After the rapid commercialization of ancient towns such as Dali, Lijiang, and Fenghuang, Youyang County in Chongqing still retains an unspoiled gem — the Gongtan Ancient Town.
Gongtan Ancient Town is located in the western part of Youyang County, Chongqing,neighboring Tongrenand Yanhe across the river in Guizhou Province. It is an ancient town with over 1,700 years of history.The town was once ranked first among the first group of 20 historically and culturally protected towns in Chongqing, renowned for its unique landscape and environment.The ancient town features a remaining stone-paved street about three kilometers long, more than 150 uniquely styled firewalls, over 200 quaint and serene courtyard homes, and more than 50 distinctive stilted buildings. These elements showcase distinctive local characteristics and form one of China’s best-preserved and sizable complexes of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Experts who have visited note that Gongtan can be compared to the world cultural heritage site of Lijiang Ancient Town.
The town was once ranked first among the first group of 20 historically and culturally protected towns in Chongqing, renowned for its unique landscape and environment. Each year,countless artists, painters, and photographers come here to engage in creative work, and scholars have called it the most ideal base for artistic creation along the Wu River Gallery.
The ancient town features a remaining stone-paved street about three kilometers long, more than 150 uniquely styled firewalls, over 200 quaint and serene courtyard homes, and more than 50 distinctive stilted buildings. These elements showcase distinctive local characteristics and form one of China’s best-preserved and sizable complexes of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.
