The "Little Shanghai" of the Micang Road: Enyang Ancient Town and the Red Legacy of Bazhong

The "Little Shanghai" on the Micang Ancient Road

1.Located in the Enyang District of Bazhong: City, Sichuan Province, about 17 kilometers from the city center, Enyang Ancient Town (Enyang Guzhen) is a remarkably well-preserved historic settlement that dates back over 1,400 years. Originally established as Yiyang County in 525 AD (Northern and Southern Dynasties) and renamed Enyang in 598 AD (Sui Dynasty), it served as a vital water and land transportation hub on the Micang Ancient Road (Micang Dao), connecting Hanzhong in the north and Chongqing in the south. During its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the town was a bustling center for merchants and trade, earning it the nickname "Little Shanghai." Today, Enyang retains the authentic layout of a traditional Sichuan water town, sitting at the confluence of the Enyang River and the Zhizi River, surrounded by green mountains. It is celebrated as one of the "Top Ten Ancient Towns in Sichuan" and offers a glimpse into the prosperous past of the region without the heavy commercialization found elsewhere,,.

A Living Museum of Ming and Qing Architecture

Enyang is renowned for its extensive collection of ancient architecture, boasting 589 preserved buildings and a network of ancient streets and alleys dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The town's layout follows the terrain, with streets winding along the river and buildings rising in tiers. The Old Market Street (Laochang Street) is the oldest, featuring traditional stilt houses (Diaojiaolou) with suspended feet, intricately carved wooden windows, and row upon row of grey tiles. These structures reflect the architectural wisdom of the locals, designed to withstand the humid riverside climate while providing commercial frontage. Walking through the narrow, slate-paved lanes, visitors can see the fusion of Western Sichuan folk residences with the grand style of immigrant guild halls, creating a unique visual tapestry of wooden beams, courtyards, and ancient banyan trees,.

The Open-Air Museum of Red Army History

Beyond its commercial history, Enyang holds a significant place in China's revolutionary past. From 1933 to 1935, the Red Fourth Army established the center of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet Area here. The town served as a headquarters for various county and military agencies. Today, it preserves a wealth of "Red" relics, including 13 sites of former revolutionary institutions like the County Committee and Finance Committee. Most notably, Enyang is home to an impressive collection of Red Army Stone Inscriptions. Slogans engraved by the Red Army, such as "Long Live the Victory of the Red Army," can still be seen on walls and stone tablets throughout the Upper and Lower Main Streets. This abundance of preserved sites has earned Enyang the reputation of being an "Open-Air Museum of Revolutionary History," adding a layer of solemn heroism to the town's ancient charm,.

Immigrant Culture and Folk Traditions

Enyang's history is also defined by the "Huguang Fills Sichuan" immigration wave during the Qing Dynasty. Merchants from Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, and Guangdong settled here, building magnificent Guild Halls (Huiguan) to conduct business and socialize. Iconic structures like the Wanshou Palace (Jiangxi Guild Hall) and Yuwang Palace (Huguang Guild Hall) still stand, showcasing exquisite wood carvings and opera stages. This fusion of cultures birthed rich folk traditions that continue today. Visitors can enjoy traditional Sichuan Opera and shadow puppetry, or feast on the famous "Ten Bowls" (Shi Da Wan), a banquet style emphasizing abundance and local flavor. The town remains a living community where locals drink tea in old teahouses, play cards, and live amidst the heritage, offering a genuine experience of the leisurely Sichuan lifestyle,.