Zhaotong Old Town in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong
Chinese Name: 昭通古城
English Name: Zhaotong Old Town in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong
Zhaotong Ancient City is a renowned historical and cultural city located in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province. With its long history and unique culture, the ancient city’s architecture, streets, and landscapes preserve traditional styles, transporting visitors back several centuries. Zhaotong Ancient City is not only a prominent historical and cultural site in Yunnan but also an important stop on the ancient “Southern Silk Road.” It has been a place of multi-ethnic cohabitation, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage. Today, the ancient city is designated as a National 4A Tourist Attraction, attracting numerous visitors. Zhaotong Ancient City is centered around Yuanmenkou and covers an area of 2.97 square kilometers, as it was before 1985. The old city is enclosed by four gates:
- East Gate (Fuzhen Gate)
- South Gate (Xining Gate)
- West Gate (Jichuan Gate)
- North Gate (Quma Gate)
Structure
Yuanmenkou is the central point of the north-south and east-west axis and is the highest point in the city. By the mid-1930s, the city had 64 streets of varying sizes. The Zhaotong Ancient City has a rich cultural heritage and has historically been a place of cultural gathering. It is the only large-scale area reflecting Zhaotong’s historical and cultural characteristics, with a dense concentration of traditional street scenes. This area has significant historical, cultural, and emotional value, especially the 0.67 square kilometers from before liberation, which is the main focus of the city’s preservation efforts.
Attractions
Historic Streets
The ancient city was once known for its numerous guild halls from the Qing Dynasty, making it famous as the “City of Guild Halls.” These guild halls, established by migrants from various regions engaged in mining and trade, include:
- Sichuan Temple (Chengdu Guild Hall)
- Shaanxi Temple (Xi’an Guild Hall)
- Lei Shen Temple (Jiangxi Guild Hall)
- Mazu Temple (Fujian Guild Hall)
- Guild halls from Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, and Guizhou
The ancient city is home to a rich collection of Qing Dynasty architecture.
Historical Districts
These include:
- Fulu Street (now Chaoyang Street)
- Huaiyuan Street
- Yonggu Street (now Gonggu Street)
- Wenyuan Street (now the central section of Wenyuan Street)
- Qiwen Street
- Chongyi Street
- Wenhua Street
- Dazhi Street
- Jixian Street
- Boji Street
- Deyu Street
- Heping Street
These areas are the essence of Zhaotong’s historical culture and traditional customs, with street names reflecting local life and deep cultural significance.
Scenic Views
At sunset, the view from steep streets reveals the beautiful old French-style buildings, which, after removing modern signs, display their original, elegant appearance. The ancient plane trees lining the streets, weathered by time, continue to provide shade and charm, their leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze.
Protection
Efforts to protect the ancient city should focus on preserving both the city itself and its related historical sites and natural surroundings. It is essential to maintain the traditional layout, protect the city axis and road network, and control building capacity, height, style, and spatial dimensions. A “Ancient City Protection Plan” should be developed as soon as possible to implement key protections for major historical sites and relics, create conditions for protection, and gradually relocate administrative offices out of the ancient city.
How to Get There
The Zhaotong Ancient City Core Area is located in the central part of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. It can be reached by taking a bus or taxi from the city center. Public transportation options are available, including local buses that stop near the historical areas. For those driving, there are parking areas around the ancient city’s perimeter. It’s advisable to use a map or GPS to navigate to the specific streets and gates of the ancient city.
