Travel Guide to Zhangdu Town!

Travel Guide to Zhangdu Town Located in Jing County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province, Zhangdu Town is an ancient town with a history of over a thousand years, often referred to as the "First Town from the West." Nestled between mountains and rivers, the Qingyi River flows through the town, preserving unique Hui-style architecture and stilted houses, blending natural scenery with cultural heritage. Here’s a detailed travel guide: --- **1. Transportation Guide** 1. **By Car** - From Jing County, drive along Provincial Highway S322 for about 15 km, crossing a small bridge with a 2-ton weight limit (a 5-yuan toll applies) to reach Zhangdu. - From Hefei, take a high-speed train to Jing County (approx. 1 hour), then transfer to a minibus to Zhangdu. 2. **Public Transport** - Direct minibuses to Zhangdu are available from Jing County Qiaotou Bus Station, or take a passing bus. --- **2. Main Attractions** 1. **Diaodongge (Thousand Legs of Jiangnan)** - The most famous architectural complex in Zhangdu, built along the Qingyi River with wooden pillars suspended over the water, stretching about 500 meters. It’s dubbed the "Thousand Legs of Jiangnan." The nighttime reflections of lights on the river are particularly spectacular. - The architecture combines Hui-style and stilted-house features, making it a precious example of southern Anhui folk dwellings. 2. **Zhangdu Old Street** - Paved with cobblestones and bluestone slabs, the street is lined with wooden shop-houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties, retaining their historic commercial charm. - A stone tablet marks the "Zhou Enlai Landing Site," commemorating his arrival by bamboo raft in 1939. 3. **Qilin Ancient Ferry & Taibai Sandbar** - The ancient ferry was once visited by the poet Li Bai, who left an inscription calling it the "First Town from the West." Taibai Sandbar, formed by the Qingyi River’s alluvial deposits, offers expansive views. 4. **Nearby Historic Sites** - Lanshanling’s Songbi Temple and Ming-Qing architectural clusters (e.g., "Dafu Di" and "Wei Gong Shrine") are ideal for cultural enthusiasts. --- **3. Food Recommendations** 1. **Zhangdu Pickles** - Traditional handmade pickles like sweet-and-sour ginger, pickled garlic, and chili sauce can be bought at old pickle workshops. 2. **Local Dishes** - "Angdingtou Stewed Tofu" (small river fish with tofu), "Suling Yam Soup," and "Jing County Qin Fish Jerky." --- **4. Best Seasons & Tips** - **Best Time to Visit**: Spring, summer, and autumn. Spring for rapeseed flowers, summer for water activities, and autumn for pleasant weather. - **Notes**: - Some parts of Diaodongge are dilapidated; exercise caution when exploring. - The town has limited commercial amenities; dining and lodging are mostly concentrated in the new street, so bring your own water. --- **5. Accommodation & Nearby Destinations** - **Accommodation**: Few inns are available in Zhangdu; consider staying in Jing County or Yunling Town (4 km away). - **Nearby Attractions**: - **Yunling New Fourth Army Headquarters Site**: A red tourism spot showcasing WWII history. - **Moon Bay**: Famous for bamboo forests and streams, perfect for hiking and photography. --- Zhangdu Town is like a dusty old book—slightly worn but filled with the most authentic charm of southern Anhui. If you seek a quiet, timeless ancient town away from crowds, this is the place to be.