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Explore the region
About Longtan Ancient Town
The area came under Qin's Qianzhong commandery after unification and was linked to Youyang County when Han Gaozu renamed the commandery Wuling; it served as a hub connecting southwest China with the Jiangsu-Zhejiang and Huguang regions. Its architecture is mainly Ming-Qing and Bayu traditional style, with some buildings in wartime-capital, European-religious and modern residential styles, built of blue tile and timber and blending elements of Hui-style and Tujia construction. Among its 72 registered relics are one national-level, two municipal-level and twenty county-level protected units, including Wanshou Palace, Liu Ren's former residence, the Longdongbao rock carvings, the Wang and Wu family courtyards, Yuwang Palace, Yang Er Inn, the Gan family teahouse, Bohai Bridge, Longtou Bridge and the Bagua Well, alongside seven registered historic buildings and intact examples of old wells, bridges, docks and heritage trees.
The town's single national-level protected relic is the former residence of Zhao Shiyan, built in 1902 as a south-facing compound courtyard house of 32 tile-roofed rooms; its gate carries a gilt plaque handwritten by Deng Xiaoping reading 'Former Residence of Comrade Zhao Shiyan'. Zhao, described as a leading disseminator of Marxism and a prominent labour-movement figure, moved here with his family in 1904 and spent his entire childhood and youth in the house before it was designated a national key cultural relic in 2001. The town was also home to figures including the Kuomintang elder Wang Boshan, the women's activist Zhao Shilan, the revolutionary educator Zhao Juntao, Qu Qiubai's wife Wang Jianhong, and Liu Ren, a former second secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee; the writers Shen Congwen and Ding Ling both wrote about the town, and playwright Tian Han left a poem on departing it.
What to look for
- Zhao Shiyan's former residence, a 1902 compound courtyard house with a gilt gate plaque handwritten by Deng Xiaoping.
- Wanshou Palace and Yuwang Palace, among the town's named historic halls.
- The Wang and Wu family courtyards, examples of the town's Ming-Qing and Bayu-style residential architecture.
- Bohai Bridge, Longtou Bridge and the Bagua Well, among the town's registered heritage structures.
Location & getting there
Getting to Longtan Ancient Town
Identify the main visitor approach and any separately managed houses, museums or performances. Ask before entering residential spaces or photographing residents.
- Search for 龙潭古镇 with 重庆市 and 酉阳土家族苗族自治县.
Find Longtan Ancient Town
龙潭古镇 · 酉阳土家族苗族自治县
No reliable map pin yet: search by the Chinese name.
Sources & visit information
The linked sources support the identity and background described in this introduction. Opening hours, admission, activity availability and exact arrival arrangements have not been comprehensively checked. Confirm current visitor information with the venue; the original catalogue locality and editorial review flag are retained.