Chengtoushan Archaeological Site
城头山遗址
One of the earliest ancient city sites in China, dating back about 6,000 years. It preserves the world's earliest known rice paddy remains and is a national archaeological site park.
The Chengtoushan site is in Chexi Township, Li County. It is a prehistoric walled city from the Daxi to Shijiahe cultures, dating back about 6,000 years. It is considered one of the earliest ancient cities discovered in China. Inside the city, archaeologists have found rice paddies about 6,500 years old, along with altars, pottery workshops and tombs. The site is listed as a national key cultural heritage protection unit and a national archaeological site park. The park includes a cross-section of the city wall, a moat, reconstructed rice paddies and a site museum that presents the rice culture of the Li Plain. Tickets cost about 40 yuan. The site is open approximately 08:00 to 17:00, subject to posted notices, and a visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours. It is about 80 kilometers from Changde city, roughly 1.5 hours by car, and can be combined with Jiashan Temple on the same day.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Jiashan Temple
- Taiyangshan Mountain
- Liuye Lake
- Kale Star Paradise Changde
- Datang Sima City
- Changde River Street
- Changde Museum
- Old West Gate (Laoximen)