Shangli Ancient Town

    Name in Chinese: 上里古镇  Shàng Lǐ Gǔ Zhèn  [sæŋ li: gu: dzen]

    Duration of Tour: Two Hours

    Location: Yucheng District, Ya’an Prefecture, Sichuan Province

    Reputations: A National Famous Historical and Cultural Town, A National Four-star Scenic Area

    Highlights: Ancient Residential Buildings, Ancient Bridges and Local Folk Custom

    Shangli Ancient Town boasts a long history, which could be traced back to the Sui Dynasty(581-618). It was originally called Luoshen. Most of the present buildings could be dated back to the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty(1636-1912). It was an important town on the Ancient Tea and Horse Path. The path is also known as the Southern Silk Road.

    Shangli is a typical traditional styled town in western Sichuan. It has been listed as one of the top ten old towns in Sichuan Province. Hundreds of years have passed, but the old buildings remain. The roads in the old town are paved with stones. The houses are made of wood. The windows and doors are elaborately carved. A stream flows nearby, over which is straddled by an arch bridge.

    The House of Han’s Family

    The House was built during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing(1796-1820), the Qing Dynasty.

    Erxian Arch Bridge

    The bridge was build in 1776, during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the Qing Dynasty.

    The Memorial Archway of Filial Duty and Chastity

    In ancient China, people would build a memorial archway for a woman, if she did not remarry after her husband passed away. Those archways were called the memorial archway of filial duty and chastity. The archway standing at the entrance was built in 1839.

    Food

    Dada Noodle

    It is a kind of handmade noodle.

    Travel Tips

    How to Get to Shangli Ancient Town

    Shangli Ancient Town is located in the north east of Ya’an, 50 km(31 miles) away from the city proper of Ya’an, 20 km(12 miles) away from the famous Bifeng Valley, 170 km(106 miles) away from Chengdu. It takes about 3 hours to get to the bridge from Chengdu by a car.

    Weather

    The temperature in Ya’an Prefecture ranges from 7℃(44.6°F) to 13℃(55.4°F) in spring, 18℃(64.4°F) to 26℃(78.8°F) in summer, 22℃(71.6°F) to 29℃(84.2°F) in autumn and 10℃(50°F) to 16℃(60.8°F) in winter. The rainy season in Sichuan lasts from July to August. Visitors should try to avoid going to Western Sichuan in the rainy season.

    Related Articles:

    Bifeng Valley

    Chengdu Travel Guide

Author: Tina Luo

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