Pingle Ancient Town 平乐古镇

About Pingle Ancient Town

Leshan Bridge gives the town a clear landmark and a useful starting point for understanding the old crossing and waterfront. The visit works well at a slower pace, with time for a riverside tea stop. The Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea is a separate nearby attraction, so add it only with its own entry and transport arrangements.

Pingle's old name was Pingluo (平落). The settlement had already become a market town by the Western Han dynasty. A Pingluo township (平落乡) was established in 1940; the township was abolished and Pingle became a town (镇) in 1983, and it took its present name, Pingle, in 1993. In December 2019 the administrative areas of Qinghua Community (青华社区), Zhenghang Village (郑航村) and Baotang Village (包塘村), previously under Linji (临济镇), were transferred to Pingle's jurisdiction.

Pingle is designated one of China's Historical and Cultural Famous Towns (中国历史文化名镇). In 2023 it was named one of China's top 100 cultural towns (中国文化百强镇) in the second such listing. The town lies 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south-southwest of Qionglai City, in the west of Sichuan province at the western edge of the Sichuan Basin and in the foothills of the Qionglai Mountains.

What to look for

• Leshan Bridge spans the Baimo River at the heart of the historic town.
• Riverside buildings, old trees and stone lanes preserve the trading-town atmosphere.

Location & getting there

Getting to Pingle Ancient Town

Travel via Qionglai to Pingle Ancient Town and use the visitor approach around Xingxin Street. Continue on foot through the historic centre; arrange the return transfer before adding an outlying bamboo-forest visit.