Ciqikou Town Photos

Ciqikou is an ancient town in Shapingba District, Chongqing, China, originally named Longyinzhen and also known as Small Chongqing. The saying goes, "One flagstone road, and one thousand years' Ciqikou". Its name traces back to porcelain production dating back to the Qing and Ming dynasties. Formerly a busy port located at the lower reaches of the Jialing River, a thousand years after its founding the town remains as a symbol and miniature of old Chongqing (Jiang Zhou).

Travelers to Chongqing and locals alike throng to Ciqikou's steep and narrow pedestrian streets. Shops sell porcelain, other handicrafts, and gifts, while restaurants and tea shops give visitors a look at what many areas of Chongqing were like before the metropolis became the vast urban agglomeration it is today. A 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple straddles the mountain in the middle of the old town.