Baisha Ancient Town

An Overview of Baisha Ancient Town

Baisha Ancient Town is located in the north of Chongqing and is the key post of the Yangtze River with an elevation from 201 meters to 316 meters. It is in the subtropical monsoon climate area with plenty of sunshine and four seasons. Baisha Town is a long and narrow town. It is a national-grade good deepwater port built along the upper reaches of Yangtze River. In Chinese, "Baisha" means white sand. The town named so because the sand on the bank of the river is quite flat and the sand glitters in the sunlight. It was called the "Small Hongkong of Chongqing".

History of Baisha Ancient Town

Baisha Ancient Town has a long history. It can be dated as early as the East Han Dynasty. At that time, the Lvxi River flew into the Yangtze River and people had began to live here and formed villages.

According to the record, the Baisha Ancient Town has already been quite prosperous and famous in Tang Dynasty, but it is unknown when it was built and how large it was.

The time for Baisha Ancient Town's construction can be found in the ancient records of North Song Dynasty.

In Yuan Dynasty, Xia reign was established in the area centered by Chongqing. Baisha Ancient Town became a town close to the capital for the first time.

In Ming Dynasty, a water post was set up in the Baisha Ancient Town.

In Qing Dynasty, the importance of Baisha Ancient Town as a port for collecting and distributing goods are stressed.

In the period of Republican China, a government office was set up in the Baosha Ancient Town and Baisha Ancient Town became the third government office in Jiangjin District.

In November 29th 1949, Baisha Town was declared peacefully liberated. In 1951, the people's government of Jiangjin County was moved into Baisha Town. And in 1980, Baisha Town People's Government was set up and it became a county-level town.

Attractions of Baisha Ancient Town

Baisha Ancient Town was built near the mountain and by the river. There are many beautiful attractions in it. You can enjoy the sceneries of ancient buildings as well as many natural landscapes.

In the Baisha Ancient Town, there are many traditional residences in the transitional period from Qing Dynasty to the Republican China period as well as some temples and several western-style buildings, which reflect the cultural meanings of Baisha Ancient Town in different times.

In the Baisha Ancient Town, there is also the only academy of classical learning of Chongqing with the largest scale and in the best condition.

A pristine forest with an area of 100,000 square meters can also be found here in the Baisha Ancient Town on an elevation of 800 to 900 meters. Baisha Ancient Town is also abundant in bamboos, waterfalls, lakes, streams as well as grotesque stones. (more details)

Folk Customs of Baisha Ancient Town

Colorful folk cultural activities such as the Sichuan Opera, Chinese folk art form, story-telling and so on are always held in Baisha Ancient Town. The folk customs include the dragon-boat racing in the Dragon Boat Festival, dragon-lantern dance and lion dance in the Spring Festival and the activities in Lantern Festival.