Wangyu Ancient Town
望鱼古镇
A small ancient town built against huge boulders in the Zhougong River gorge, named after the 'Watching Fish Rock' beside it. Stone-slab streets and wooden houses stand along the river, preserving the original character of a mountain town.
Wangyu Ancient Town lies about 40 km south of Yucheng District, on the banks of the Zhougong River. It was a small post on the Tea-Horse Ancient Trail, and it takes its name from the huge boulder beside the town, the Wangyu Rock (Watching Fish Rock), which resembles an angler gazing at fish. The town is small. A bluestone old street several hundred metres long winds along the terrain, lined with two- and three-storey timber-frame houses. Many families still live here, and traditional crafts such as bamboo weaving and woodworking can be seen along the street. From the edge of town, you can look down on the clear water of the Zhougong River and the dense forests on both banks. It is cool in summer and a popular escape for Ya'an residents. It is quieter and less commercial than Shangli, so it suits a half-day of slow exploring and photography. Entry is free. Getting there: about 1 hour by car from Ya'an city. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, and you can visit Zhougong Mountain along the way. Notes: food and lodging are limited, so contact places in advance in peak season. In the rainy season, watch for landslides and falling rocks.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Longcanggou National Forest Park
- Zhougong Mountain Hot Spring
- Yazhou Covered Bridge
- Ya'an Museum
- Jinfeng Temple
- Bifengxia Panda Base & Gorge
- Mount Mengding
- Shangli Ancient Town