Dayang Ancient Town

Dayang Ancient Town

Dayang Ancient Town is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Nestled at the foot of the Taihang Mountains in Zezhou County, Shanxi Province, lies the ancient town of Dayang, which boasts a history of over 2,600 years. Historically known as Yang’a, Dayang was established as a county by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, continued as such under the Han Dynasty who also enfeoffed nobles here, and was designated as a commandery during the Western Yan Dynasty. For more than 800 years, it served as the seat of a county, a noble fiefdom, and a commandery. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Dayang produced a multitude of officials, as reflected in local folk songs: “No official would boast without having been to Dayang” and “Dayang produced sesame-seed-sized officials by the bushel,” both highlighting the town’s flourishing scholarly and official culture. Additionally, Dayang earned the title “Needle Capital of China” due to its thriving handcrafted needle industry. From the Western Han Dynasty to the Ming and Qing eras, the town has been home to many legendary figures, including the graceful and talented Zhao Feiyan, the creator of various palace melodies Kong Sanchuan, the upright and outspoken Ru Taisu, and the imperial martial arts champion Zhang Dajing who died for his country. Each left an indelible mark on Dayang’s history.

“In ancient times, the swords of Yang’a could cut through oxen and horses on land and slice wild geese mid-flight over water.” The area’s rich mineral resources made Dayang one of the important cradles of China’s iron smelting industry. Beyond its forging prowess, Dayang Ancient Town also embodies the grace and artistry of song and dance. From the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods through the Han and Wei-Jin dynasties, Yang’a became a renowned hub of performing arts. The “Exquisite Dances of Yang’a” and the “Melody of Yang’a’s Shallots” stand as brilliant testaments to the town’s cultural and artistic legacy.

Dayang Ancient Town features a vast complex of well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, often referred to as a “living fossil of ancient Chinese towns.” Strolling through the town, visitors will find ancient city walls and fortresses, crisscrossing streets and alleys, official residences and merchant homes, pavilions and bridges, as well as temples and ancestral shrines. Every brick, stone, blade of grass, and tree exudes a sense of timeless charm. The town is embraced by rolling mountains, presenting a majestic natural landscape. Among its scenic wonders, the “Ten Scenes of Xiangshan” are particularly famous.

In 2008, it was designated as a “Famous Historical and Cultural Town of China” by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Cultural Heritage Administration. In November 2011, it was honored as a “Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Arts” by the Ministry of Culture. In 2016, it became an “International Cultural Exchange Base for Chinese Overseas Chinese.”