Langzhong Ancient City

Langzhong sits inside a bend of the Jialing river with hills closing three sides, a position read as ideal in Chinese geomancy, and the town was laid out accordingly, its streets aligned on the surrounding peaks so that a mountain closes the view at the end of many lanes. It was the provincial capital of Sichuan for around twenty years in the early Qing, and the examination hall from that period survives, along with courtyard houses, temples, a mosque serving a long-established Muslim community, and streets of grey timber shopfronts. Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms was garrisoned here and has a temple in the centre.

What you actually see

• The examination hall - the Qing provincial testing complex.
• The aligned streets - lanes closed by mountains at the end of the view.
• Zhang Fei Temple - the memorial to the Three Kingdoms general.
• The courtyard houses - Ming and Qing residences through the old town.

When to go

March to June and September to November for mild weather; Sichuan summers are hot and humid, winters damp and grey. Lantern-lit evenings are pleasant. Holidays bring crowds.

Honest expectations

The old town charges a combined ticket for its individual sites. Restoration and new construction in the old style are extensive. Transport from Chengdu takes several hours.

Nearby

Nanchong lies southwest; Chengdu is further southwest.