Daxu Ancient Town - Properous in Anceint Time
Daxu Ancient Town in Guilin is located on the northern bank of the Li River in Lingchuan County, about 18 km from the city center. It is the foremost of Guangxi’s four famous ancient towns and a nationally recognized historical and cultural town.
First established in the 5th year of the Jian’an period of the Eastern Han Dynasty (220 AD), it was formerly known as Chang’an Market and Lutian Market. A tax office was set up here during the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). It became one of Guangxi’s “Four Great Ancient Towns” in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and reached its peak of prosperity in the Ming and Qing dynasties (Qing: 1644–1912). Thinking of visiting Daxu Ancient Town? Get in touch—we’d be happy to help you plan your trip.
What to See in Daxu Ancient Town
Old Bluestone Street
Stretching for about 2 km along the river, this historic street is paved with tens of thousands of bluestone slabs. On both sides stand traditional brick-and-wood buildings dating back to the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Many follow the classic“shop in front, residence at the back” layout, with arcade-style facades and wooden windows, exuding a rich old-world charm.
Even today, local residents still live in the houses along the old street. With their permission, visitors can be invited in for a home visit.
Wanshou Bridge
Wanshou Bridge is the iconic ancient bridge of Daxu Ancient Town, spanning the Ma River at its confluence with the Li River. It is a rainbow-shaped, single-arch stone bridge, entirely paved with large slabs of bluish stone. Built using a dry masonry technique—without mortar and with tightly interlocking joints—it has remained watertight and structurally sound for centuries.
Polished smooth by years of foot traffic, the bridge surface gleams like a mirror, while moss grows between the քար seams, adding to its historic charm. From the bridge, you can overlook the meeting point of the Li River and Ma River, as well as the ancient town's grey-tiled rooftops. The riverbank beside the bridge is a classic spot for photographing the "full-moon" shape of the arch and the curling cooking smoke rising from the old street.
Thirteen Ancient Docks
These thirteen ancient docks are the core testament to the peak of Daxu Ancient Town’s river transport era and form the largest cluster of ancient docks along the Li River. Lined up from west to east along the river’s northern bank, they connect perpendicularly with the Old Bluestone Street and once served as the "water gateway" for the distribution of goods in northern Guangxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
By the late Qing Dynasty (late 19th to early 20th century), as many as 200–300 boats were docking here each day.
Eight Ancient Streets
The eight ancient streets are lined up along the Ma River, running parallel to the Li River and perpendicular to the docks, forming a classic “street–alley–dock” layout. Buildings along the streets are uniformly traditional brick-and-wood structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring grey-tiled sloping roofs, blue-brick walls, and the typical “shop in front, residence at the back” layout, as well as narrow “tube houses.” These spaces combined both commercial and residential functions.
Jiangxi Guild Hall (Wanshou Palace)
In ancient times, many wealthy merchants from other provinces established their provincial guild halls along these streets. The best-preserved today is the Jiangxi Guild Hall, also known as Wanshou Palace. It features a three-courtyard, three-bay layout, with grey bricks, dark tiles, and a traditional hard-gable roof. The façade stands out with its rare deep-purple color, complemented by exquisite stone carvings and an entrance plaque inscribed with "Peace and Prosperity for the Nation".
Inside, the complex includes a traditional opera stage, courtyards, a main hall, and side halls. The beams and pillars are richly carved, and the stone inscriptions on the couplets add to its grandeur and imposing atmosphere.