The ancient city of Langzhong, filled with streets and alleys, has many stories.

Langzhong is located in the northeast of Sichuan Province. The ancient city was built near the Jialing River. Together with Pingyao, Shexian and Lijiang, it is known as the four ancient cities in China. I have been to Pingyao and Shexian before, and this time I continued westward. It takes 2 hours to get to Langzhong by EMU from Chongqing (you can also choose hard seats, the whole journey takes 4 hours). There are taxis from Langzhong Railway Station to the ancient city, but there don't seem to be many taxis. We took a private van, which cost 15 yuan per car for four people.

There is a clear boundary between Langzhong urban area and the ancient city. The urban area is more like an ordinary county town, while the ancient city is known to have the highest proportion of local residents among the ancient cities in the country. Commercialization is present, but not excessive. If you pass through The bustling main streets and alleys are still inhabited by craftsmen making handicrafts, craftsmen polishing inscriptions, and the men and women who built the Great Wall.

Sichuan people love to eat spicy food. Chili pots can be seen everywhere, which makes them very appetizing.

The signboard of the Gucheng Police Station is also very interesting, "Gucheng Guards", like a scene from "Wulin Gaiden".

When the sun sets, local residents go for a walk along the Jialing River, and many owners come out to walk their dogs.

There are also many students who paint from life. After all, there are so many places to paint in the ancient city, such as rivers, mountains, houses and people. It is a good place for art students to display their talents.

Occasionally, you can see newlyweds taking wedding photos. Personally, I feel that wearing Chinese clothes better matches the style of the ancient city!

The place name "Langzhong" has a history of thousands of years, and it also has an even older name "Baoning", which is also the origin of the name of Baoning vinegar. The local vinegar industry is developed and classified in detail. There is even a "vinegar foot soak street" where you can use medicated vinegar with different ingredients to soak your feet. You can also request massage services.

The stalls selling bamboo baskets and the shops selling street stalls are all handmade.

B&Bs in the ancient city are developing very well. Each one has its own characteristics in decoration and the price is very reasonable.

The reason why Langzhong Ancient City is famous is because of its ancient buildings that have been preserved to this day or rebuilt in modern times, that is, the "attractions" are relatively good.

Lang Feng Shui Museum, referred to as Feng Shui Museum, was officially opened in 2007. The design and construction of Langzhong Ancient City well embodies the concept of Feng Shui. Feng Shui masters such as Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng also studied Feng Shui culture here. The establishment of the Feng Shui Pavilion is also to promote the name of Langzhong as the "Feng Shui Ancient City".

The ticket price of the Feng Shui Museum is 40 yuan. It has a rich collection. It has two floors on the first floor. It is an antique building with exquisite design. There are commentators who give free explanations during certain periods of time, and we also listened to a lot of tips and taboos about new house decoration. Although it was a bit mysterious, we haven't experienced such a "classical" theory for a long time.

The "six core attractions" Huaguang Tower, Zhongtian Tower, Gongyuan, Hanhuanhou Temple, Confucian Temple, and North Sichuan Province Department Ticket cost 120 yuan. The Huaguang Tower is currently under repair.

My favorite attraction in Langzhong is Gongyuan. Gongyuan, also known as the "examination shed", was the examination room where scholars took the examination during the imperial examination era. This tribute courtyard in Langzhong is one of the two best preserved in the country (the other is in Nanjing). In the early days of liberation, Gongyuan was transformed into a guest house in Langzhong County. Fortunately, it was not demolished, and it was able to escape the catastrophe of the Cultural Revolution for ten years by virtue of its status as a guest house.

At present, Gongyuan has become a museum of imperial examination culture, which has restored the examination room of the ancient imperial examination. After listening to the explanation, it turns out that the candidates had to eat, drink, and defecate in a narrow cubicle for three days and three nights, and they were exhausted. There are many people there.

There are many imperial examination results lists among the objects on display. I feel that the current college entrance examination results are similar to these.

The North Sichuan Province Office is an antique building that has been rebuilt in recent years. It restores the appearance of the government when Langzhong was the capital of Sichuan Province. It is very grand, but it lacks some antique flavor. I personally think it can be skipped.

Because Huaguang Tower is under repair, Zhongtian Tower has become the only place in the ancient city where you can climb up and see the distance. This ancient building still maintains its wooden structure and is a rare historical authenticity. Huaguang Tower overlooks the bank of Jialing River, while Zhongtian Tower faces the rooftops of residential buildings, and the black tiles add a sense of life.

It is said that the Bagua disk at the bottom of the Zhongtian Tower guides the Feng Shui of the entire ancient city.

The architectural style of the Langzhong urban area in the distance is completely different from that of the ancient city. The black tiles of the ancient city, the narrow alleys and green trees interspersed among them, together form a peaceful and harmonious picture.

The Temple of Marquis Huan of the Han Dynasty, commonly known as the Temple of Zhang Fei, was named after Zhang Fei was posthumously named Marquis Huan after his death. Zhang Fei was buried in Langzhong, and an ancestral hall was immediately built there. Since then, the ancestral hall has been repeatedly destroyed by wars and rebuilt after the war, until the courtyard-style building of the Qing Dynasty has been preserved to this day.

Speaking of Zhang Fei, the most famous one is the story of sworn friendship in Taoyuan. The guide said that Zhang Fei in history was handsome, not the tall and rough image in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

Plaque of "Zebei Brazil". This "Brazil" is the Sichuan place name opposite to "Badong", not the one in South America

In Langzhong, the four major religions of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam are harmonious, and various religions are scattered architecture.

Langzhong’s food is closely related to the region, and it likes spicy food and rice products. Because it is close to the Jialing River, fish and aquatic products are abundant. I chose a different restaurant for every meal during this trip, and there was no mistake. Moreover, the local consumption level is low, and you can have a good meal with only 40 yuan per person for dinner.

Local people eat more noodles than noodles for breakfast, so a bowl of beef noodles costs 8 yuan.

Various flavors of steamed buns are popular here. The picture shows the sweet brown sugar buns.

Ice powder needs no further introduction, it is appetizing and relieves spiciness.

There were insects mixed in with the roasted seeds and nuts, so I didn’t dare to try them

Although the twists in Langzhong are not inferior to Ciqikou in Chongqing, the twists in Langzhong are characterized by the twists wrapped in peanuts, chocolate and other seasonings. There are many other types of Mahua flavors, and you can get free express delivery if you purchase a certain amount.

The cold jasmine served at "Gucheng Local Cuisine Restaurant" is recognized as the most delicious during this trip. The texture is very novel. No other restaurant I went to after that had this dish.

The twice-cooked pork at "Gucheng Local Cuisine Restaurant" is a classic Sichuan hot dish. This restaurant also adds steamed buns, which has more local characteristics.

The "Three Wonders" of Langyuan in "Huaguang Inn Restaurant" refer to Langzhong's specialties of vinegar, steamed buns and beef, which are reflected in the dishes such as vinegar soup, sugar-steamed steamed buns and minced beef. This dish is considered a standard dish in Langzhong restaurants, but I personally think it tastes average because I’m not used to vinegar soup.

The "Gulanggu flavor" leek-flavored fish has a rich flavor. The leek and soup bring out the delicate taste of the river fish. It is recommended.

The "ancient Langgu flavor" Mapo tofu is not too spicy and is appetizing with rice. If you don't like cilantro, you have to tell the waiter in advance.

"Li's Kitchen" Sichuan-Chongqing style steamed pork is characterized by a more delicate texture and more fatty meat. It is usually steamed with a bowl turned upside down, so it has a round shape.

Due to the transfer time, I chose a K-seat hard seat for the return trip. I haven’t taken a train like this for many years. It stopped at various towns in Nanchong and Chongqing along the way. Passengers came and went, as if Time goes back.

Langzhong Ancient City is worth a visit, not only for its various ancient buildings, but also for its simplicity and hospitality that have been passed down to this day. The degree of tourism development here is moderate, and the locals live a popular "slow life". They are greeted with smiles when shopping and eating. In addition to hospitality etiquette, they are also happy from the bottom of their hearts. The climate here is mild and the air is fresh. Many elderly people stay here as if they are on vacation. Overall, this was a very satisfying trip, and Langzhong Ancient City left a very good impression on me.

Looking forward to meeting you next time!