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2025.08.12 17:27 GMT+8

Anren Ancient Town: A living museum in Sichuan

Updated 2025.08.12 17:27 GMT+8
CGTN

Decorative engravings are seen on the façade of a mansion at the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

A view of the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

With a history of more than 1,400 years, Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province is a cultural treasure trove where the timeless local charm is reflected in the historic architecture, winding alleys, and rich cultural traditions.

A visitor takes a photo of the entrance of a mansion at the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

A view of the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Located about 40 kilometers from downtown Chengdu, Anren is best known for its collection of 27 well-preserved mansions, primarily built between the 1920s and 1940s. Blending Chinese and Western architectural styles, these grand residences were constructed by wealthy landlords during a period of profound social change.

The façade of a mansion is seen at the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

A room reflecting the Liu family's way of life is seen at the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

A scene from the clay sculpture series "Rent Collection Courtyard" is seen at the Liu's Manor Museum in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

The Liu's Manor Museum, a major attraction in the town, is the former estate of the influential landlord Liu Wencai and his brothers. Covering more than 70,000 square meters, the museum offers exhibits that reflect the Liu family's daily life, presents historical artifacts, and features the renowned clay sculpture series "Rent Collection Courtyard," which powerfully depicts a landlord collecting rent from impoverished peasants through 114 life-sized figures.

Decorative dyed fabrics and birdcages hang above the old alleyways in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Decorative dyed fabrics and birdcages hang above the old alleyways in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Oil-paper umbrellas are seen at a store in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

The town also charms visitors with its old streets lined with traditional teahouses, local eateries, craft shops, and tranquil courtyards. Strolling beneath strings of colorful umbrellas, swathes of dyed fabric, and dangling birdcages, visitors are immersed in a scene that blends nostalgia with a sense of discovery. Cultural performances, including Sichuan Opera and immersive theater, further enhance the town's rich atmosphere.

A view of Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province /CGTN

The Anren Theater, which dates back to 1942, is seen in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Anren is also home to the Jianchuan Museum Cluster, the largest private museum complex in China, featuring exhibitions ranging from wartime memories to folk culture.

A pavilion is seen in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Grapefruit grow against the backdrop of a mansion in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Bamboo sections are hung as decorations over the old alleyways in Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a serene cultural retreat, Anren Ancient Town offers a vivid window into the layered realities of China's past.

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