Top 10 ancient cities: China's best kept secret
- By Xu Lin
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 12, 2012
Pianyan Ancient Town, Chongqing （重慶偏巖古鎮(zhèn)）
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Pianyan Ancient Town, Chongqing |
Located in Chongqing, southwest China, Pianyan Ancient Town was a business center in ancient China, with a history of more than 300 years. The town sits between two extensions of Huaying Mountain, with the winding crystal Heishuitan River flowing by.
Time passed, but the streets, architecture, culture and customs of the town have remained and are well-preserved. Simple but elegant, the buildings along the streets have never been renovated, and maintain their original look.
In addition to the bridges, rivers, old streets and historic houses, which are similar to other ancient Chinese towns, the most unique attractions in Pianyan Town are the Yuanyang Bridge, Couple Trees and Female Smith Forge.
Yuanyang Bridge was built at the intersection of the mainstream and a branch of Heishuitan River in 1809, during the Qing Dynasty. Two Ficus trees stand on either end of the bridge. As time passed, the two trees grew toward each other, and their branches and roots have been twining together, like an embracing couple. This was the reason why people called them the Couple Trees.
There was a smith forge in the town. Different from other smith forges, a woman worked as a blacksmith in this forge, which created a beautiful scene in the town.
The Wu Temple, Book House, Opera Tower, Stilted Houses by the river and the ancient street paved with blue stone slabs are also worth a visit.
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