Escape the City: Discover Fubao Ancient Town - A Hidden Gem Just 2 Hours from Chongqing

Looking for a peaceful getaway from the fast-paced city life? Just 2 hours from Chongqing, you'll find Fubao Ancient Town, a serene and picturesque destination that feels like a hidden paradise. I first encountered Fubao Ancient Town in a photograph at the Chongqing Museum of Ancient Sichuan Architecture. The image captured the purest essence of traditional Sichuan-style residences, even though the town's name was unfamiliar to me at the time. Situated at the border of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, and Luzhou City, Sichuan, Fubao Ancient Town was established in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties. By the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, it had grown into a "major town of hundreds of households" and served as a crucial post station connecting the Zigong Salt Fields with Guizhou Province. Although its former glory has faded due to relatively poor accessibility, this isolation has helped preserve its authentic charm, earning it the title "Essence of Chinese Mountain Residential Architecture." The town follows the natural contours of the mountains, embraced by peaks and waters. Its distinctive features include wooden through-type frames, hanging mountain-style roofs, small grey tiles, and cobblestone streets. Along the riverside, you'll find traditional stilt houses and corridor buildings. While some of the town's original "three palaces and eight temples" still stand today, most are not open to the public and remain in a state of abandonment, adding to the town's rustic and mysterious atmosphere. Fubao Ancient Town seems frozen in time, rarely visited by tourists and untouched by excessive commercialization or colorful night scenes. Local residents can be seen leisurely weaving bamboo or sunbathing at their doorsteps, working diligently in the fields, or carefully renovating their rooftops, living a peaceful and harmonious life. The town is relatively small, with its main street, Huilong Street, stretching about 450m with significant elevation changes. An observation deck on the opposite hillside offers a panoramic view of the town, especially beautiful in the sunny afternoon. While the ancient town has minimal commercial development, the adjacent New Fubao Town offers dining options. The new town still maintains its 1990s character, and although accommodation options are limited, several places are available. Notably, Fubao Ancient Town's architectural complex is listed as the 8th batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, and the town itself is recognized in the 4th batch of China's Famous Historical and Cultural Towns. 📍Address: Fubao Town, Hejiang County, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province 🎫Admission: Free 🚗Transportation: Self-driving is recommended. Direct buses from downtown Chongqing to Fubao Ancient Town are available - check the "Yuke Xing" platform for schedules. Return buses to Chongqing depart at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM. For a comfortable visit, consider staying overnight or continuing to Hejiang, as same-day returns can be rushed. Visitors from Luzhou should first reach Hejiang County, where frequent buses run to Fubao Town. A visit to Fubao Ancient Town typically takes 1-2 hours. If you're seeking tranquility and appreciate the natural charm of ancient towns, Fubao Ancient Town is definitely worth a visit.