Qingcheng Ancient Town situates on the south bank of the Yellow River in Yuzhong County, Lanzhou. The town is 100 kilometers away from Lanzhou and is the only provincial-rated historical and cultural one in Lanzhou. With a history of nearly one thousand years, it is an important town along the Ancient Silk Road. In 2014, it was listed as the National 4A Class Scenic Spot.
History and attractions of Qingcheng Town
Known as the “Thousand-Year-Old Town along Yellow River", Qingcheng Ancient Town was firstly built from 1022 to 1063 during the Song Dynasty. Qingcheng Town was an important port and trade center on the Ancient Silk Road. It was also a military center of the troops during the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties.
Qingcheng Town now has 50 ancient civilian residential housings, most of which were built in the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). Major sights include Gao’s Ancestral Temple, Qingcheng Academy, Qingcheng God Temple, Courtyard of Luo Family, etc.
Qingcheng Academy was founded in 1831, where a large number of excellent talents and celebrities in history had been cultivated. Now the original site turns to a kindergarten.
The original site of Qingcheng God Temple was originally the Council Room of the Di Qing, the Chamber of Qinzhou District, so it was also called "Di Qing Mansion". It was built in 1038 during the reign period of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty. In 1597, it was changed into a military base, where the troops were stationed. In 1724 duirng Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt as a city god temple, covering an area of 1,000 square meters.
Courtyard of Luo Family is courtyard architecture with a typical style of Ming and Qing Dynasties. The unique style and magnificent majesty make it more elegant. In the courtyard, there are old hookah workshops, water tanks, stone tables, lanterns and lotus pond.
Gao’s Ancestral Temple is listed as the Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It was built from 1779 till 1785 during Qing Dynasty. The ancestral hall sits south to north. The ancestral temple has the important values to commemorate the ancestors, enlighten people, preserve the ethnic style and inherit the traditional virtues of the country.