Zhuoshui Ancient Town

Zhuoshui Ancient Town is located in the Zhuoshui attraction area of Qianjiang District, Chongqing. It flourished during the Tang Dynasty, reached its peak in the Song Dynasty, and gradually declined after the Ming and Qing Dynasties. As one of the most renowned ancient towns in southeastern Chongqing, it stands alongside the Longtan Ancient Town attraction.Gongtan Ancient TownCollectively known as the “three famous towns of Youyang”. As a quintessential representation of Chongqing’s old streets, this area preserves a relatively intact alleyway layout with the distinctive charm of southeastern Chongqing’s ancient towns. It showcases the unique character that sets it apart from historical districts in other cities while embodying the fusion, inheritance, and innovation of Ba culture, Tujia culture, and Han culture. The waterfront culture, merchant culture, and market town culture here are intricately interwoven. The ancient town’s old street is paved with bluestone slabs, stretching approx. 1 km long and 2–3.5 m wide. The shops, residences, guildhalls, and schools lining both sides feature wooden structures in diverse styles—some are stilted houses, others courtyard dwellings or “dustpan-mouth” buildings—creating a picturesque harmony. Fireproof walls adorned with exquisite murals separate the residences, while intricate wood carvings grace the window lattices and masterful stone engravings decorate the column bases. Strolling down this street feels like stepping into a grand hall of multicultural heritage. The visitor center at the ancient town entrance is housed in a 300-year-old opera stage, featuring remarkably lifelike character carvings on its eaves – a rare example of intricate craftsmanship rarely seen across Chongqing.Wind and Rain BridgeSpanning the Apeng River, this approx. 303m long and 5m wide covered bridge was reportedly one of Asia’s longest wooden bridges. Built entirely of interlocking wooden beams joined by mortise-and-tenon joints in precise crisscross patterns, it featured remarkably sturdy construction. Sadly, the bridge was destroyed in a 2013 fire.