Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou Ancient Town, located in Chongqing’s Shapingba District, dates back to the Song Dynasty and is the largest ancient town in the city, showcasing the unique Bayu culture. Built along the hillside, the town covers an area of 325,000 square meters.

Inside the town, several attractions stand out, including Baolun Temple (宝轮寺), Zhong Family Courtyard (钟家院), Wenchang Palace(文昌宫), and Xinji General Store (鑫记杂货铺). Baolun Temple is one of Chongqing’s well-known Buddhist temples, attracting many visitors and worshippers.

Ciqikou is also famous for its local snacks, such as Chen Mahua, handmade hot and sour noodles (酸辣粉), ancient town glutinous rice cakes (古镇糍粑), and Chongqing hotpot soup base (重庆火锅底料). Many of the dishes are very spicy, so it’s wise to bring some digestive medicine. Some items may be overpriced, so comparing prices before buying is recommended.