Gongtan Ancient Town

Gongtan Ancient Town - A Brief Introduction

Gongtan Ancient Town is located in the Autonomous County of Tujia and Miao Nationalities in Youyang of Chongqing. Lying on the eastern bank Wujiang River and A'peng River, Gongtan Ancient Town is an old town with a history of more than 1700 years old.

Attractions of Gongtan Ancient Town

With a 3-kilometer long bluestone street, more than 150 specially-characteristic fire seals, 200 primitive and sequestered quadrangle courtyards and multi-shaped Wooden Stilted Houses, the Gongtan Ancient Town is a well-preserved and quite sizable architectural complex of Ming and Qing Dynasty, possessing high artistic values and architectural researching values. Perched finely on steep slopes, these Wooden Stilted Houses have overlooked the Wujiang River for about 400 years.

Walking on the old and lichened bluestone street and watching the quaint and elegant buildings, a feeling of history wells up in the hearts of the visitors. Neither electric streetlights nor modern bars or cafes have come out on the old street of Gongtan Ancient Town. At night, the town is illuminated by a few beautiful lanterns under the eaves as well as dim lights diffused from stilted houses. The whole countryside is permeated in a mysterious and nostalgic atmosphere.

In Gongtan Ancient Town, there is a Sanjia Temple. Because there are neither statues nor candles in it, it cannot be called a temple. Now the temple has become a residence. It is said that the temple was once the residence of the heroine Qing Liangyu in the transitional period of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. According to a story, in Chong-Zhen years of Ming Dynasty, monks in the temple were allowed to eat meats and get married. These monks believed in Buddhism, Taoism as well as the Confucianism, so the temple was called Sanjiao (three religions) Temple.

Folk Customs of Gongtan Ancient Town

Since the Gongtan Ancient Town locates in the Autonomous County of Tujia and Miao Nationalities, it is full of regional characteristics. The folk customs here are also very special.

Firstly, the food here is of unique flavors. The special food includes the balls made of truffles and meat, Pork Rolls with Glutinous Rice and so on.

Secondly, the lodging of Gongtan Ancient Town is also unique. The way of receiving visitors is passed down from generation to generation. The visitors are always kept living in the buildings where the wild wind, bright moon and the tide's crooning sound can all be enjoyed.

Thirdly, the crafts of Gongtan Ancient Town is very exquisite. The rattan-woven articles, root carvings, bizarre stones and embroideries are all very popular among the visitors form home and abroad.

The forth specialty of Gongtan Ancient Town is its local traditional operas. The operas include the Waving Dance (the most representative of the Tujia ethnic folk sacrifice dance), Yang Opera and Wedding Lament and so on.