The four ancient cities in China refer to the ancient city of Huizhou in Huangshan, Anhui Province, the ancient city of Langzhong in Sichuan, the ancient city of Pingyao in Pingyao, Shanxi, and the ancient city of Lijiang in Lijiang, Yunnan.
1. Langzhong Ancient City
Langzhong Ancient City, located in Langzhong City, Sichuan Province, was an important military town of Shu in ancient times, the hometown of Chinese New Year culture, and one of the four ancient cities in China. There are 8 national key cultural relics protection units and 22 provincial cultural relics protection units in Langzhong Ancient City. In 2020, it was selected as one of the "Top Ten New Cultural Tourism Landmarks in Chengdu and Chongqing".
2. Lijiang Old Town
The Old Town of Lijiang, located in the ancient city of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, was founded in the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty, and is one of the two ancient cities in China that have successfully declared the entire ancient city as a world cultural heritage.
3. The ancient city of Pingyao
The ancient city of Pingyao, located in Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, was built in the period of King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty, rebuilt and expanded the city during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, it is the most complete ancient county town preserved in China today, the whole city is like a turtle crawling southward, so it is called "Turtle City".
4. The ancient city of Huizhou
The ancient city of Huizhou, also known as the ancient city of She County, was known as Xin'an County in ancient times. It is located in Huicheng Town, She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The ancient city of Huizhou is the birthplace of "Huixue", one of the three major local schools in China, and is known as "the southeast Zou and the state of etiquette".
These four ancient cities all have strong ethnic styles and local characteristics, and are part of the splendid Han cultural heritage. They represent the characteristics of the region and the style of a certain historical period, and are of great significance to the study of Han architecture, history, population, customs and culture. These ancient cities also fully embody the traditional architectural style and planning ideas of the Han nationality, and are the iconic ancient cities that show the historical and cultural characteristics of the Han nationality.