Huludao to Brand Ancient Town of Xingcheng for Rich Culture of Ningyuan Dating Back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties

In the next five years, the Ancient Town of Xingcheng in Huludao will grasp the new opportunities for high-quality development offered by the integration of culture and tourism to build a state-level demonstration area of ancient town tourism and a tourism industry cluster to promote citywide tourism development.

Recently, a series of activities themed "Striving for One Hundred Years, Starting the New Journey" were organized by the Publicity Department of Huludao Municipal Party Committee to highlight the high-quality development of cultural tourism in Huludao. In the light rain, the media paid a visit to the Ancient Town of Xingcheng and got close to the rich culture here dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The Bell and Drum Tower of the Ancient Town overlooks the beacon tower on faraway hills. [Photo by Huang Fei]

The guide introduces the history of Jiliao Commander's Mansion. [Photo by Huang Fei]

The Ancient Town of Xingcheng dates back to the Ming Dynasty and evolves from the Defense Town of Ningyuan. It takes the shape of a square and has four gates. On the four corners are ramparts and at the center is a Bell and Drum Tower. As one of the four most well-preserved Ming Dynasty ancient towns in China, Xingcheng boasts great relics of the Ming Dynasty, including the Ancestral Stone Memorial Archway, Bell and Drum Tower and Confucius' Temple, attracting numerous tourists every year. Especially in recent years, Xingcheng has been vigorously developing the Ancient Costume Tourism Cultural Festival and its nighttime economy, injecting great vitality into its well-established culture.

Confucius' Temple of Xingcheng [Photo by Huang Fei]

In the next five years, Xingcheng will further explore its rich culture, pass down the fine parts of cultural customs, fully utilize its centuries-old culture, ocean-related culture and intangible cultural heritage, launch innovative projects centered on traditional folk customs and cultural experiences, and build cultural landmarks of classic beauty. Moreover, it will showcase its own cultural charm with the help of advanced technology and immersive activities, build tourism areas highlighting the exhibition of traditional culture dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, creative design of modern culture and engaging activities of sightseeing, and present the new-type clustering area of cultural tourism businesses, core area of historic relics, center of unique folk customs and inns, and the hub of creative culture industry.