Sichuan is home to many ancient towns, but most have been heavily remodeled to mimic Lijiang, gradually losing their soul. Fortunately, Qijiang Ancient Town remains, having largely preserved its original character.
·
Qijiang was the capital of the State of Qi during the pre-Qin period. Qixian County was established here in the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, and it later served as the seat of the Dongguanghan Commandery during the Shu Han period, and the seat of Feiwu County during the Sui and Tang dynasties. For over 2,000 years, the administrative seat has never moved. The town rose to prominence due to the salt industry, but its remote location caused it to be left behind by the times, which, ironically, allowed it to preserve its roots. An old saying recorded in the "Santai County Annals"—"Three lions raise their heads to gaze at the Golden Bell, nine dragons swim against the current to worship the Golden Palace"—describes the layout of this town.
·
The old street is short, stretching just over 600 meters and about 3 meters wide. Ming and Qing dynasty wooden houses with blue-tiled roofs line the street, their eaves extending toward the center. Wooden pillars support a corridor that runs the entire length of the street. Beneath this corridor, the daily life of Qijiang unfolds—people drinking tea, chatting, and weaving bamboo baskets. On market days, the street is filled with stalls selling vegetables, meat, snacks, and general goods. Walking along the street, you can still find small shops offering haircuts, tooth extractions, and cupping therapy, with old-fashioned barber chairs that have been in use for decades.
·
Wangye Temple is located in the middle of the street. While its entrance looks unassuming, its history is significant. It was originally the City God Temple of Feiwu County during the Sui and Tang dynasties and was rebuilt on the same site after the "Huguang fills Sichuan" migration. The existing main structure is the oldest wooden building complex in Qijiang. The "Wangye" worshipped here is actually the City God. However, because Qijiang is bordered by the Qi River to the south and the Jin River to the east, its low-lying terrain was prone to flooding. The City God's primary duty here was to "suppress the river" (Zhenjiang), which is why the locals call it the Zhenjiang Wangye Temple.
·
Two giant banyan trees in the temple are a sight to behold: one has roots wrapping around a stone, and the other has a stone wrapped by roots. Locals call them "tree hugging stone" and "stone wrapping tree," and they have guarded the temple gate for centuries. The back of the temple's stage features over a dozen ink inscriptions dating from the 10th year of the Daoguang reign to the 24th year of the Republic of China, all recording Sichuan opera performances. Unfortunately, the stage is rarely used today. However, it is said that the City God Temple Fair, held on the 28th day of the fifth lunar month, is still active. As a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, the City God's procession to pray for rain remains the liveliest day of the year for the old street.
·
Jiulong Bridge spans the Qijiang River outside the town, connecting Qijiang Town in Santai County with Wanfu Town in Zhongjiang County. The old bridge is a bit far from the old street, requiring a walk along a riverside path. The first sight of Jiulong Bridge is truly stunning: a flat-beam stone bridge with nine piers and ten spans. Each pier is carved from a single stone into the shape of a dragon, with nine dragons lying with their heads raised against the current. The bridge was built during the mid-to-late Qianlong or early Jiaqing reign, funded entirely by a local named Li Shiguang. However, upon closer inspection, the bridge is no longer entirely original. It appears that only three of the dragons are ancient; otherwise, it would certainly deserve status as a national heritage site.
·
If the cliff tombs were carved by the Han people for the afterlife, and the old street is where the living have spent two thousand years, then this old bridge is the path that people from both counties have walked for three hundred years. Together, they form the unique story of Qijiang.
·
Name: Qijiang Ancient Town
Admission: Free
Address: Qijiang Town, Santai County, Mianyang City