Xituo Ancient Town

Xituo Ancient Town – Location and History

Xituo Ancient Town is located on the bank of Yangtze River in eastern Chongqing. It is the only port of Shizhu County. It faces Shibaozhai (Shibao Stockade which was praised as Pearl on Yangtze River) across the river. Xituo Ancient Town covers an area of 66 square kilometers. It was awarded as the China's Famous Historical and Cultural Town in 2003.

Xituo Ancient Town has a long history. It has been a prosperous town early in Emperor Qianlong Period of Qing Dynasty. It is one of the important deep water ports in Upper Reaches of Yangtze River. The ancient town was built along the terrain of the mountain. There are stilt-houses of Tujia people on both sides of the street. There still remains some famous ancient buildings such as Ziyun Palace, Emperor Yu Palace, Wantian Palace and so on.

Xituo Ancient Town – Ladder Street

The ancient and long history left Xituo Ancient Town precious tourism resources. It has become a golden site in Three Gorges Golden Route. The most famous site in the ancient town is the Ladder Street. The street stretches from Yangtze River and ups along the mountain with 118 steps. It has 1111 blue stone steps. Look up at the steps by the river, you would find that it looks like a ladder tower into the sky. Look down from the top of the steps you would find that you were in the clouds especially on a misty day. So the street was named Ladder Street and Tongtian Street (in Chinese means street toward the sky). Ladder Street is the only street which perpendiculars to Yangtze River. It is of great value in scientific research. The stilt-houses built in Ming and Qing Dynasties on both sides of the street add a lot of charm to the ancient town.

With the development of Yangtze Cruise, Xituo Ancient Town is developing a Tujia-style Street – New Ladder Street. Various architectures will be built along the mountain. The new street will presents an ancient and fresh look.