A Qing-dynasty water town south of Chengdu built along a canal, with an old street of wood-shopfront buildings under a canopy of old banyan trees. It has been used repeatedly as a film set for period dramas, which is part of why the street looks so intact, and it works well as an easy half-day rather than a full-day trip.
Huanglongxi Ancient Town lies in Shuangliu District, about 30 km south of central Chengdu in Sichuan province, and is reached in about one hour by direct bus from Chengdu's Xinnanmen Bus Station, or via Metro Line 3 to Jiangqiao with a connecting local bus. The town preserves Ming and Qing dynasty streetscapes along the banks of the Jinjiang River, with wood-lattice shopfronts, ancient banyan trees, and several well-preserved temples and ancestral halls, including Chuanzhu Temple and the old opera stage on Gulao Street. A relaxed itinerary spends the late morning wandering the riverside lanes and covered wooden bridges, stopping at Chuanzhu Temple and the town's old government hall, before a lunch of local specialties such as stinky tofu, wood-fired duck, and rice-noodle soup sold from streetside stalls. The afternoon is well suited to browsing craft shops selling bamboo weaving and local tea, or renting a small boat for a short paddle on the river behind the old town. Because the site is mostly open-air riverside walking rather than a strenuous climb, it can be visited comfortably year-round, though spring and autumn afternoons are more pleasant for lingering along the water. Weekday visits avoid the domestic tour groups that can crowd the main street on weekends and holidays.
| Distance | 30 km south of central Chengdu |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Direct bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen station (about 1 hour), or metro Line 3 to Jiangqiao then a connecting bus |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Huanglongxi Town, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610213, China |
How to get there
- Bus: Xinnanmen Bus Station direct to Huanglongxi (about 1 hour, CNY 12-15/$2)
- Metro plus bus: Line 3 to Jiangqiao station, then local bus 812 (about 1.5 hours total)
- Taxi/ride-hail: about 45-60 minutes, CNY 80-110 ($11-15) one-way
- Self-drive: Chengdu-Shuangliu road, about 45 minutes
Location
Huanglongxi Town, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610213, China
30.3178, 103.9708 View on map
Highlights
- Ming and Qing dynasty wooden shopfronts along the Jinjiang riverside
- Chuanzhu Temple and the old opera stage on Gulao Street
- Ancient banyan trees shading the main riverside lanes
- Streetside stalls selling wood-fired duck and stinky tofu
- Short boat rides on the river behind the old town
Tips for visiting
- Take the direct bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station for the simplest one-seat ride rather than the metro-plus-bus combination
- Visit on a weekday to avoid the heaviest crowds, which build quickly on weekends and holidays
- Sample the wood-fired duck and stinky tofu from stalls near Gulao Street rather than the pricier riverside restaurants
- Entry to the old town is free, so budget mainly for food, boat rides, and small purchases
- Wear comfortable shoes for uneven, worn stone paving along the older lanes
When to visit
Spring and autumn afternoons are most comfortable for the riverside lanes; weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends and holidays.
Accessibility
The main riverside street is paved and mostly level, though some older stone paths are uneven; wheelchair access is workable along the primary lanes but limited inside some older temple buildings.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for Huanglongxi Ancient Town?
No, walking through the old town is free; only specific attractions like boat rides or certain temple halls charge a small fee.
How long is needed to see Huanglongxi?
Half a day is usually enough to walk the main lanes, visit the temples, and have a meal, making it easy to pair with another nearby stop.
Is Huanglongxi crowded on weekends?
Yes, it is a popular domestic destination and the main streets can become quite congested on weekends and holidays, so a weekday visit is more relaxed.