Impressive Zhongshan Old Town
Nestled in green hills with clear stream run through, Zhongshan Old Town is about two hours' drive south of Chongqing City.
The old town is line with wooden home s on stilts above the riverbank. Dating back to the Song Dynasty, Zhongshan was a prosperous port town along Sunxi River and a favorite of imperial court members. Be sure to walk down to the river and look up at the houses to see their support structures.
In the ancient time, the town was very prosperous with shops running different businesses. Now many old businesses vanished but the old inns are still opened. In the past it received the trade men but now tourists.
Many residents of these old houses have turned their living rooms into storefronts.
While some hawk souvenir trinkets, others sell locally made products such as chilli sauce or jug of rice wines. Many popular snacks can be eaten here like squares of grilled, Lạc Sơn Đại Phật spice-rubbed tofu and sweet doughy rich cakes filled with ground nuts.
The emerald bamboos were planted on the bank of Sunxi River.The leaves rustled gently when the breeze starts.
The small teahouses on the riverbank is the best places to enjoy the leisurely life. There are several small teahouses and restaurants above the river. It is very enjoyable to drink the tea and immerse yourself in the imagination in this beautiful and untouched view.
Stretched along Sunxi River, Sanhe Old Street is one of most representative streets in the town. The street is characterized by cool in summer and warm in winter, avoiding sunshine and rainwater in rainy day. Over 307 old storefronts stands on the streets.
There are about 20 ancient temples in the town and Shuangfeng Temple are the best-preserved and most famous by comparison with the others. Shuangfeng Temple was built about the late Tang Dynasty and renovated in the Ming and Qing dynasties. But it is still unknown which year the temple was built.
According to the recording on the stele in the temple, the temple housed about 500 Wushu monks in its heyday and had many branch temples. It is very worthwhile to visit.
Over ten manors can be found in the town but the most famous one is Longtang.
Longtang Manor, also named Yu Family Courtyard, was built in the late Qing Dynasty and takes and area of 8,100 square meters with 95 houses in it. The manor houses patios, gardens, watchtowers, theatrical stages, corridors, etc.
The natural view nearby the town is very splendid and kynghidongduong.vn charming.
The valley, 15 kilometers south of the town, was formed 65,000,000 years ago and takes on Danxia Landform. The view, formed by streams, waterfalls, cliffs, rocks and caves, is very captivating and attracts many photographers.
To get there from Chongqing, change bus at Jingjin from where buses leave for Zhongshan roughly every 30 minutes from 8:40 to 16:30.
The last bus from Jiangjin to Chongqing is 19:00 and the last bus from Zhongshan to Jiangjin is 16:20.
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