Published : 2025-04-11
Ancient towns in China not only fulfil the modern people's longing for a utopian retreat but also serve as "living fossils" of ancient Chinese life and architectural culture.
Where in China can you find the highest number of ancient towns? The answer lies in Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, the latter famously known as the "Land of Abundance."
"First Water Town": Zhouzhuang
Ancient towns are scattered across China, each preserving, to varying degrees, age-old architecture and ways of life that offer glimpses into the historical landscapes of different eras and regions.
In recent years, China has strengthened the protection of traditional ancient towns, aiming to strike a balance between economic development and cultural preservation.
Since 2003, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Cultural Heritage Administration have selected 312 national-level historical and cultural towns in seven batches.
Among them, Jiangsu and Sichuan each have 31 historical and cultural towns, topping the list and becoming the places with the most ancient towns in China. In these two provinces, there are also many impressive examples of ancient town development.
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town (周莊古鎮) in Kunshan City, Jiangsu, is considered one of the pioneering models of ancient town development. It even gave rise to the "Zhouzhuang Model," characterised by government-led initiatives with full public participation.
Known as "China's No.1 Water Town," Zhouzhuang has a history spanning over a thousand years. More than 800 households reside along its canals, with over 60% of residential houses being well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.
Nearly a hundred classical residences and 14 ancient bridges perfectly embody the Jiangnan region's poetic charm of "small bridges, flowing streams, and riverside homes."
In the 1980s, when Chinese cities were swept up in a wave of "demolish the old to build the new" redevelopment, a heritage conservation scholar named Ruan Yisan (阮儀三) worked tirelessly to protect Zhouzhuang's ancient architecture.
It was said that he successfully secured 5,000 RMB in development funds for the town - a veritable fortune at the time.
Ruan Yisan later participated in formulating the "Master Plan and Protection Plan for Zhouzhuang Ancient Town," proposing the principles of ancient town renovation and economic development. A number of water towns in Jiangnan region, including Zhouzhuang, have been revitalised with new vitality.
Since 2012, Zhouzhuang has capitalised on its heritage architecture to heritage architecture.
These include the museum's "tourism+collections" programme, the ancient opera stage's "tourism+Kunqu Opera" performances, and "Night Zhouzhuang" cultural tourism brand.
These efforts have fostered positive engagement with visitors while protecting ancient buildings, with annual visitor numbers reaching several million at its peak.
Sichuan's Lizhuang: Famous for cultural heritage preservation
Another "Champion of Ancient Towns," Sichuan Province, is the birthplace of Ba-Shu culture (巴蜀文化), and its ancient towns, nestled between mountains and rivers, possess a unique cultural charm distinct from the water towns of Jiangnan.
The historic and culturally significant town of Lizhuang, located in Yibin City, Sichuan, has a thousand-year history and is known as the "First Ancient Town along the Yangtze River."
During China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the ancient town became a "haven" for many scholars and academic institutions.
The Central Museum, Tongji University, and other institutions all relocated here.
Prominent scholars such as Fu Sinian (傅斯年), Lin Huiyin (林徽因), and Liang Sicheng (梁思成) lived and worked here for years, leaving numerous cultural legacies.
It was here that Liang Sicheng produced his magnum opus, History of Chinese Architecture.
Li Zhuang thus became celebrated alongside Zhouzhuang as the twin jewels of China's ancient towns.
Read more: Experience the charm of China's ancient town in Heshun, Yunnan
