Ci Qi Kou

Ci Qi Kou, 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) west of Chongqing City, is a village on the riverside of the Jialing Jiang (Jialing River). Every one stopping in Chongqing should make sure not to miss the ancient village Ci Qi Kou. The village bears a strong flavor of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 - 1911) and takes you back to everyday life of the old days.

Ci Qi Kou took its form in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1276) when it was a busy dock. By the Ming and Qing periods, Ci Qi Kou had developed into a prosperous goods-distributing center along the Jialing River. The hustling and bustling scenes at that time are still worth mentioning today. Porcelain was exceptionally advanced and prosperous in the Ming and Qing periods, and the products became extremely popular in local and neighboring provinces. Thus, the village was called Ci Qi Kou (porcelain village).

Covering an area of about 1.2 square kilometers (297 acres), the village remains as before: twelve streets and lanes interlaced with paving of grayish slates. Strolling along, looking at the picturesque wooden shops and other various outlets with people inside leisurely going about their business, you find yourself absorbed by the strong feeling of ancient times.

Tea shops can be found everywhere. Special food and snacks make your coming here worthwhile. Famous snacks in Ciqikou are Chen's Fried Dough Twist, cold bean jelly, rice noodles, dried beef,  beancurd sheets, peanut brittle and sesame candy. If lucky enough, you could join in the temple fair held only on special festivals. Those folk activities and customs with distinct local characteristics make your view of the ancient village more vivid and exciting.

The ancient Baolun Temple is located on the Baiya Mountain, which is said to have been the refuge of Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty. A large architectural construction contains the temple, and pilgrims paid a visit here every year. It is the grandest and most famous temple that has survived from turbulent times.

Ciqikou, a place that Chinese people might be there yearning the 'good old days' while foreigners might be there experiencing the most traditonal Chinese culture.

 Entrance Fee: Free (CNY 2 for Baolun Temple)

 Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 202, 209, 215, 217, 220, 221, 227, 237,  261, 265, 467, 501 (Suburban), 503, 504 (Suburban), 505 (Suburban), 808 or 843 and get off at Ciqikou;
B. Take a taxi from Shapingba to Ciqikou (CNY 5);
C. If you come from other districts of Chongqing, just get off at Shapingba and take a bus or taxi to Ciqikou.

 Tip: there are Chuan Opera performance in Ciqikou on the 6th, 15th, 16th and 26th of every month.

 More Tourist Attractions in Chongqing:
China Three Gorges Museum          Dazu Rock Carvings        Jiefangbei       People's Assembly Hall