importance in the history of porcelain. Chenlu, the only well-preserved Yao porcelain base, can be called a living fossil of a oriental porcelain town. The ancient town is rich in porcelain culture and history, porcelain art, and folk customs. Wandering about in the town, one can still sense the past with its ancient kilns and artifacts and their fragments scattered all around.

The Dang Village

Located 9 km northeast Hancheng City, the Dang Village is the best-preserved Ming-Qing village in China and is often referred to as the “living fossil of traditional dwelling village of oriental people.” The Dang Village has survived the sands of time over the 5000 years of China’s history. In the past, the villagers built halls and fortresses to guard people and wealth; today, their offspring restore the buildings and welcome visitors from all places, thereby safe guarding their precious culture and relics.

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