Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou Ancient Town sits on the bank of the Jialing River in Shapingba District, a river port dating back over a millennium whose name translates to 'Porcelain Port' for the ceramics once shipped from its docks. The preserved lanes, lined with wooden Ming- and Qing-dynasty style buildings, are now dense with vendors selling porcelain and ceramics, local tea, handmade crafts, and a wide range of Chongqing snacks, including the town's well-known 'chen mahua' twisted fried dough and spicy candied fruit. Much of the merchandise is aimed squarely at tourists, and quality varies considerably between shop to shop -- porcelain and tea from established stores tend to be genuine, while some souvenir stalls sell mass-produced trinkets with only a loose connection to local craft traditions. Prices at food stalls and small souvenir vendors are often negotiable, particularly for larger purchases, while established tea and porcelain shops generally hold to marked prices; cash remains more useful here than in central Chongqing, though mobile payment is increasingly accepted. The town gets extremely crowded on weekends and holidays, with the narrow main street becoming difficult to move through at peak times, and the best approach is to explore the quieter side lanes away from the main thoroughfare, where teahouses overlooking the river and smaller craft workshops offer a calmer alternative. Riverside teahouses near the old dock are a highlight for sitting with a cup of local tea while watching boat traffic on the Jialing.