Zhongshan Ancient Town (中山古镇), commonly known as Sanhechang and also called Longdongchang, is nestled in the southern mountainous region of Jiangjin District, Chongqing. Its buildings are constructed along the water, showcasing a multitude of two-story stilt houses where the ground floor serves as storefronts, while people reside on the upper level. The entire town is covered with green-tiled roofs, red-painted wooden boards, and bamboo-reinforced walls, supported by round columns, making it a prime location to experience the cultural essence of Sichuan and Chongqing.
The town has a rich history as a bustling river port, serving as a trading hub for goods in the Sichuan-Guizhou mountainous area. According to inscriptions on the “Qingxi Longdong Title” stele from the Southern Song Dynasty in 1151 AD, the history of Longdongchang can be traced back 858 years. In the 33rd year of the Kangxi era during the Qing Dynasty (1694), administrative institutions were established, known as the “Sushui Twelve”. During the Guangxu era, the original Longdongchang, Laochang, and Masangyachang were merged into Sanhechang, which was later renamed Zhongshan Town after several administrative adjustments.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Zhongshan Ancient Town
- Vlog about Zhongshan Ancient Town
- Other Attractions in Jiangjin District
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-023-47768922 |
Location and Transportation
Zhongshan Ancient Town is situated on the banks of the Suixi River in the southern region of Jiangjin District, Chongqing. It is approximately 62 kilometers south of the city center of Jiangjin and about 96 kilometers from the heart of the Chongqing main urban area. To get there, you can follow the following Steps:
From Chengdu to Jiangjin:
- By Bus: You can take a bus from Chengdu to Jiangjin. Buses are available at the Wuguiqiao Bus Terminal and Shuangqiaozi Bus Station. The journey takes approximately 5 hours.
- By Train: Another option is to take the K139 train from Chengdu. This train departs around 11:35 PM, and it offers sleeper berths with a ticket price of approximately 125 RMB. The train arrives at Jiangjin’s Degang Train Station the following morning at 7:16 AM.
From Chongqing to Jiangjin:
- By Bus: If you’re starting from within Chongqing, you can head to the Caiyuanba or Chenjiapu Bus Stations. Buses from these stations regularly depart for Jiangjin, and the journey takes around one hour to reach Jiangjin Bus Station.
From Jiangjin to Zhongshan Ancient Town
Once you’ve arrived in Jiangjin, take a public bus to the Jiangjin Bus Passenger Transportation Center. From there, you can board a minibus (known as 中巴 or “zhongba”) directly to Zhongshan Ancient Town. The fare for this leg of the journey is approximately 13 RMB.
Highlights of Zhongshan Ancient Town
Ming and Qing Dynasties Commercial Streets
The old street of Zhongshan Ancient Town runs along the Suixi River, spanning a length of 1586 meters and featuring 453 storefronts. The street is paved with green stone, measuring 3 to 5 meters in width. The entire street remains dry even during rain, offers shade during the day, and is comfortably cool in summer and warm in winter. It has retained traditional establishments such as old teahouses, taverns, pharmacies, silkworm houses, barber shops, blacksmiths, and embroidery workshops. This collection of traditional workshops forms the largest, best-preserved, and most culturally distinctive mountain village architectural group in the southwestern region.
Ancient Village Mansions
Within the town, you can find numerous renowned ancient village mansions, including Longtang Mansion, Zaopingping Mansion, Baihelin Mansion, Zhujiazui Mansion, Lianghekou Mansion, Shabang Mansion, Banzhulin Mansion, Simuming Mansion, Wawutou Mansion, Hejia Mansion, Zhaojiaba Mansion, Dadibao Mansion, Tangkoutou Mansion, and more. These mansions provide a glimpse into the grandeur of the region’s historical architecture.
Merchant Culture Relics
Zhongshan Ancient Town is home to Wanshou Temple, stone inscriptions like “Wu-Shu Equal Profit,” and the “Anti-Counterfeit” stele, representing the rich merchant culture of the area. The past prosperity of trade and commerce gave rise to guilds such as the “Yanbang,” “Mabang,” “Chuanbang,” “Mubang,” “Mibang,” “Qingshanbang,” “Qingguobang,” “Shuishoubang,” and “Weiyaobang.” This flourishing commercial environment also fostered the earliest precursor to WTO rules in the form of “Wu-Shu Equal Profit” and China’s early “Anti-Counterfeit Notice – Prohibition of Sale of Water Rice Stele,” alongside various commercial and guild traditions like the “Mubang Public Penalty” and environmental conservation agreements such as “Prohibition of Slaughtering” and “Prohibition of Fishing.” The town’s behavioral norms include the “Hangover Stone” and the “Zheng Family’s Filial Piety Stele” among others, reflecting the cultural richness of the region.
Ancient Temples
The town boasts over twenty ancient temples, with notable ones including Baocha Temple, Shuangfeng Temple, Yuhuang Temple, Yuantong Temple, Qingxi Temple, and Heishen Temple. Shuangfeng Temple, located 15 kilometers south of Zhongshan Town in Baihe Village, was originally known as Jingde Temple and belongs to the Linji Chan school of Buddhism. Records on stone inscriptions indicate that it was built around the end of the Tang Dynasty, with subsequent renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as during the Kangxi and Daoguang eras. Shuangfeng Temple is one of the few well-preserved complex-style Zen Buddhist temples with a traditional courtyard structure.
