Famous Ancient Towns and Villages
We have collected five living, breathing ancient Chinese towns/villages here. Although some of them are relatively less known to tourists, all of them are charaterized by a strong local flavor to cater to those who seek for authentic China.
Stone Drum Town
Stone Drum Town is a bustling ethnic community, with Naxi, Zang, Bai, Yi, Miao, and Hui people all inhabiting the town. The Naxi are the main minority group, and their unique culture is well represented through their traditional lifestyle and centuries-old fashion of dressing. The women in Stone Drum Town do a special style of make-up. They usually wear blue hats and long gowns with white ribbons binding their waists.
Zhaoxing Dong Village
Zhaoxing is the largest Dong ethnic community in China with 5 drum towers, and more than 800 households. The town has been little touched by modernization, and its villagers live in their old timber-made houses, wear their traditional clothes and still practice their time-honored traditions. A trip to Zhaoxing will offer a brief taste of this fascinating and isolated Dong community.
Basha Miao Village
Basha is a very special and old Miao Ethnic village and is virtually untouched in any way by modernization. Basha residents still live in their wooden houses, practice centuries-old customs and have their own unique beliefs.
The village is perched on a hill, 7.5 kilometers from Congjiang. Legends say that Basha's ancestors immigrated from heartland China to this isolated mountainous region over 2,000 years ago
Sanjiang
Sanjiang is known for its diverse minority culture. There are four ethnic groups in the region; Dong, Zhuang, Miao, Yao. They are famed for their carpentry skills and unique architecture. Many travelers escape into Sanjiang for the traditional, little affected Dong ways. The many highlights are well preserved Dong wooden structures-suspended houses, drum towers, magnificent wind-and-rain bridges and water wheels, Dong people's simple lifestyle, and their colorful local customs and conventions. Read more
Fenghuang Ancient Town
Fenghuang(Phoenix town) is a town out of time. Hemmed in by rolling mountains and nurtured by a smoothly flowing river, flagstone streets, rows of traditional wooden houses built on stilts, towers, bridges everywhere, small boats rowed down the river, that's a portrait of Fenghuang. It's an authentic ancient town not too touristy. Read more
Other Ancient Towns
A comprehensive collection of famous ancient towns in China.
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