I’ve long dreamed of visiting Gaomiao Ancient Town, and today, I finally had the chance. Although I’ve seen many ancient towns before, Gaomiao felt different—like time had quietly come to a standstill.
Tucked away in the southwest of Hongya County, Sichuan Province, Gaomiao Ancient Town was founded in the late Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years. The town is named after an old temple at its highest point and remains one of the best-preserved mountain towns in the area. Flanked by Mount Emei and Mount Wawu and close to the Qiliping Scenic Area, Gaomiao enjoys a stunning natural backdrop and a peaceful atmosphere.
Nestled between rivers and mountains, the scenery here is beautiful and calming. The confluence of two rivers forms the Huaxi River, creating a lively water scene. The surrounding area is rich in minerals and is also known for producing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Gaomiao is also home to *Huaxiyuan*, a local brand of baijiu (Chinese liquor) that’s a specialty of Hongya County.
One of the most iconic buildings in the town is Wanshou Palace, formerly the Jiangxi Guild Hall, a reflection of Gaomiao’s prosperity in its heyday. The town features three ancient streets: Wanshun Street, Yuwang Street, and Huaxi Street. Among them, Wanshun Street is the main thoroughfare. I spoke to an elderly woman who recalled how busy it once was—just a decade ago, nearly every house along the narrow street hosted a shop. Today, however, the street feels deserted. Most of the shops have relocated to the new town built above, leaving behind quiet lanes, aging wooden homes, and worn bluestone paths.
The architecture is charming and nostalgic, with wooden houses, blue tiles, and traditional stilted buildings lining the streets. These structures, made entirely from timber, echo a bygone era. The weathered bricks and gray tiles tell stories of centuries past.
Just outside the town, a river runs gently by. In summer, it’s a favorite spot for water play, rafting, and relaxing with a cup of tea by the riverbank. A suspension bridge spans the water, creating a view reminiscent of a canyon. When the sun’s out, the lush green surroundings and cooler mountain air—several degrees lower than the cities—are incredibly refreshing. Some even say the place looks like the “hot spring house” from Spirited Away.
Local snacks are simple but memorable. You’ll find freshly made rice candy, pickled bamboo shoots, and dried radish, all traditional favorites. The locally cellared white wine is also worth trying.
Travel Tips
Location: Guangming Road, Hongya County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province
Entrance Fee:Free
Parking:Available but limited (paid)
Navigation:Search “Gaomiao Ancient Town” for directions
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 — Visit Mount Wawu.
Accommodation options: 1. Stay in Gaomiao Ancient Town for tranquility. I highly recommend Qiaoxi Mountain House, which offers beautiful views of the iconic Spirited Away-style tower and the green mountains.
2. Prefer liveliness? Stay in Liujiang Ancient Town, a water town with southern charm.
Day 2 — Depending on where you stay, you can visit the other town (Liujiang ↔ Gaomiao) for a different experience.
What to Wear: Outfits in the style of the Republic of China, traditional costumes, white dresses, or artistic clothing look especially good in photos.
What to Bring:Mosquito repellent (a must!), a fishing rod (there’s a small stream), and water gear if visiting in summer. In May, the river is shallow, clear, and emerald green.
If you’re visiting Chengdu and looking for a peaceful side trip, Gaomiao Ancient Town is a wonderful escape. It’s small and quiet—perfect for a short stay filled with water play, mountain walks, and a taste of old-world charm.
As night falls, and the streetlights flicker on, locals gather on small stools to chat. It reminded me of childhood evenings at my grandparents’ home—spreading out a mat, listening to grown-ups talk. Simple moments like these bring a deep, lasting joy.
Hongluo Temple was built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and is the largest Buddhist garden in northern China. It has been a holy place for worshipping Buddha in Beijing since ancient times. There are towering ancient trees in the temple. “Seeing flowers in spring, avoiding the heat in summer, viewing red leaves in autumn, and admiring three friends in winter” are the characteristics of Hongluo Temple.
When you feel a little impetuous, Hongluo Temple becomes the first choice to relax. Come here to climb the mountain and pray for blessings, which can always make people quiet and peaceful. After reaching the top of the mountain and worshiping the Bodhisattva, take another mountain road down the mountain, with the beautiful scenery and a panoramic view. You can reach the Zodiac Garden all the way down the mountain, you can worship Amitabha, you can rest in the pavilion, you can see a group of cute turtles, and feel the fragrance of flowers, and get close to nature. This is a place that is very worth visiting often.
Snow Valley is located in the construction area of Dongsheng Forest Farm, Shanhe Town Forestry Bureau, Wuchang City, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province. The snow valley covers an area of 14,654 hectares in total, with an average snow depth of 1 to 3 meters.
The Snow Country is located on the sunny side of the mountain of Leymus, and the Snow Valley is on the dark side of the mountain. Therefore, the snow in this area will be thicker in winter. When crossing the Mountain, you must be careful not to leave the main road and go deep into the mountains, let alone enter the mountain. This small village has a small population. Many people in the village run hotels and also have a kiosk selling food and common equipment.
Wild Elephant Valley is the most fascinating forest park in Xishuangbanna and a scenic spot for watching wild elephants. It is located 36 kilometers north of Jinghong City in Xishuangbanna and west of the 213 National Highway. This is a place which is frequently visited by wild elephants in Asia, and the Wild Elephant Valley is named after it. It is China’s first national park with the theme of animal protection and environmental protection.
Near the south gate of the Wild Elephant Valley, there is a bird garden and a butterfly garden that can be visited together. There is also an elevated corridor about 920 meters long from the Aviary Park to the North Gate Asian Elephant Museum. You can see elephant skeleton specimens and learn about elephants. The scenery along the road is also very good. In addition, there are restaurants in the scenic area for dining, and there are also some farmhouses at the entrance of the scenic area that can solve the problem of eating, which is very convenient.
Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street is located in Nankai District, Tianjin, with Tianhou Temple as the center, starting from Shuige Street in the south and Tongbei Road in the north. Here is the concentration of Tianjin’s most famous time-honored shops and handicraft shops. You can find many handicrafts and taste classic Tianjin cuisine here.
Every city has its own old street, where you can find childhood memories. In Tianjin, this old street is called Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street, where you can explore the atmosphere of culture. Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street is the only national 5A-level tourist attraction in Tianjin. There are many shops on the street. There are all kinds of art products such as the four treasures of the study, antiques, calligraphy and painting. It is a paradise for culture and art!