Qiantong Ancient Town is located 14 kilometers southwest of Ninghai County, preserving a cluster of old houses and streets from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which became known to the world because of Chen Yifei’s film ‘The Barber’. Compared to Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, the scenery here is more primitive, with almost no commercialized entertainment projects, making it more suitable for walking, sightseeing, and photography.
Before touring the ancient town, one can climb the Lu Mountain in front of the scenic area entrance, which is actually a small hill, but offers a great view from the top, allowing the entire ancient town to be captured in a single photograph. Additionally, the ticket office is not located at the entrance of the scenic spot; it requires a walk of several hundred meters to reach, or one can opt for an electric cart for convenience. The ancient town still retains old-style wooden structure tile-roofed houses, and some villagers still reside within the town, maintaining a simple and unspoiled lifestyle in a tranquil environment. The narrow paths are all paved with pebbles, kept very clean and tidy, making it essential to wear comfortable shoes when visiting. A water channel encircles the village, where one can see women washing clothes by the water and children playing. Walking along the small paths of the ancient town, on a good day, one can see many elderly people sitting together, chatting and basking in the sun, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. There is no excessive decoration here, no urban noise, but rather relaxation. The entire ancient town is not very large, and it can be toured in about two hours. The main attractions available in town currently include Zhisi Qi Ju, Mingjing Hall, Folklore Museum, Tongshi Ancestral Hall, Qunfeng Zhanhe, and the filming location of ‘The Barber’. You can visit Zhisi Qi Ju to see the typical Taizhou-style courtyard house, which was once the predecessor of Qiantong Primary School. The Folklore Museum displays the living and agricultural tools, as well as folk handicrafts, once used by the villagers. Mainly known as the filming location of ‘The Barber’, this was the primary shooting site for Chen Yifei. If time and interest allow, one can also watch ‘The Barber’ at the adjacent Yifei Cinema to reminisce about the scenes from the movie. You can follow the signs and take your time to visit each attraction. If you feel tired, do not miss the local delicacies in the ancient town; many locals set up stalls by the roadside, where you can taste ‘Qiantong Sanbao’ (Tong Tofu, Qiantong Dried Tofu, Qiantong Hollow Bean Curd), which are incredibly delicious. Additionally, soup dumplings, wheat paste, wheat pancakes, and glutinous rice cakes also have their unique flavors and are reasonably priced. Furthermore, for those who truly appreciate the charm of ancient towns and have ample time, it is also an option to stay in the town. There are several small family-run inns in the town, with acceptable conditions, usually ranging from 30 to 120 yuan per night. You can also taste the locally brewed wine by the townspeople. Of course, there is a curfew for the ancient town’s inns, and the locals go to bed early, so try not to return late.Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30.
Preferential policies: Children: Free for those under 1.2 meters (excluding 1.2 meters) in height; Discounted tickets for those between 1.2 meters (including 1.2 meters) and 1.5 meters (excluding 1.5 meters) in height. Elderly: Free for those aged 70 or above with valid certificates. Disabled people: Free with valid certificates. Soldiers: Free with valid certificates. Supplementary note: The above information is for reference only. The specific information shall be subject to the disclosure on the day at Qiantong Ancient Town.
