Ancient Town of Tongcheng

　　The Ancient Town of Tongcheng is the seat of Tongcheng City (county), boasting a history of over 1,200 years. Located at the eastern foothills of the Dabie Mountains and on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it sits at a key transportation hub between north and south. National Highway 206 (Hefei-Anqing Road), the Hefei-Jiujiang Railway, and the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway all pass by its eastern outskirts. The ancient town faces south with its back to the north, nestled against three mountains—Yuping, Tuzi, and Longmian—and flanked by two rivers, the Shih River and the Longmian River. With its picturesque mountain and water views, it is exceptionally charming. Originally named Mountain City, it was renamed Mengxia Town during the Republican era and officially designated Chengguan Town after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

　　The ancient town is elegantly built, with winding streets and alleys, famously described as having “seven turns, eight corners, nine lanes, and thirteen alleys.” Among the well-preserved or restored historic buildings in the town are: the grand and magnificent Confucius Temple, which embodies the cultural characteristics of Tongcheng; the Southeast Two Old Streets, with their upturned eaves and corners, showcasing Ming and Qing architectural styles; the Gaochun Ji Xuan, noted for its exquisite design and Jiangnan charm; the Zilai Bridge, a five-arch, four-span structure crossing the Longmian River; the serene and solemn Jingtu Lianshe, which feels like a fairyland; and the Xianggu Well, a legendary spring that has never dried up in a thousand years.

　　Every step in the town reveals relics of notable figures, such as Fang Xuejian’s Lecture Garden, the former residence of Fang Yizhi known as Elegant Garden, the former residence of Zuo Guangdou called Danjiao Hall and the Zuo Gong Ancestral Hall, the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the site of the Six-Foot Lane of Zhang Ying and Zhang Tingyu, Yao Nai’s Xibaixuan and the ginkgo tree he planted, the former residence of Yao Yuanzhi known as Bamboo Leaf Pavilion, the Fang Dongshu Family Temple, the former residence of Fang Zongcheng called Nine-Room Tower, Wu Rulun’s book collection building known as Banshan Pavilion, Fang Shoudun’s poetry pavilion called Linghan Pavilion, as well as the former residence of modern revolutionary martyr Wu Yue, all of which are vividly preserved, showcasing the unique charm of the ancient town.

　　Contemporary renowned scholars and writers such as Zhu Guangqian, Fang Dongmei, Ye Dingyi, Fang Xiaoyue, Fang Lingru, Ma Maoyuan, Guang Renhong, and Shu Wu also left traces of their youth in this ancient hometown town. The famous historian of literature and history, Luo Zhewen, wrote during his visit to the ancient town: “In the past, the town was filled with distinguished officials and literary excellence unmatched under heaven; today, its cultural heritage rises again, leading once more.”