In July 2022, it was rated a national 5A-level scenic area, the second 5A in Chengdu. It is China's only 'China Museum Town', preserving about 300,000 square meters of late Qing and early Republic-era buildings and 27 Republic-era mansions, with the Liushi Manor Museum and Jianchuan Museum Cluster at its core.
China's only museum town, with an extremely high concentration of history and art, perfect for a full day of leisurely exploration.
Anren Ancient Town is one of the most culturally rich ancient towns around Chengdu. Its museums and historic residences are impressive, but it's quite far from the city center, so allow plenty of time. Recommended for those who enjoy history, architecture, and slow travel.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥0
- Child ticket
- ¥0
- Free
- Yes
- Reservation required
- No
- Ticket methods
- The ancient town is free to enter; tickets for Liu's Manor Museum and Jianchuan Museum Cluster can be purchased on site or in advance via the official WeChat public account.
- Ticket notes
- The ancient town area is free; Liu's Manor Museum is ¥40, and Jianchuan Museum Cluster is ¥68.
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- Last entry: Jianchuan Museum at 17:00, Liu's Manor at 16:30.
- Ticket sales end
- Ticket sales generally end at 16:30 at the museums.
- Holiday hours
- Open as usual on holidays; museums may extend opening hours. Please refer to the day's announcements.
- Seasonal hours
- In winter (December–February), museums may close earlier. Please pay attention to official notices.
- Temporary closure
- In case of special circumstances, temporary closures may occur. Please follow official announcements.
- Opening notes
- The ancient town area is open all day; Liu's Manor Museum: 09:00–17:00; Jianchuan Museum Cluster: 09:00–17:30
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Early morning or evening, when the light is soft and there are fewer visitors, ideal for photography.
- Best day of week
- Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday)
- Best season
- Good all year round
- Avoid times
- Holidays and weekends from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, when it is crowded.
- Avoid days
- During public holidays
- Crowd level
- Medium
- Crowd peak time
- Holidays and weekends from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Getting There
In Detail
Anren Ancient Town is renowned for its Republic-era mansion buildings and museum clusters: Liushi Manor is the estate of the great landlord Liu Wencai, and the Jianchuan Museum Cluster consists of more than twenty themed museums covering the War of Resistance and the Red Age. The town's tram and old-mansion cafés offer a strong Republic-era atmosphere.
What to expect
Visitors can tour the Liushi Manor Museum and the Jianchuan Museum Cluster to learn about western Sichuan's history and folk customs; stroll along the ancient town's old streets to admire late Qing and early Republic-era architecture; ride the bell tram to experience the Republic-era charm; relax in cafés, bookstores, and guesthouses housed in old mansions to enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle; and sample local delicacies such as braised pig intestines with blood curd and Tangchang fermented bean curd.
How to visit
It is recommended to set aside a full day: in the morning, start by visiting the Jianchuan Museum Cluster (you can selectively visit a few of the themed museums); at noon, sample local food in the ancient town; in the afternoon, visit the Liushi Manor Museum; in the evening, take the bell tram along the old streets and stop for a break in a café; at night, you can stay in a guesthouse in the ancient town to enjoy the night scene.
Pros
Rich cultural heritage and abundant museum resources; well-preserved architecture with strong Republic-era vibes; well-developed facilities including sightseeing buses and a bell tram; suitable for photography, study tours, and family trips.
Cons
Located quite far from downtown Chengdu, with long public-transport travel times; crowded on holidays and weekends, which can affect the experience; some museums require separate tickets, making the overall cost higher.
Highlights
- Liushi Manor Museum: A living fossil of western Sichuan landlord manors, bearing witness to historical changes.
- Jianchuan Museum Cluster: China's largest private museum complex, with rich themes on the War of Resistance and folk customs.
- Republic-era mansion complex: 27 old mansions, with an architectural aesthetic blending Chinese and Western styles.
- Bell tram experience: Ride a vintage tram through the ancient town's old streets.
- Old-mansion cafés: Savor the slow pace of life in century-old courtyards.
FAQ
Does Anren Ancient Town require an admission ticket?
The ancient town itself is free to enter, but the Liushi Manor Museum and the Jianchuan Museum Cluster require tickets, which can be purchased separately or as a combination ticket.
How do I get to Anren Ancient Town?
From downtown Chengdu, you can take a tourist shuttle bus or drive there, which takes about 1.5 hours by car; alternatively, you can take a high-speed train from Chengdu West Railway Station to Dayi Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi.
How long should I spend in Anren Ancient Town?
Allow at least half a day, or a full day if you plan to visit the two major museums thoroughly.
Field Tips
Best photo spot 1. Liu's Family Manor Museum entrance: Western Sichuan manor gate, blue bricks and grey tiles, full of historical feel. 2. In front of the Anti-Japanese War Museum in Jianchuan Museum Cluster: red-themed sculptures, solemn and dignified. 3. Anren Old Street: Republic-era style street, with the bell tram passing by, great for candid shots. 4. Old mansion courtyards: patios, carved doors and windows, dappled light and shadow, suitable for portraits. 5. Ancient town night view: lanterns lit, clear outlines of old buildings, good for long-exposure night shots.
Best entrance Main entrance of the ancient town (Yingbin Road), convenient transportation, with a visitor center.
Best exit West exit of the ancient town, close to the Jianchuan Museum Cluster, convenient for continuing the visit.
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Chongzhou Museum (2.8 km)
- Tianfu International Slow City (11.8 km)
- Shu Liquor Culture Park (12 km)
- Yanhua Pond Museum (14.8 km)
- Tang Style Shu Charm Scenic Area (15.5 km)