Huanglongxi Ancient Town (黄龙溪古镇) is a charming historical site composed of a lake, two rivers, six temples, seven streets, and nine alleys. Its unique character is defined by a blend of ancient streets, alleys, trees, temples, embankments, residences, docks, battlefields, rock tombs, and government offices.
The town is rich in architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring cobblestone streets, wooden columns, and elegant tiled buildings. The intricate carvings on railings and windows create a serene, nostalgic atmosphere. As you wander through the streets and alleys, the smooth stone paths, polished dark door panels, and antique shop signs exude a profound sense of history.
The main street, Huanglong Zhengjie, spans just over 200 meters and is home to three notable temples: Gu Long Temple, Chao Yin Temple, and Zhen Jiang Temple, collectively referred to as “One Street and Three Temples.” During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, the three counties of Huayang, Pengshan, and Renshou established a government office here, known as “Three Counties and One Government Office.” This unique combination of temples and administrative history has become one of the town’s most remarkable cultural legacies.
Adding to the town’s charm are six ancient banyan trees, each over a thousand years old, with sprawling branches that provide ample shade and enhance the mystical ambiance of Huanglongxi Ancient Town.
Travel Information about Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Tickets and Opening Hours
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Open all day
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Huanglongxi Ancient Town is from late spring to early summer when the weather is mild, and you can enjoy outdoor activities.
Getting to the Scenic Area
Location: Huanglongxi Town, Shuangliu District, Chengdu City
By Subway: Take Line 2 to Zhongyi Daxue Hospital Station, transfer to Line 5 at Huilong Station, and then take Bus 541 to Jiahe Zhuang Station.
Attractions Rating
- Features: ★★★★
- Cultural Value: ★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Huanglongxi Anicent Town
Traditional Stilt Houses
Huanglongxi Ancient Town features main streets built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, including Zhengjie, Xinjie, Hengjie, Shanghejie, and Xiahejie, all paved with stone slabs. Flanking these streets are traditional stilt houses with distinctive upturned eaves, predominantly constructed during the same period. These two-story wooden structures exhibit a charmingly staggered arrangement, showcasing craftsmanship without the use of nails. The pillars, made from large cedar wood, are intricately joined using various-sized diagonal supports, ensuring remarkable sturdiness.
The layout of the residences includes interspersed corridors and spacious halls, embodying the unique characteristics of traditional architecture. The intricate details at the front doors and rooftops are particularly striking, featuring exquisite wood carvings, brick sculptures, and vibrant paintings that showcase the outstanding craftsmanship and lively designs typical of the era.
Gulong Temple
Gulong Temple is the earliest temple built in Huanglongxi Ancient Town, located at the southern end of the main street, facing north. This temple is characterized by the organic combination of three elements: ancient temples, an ancient theater stage, and ancient banyan trees. Within the temple, notable structures include the Maitreya Hall, Guanyin Hall, and the Mahaviro Hall, all of which draw a continuous stream of worshippers throughout the year.
Additionally, Gulong Temple houses the “Three-County Yamen,” which is the only surviving three-county yamen in the country today. Historically, Huanglongxi was situated in the “Golden Triangle” area encompassing Huayang County (now Huayang Town in Shuangliu County), Pengshan County, and Renshou County. The yamen contains various ancient courtroom artifacts, such as a dog-head guillotine, torture instruments, and official robes, along with displays of photographs showcasing scenes from films and TV dramas like “Furong Town” and “Zhuo Wenchun and Sima Xiangru” that were shot on location here.
The ancient theater stage occupies an area of 103 square meters and stands 8 meters tall, dating back to the early Qing Dynasty and boasting a history of over 300 years. It is one of the nine remaining theater stages in Huanglongxi. Flanking the stage are two ancient banyan trees, each over 900 years old, whose sprawling canopies once shaded the entire courtyard.
Zhenjiang Temple
Zhenjiang Temple is located at the northern end of the main street in Huanglongxi Ancient Town. Originally constructed by the local boatmen to honor General Yang Si of Zhenjiang, the temple has since transformed into a Buddhist temple. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by statues of Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings. Inside the main hall, the temple features altars dedicated to the “Three Saints of the Western Paradise,” providing a serene atmosphere for worship and reflection.
Chaoyin Temple
Chaoyin Temple is situated in the center of the main street of Huanglongxi Ancient Town. Historically, it served as a venue for various ceremonies during the Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, and Xiayuan festivals, where prayers for favorable weather were offered. Today, the temple is dedicated to the worship of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and Maitreya Buddha. Within the temple, visitors can find three stone tablets carved during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, detailing the history and development of Chaoyin Temple.
From New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival, Huanglongxi Ancient Town hosts a grand temple fair filled with vibrant celebrations. Colorful lanterns light up the town, featuring stunning displays such as fire dragon lanterns, lion lanterns, ox lanterns, and “meimei” lanterns. In addition to the beautiful lanterns, visitors can enjoy a variety of exciting circus performances, including clown acts, the Wheel of Death, and aerial acrobatics, making it a lively and festive atmosphere for all.
Dafo Temple (Giant Buddha Temple)
Dafo Temple was originally established during the Ming Dynasty and is renowned for its impressive statue of a giant Buddha carved into a steep cliff nearby, which was over 6 meters tall and historically known as the “Second in Sichuan.” Unfortunately, this statue was destroyed over time.
Today, the restored seated Buddha stands at an impressive height of 60 meters, covering an area of 300 square meters, and is carved from white marble. Its form is reminiscent of the Leshan Giant Buddha, exuding a solemn presence as it faces the river, with its hands resting on its knees and eyes gazing into the distance. The interior of the Buddha statue is hollow, showcasing various Buddhist artworks. On either side of the cliff, there are also statues of Ananda and Kasyapa, two of the Buddha’s disciples, further enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of the temple.
Shanghe Qu
Shanghe Qu, also known as the “Riverside Water Village,” features buildings that are all constructed along the water, embodying the style of Sichuan’s Western residential architecture while maintaining the rich cultural essence of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The area is vibrant with bustling crowds, where the broad river in the distance complements the sound of waterwheels nearby, and playful visitors splash about in the water. This lively scene reflects the historical significance of Shanghe Qu as a millennium-old water port in Western Sichuan. Seventeen Ming and Qing-style buildings gracefully line the riverside, creating a picturesque atmosphere that echoes the poetic imagery of “thousand-mile warblers chirping amidst lush greenery and red blossoms, with wine flags fluttering in the riverside mountain village.”
Visitor Guide for Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Accommodation Options
Huanglongxi Ancient Town offers a variety of charming inns that reflect its historical character. Staying in riverside stilt houses provides a poetic and picturesque experience. Standard double rooms range from 60 to 100 yuan, with satisfactory hygiene conditions.
Huanglong Lijing Hotel (黄龙丽景酒店): Located in the heart of Huanglongxi Ancient Town, this hotel boasts convenient transportation access. Designed as a high-end tea culture-themed hotel, it features complete facilities, elegant surroundings, and services that encompass accommodation, dining, leisure, entertainment, meetings, and business services.
Huanglongxi Puyuan Hotel (黄龙溪璞院酒店): Situated in the Shanghe Qu Riverside Water Village, this courtyard-style hotel deeply embodies Sichuan’s cultural heritage. The first-floor rooms come with private gardens, while the second-floor rooms offer views of the ancient town. The architecture is entirely traditional wooden structures, surrounded by lush greenery, creating a naturally tranquil atmosphere.
Food Options
Huanglongxi Ancient Town is renowned for its diverse and delicious cuisine, offering a variety of local specialties that attract visitors. Among the popular treats are cowhide candy (牛皮糖), sesame cake (芝麻糕), Ding Ding candy (丁丁糖), catfish (猫猫鱼), Stinky tofu (臭豆腐), and fat intestine noodles (肥肠粉).
One of the town’s signature dishes is “One Noodle” (一根面), which is unique in that it features only a single long noodle served in each bowl and pot, showcasing its elasticity and rich taste that intensifies with each bite.
In addition to these highlights, visitors can enjoy traditional stone-milled tofu (石磨豆腐), crispy pork knuckles (酥皮肘子), a variety of river fish (江鱼), sweet potatoes from Muma Mountain (牧马山地瓜), osmanthus-flavored sesame cakes (桂花芝麻糕), and homemade fermented black beans (土制豆豉). Each dish reflects the rich culinary heritage of Huanglongxi, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.
What to Do
Visitors can leisurely explore Huanglongxi Ancient Town by bike, taking in the sights of ancient temples, stilt houses, rock tombs, and ancient archways. When feeling tired, one can step into a teahouse to enjoy a fragrant cup of strong tea and experience the relaxed lifestyle of Chengdu residents.
The Tangjia Distillery, a renowned brewing workshop from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period, is located in the town. It features a traditional “front shop, back home” layout. Here, visitors can purchase freshly brewed wine and observe various facilities from the old brewing workshop, gaining insight into the entire brewing process.
The river flows around the town, making boat rides an essential recreational activity. Visitors can choose from speedboats, fast boats, or leisurely slow boats. The boatmen, dressed in vests and loose pants, guide the boats as guests drift along the water, enjoying delicious river delicacies while admiring the scenic views along the riverbanks.
The ancient town features a film base where several movies have been shot. Visitors can sign up to participate as actors in various film productions, allowing them to experience the filming process firsthand. This unique opportunity also includes the chance to take memorable photos in traditional costumes.
Within Gulong Temple, at the fork of the northern banyan tree, there is a small shrine measuring about two feet square, dedicated to the spirit of “Huangjue Daxian.” The southern banyan tree has an intricate root system that tightly encases a small land god shrine. These two ancient trees, with one cradling the shrine and the other intertwined with it, are considered a remarkable natural wonder and are definitely worth a visit.