Xiping Ancient Town

Xiping Ancient Town

Xiping Ancient Town is a cultural tourism attraction.

I. General Overview

On January 19, 2010, at the "Second China Sichuan Famous Towns & Ancient Towns Cultural Tourism Festival" jointly organized by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture, the Provincial Tourism Bureau, the Provincial Department of Construction, and hosted by the Sichuan Famous Towns & Ancient Towns Cultural Tourism Development Promotion Association, Xiping Ancient Town was honored as the "Most Beautiful Ancient Town in Sichuan," ranking second in the province. Located at the junction of Santai County and Zhongjiang County, Xiping Town covers an area of 77.31 square kilometers. It administers 7 Party general branches, 36 villages, 6 residential communities, 313 villagers' groups, and has a total population of 57,178.

II. Transportation

Historically, its water and land transportation were both convenient, making it a hub for commerce and a strategic military location. In today’s era of reform and opening up, it enjoys even more extensive connectivity. A 120-kilometer concrete road leads directly to Chengdu, the provincial capital. The town is 33 kilometers from Santai and about 10 kilometers from the newly built Tangba Expressway entrance at Gutiankou, Santai.

III. Historical Evolution and Changes

The ancient name of Xiping Town was Guanyinchang (Guanyin Market). In the first year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1662), Panlong Temple was built, and the place was named after the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) enshrined there. In the tenth year of Kangxi (1672), a market was established on this site, serving as the seat of Xingri Township. In the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936), the Fourth District was formed. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1950, it remained the seat of the district. In 1956, it was renamed Xiping District. Since the merging of districts and townships in 1992, it has retained its current administrative status. Over 85% of the town’s residents are descendants of migrants from provinces such as Fujian, Guangdong, Huguang (a historical term for parts of Hubei and Hunan), and Jiangxi, who moved during the “Huguang Filling Sichuan” migration wave in the early Qing Dynasty. The town covers 2.8 square kilometers and has a permanent population of over 20,000. It consists of both an Old Town and a New Town. The layout of the Old Town resembles that of a county seat. Its city walls, originally constructed in the fifth year of the Jiaqing reign (1800) by extending the original grain tower, feature seven city gates of various sizes facing the four directions, all slightly misaligned from the cardinal directions. Cultural relics and historic sites such as the Buddhist Chanting Tower, ancient residences, flagstone streets, four major guildhalls, the Wu Family Ancestral Hall, and the former residence site of Chen Wanxi in Hongliang Village, Zhu District Office, reflect the achievements and glory of the people of Xiping in the past. In the New Town, recently built primary and middle schools, waterworks, commercial buildings, post and telecom offices, a senior citizens’ activity center, a health clinic, recreational farms, and others signify the town's current prosperity in material and spiritual life. With 4,000 individual businesses and 1,300 industrial and trade enterprises injecting new vitality, the integration and harmony between the old and new parts of town, as well as the improved living conditions and quality of life, represent another achievement of the people of Xiping in the new era. In recent years, Xiping has been recognized as one of the National Advanced Civilized Towns and Villages, among the Top 200 Economically Strong Townships in Sichuan, one of the 100 Key Pilot Small Town Construction Towns, and one of the 500 National Pilot Small Town Construction Towns. It has also been awarded the titles of “Sichuan Provincial Model Civilized Small Town” and “Sichuan Provincial Sanitary Town.”