Spend a weekend in a beautiful, quiet ancient town by the river in Chongqing this fall.

🍂Travel date: November 6, 2024 Gongtan Ancient Town was built during the Tang dynasty and has a history of over 1,800 years. Although the entire town was relocated due to the construction of the Wujiang Hydropower Station, the relocation was carried out with the utmost care to preserve the town's historical authenticity. The famous Chinese painter Wu Guanzhong once created a landscape painting titled "Wujiang Town" based on this town, which was sold for a sky-high price. 🍂Travel tips There are two parking lots in the ancient town, one at each end. The South Gate has a visitor center and an escalator, and is more lively. The North Gate is quieter. The ancient town is about 3 km long, with 1.5 km of old stone streets. The town is known for its stilted buildings, sloped roofs, and small blue tiles. The bluestone streets have slopes, and there is a more comfortable path along the river. You can walk along the river from north to south, then take the escalator up to the commercial street. We recommend staying overnight in the ancient town. Most guesthouses have river views, and the town is beautiful in the morning and evening. The ancient town has many slopes, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid bringing a suitcase, as it can be very tiring. Wuge Fish Restaurant near the South Gate is one of the best restaurants in terms of views, as it has a large, unobstructed outdoor terrace dining area. You can take a boat from the pier to tour the Wujiang Gallery, which includes a section of Gongtan Ancient Town. The tour takes about 1 hour. Ran's Courtyard is an old Tusi residence and a filming location for many TV dramas. The Xiqin Guild Hall hosts intangible cultural heritage performances at night.