The First Water Town of West Sichuan: Pingle Ancient Town and the Legacy of the Southern Silk Road

The Ancient Post on the Southern Silk Road

1.Located in Qionglai: City, about 90 kilometers southwest of Chengdu, Pingle Ancient Town (historically known as Pingluo) is a living museum of the Southern Silk Road. With a history dating back over 2,000 years to the Western Han Dynasty, Pingle was a vital post on the ancient trade routes and a bustling water terminal where the Tea Horse Road and the Southern Silk Road converged. Known as the "First Water Town of West Sichuan," it offers a perfect blend of landscape and history, described as a layout of "One River, Two Tributaries, Three Mountains, Nine Streets, and Eighteen Alleys." Unlike the overly commercialized tourist spots, Pingle retains the authentic "Old Chengdu" atmosphere, where the hustle of ancient commerce meets the leisurely pace of modern Sichuan life,,.

A Symphony of Water, Banyan Trees, and Stilt Houses

2.The soul of Pingle is the Baimo: River (White Foam River) that flows through the heart of the town. Along its banks, ancient banyan trees that have stood for centuries provide shade for the traditional Diaojiaolou (stilt houses) that line the water. These architectural marvels, built in the Ming and Qing styles with blue tiles and grey walls, reflect on the green water, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of a Chinese ink painting. The town is famous for its "Ancient Banyan Trees," with their roots twisted and gnarled, forming a natural canopy for the countless open-air teahouses beneath them. Here, visitors can sit in bamboo chairs, sip jasmine tea from covered bowls (Gaiwan), and listen to the river flowing, truly embodying the leisurely spirit of the region,,.

The Legacy of Immigrants and Guild Halls

Pingle is also a testament to the "Huguang Fills Sichuan" immigration wave during the Qing Dynasty. The town preserves a remarkable collection of Guild Halls (Huiguan), such as the Guangdong Guild Hall, Jiangxi Guild Hall, and Huguang Guild Hall. These magnificent structures, featuring exquisite wood carvings and ancient opera stages, served as gathering places for merchants and immigrants, blending the diverse cultures of China into the local fabric. Walking through the "Nine Streets and Eighteen Alleys," visitors can see the intricate details of these buildings and imagine the bustling trade of the past, where silk, tea, and bamboo products were transported to Tibet and beyond,.

A Hub of Bamboo Culture and Folk Arts

Surrounded by tens of thousands of mu of bamboo forests, Pingle is known as the "Hometown of Bamboo Weaving." The town is the cradle of the Pingle Paper Craft (Bamboo Paper Making), a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the paper workshops, artisans demonstrate the ancient techniques of making paper from bamboo and crafting vibrant lanterns and dragon boats. During festivals, the town comes alive with folk activities: the mid-autumn "River Lantern Floating" where thousands of paper lanterns drift on the Baimo River, and the lively dragon boat races. Culinary travelers can also feast on the traditional "Nine Major Bowls" (Jiu Da Wan) banquet, featuring local delicacies like roasted rabbit and river fish, offering a true taste of the rustic and hearty Sichuan cuisine,,.