Xituo Ancient Town

Xituo Ancient Town

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

Xituo Ancient Town is located on the banks of the Yangtze River at the northwest end of Shizhu County, facing the Pearl of the Yangtze — Shibaozhai — across the river. It is an ancient town that flourished due to historical commercial development. The Cloud Ladder Street in the town is the starting point of the Bashu Salt Route to Chu, also known as the Ancient Ba Salt Road. It forms the core architectural complex of Xituo Ancient Town. Unlike the streets in other towns along the Yangtze, which typically run parallel to the river, Cloud Ladder Street breaks the norm by running perpendicular to the Yangtze, following the ridgeline from the riverbank all the way to the mountaintop. On clear days, when viewed from across the river, the stone steps of Cloud Ladder Street appear stacked layer upon layer, with the flagstones shining brilliantly, resembling a ladder reaching up into the clouds — hence the name “Cloud Ladder Street.” The street stretches approximately 1.9 kilometers in length, featuring 113 stone terrace platforms and a total of 1,124 steps. Along both sides of Cloud Ladder Street are a number of cultural relics and historic sites, including the Lower Salt Shop, Yuwang Palace, Yongcheng Trading Firm, South Dragon Eye Bridge, North Dragon Eye Bridge, Min Pavilion, Wantian Palace, Ziyun Palace, Nan Cheng Temple, and Zhang Fei Temple.

In November 2003, it was designated as one of the first “Famous Historical and Cultural Towns in China” by the Ministry of Construction and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

In 2008, it was selected as one of Chongqing’s “New Twelve Scenic Spots of Bayu” in the cultural landscape category, and named “Xituo Heavenly Street.”