The Millennium Bamboo Town on the Tea Horse Road: Yuantong Ancient Town and the Living Heritage of Bamboo Weaving

The "First Bamboo Town" of Western Sichuan

1.Located in Chongzhou: City, about 70 kilometers from Chengdu, Yuantong Ancient Town (Yuantong Chang) is a hidden gem often described as a "Living Museum of Bamboo Weaving Culture." Situated at the confluence of the Baimo River (White Foam River) and the Tea Horse Road branch, Yuantong has been a vital water and land transportation hub since the Qin and Han dynasties. Historically known as "Little Chengdu" for its prosperity, the town offers a serene escape surrounded by ten thousand mu of bamboo forests, creating a natural oxygen bar with high negative oxygen ions. Unlike the more commercialized ancient towns, Yuantong retains a low-key, authentic atmosphere where history breathes through the streets and the scent of bamboo lingers in the air. It is a place where the hustle of ancient trade meets the tranquility of a riverside settlement, recognized as a National 4A Tourist Attraction and one of China's Historic and Cultural Towns,,.

A Symphony of Bamboo and Water

2.The soul of: Yuantong is the harmony between the Baimo River and the vast bamboo forests. The town is laid out along the river, featuring traditional Diaojiaolou (stilt houses) built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These wooden structures, with their dark tiles and grey walls, hang over the water, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of a Chinese ink painting. The town is famous for its Bamboo Weaving, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Here, bamboo is not just a plant but a way of life. Workshops line the "Bamboo Weaving Street," where artisans skillfully craft bamboo into baskets, lanterns, and intricate porcelain-bodied bamboo ware (Citai Zhubian). Visitors can watch these masters at work, seeing how thin bamboo strips are woven into exquisite art pieces that were once tributes to the imperial palace,,.

The Legacy of Guild Halls and Migration

Yuantong is also a testament to the "Huguang Fills Sichuan" migration wave during the Qing Dynasty. The town preserves a remarkable collection of Guild Halls (Huiguan), such as the Guangdong Guild Hall, Hubei Guild Hall, and Huguang Guild Hall. These magnificent structures served as gathering places for merchants from different provinces, blending diverse architectural styles with local Sichuan elements. The Guangdong Guild Hall, for instance, is known for its exquisite wood carvings and ancient opera stages, where Sichuan Opera performances still echo today. Walking through the "Nine Streets and Eighteen Alleys," visitors can see the intricate details of these buildings, which stand as monuments to the town's commercial past and the integration of immigrant cultures,,.

A Lifestyle of Leisure and Festivals

3.Life in: Yuantong is defined by a slow, leisurely pace. The riverside is dotted with tea houses set under century-old banyan trees, where locals and visitors alike sit in bamboo chairs, sipping Gaiwan tea and chatting the day away. The town comes alive during traditional festivals. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, a "Bamboo Lantern Fair" is held, where thousands of handmade bamboo lanterns float on the river, creating a dreamlike spectacle. The Dragon Boat Festival features bamboo-woven dragon boats racing on the river, showcasing the town's vibrant folk spirit. Culinary travelers can indulge in the "Bamboo Shoot Feast," featuring fresh dishes like stir-fried meat with bamboo shoots and bamboo fungus soup, offering a true taste of the local ecology,.