Cradled in a loop of the Jialing River, Langzhong is one of China's four great preserved ancient cities — a grid of courtyard houses, temples and an old examination hall, laid out by the principles of feng shui.
History & culture
A prefectural seat for over 2,300 years, Langzhong was a centre of astronomy and feng shui and briefly a provincial capital; its largely intact Ming–Qing street plan and architecture survive remarkably whole.
What to see & do
- ◆The old town's courtyard lanes and city wall views
- ◆Zhang Fei Temple (a Three Kingdoms general)
- ◆The imperial examination hall (Gongyuan)
- ◆Huaguang Tower over the river
- ◆River views from the surrounding hills
What to eat
- ●Zhang Fei beef (a salty cured specialty)
- ●Langzhong steamed beef noodles
- ●Baoning vinegar dishes
Getting there
High-speed rail (Langzhong) connects via Nanchong toward Chengdu and Chongqing; the old town is walkable on arrival.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Staying inside a courtyard guesthouse lets you enjoy the town after day-trippers leave.
- A combined ticket covers the main monuments — buy once.
- Weekends and holidays fill the main lanes; mornings are calm.
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