Langzhong Ancient Town (阆中古城, Langzhong Ancient City) is situated in Nanchong City, Sichuan Province, on the northeastern edge of the Sichuan Basin along the middle reaches of the Jialing River. Human habitation in this area dates back to the Neolithic period. It served as a crucial military town in the ancient Ba and Shu states, earning titles such as the Cultural Center of Chinese Spring Festival and one of China’s Four Great Ancient Cities.
Covering a total area of 4.59 square kilometers, the architectural style of Langzhong Ancient Town reflects ancient Chinese principles of residence based on Feng Shui. The town’s layout radiates from the Zhongtian Tower, with a central axis and cross-shaped main streets forming a chessboard-like pattern. Streets and alleys align with distant mountains, and a variety of buildings blend southern and northern architectural styles, creating distinct clusters in shapes like the Chinese characters “品” and “多.” Langzhong Ancient Town stands as a typical example of ancient Chinese city planning, embodying the harmonious integration of nature and human design.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Langzhong Ancient Town
- Vlog about Langzhong Ancient Town
- Useful Tips from Genuine Reviews
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | A day |
| Ticket Price | 120 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.30 (1st May – 30th December) 9.00 – 18.00 (31st December – 30th April the next year) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0817-6232778 |
Location and Transportation
Langzhong Ancient Town is situated in the northeastern part of Sichuan Province, China. Nestled on the banks of the Jialing River, it is located approximately 360 kilometers (224 miles) north of Chengdu, the provincial capital. The town is positioned in a picturesque region surrounded by rolling hills and fertile plains.
Langzhong Ancient Town is part of the broader Langzhong City, which covers an area of approximately 1,477 square kilometers (570 square miles). The city is characterized by its diverse topography, including mountains, rivers, and fertile agricultural land. The region enjoys a temperate climate, with hot summers and mild winters, making it suitable for year-round visits.
The most convenient way to get to the ancient town from Chengdu is by high-speed trains. After getting out of the railway station, you can either take bus No. 5 or 10 or take a taxi. The town is only 6 kilometers away, and it will not cost you much.
Timetable of the train
| Train No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
| C704 | 10.33 | 13.16 | 2 hours 43 minutes | 86 RMB |
| D768 | 11.53 | 14.22 | 2 hours 29 minutes | 86 RMB |
| C708 | 18.05 | 20.46 | 2 hours 41 minutes | 86 RMB |
Highlights of Langzhong Ancient Town
Zhongtian tower
The Zhongtian Tower, also known as the Four-Row Tower, is one of the twelve towers in Langzhong, revered as the “Number One Feng Shui Tower.” Originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty, it was dismantled in the Republican era but later rebuilt on the same site in 2006, officially opened to the public just before the 2008 National Day. This three-story wooden tower, built in the Ming and Qing architectural styles, stands at 25 meters high with an open ground floor. The Zhongtian Tower serves as a Feng Shui coordinate and pivotal point in Langzhong Ancient Town, with the town’s streets radiating from it, connecting to various directions like the North Street, Double Palisade Street, West Street, and Wu Miao Street.
Huanhou Temple
The Huanhou Temple, commonly known as Zhangfei Temple, or alternatively, the Xiongwei Temple during the Ming Dynasty, is a reconstructed ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing periods. Covering an area of over 5000 square meters, this expansive temple in Langzhong Ancient Town boasts exquisite craftsmanship in its courtyard-style structure. Comprising structures like the mountain gate, Tower of Defeating Ten Thousand, paired archways, east and west wing rooms, main hall, rear hall, memorial arch, and tomb mound, the temple stands as a magnificent testament to the Three Kingdoms culture.
Vibrant Folk Culture
Exploring Langzhong Ancient Town, one mustn’t miss the vibrant folk culture. The captivating “Da Qian Gun” (money-striking sticks), the straightforward and lively Flower Lantern Show, the festive Tai Ping Niu Deng (peaceful ox lantern), the diverse art of paper-cutting, and the distinctive Chuanbei shadow play. Renowned as a living fossil of traditional drama, Langzhong Nuo opera presents a rich cultural experience. Enjoy the soulful melodies of mountain songs and rhythmic “Da Hang Ge” tunes, savor the intriguing Sichuan opera storytelling in tea houses, and witness the essence of Langzhong’s folk traditions.
Examination Hall
The Chuanbei Provincial Examination Hall, rebuilt during the Qing Jiaqing period, stands along Xuedao Street in Langzhong Ancient Town. Comprising structures like the mountain gate, corridors, examination halls, main halls, secondary halls, rear halls, and rooms for examinees, it includes a preserved scroll-shaped corridor, over 50 meters long, adorned with celestial chairs atop wooden railings. Two rows of examination rooms, separated by carved decorations, are among the few remaining in the country. Commonly known as the Qing Dynasty Examination Hall, it played a pivotal role in the imperial examination system, an essential method for selecting officials during feudal times. During the early Qing Dynasty, Langzhong served as the temporary capital of Sichuan for 17 years, hosting local-level examinations in this hall.
Vlog about Langzhong Ancient Town
Useful Tips from Genuine Reviews
Evening Boat Experience: In the evening, consider experiencing a boat or speedboat ride along the river, which offers a chance to enjoy the wonderful nighttime scenery along the river.
Night Views at Nanjing Pass Old Town: Nanjing Pass Old Town comes alive in the evening with an immersive performance that extends to the Jialing River. The atmosphere is lively, and the ticket price is 180 RMB.
Puppet Show Experience: Enjoy a puppet show for 50 RMB, lasting 30 minutes and featuring three acts. If you haven’t seen a puppet show before, this is a unique experience worth trying.
Culinary Recommendations – “Langzhong Three Specialties” (阆中三绝): Explore the local culinary delights, including the “Langzhong Three Specialties,” which is a dish made from three Langzhong specialties: Baoning vinegar, Langzhong flatbread, and Zhang Fei beef. This dish is known for its sour flavor.
The Langzhong Ancient Town is quite crowded, but it’s not overwhelming. There is a lively atmosphere, but it’s not noisy. The prices are not particularly expensive, and there’s even a feeling that some things are quite cheap. Dried beef is only 65 yuan per pound, and rabbit heads are just 13 yuan. Other items like Baoning vinegar and steamed buns all have uniform pricing. Overall, shopping here is a very enjoyable experience!
I took a two-hour high-speed train to Langzhong Ancient Town to spend my weekend. I stayed overnight in a century-old courtyard homestay. I wandered aimlessly through the alleys, casually checking out the sights. It was quite comfortable as there were few people around, and the paths were all flat, so it was easy on the legs. The best meal was at Zhang Ji Guo Tie (张记锅贴), where I enjoyed their soy milk and congee, accompanied by a salted duck egg… Read more »
Avoiding the National Day holiday has made it quite peaceful and not crowded here. I have already been here for three days.
A very, very comfortable ancient city. The experience is even better after nine or ten in the evening when there are hardly any people around, and only the faint light of lanterns illuminates the surroundings.
There are plenty of high-speed trains and buses from Nanchong to Langzhong, and the prices are quite reasonable. The high-speed train takes about 50 minutes, while the bus takes around 90 minutes. Once in Langzhong, getting around the city is convenient, whether you choose to take a taxi or use Didi, with normal and fair rates. It’s really great that tourists are not being overcharged here. Additionally, along the ancient city, there are shared electric scooters available, allowing you to… Read more »
Stay outside the ancient city for convenience.
It takes about 4 hours to explore the ancient city.
Do not buy the 110 yuan combo ticket, as not every attraction is worth visiting.
You can enjoy snacks inside the ancient city at prices similar to those outside.
White Pagoda Mountain Park – worth visiting! Do not go up the White Pagoda, as there is nothing there and it is very narrow. Head straight to the viewing platform instead!
1. The ancient city of Langzhong is definitely worth a visit. It’s really picturesque and great for taking photos. 2. Make sure to buy a combo ticket at the tourist center. It costs 110 yuan per person. The combo ticket grants access to all the attractions in the ancient city of Langzhong, which is very cost-effective! 3. The main appeal of the ancient city is sightseeing and taking photos, as well as learning about the culture. 4. A crucial tip:… Read more »
Overall, I think the attractions inside the ancient city are quite average, with not many cultural relics. It’s just the exterior of ancient buildings, lacking in substance. It could also be because I have visited various attractions across the country too often, finding them all quite similar. Therefore, it didn’t really captivate me. You can finish touring the ancient city in just 2 hours.
The ancient city of Langzhong (阆中古城) offers a combined ticket for all attractions or individual tickets for specific ones. The Zhongtian Tower (中天楼) and Huaguang Tower (华光楼) are not necessary to visit during the day, as the view is not very impressive. However, they are slightly more appealing at night with the lighting effects. They are not very fun and the narrow stairs inside make it a quick visit for just the scenery.
1️⃣ The main commercial street of the ancient city is quite commercialized. You can try turning into the small alleyways around the main street randomly, where many local residents still live in old houses, giving it a lively atmosphere and restoring the original appearance of the ancient city. 2️⃣ In the early morning or at dusk, you can take a walk along the Jialing River outside the ancient city. The river breeze is gentle and very pleasant. 3️⃣ You can… Read more »