Xinchang Ancient Town in Pudong | Surprisingly, there is a thousand-year history

【About Xinchang Ancient Town】 The first time I visited Xinchang, I didn't expect to find such a large-scale ancient town in Pudong, which was somewhat unexpected. Some ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River were born out of rice transportation, such as Jinze in Qingpu, Shanghai, and Cangcheng in Songjiang. Others were born out of brick-making, like Ganyao Town in Jiashan County. The formation of Xinchang Ancient Town is somewhat different; it originated from salt production. During the Song Dynasty, the Nanhui Xia Sha salt fields moved south to form new salt fields, hence the name 'Xinchang', which means 'new field'. Since the Song Dynasty, this place has gradually become a residence for salt workers, a production site, and a trading spot for goods. – Having visited many ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, one might feel that they all look the same. I recall a saying by a mogul that resonates with me, 'Today's ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River are all too similar, generally sharing the same commercialized appearance. However, the centuries of accumulation have given each old street its own soul. Beneath the seemingly identical facades lie vastly different experiences and personalities. What is truly lacking might be the patience and time to appreciate them in detail.' – 【Highlights of Xinchang Ancient Town】 The main street of the ancient town runs north to south in a narrow and long shape, about 2 kilometers long, with the ground entirely paved with bluestone slabs, and mostly shops on both sides. The 'Three Generations, Two Ranks' archway in the middle of the old street marks the boundary; to the north, the commercial area is denser, with various small shops closely packed together. To the south, the commercial area is relatively sparse, with the southernmost end being the Nanshan Ancient Temple, which houses two 700-year-old ginkgo trees. – In addition, there are many ancient residential buildings in the town, with more than 20 three-section courtyards and 68 Yi gates, worth exploring. A few notable large houses include: ① Xi's Hall A sizable Qing Dynasty old house with a blend of Chinese and Western styles, it was the residence of the owner of the 'Xi Changsheng' pharmacy during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Address: Lane 122, Hongdong Street ② Zheng's Mansion Upon entering, one is amazed by the grandeur of the large mansion, which is four stories high. It is the tallest and largest building among all the ancient buildings in Xinchang Town. Currently renovated, the first floor is a legal exhibition park, which can be visited for free. Address: No. 199, Xinchang Street ③ Zhang's Mansion Zhang's Mansion was originally built in the mid-Qing Dynasty and was the ancestral home of Zhang Xinchang, a wealthy man in Xinchang. It is still inhabited by Zhang's descendants. Address: No. 303, Xinchang Street – Address: No. 128, Haiquan Street, Xinchang Town, Pudong New District Ticket: Free admission to the ancient town. Exhibition hall 18 yuan/person Transportation: Drive to Xinchang Ancient Town parking lot. Metro Line 16 Xinchang Station, 2.3 kilometers away from the ancient town