Ciqikou Old Town

Discover a Piece of Ancient China near Chongqing

Ciqikou Old Town is nestled on the bank of Jialing River in Shaba District of Chongqing, facing the Jialing River in the east, the Shapinba area in south, bordering Tongjiaqiao Street in the west and backing Shijingpo Street in the north. It is nearly 2 miles (3 kilometers) from downtown Chongqing. Ciqikou is a well protected ancient street, the epitome of Chongqing. Historically, this was the famous porcelain-producing and transit center, hence the name Ciqikou, which means “porcelain” in Chinese.  More than a dozen ancient kilns have even been discovered here.

Old Town Ciqikou covers more than half a square mile (1.5 square kilometers) and is home to roughly 18,000 people. The city was first built during the Song Dynasty, developed quickly into a commercial port during Ming Dynasty, and prospered in the late Qing Dynasty. In Ciqikou, the ancient history, unique culture and a distinctive city life of classical Chongqing has been preserve for the most part, which the latter has been modernized over the generations.  This has earned Ciqikou the city the sobriquet of “Lesser Chongqing”.

The architecture of the edifices in Ciqikou bear Sichuan-style features. The streets are paved in blue stones while the houses in Old Town Ciqikou are timber-made, each one separated from the others by wooden walls. The windows of each house are decorated with window paper-cuts, exquisite in pattern and workmanship. The carved beams and painted rafters make this ancient town a distinctly antique look.

Ciqikou Old Town is gifted with lofty peaks, clear waters, crisp fresh air and verdant trees. People here are living a happy and comfortable life. Ciqikou Old Town was listed into municipal protected streets of Chongqing in 1998. The government of Shapingba District has developed Chongqing into a tourist area brimming with profound Bayu culture.