Ciqikou Ancient Town

Synopsis

Ciqikou Ancient Town is located on the banks of the Jialing River in Shapingba District, Chongqing. It was first built during the Northern Song Dynasty and has a history of over a thousand years. Known as the "Top Ancient Town of Bayu" and the "Top Water Dock on the Jialing River," it is the largest ancient town in Chongqing's main urban area with the most distinctive traditional Bayu residential architecture. It is also one of the first Chinese Historical and Cultural Streets and a National 4A-level Tourist Attraction.

Overview

Ciqi Kou Ancient Town is located on the banks of the Jialing River in Shapingba District, Chongqing. It was first established during the Xianping era of Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, boasting a history of over a thousand years. The town was originally named Baiyanchang (due to the nearby Baiyan Temple), later renamed Longyin Town. In the early Qing Dynasty, it became known as Ciqi Kou (Porcelain Port) due to its thriving production and transportation of porcelain. Ciqi Kou is the largest ancient town within Chongqing's main urban area that best preserves the traditional Bayu-style residences, folk customs, and local culture. It has been approved by the State Council as one of the first batches of Chinese Historical and Cultural Districts and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

Ciqi Kou enjoys the reputation of being the "Number One Ancient Town of Bayu" and the "Number One Water Wharf on the Jialing River." The town adheres to the natural layout of "three hills and two streams converging into one river," retaining unique mountain-city features such as embankments, stepped pathways, stilted houses, small cable cars, and covered corridor streets. It is hailed as a natural museum of Bayu mountainous residential architecture. An ancient saying vividly depicts Ciqi Kou's past prosperity as a crucial water and land transport hub on the Jialing River: "A thousand hands bowing by day, ten thousand lamps alight by night."

Historical Development

The history of Ciqi Kou can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty. A market had already formed here during the Xianping era of Emperor Zhenzong, named Baiyanchang due to the nearby Baiyan Temple. During the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Longyin Town (Dragon Hidden Town). Legend has it that after the Jingnan Campaign, the Ming Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen, once lived in seclusion here, hence the name Longyin.

The name Ciqi Kou originated in the early Qing Dynasty. At that time, the porcelain industry here was extremely prosperous, with large quantities of porcelain being transported along the river wharves. Thus, Ciqi Kou got its name and gained fame far and wide. In 1918, local merchants and gentry pooled funds to establish the Shuci Porcelain Factory, which utilized new porcelain-making techniques. The porcelain produced was of excellent quality and sold both within and outside the province. The porcelain trade drove the prosperity of the entire ancient town, making Ciqi Kou one of the most important commercial distribution centers in the lower reaches of the Jialing River.

The late Qing and early Republic of China period marked the peak of Ciqi Kou's wharf activity. Merchant ships from various places shuttled back and forth on the Jialing River. The calls of dockworkers unloading cargo rose and fell along the wharves. The streets were lined with shops and teahouses, presenting a scene of great prosperity. The wharf culture of Ciqi Kou nurtured a unique Bayu urban folk atmosphere, a vibrant, down-to-earth spirit that still permeates the town's alleys and streets today.

Main Attractions

Specialty Foods

Ciqi Kou is an excellent place to experience authentic Chongqing flavors. The ancient town gathers numerous Chongqing specialty snacks and traditional foods.

Chen Mahua is the most representative local specialty of Ciqi Kou. Mahua shops line the streets, each with long queues in front. The freshly fried twists are golden, crispy, sweet but not greasy. Besides traditional sweet and savory flavors, there are also innovative varieties like salted pepper, mala (numbing spicy), and honey.

Maoxuewang is said to have originated at the Ciqi Kou wharf. Back then, boatmen would cook offal and blood curd in a spicy broth. This dish later evolved into one of the classic dishes of Chongqing hotpot. Tasting authentic Maoxuewang in Ciqi Kou is the best tribute to this history of wharf cuisine.

Cultural Significance

Ciqi Kou Ancient Town is a living fossil of Chongqing's urban memory. Amidst Chongqing's rapid urbanization, Ciqi Kou has preserved a large amount of traditional Bayu architecture and urban folk culture, allowing people to still touch the historical pulse of the city amidst skyscrapers. The town's flagstone paths, stilted houses, old teahouses, and wharves compose a vivid picture of Bayu folk life.

Ciqi Kou is also an important carrier of Chongqing's wharf culture. The old wharves by the Jialing River have witnessed Chongqing's transformation from a water transport hub to a modern metropolis. Although water transport has declined today, the wharf's stone steps remain, the riverside teahouses remain, and that leisurely, carefree Bayu lifestyle attitude remains. In recent years, Ciqi Kou has also introduced new cultural and tourism formats such as the Chongqing Memory Museum and "Chongqing Temperature," injecting new cultural vitality while preserving tradition.

References

1. Chongqing Municipal People's Government: https://www.cq.gov.cn/zjcq/cycq/jplyxl/dsy/dsjp/202409/t20240918_13639781.html
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/磁器口古镇/3273766
3. Guangming Online: https://news.gmw.cn/2025-05/29/content_38056372.htm