Shaobo Ancient Town, Yangzhou – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

Winding through the town, you’ll notice a small, jade-like river running beside the backstreets, aptly named the “Jade Belt River” or “Yu Dai He.” This meandering river features a series of charming bridges, including wooden footbridges, cobblestone bridges, and arched stone bridges. The bridges provide convenient crossings over the river and contribute to the town’s picturesque charm. Legend has it that Emperor Qianlong, during his visits to the south, once lost a belt buckle in the river, and upon seeing the river’s belt-like shape, he named it “Yu Dai He” (Jade Belt River).

The Grand Canal has played an instrumental role in the growth and prosperity of Shaobo Ancient Town. The town’s old port, known as “Da Ma Tou” (The Great Port), is renowned as one of the most significant transportation hubs along the Grand Canal. It is often referred to as the “first ferry on the Grand Canal.” On the opposite bank of Da Ma Tou lies the ancient Pan’s Crossing, which faces the West River Street.

During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, a devastating flood caused a breach in the Nangenglou levee, resulting in a massive 180-meter-long and 13-meter-deep gap. In response to this emergency, Emperor Kangxi ordered Caohe Governor Zhang Penghe to quickly repair the breach. However, due to the breach’s depth, they decided to divert the river and created a new path called Yue River. To commemorate this event, the imperial court placed twelve animal sculptures along the water’s edge, which included “nine oxen, two tigers, and one chicken” in strategic locations to help control the water flow. Of these sculptures, only a few iron bulls remain scattered along the riverbanks, with the Shaobo Iron Bull being one of the best-preserved examples. This iron bull measures 1.98 meters in length, 1.10 meters in height, is hollow inside, and rests horizontally on a sturdy iron base approximately 10 centimeters thick. Its intricate craftsmanship and lifelike appearance make it a remarkable testament to the town’s history.

Shaobo Ancient Town boasts a unique treasure – a three-century-old cobblestone street stretching for three kilometers from north to south. Alongside this ancient street, you’ll find over 20 well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty residences. These historic homes stand as a testament to the town’s rich history, and visitors can explore the architectural and cultural relics that have stood the test of time.

Laihe Temple, originally known as Fahua Temple, was established in the third year of the Sui Dynasty (607) by the monk Puhui. It was later rebuilt during the fifth year of the Ming Hongwu era (1372) and subsequently renovated in the sixth year of the Ming Zhengtong era (1441) by the monk Yuancheng. Notably, the temple was also financially supported by a prominent local, Peng Rushi, who contributed to its reconstruction. On the day of its completion, two cranes circled around the temple, leading to its renaming as “Laihe Temple” (the coming of cranes temple). In the past, Laihe Temple was a significant religious center in the Yangzhou region. Unfortunately, due to frequent wars, only a pair of stone lions, a gingko tree, and ancient stone carvings remain as relics of this once-thriving center of spirituality.

Baoyinghu National Wetland Park

Fenghuang Island

Yuchengyi Museum

Zhuyuwan Scenic Area

Zhenguo Temple

Tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui