PHOTO / CHINA
SW China's ancient town revitalized through preservation
By Xinhua Published: Dec 21, 2025 08:55 AM
Tourists visit Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 12, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Photo by Wang Jun/Xinhua)

Tourists visit Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 12, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Photo by Wang Jun/Xinhua)



 
Kids play in a family inn in Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Kids play in a family inn in Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)



 
An aerial drone photo shows a view of Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)



 
Zhai Zhigang, a restaurant owner, serves the guests in his restaurant in Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Zhai Zhigang, a restaurant owner, serves the guests in his restaurant in Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)



 
Tourists pose for photos in Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Wu Di)

Tourists pose for photos in Zhaohua ancient town in Zhaohua District of Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Zhaohua ancient town, located in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, sits at the confluence of the Bailong River, the Jialing River, and the Qingjiang River. As a well-preserved ancient town, it carries a history of over 2,300 years. However, due to old infrastructure and unplanned construction, the ancient town once fell into disorder with residents living in the town having to undergo various difficulties. In order to refresh the ancient town, since 2012, Zhaohua District has launched a project to preserve the villages as a whole. While improving the village environment, the preservation project brings along local rural tourism, allowing the ancient town to be revitalized through preservation. (Xinhua/Wu Di)