Sichuan province: Huaguang Tower Historical and Cultural Block in Langzhong

Huaguang Tower Historical and Cultural Block in Langzhong
阆中市华光楼历史文化街区

Huaguang Tower is a structure inside the ancient town of Langzhong, located in the midstream of the Jialing River in northeast Sichuan, a southwestern Chinese province.

It was initially constructed in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) but was destroyed by fire during the Daoguang reign (1821-50) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was restored during the Tongzhi reign (1861-75) in the late Qing Dynasty.

Huaguang Tower once sat on a commercial street made prosperous and busy by the nearby waterway transportation. In ancient time, the street was the intersection of two key passages - the ancient Micang passage and the Jinniu passage - that linked the remote Sichuan with China's other areas; therefore it attracted merchants from all over the country and the Huaguang Tower neighborhood prospered gradually in commerce and trade.

During the 20th century the waterway transportation became depressed due to the development of land routes. The Huaguang Tower neighborhood declined from its former status for that and additional geographical and historical reasons, but has retained its old street structure, ancient townscape, and cultural customs.

Today, the Huaguang Tower Historical and Cultural Block is a must-see for anyone touring Langzhong ancient town.