Qiantong Ancient Town - a National AAAA Scenic Spot, is one of the most preserved towns in the eastern Zhejiang. It is a peaceful ancient town located in the south of the Yangtze River, 14 km southwest to Ninghai County. Qiantong Ancient Town is wedged between two mountains - Mt. Lu and Mt. Ta. Recorded in the opening pages of a journal by Xu Xiake, the great Chinese travel writer and geographer in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Qiantong Ancient Town has become a popular destination for tourists today.
The village grew from a family clan surnamed Tong, whose ancestors moved there in 1228 AD. Tong Huang is first immigrant during Southern Song Shaoding period. He found this “precious location on geomancy” with the feature of “being embraced by mountains and water while being unobstructed with good geomantic omen” during a journey. So he decided to move together with his family to this place.
Qiantong Ancient Town has the special original appearance of folk houses during the Ming and Qing Dynasties in South China, which was built in the end of the Song Dynasty and became popular in Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the ancient town, there are 157 courtyards with dark bluish tiles, pink and white walls, and a unique eastern Zhejiang construction style. Many of the old houses maintain their original architectural appearances with brick, wood carving and stone carvings which showed the special characteristic of “five artisans’ village”.
Similar to many ancient townships in east China's Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, Qiantong Ancient Town presents an out-of-the-way atmosphere with its small population, remote location, time-honored large family residences and widespread family legends.
Opening hours: 8:00 -16:30
Recommended visiting time: 2-3 hours
Ticket: 70 RMB
Type: Culture& Architecture
Location: Lushan Road, Qiantong Town, Ninghai City, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China
Transportation: Take bus from Ninghai Bus West Station and get off at Qian Tong Station.