Lanzhong Ancient Town: Harmony of Water and Wind

#ancientbuildings Langzhong is an urban county within Nanchong Urban District of Sichuan Province. Langzhong together with Huizhou prov. Anhui, Pingyao prov. Shanxi and Lijiang prov. Yunnan is called the 4 oldest cities in China. Langzhong has a history of 2,300 years. During the Warring States period, Langzhong was the capital of the Ba Kingdom. In 316 BC, the Ba kingdom was conquered by the Qin Kingdom, and in 314 BC, Langzhong County was founded. For more than 2000 years, it remained the most important center in northern Sichuan. During the Three Kingdoms period, the army of the Shu Kingdom settled here, and the legendary general Zhang Fei patrolled the city. His grave and memorial complex are also located here. During the Sui Dynasty, Langzhong was renamed Lannei, and during the Tang Dynasty, the name Langzhong was returned to it. Langzhong is famous for the birth of the culture of celebrating Spring Day. The author of the tradition is considered to be an ancient Chinese astronomer of the Western Han dynasty, the founder of the ancient Taichuli calendar, Luo Xiahong. The counting system adopted in Taichuli is still used in the Chinese lunar calendar. The layout of the streets of Langzhong, surrounded on three sides by water, with mountains on four sides, resembles a chessboard. Most of the old houses face north, their windows are decorated with ornaments of flowers, birds and animals. The architectural style of the city embodies the ancient Chinese concept of geomancy (Feng Shui) – "the unity of heaven and man." You can only move around the city on foot: private transport, buses and taxis are forbidden to travel in Lanzhong. The main attractions of the city are: The Huaguanlou Tower, built during the Tang Dynasty, is the oldest tower in the city. The entrance ticket costs 15 yuan. The examination yard served as the venue for provincial and metropolitan examinations under the Keju state examination system. Only three who successfully passed this exam received high government positions. The entrance ticket costs 35 yuan.