(Beijing Today)
Updated: 2007-03-05 09:41

Ancient town perched above a modern village

A spring afternoon witnessed my visit to Wangyu Town. Because part of the road from Ya'an City to Wangyu was under construction, the journey almost ruined my happy mood, but the pictuesque town I saw on the Internet gave me the drive to push on.

I eventually arrived at a small town. To my disappointment, the town was full of modern buildings, far different from what I expected. Locals told me it wasn't the old town, but newly constructed. "The ancient town is halfway the mountain," I was tolI counted 118 steps on my way up, and at the top, the old town was in sight.

The ancient town continues even spite of developments further down. I felt like I was walking in an ordinary village only minutes before, but soon after, I was in a town which carried me back to centuries ago.

The buildings sit alongside the main bluestone path, and all were constructed in ancient style. Wooden beams and black tile roofs were everywhere. It was the same as other ancient villages in China, and delicate details were everywhere. The wood window frames were carved in animal shapes; the stone supports were polygonal or octagonal pillars, each carved different patterns.

The newly built village below obviously attracted residents of the ancient town. Some has moved to the new town, leaving their empty houses behind.

The bluestone street was silent except for the slight clapping of my shoes. The elders sat under their roofs, sunning themselves, and students strolled by and yellow wars of corn hung from the rooftops.

Transportation

Wangyu Town is 35km from Ya'an city. Go to Chengdu, Sichuan, first and then take a bus from Xinnanmen or Shiyangchang bus station to Ya'an. The direct ticket is 48 yuan per perso Outside the Shangba Medical school in Ya'an, you can take a mini bus to Wangyu for eight yuan.

Accommodation

Accommodations are sparse in the ancient town. There are two tea house hostels-the rest are in the ew village. The price is generally five yuan per bed. Some of the restaurants there also provide accommodations. There are around seven to eight beds in each hostel.

Wangyu Hostel

Tel: 0836-231 4275

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