5 Most Famous Ancient Towns In China

Lijiang Old Town, Pingyao Ancient City, Fenghuang Old Town, Dali Ancient Town, and Hongcun Village are the 5 most beautiful and famous ancient towns in China. Some of them are UNESCO heritage sites. Those who plan to have a history tour of China, should not miss these well-preserved historic sites.

Pingyao Ancient city

The ancient city of Pingyao has a history of more than 2700 years. On your Pingyao tours, explore the historic city’s streets, stores, temples, homes, and other structures, which have all been preserved to a high degree, and demonstrate the Ming and Qing dynasties’ architectural style. One of China’s four best-preserved ancient cities, Pingyao Ancient City is also one of two Chinese ancient towns to have been officially designated as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Lijiang Old Town

Of all the well-known historical and cultural cities in China, the old town of Lijiang, also called Dayan Town, is the only one without walls. The historic town is well-known for the distinctive Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Cultural landscapes and historical sites abound, such as Wufeng Tower, Black Dragon Pool, Sifang Street, and Mufu Palace.

Fenghuang Old Town

Southwest of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province sits Fenghuang Ancient City. With a history spanning over three centuries, it is among China’s most famous ancient towns. Fenghuang Old Town is regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in China because of its charming architecture, distinctive ethnic culture, and stunning natural surroundings.

Dali Ancient Town

Dali Ancient City was the political, economic and cultural center of Yunnan Province in China for more than 500 years in the Tang and Song dynasties. The current site of the ancient city was founded in the 15th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1382), covering an area of 3 square kilometers. Famous attractions include the scenic Erhai Lake, the three pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and Xizhou Ancient Village.

Hongcun Village

Hongcun, a representation of the old village of Huizhou, was added to UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List in 2000. Hongcun Village’s old architecture is in the Hui style, which respects nature in both arrangement and architectural form. As a result, the village’s general contour blends well with the surrounding natural landscape, which includes mountains, rivers, and landforms. More than 140 Ming and Qing dynasty homes have been preserved in Hongcun Village.