Potao Ancient Town, located approximately 25 kilometers west of Xianju County, serves as a crucial water-land intersection connecting the southeast coastal region with the inland areas of western Zhejiang. In ancient times, this town was a thriving commercial hub along the Yong’an River. Every third, sixth, and ninth day of the month, people from the surrounding areas would gather here for a bustling market, a tradition that continues to this day.
Preserved alongside this tradition are the shops along the streets, old residences, and the millennia-old art of boneless needle-embroidered lanterns. The town is small, and one can leisurely stroll, enjoy the scenery, and take photos in just one or two hours. Upon entering Potao Ancient Town, the first thing that catches your eye is a cobblestone path. This east-west oriented, dragon-shaped ancient street stretches for 2 kilometers, built alongside the river with boat docks behind the houses and shops facing the street. Although Potao has lost its former prosperity, most of the shops with red lanterns hanging along the street are closed, but some signs are still faintly legible: Tongyuan Lisheng Pharmacy, Official Salt Shaoxing Wine Tavern, Sumsong Cloth Store, and Liangguang Groceries, giving a sense of historical layers. The Dragon Street can be divided into Upper and Lower Streets, with clear signs at major intersections. The Upper Street is relatively more concentrated with historical sites. Strolling along the ancient street, you will find not only shops but also numerous academies, private schools, ancestral halls, and temples, some of which are open for visitors. Prominent among these are the Changmentang and He’s Scholar’s Mansion. He’s Scholar’s Mansion is a typical Jiangnan residence, having produced many officials, with the official reports densely displayed on the wooden walls on both sides of the official report hall. The Hugong Temple on the south side of the ancient street is also a quadrangle building, with a statue of Hugong enshrined in the hall. Opposite the statue, on the carved and dougong-adorned ancient stage, lively cultural performances are held on important holidays. The boneless lantern exhibition in the town center is also a must-see, showcasing many such lanterns made entirely of embroidered patterns without a frame, which are a distinctive part of the local culture. It is important to note that photography is prohibited in the lantern exhibition. The Spring Garden nearby often attracts curious glances, with a sign reading ‘Color Competes with Spring Flowers’ next to the street-facing main entrance, and the copper coin decorations inside indicating that this is a place for the wealthy. Additionally, 1 kilometer from the ancient town in the Shanxia Village, there is the Tongjiang Academy where the Song Dynasty’s great philosopher Zhu Xi once escorted his son to study (20 yuan), and 2 kilometers away in the Fengshuqiao Village, there is the typical residence of the ancient Jiangnan gentry – the SanTouJiuMen Hall. For those interested in cuisine, you can try the ‘Xianju Eight Bowls,’ which are eight signature dishes of Xianju. Of course, you don’t need to order all at once; you can choose a few to sample. The town is open all year round from 08:00 to 16:10. Additional information on preferential policies: 1. A. Free ticket policy: Children under height 1.Children under 2 meters (not included) enter for free; senior citizens aged 70 and above (not included) and individuals with disabilities at levels 1-4 can enter without a ticket upon presenting valid identification.
B. Preferential Policies: Children with heights between 1.2 meters (inclusive) and 1.5 meters (not included), elderly individuals between 60 (not included) and 70 years old (inclusive) with a senior citizen card or ID, active-duty military personnel with an officer’s ID, and individuals with disabilities at levels 5-10 with a disability certificate can purchase discounted tickets at the scenic spot (the above preferential policies require purchasing tickets at the scenic spot).
2. The above information is for reference only; please refer to the day’s disclosures at the Xianju Potao Ancient Town scenic spot for specific details.
Essential Tips: Always carry your ticket with you, as there will be ticket checkers at every attraction who can provide a brief explanation of the historical context of the site.
