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Home Travel in Guangxi Xingping Ancient Town
Xingping Ancient Town
Travel in Guangxi

   Xingping Ancient Town
Xingping Ancient Town
(xīng píng gǔ zhèn 兴坪古镇) is located at the northeast part of Yangshuo County (yáng shuò xiàn 阳朔县), 25 kilometers away from the urban area. The town is based on the hill at the back and overlooking the Li River (lí jiāng 漓江). It is regarded as the most beautiful ancient town along the Li River.

Xingping Ancient StreetAs early as in the Three Kingdoms Period (sān guó shí qī 三国时期), the town was erected, and it belonged to Xiping County (xī píng xiàn 熙平县). In the Sui Dynasty (suí cháo 隋朝), Xiping County was changed into Yangshuo County, thus Xingping Town was dominated by Yangshuo.

There are many cultural relics in Xingping, which are mainly located at the Xingping Ancient Street (xìng píng gǔ jiē 兴坪古街) and the fishing village. Xingping Ancient Street is more than 1 kilometer long, which was laid with flagstones. It begins from the southeast part of the town and ends at the Rongshu Pool (róng shù tán 榕树潭) and the dock of the Li River, which makes the come-and-go of the common people and the business man much more convenient. On both sides of the street, there are the well-preserved assembly halls of every province. On the northeast part of the street, it is the Shizidan (shī zǐ dàn 狮子旦) which is the relics of the Xiping County. The profile of the city walls is still obvious. And the ancient bricks and the piles can be seen everywhere. The once prosperous county is now solemn and silent. The ancient banyan tree which was planted when the county was erected is now with luxuriant foliages. The trunk is so thick that 8 people can just get their arms around.

Xingping Ancient StreetThe Guandi Temple (guān dì miào 关帝庙) besides the ancient street was originally built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (qián lóng dì 乾隆帝) in the Qing Dynasty (qīng cháo 清朝), with a history of 270 years. The Wannian Stage (wàn nián xì tái 万年戏台) in the temple is the best preserved one in the north region of Guilin City (guì lín shì 桂林市). And it is with great importance for the research of the history and evolution of the traditional opera in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (guǎng xī zhuàng zú zì zhì qū 广西壮族自治区). On the edge of the stage, there are four wooden carving pictures, the figures on which are vivid and true to life. On the left side of the stage, there is a folding wooden screen.

Qianyuan BridgeBeside the river, there is the Qianyuan Bridge (qián yuán qiáo 乾元桥) standing. Though the bridge has experienced many years, the stone flags on the bridge are still smooth and flat. The little pits on the stone, which are formed by the dropping water, are visible. Standing on the bridge, one cannot help recalling its long history.

Xingping Ancient Town
Location: Northeast part of Yangshuo County
Admission fee: RMB 5
Opening hours: all day long
Transportation: you can take a bus at the Yangshuo Bus Station to Xingping Ancient Town Attractions nearby: Butterfly Spring, Yangshuo West Street