Nestled in the heart of the modern and vibrant city of Chongqing, Ciqikou Old Town offers a completely different atmosphere – a picturesque scene of ancient charm, tranquility, and rich Ba-Shu cultural identity.

If you are a travel enthusiast, a romantic soul who loves to explore old-world values, let’s “get lost” together in Chongqing’s Ciqikou Old Town through this article!

Where is Ciqikou Old Town?

Ciqikou Old Town is located in the Shapingba District, to the west of downtown Chongqing, China. It is not only a bustling ancient market but also a cultural heritage, known as “Little Chongqing” or the “thousand-year-old town.” Built on mountainous terrain, this old town is often compared to a city rising from the mountains and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Chongqing.

The allure of Ciqikou Old Town comes from its:

• Long history: Dating back over 1,700 years, it was once an important port on the Jialing River and the busiest trading hub in Chongqing.
• Ancient architecture: The old wooden houses with curved tile roofs, the winding stone-paved alleys, and the vibrant red lanterns create a scene straight out of a historical film.
• Peaceful atmosphere: Despite the crowds, Ciqikou exudes a strange sense of peace and antiquity, a stark contrast to the hurried pace of life in Chongqing.
• Rich Ba-Shu culture: This place preserves and vividly displays the characteristic culture of the Ba-Shu region, from its architecture and cuisine to its customs and traditions.

How to get to Ciqikou Old Town in Chongqing

As you may know, China is famous for its extremely modern and intelligent infrastructure and transportation systems. Furthermore, Chongqing is a highly developed city in this billion-plus population country, so getting to Ciqikou Old Town is very convenient:

• Metro: The easiest way is to take Metro Line 1 and get off at Ciqikou Station (磁器口). From there, it’s just a short walk to the entrance of the old town.
• Bus: There are many public bus routes that pass through this area.

When is the best time to visit Ciqikou Old Town?

According to Chongqing travel experience, the scenery here takes on a unique character with each season. Many people prefer to visit the city around spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant with less rain, making it suitable for visiting China’s Ciqikou Old Town. Specifically:

• Spring (March – May): This is a time when the climate is quite mild and the weather is warm. Cherry blossoms are in bloom, creating an incredibly vibrant scene. Additionally, you can experience the local culture with many traditional spring festivals.
• Autumn (September – November): During the season of ripe rice and changing leaf colors, the weather is also cooler and more pleasant, making it easy for tourists in Chongqing to explore the local culture.

Note: You should avoid traveling to Chongqing in the summer (from June to August) because the weather is extremely hot, with temperatures consistently above 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), and it often feels much hotter. This can affect your health as well as your travel experience.

Can’t-Miss Experiences When Exploring Ciqikou Old Town

Once you set foot in Ciqikou, you will get lost in a world full of color and unique experiences:

1. Wander through the old streets and small alleys

This is the first and most important activity. Just relax and take a stroll along the ancient blue-stone paved roads. You will encounter:

• Ancient house architecture: Pay attention to the unique architectural details, the gracefully curved eaves, and the high-hanging red lanterns that create the very distinct beauty of the old town.
• Traditional shops: Selling all sorts of handicrafts, exquisite ceramics, calligraphy paintings, and many unique souvenirs.
• Antique teahouses: Stop at a roadside teahouse, enjoy a hot cup of tea, and watch the people pass by. It’s an unparalleled feeling of relaxation!

This old street is also famous for its very characteristic performances such as tea dances or the art of face-changing (Bian Lian). There are quite a few restaurants on this street where you can experience and enjoy them!

2. Enjoy local cuisine

Every place in China has its own distinct and outstanding dishes that attract many food lovers to explore and experience:

• Chongqing Noodles (Chongqing Xiaomian): A spicy and flavorful noodle dish, characteristic of Chongqing’s bold seasoning.
• Ciqikou Fried Dough Twist (Ciqikou Ma Hua): A type of twisted fritter made from flour, ginger, and sugar, available in many different flavors. It’s often sold hot and is an essential snack.
• Jellied Tofu (Doufu Nao): Soft, tender tofu served with a special sauce, very popular here.
• Various spicy snacks: Grilled skewers, stinky tofu, and countless other street foods that will make your mouth water.
• Tea ceremony: Enjoy Gongfu Tea (Kungfu Tea) at the old teahouses to experience a refined traditional cultural practice.

3. Explore the temples, pagodas, and ancient architecture

Here are some temples, pagodas, and ancient architectural works you should definitely visit to experience the unique culture and follow the thousand-year-old history of Ciqikou Old Town:

• Huangjueping Archway: This is the main entrance to Ciqikou Old Town, welcoming visitors from all over. Considered the “trademark” of the town, this archway is the first image anyone visiting Ciqikou sees. On both sides of the archway is a couplet, handwritten by the local scholar Zhu Mo, which roughly translates to: “By day, ten thousand people hold hands; by night, ten thousand lights shine brightly.” This message conveys that Ciqikou Old Town is a gentle, loving, and purely beautiful place, welcoming everyone to explore.
• Baolun Temple: Located at 76 Ciqikou Old Street, Baolun Temple is one of the ancient temples built during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty. The temple was constructed in the Xieshan style with double eaves and a wooden frame structure, and it is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Chongqing.
• Baoshan Palace: An unmissable attraction in Ciqikou Old Town is Baoshan Palace, located at number 128. It is a prominent historical and cultural relic in the town. Originally a famous Taoist temple, part of Ciqikou’s “Nine Palaces and Eighteen Temples,” it was a place where devout men and women came to pray for blessings and good fortune. Today, Baoshan Palace has been transformed into a tea culture experience hall, displaying historical sketches about the development of tea, ceramics, and the culture of Ciqikou.

4. Watch traditional art performances

At certain times of the day or during festivals, you might be lucky enough to watch folk art performances such as:

• Sichuan Opera (Chuanju): Although not as grand as in a large theater, some teahouses still feature small-scale performances.
• Folk singing and traditional musical instrument performances.
• Face-changing art performance (Bian Lian): a famous type of street art in Chongqing.
• Kungfu Tea (also known as Gongfu tea): This art form incorporates martial arts elements into its presentation, especially the act of pouring tea from a long-spouted pot, creating a graceful and captivating beauty for the audience. Kungfu tea emphasizes the use of small teapots and a high leaf-to-water ratio to fully appreciate the flavor of high-quality teas.

5. Shop for unique souvenirs

Ciqikou is the ideal place to shop for gifts that carry the distinct mark of Chongqing:

• Ceramics and porcelain: With a name related to porcelain (“ci”), this is certainly a prominent item.
• Calligraphy paintings and bamboo products.
• Chongqing hot pot seasoning: Bring some home as a gift for food connoisseurs.
• Various local specialty cakes and candies.

A few small notes when exploring Ciqikou Old Town

Here are some notes and travel tips for Ciqikou Old Town in Chongqing that you can refer to for a complete experience:

• Ideal time: Each time of day has its own beauty and characteristics. Nighttime, when the old town’s lights are on, is also the most crowded and bustling period. Therefore, if you want to experience a quieter atmosphere, you can visit early in the morning.
• Ask for prices and bargain when shopping: For small shops or vendors without listed prices, don’t hesitate to ask for the price and you can gently negotiate to suit your needs.
• Wear comfortable shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking on stone-paved streets, so a pair of comfortable shoes made of good material will be better for your feet and your overall experience.
• Payment: In China today, almost all stores and even small stalls have a QR code for you to pay via Alipay or WeChat. You can also pay with cash, but remember to keep small change, as not every store will have enough small bills to give you change.
• Allow enough time: To fully explore Ciqikou, you should set aside at least half a day or a full day.
• Don’t be afraid to try new things: Chongqing’s cuisine is very special, so be open to the experience!

Explore the most famous old town in Chongqing, China, Ciqikou, through the video below:

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