Overview:

Qibao Ancient Town is a historic area located in the Minhang District of Shanghai, China. This thousand-year-old town was a pleasure ground of the Qing Dynasty rulers and is known for its attractive bridges, small streets, dikes and lakes, as well as its traditional buildings and folk art. Qibao is also home to a famous temple, as well as a range of original snacks and shops. One of the highlights of the town is the annual Water Splashing Festival that takes place every July. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. Ancient Streets: Qibao Ancient Town is renowned for its picturesque historical streets and lanes, with remnants of ancient architectural styles on either side. 2. Qibao Temple: Built in the Northern Song Dynasty and restored multiple times, this temple is one of the major attractions in Qibao Ancient Town. 3. Riverside Promenade: Stroll along the riverside to take in the gorgeous views of Qibao and its surrounding area. 4. Local Snacks: Sample the amazing local snacks and fare offered in the many eateries located in Qibao. 5. Red-Brick Houses: Witness the unique characteristics of these ancient red-brick houses that line the streets of Qibao. 6. Huishan Guildhall: Step inside this grand guildhall to admire its unique architectural style, restored on the 500th anniversary of the town’s founding in 1992. 7. Museum of Ancient Coins: This museum, housed in a traditional Chinese courtyard-style building, offers programs and exhibitions on the history of ancient coins. 8. Performance Arts: Watch traditional arrays of opera, drama and music performances, as well as folk culture activities like balloon fishing, archery, and more. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

Located in Minhang District, 11 kilometers southwest of Shanghai, the Qibao Ancient Town has a long and storied history. Its beginnings date back to as early as 845 AD, when it first served as a fortress town. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960 AD), Qibao flourished as a center of trade and commerce due to its strategic location at the junction of major commercial routes. In 1132, during the Song Dynasty, Taoist master Yang Hui built a temple in Qibao, and this was the start of its fame as a spiritual destination. By the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), when foreign rulers controlled the area, the town was converted into a garrison for the Mongol troops. During the earlier Qing period, the area around the garrison was designated a military production zone. Both the garrison and the production area were developed, making Qibao a major industrial center of Shanghai for some time. Qibao then began to decline and let its ancient structure and culture slowly fade away. In 1914, Qibao experienced its worst crime, the Qibao Plum Killing, where a local warlord, Hu Hijin, ordered the execution of more than two thousand local people who refused to collect taxes for him. This action brought great turmoil and fear to the small town. In 2001, the government finally began to pay attention to this cultural relic and invest in restoring the historical sites, such as the ancient temples, gardens, pavilions, and courtyards. It is now a tourist attraction renowned for its unique traditional southern Chinese architecture. A popular festival, Qibao Ancient Town Fair is held once a year in March. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Qibao Ancient Town (七宝古镇) is located in the Minhang District of Shanghai, and it is one of the few traditional water villages still preserved in the city. 2. Qibao Ancient Town dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty and is over 900 years old. It is full of old-fashioned lanes and white-washed houses, which make it a popular tourist destination. 3. Qibao was once home to famous poets, artists, and scholars, including Mei Lanfang, a renowned Beijing opera actor. 4. Qibao's symbol — the old pagoda — stands at the centre of the town and is a popular attraction, along with the old main street, which is full of souvenir shops. 5. The Great Stele of Qibao is another popular place to visit in the town. The stele is the most important historical relic in Qibao and dates back to the Qing Dynasty. 6. Qibao is also home to a lot of traditional temples and iconic snacks. One of the most popular dishes is the Qibao Fried Cake, which is a deep-fried rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era