The Sleeping Fairy by the River: Xianshi Ancient Town and the Legacy of Salt Transport

The "First Town of Salt Transport"

1.Located in the Yantan District of Zigong: City, Sichuan Province, Xianshi Ancient Town (formerly known as Xianshi) sits gracefully along the banks of the Fuxi River. Situated just 11 kilometers from the Zigong city center, this town is a living fossil of China's ancient salt industry. Historically, Zigong was the "Salt Capital," and Xianshi served as the first crucial port and logistical station for transporting well salt out of the Sichuan basin via the Fuxi River to the Yangtze. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this town was a bustling hub of "mountains of salt and forests of masts," earning it the prestigious title of "The First Town of Salt Transport in China". Today, it remains a National 4A Tourist Attraction and a National Historic and Cultural Town, celebrated for preserving the authentic atmosphere of a Southern Sichuan riverside settlement without the heavy commercialization found elsewhere.

The Legend of the Sleeping Fairy

The town's original name, "Xiantan" (Fairy Beach), is rooted in a beautiful local legend. It is said that the Eight Immortals' daughters descended to earth to play. Enchanted by the scenic beauty of the river and hills, the Lotus Fairy fell asleep and transformed into the landscape: the hills formed her body, and the river beach lay at her feet. Thus, the town's topography is often described as a "fairy lying on her side". Established during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD), Xianshi boasts a unique urban layout that resembles the inverted Chinese character "Zheng" (正). The town is famous for its "Four Streets, Five Temples, Five Gates, One Shrine, Three Piers, One Carp, Three Archways, Nine Monuments, and Ten Earth Gods," a structural marvel that blends architectural defense with Feng Shui principles.

An Architectural Museum of Guilds and Temples

2.Xianshi is a treasure trove of: Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, characterized by the "Sichuan Bucket" style with red walls and grey tiles. The town was a melting pot for merchants, leading to the construction of magnificent guild halls and temples. Key structures include the Nanhua Palace (Fujian Guild Hall) and the Tianshang Palace (Guangdong Guild Hall), both renowned for their exquisite wood carvings of birds, beasts, and flowers, symbolizing the wealth of the salt merchants. The Jinqiao Temple, inscribed by the famous calligrapher Zhao Puchu, and the Chen Family Ancestral Hall are also must-see sites. These buildings are not just static relics; they are integrated into the daily lives of the residents, creating a "living museum" where history is palpable in every brick and tile.

The Flavor of the Salt Gang

A visit to Xianshi is also a culinary journey into the heart of "Salt Gang" cuisine. The town is famous for its Douhua (Tofu Pudding), often served with spicy dipping sauces, and local delicacies like Tiaoshui Rabbit (Jumping Rabbit) and fresh river fish. Walking through the narrow bluestone alleys, visitors can see elderly locals smoking long-stemmed pipes in old teahouses or listening to "Sichuan Opera Sitting Singing" (Chuanju Zuochang), a traditional folk art. Unlike the noisy bars of other tourist towns, Xianshi offers the tranquility of a bygone era, where the sound of the river and the smell of cooking fires dominate the atmosphere.