Want to Avoid Crowds? Try Your Luck at These Places in Ciqikou

As the atmosphere of Autumn is getting stronger, the Golden Week of the National Day is coming soon. Though still working hard in the office, have you figured out where to go during the Golden Week? According to the latest "National Day Golden Week Travel Heat Map" released by Ctrip, Chongqing ranks sixth in the search list of hottest cities in China. 

It is indeed a pleasure to navigate in such a magical urban city in the cool wind of Autumn. If you want to feel the most robust flavor of Chongqing in the central metropolitan area, Ciqikou Ancient Town must be the best choice. This town, often called "a small Chongqing," is located on the bank of the Jiangling River.

If you want to experience something new in Ciqikou, you'd better read carefully the following tips that are even unknown by 95% of the Chongqing locals.

Zhong's Courtyard

At No. 17, Lane 1, Huangjueping, Ciqikou Ancient Town, there is a unique mansion, which was initially built in the late Qing Dynasty.

Over 130 years of changes in time, it still maintains the same look back then. The owner of this compound used to be Mr. Zhong Yunting, the purchaser of the Imperial Household Department, serving the Empress Dowager Cixi. Later, with the approval of the Empress Dowager Cixi, he returned to his homeland to marry, have children, and built such a square and upright Courtyard in Ciqikou. Zhong's Courtyard is symmetrical and rigorous, seated in the north and facing the south, invisibly with the charm of a Beijing quadrangle courtyard. Still, the building uses small blue tiles and a southern-style through type timber frame. The combination of north and south shows the exquisite construction method of Bayu residences. 

Inside, the furnishings of the past are still maintained. Meanwhile, people can vaguely see the rise and fall of such a big family. The Courtyard is deep, with blue tiles, and the quiet Courtyard allows people to understand the classical beauty of Bayu houses.

Hanlin Tea House

Entering the gate of Ciqikou Ancient Town and walking through the slender alley, you can see a low-key sign with high-profile content of "Hanlin Residence of the Qing Dynasty." Sun Wenzhi, a citizen of Ciqikou in the Qing Dynasty, once opened a private school there. Three of the students studying there were ranked as Juren in the imperial examination. Two were admitted to the Hanlin Academy, displaying the cultural heritage of the Shapingba-Ciqikou area since ancient times. 

Time goes by, leaving mottled woods and weathered stones there, telling people the stories they have experienced. More than a dozen bamboo chairs clustered around the low tea table. All of them show a flavor of the old Chongqing. You can just order a cup of tureen tea, sit under a tree, and listen to the surrounding Chongqing dialect, enjoying the feeling of "a real hermit lives in the bustling place."

Hemei Courtyard

In the neighborhood of the Ciqikou Center Street Community, there is also a "Hemei Courtyard," which is the place with the most authentic daily life of the locals in Ciqikou.

You could experience the most ordinary daily life of the residents of the ancient town there. As soon as you enter the Courtyard, a series of stone stairs built according to the mountain landscape would attract your attention. The long steps are so unusual and full of characteristics of the Mountain City.

Ciqikou Bystreet

Walking up the stone steps from the Ciqikou Wharf and arriving at the main street of Ciqikou Ancient Town, you could see a bronze statue of a night watchman. To the right of the statue is Ciqikou Bystreet.

It is a narrow alley with a length of more than a hundred meters and a width of about 3-5 meters. There are dozens of music bars, coffee houses, tea houses, calligraphy and painting bars, etc. They are in various styles, traditional, romantic, or warm. What a leisurely place!

When visiting this ancient town, you can go to the small tea house to rest when you are tired. You can order a pot of tea and enjoy it together with the folk songs performed by the original singers. The light music can relax your nerves, and your bodily fatigue will be immediately eliminated.