Taierzhuang Ancient City in Zaozhuang

Taierzhuang Ancient Town (台儿庄古城) is located in Taierzhuang District, Zaozhuang, at the central point of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. As a National 5A Tourist Attraction, it is renowned as the “First Village Under Heaven” and the “Living Ancient Grand Canal.” The town dates back to the Qin and Han dynasties and gradually developed during the Tang and Song dynasties. It reached its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties as canal grain transport flourished, attracting merchants from across the country, with the banks of the canal illuminated by lights throughout the night.

In 1938, the Battle of Taierzhuang caused severe destruction to the entire town. Today, Taierzhuang Ancient Town has been restored and rebuilt on its original site. Together with Warsaw, it is one of only two cities in the world that were heavily damaged during World War II and later reconstructed according to heritage conservation standards. More than 50 wartime sites from the Battle of Taierzhuang remain within the town, creating a unique combination of canal commercial culture, diverse historic architecture, and memories of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

During the day, visitors can explore historic buildings and learn about the town’s history, while at night, thousands of red lanterns illuminate the streets and waterways, creating an atmospheric water-town scene rarely found in northern China. Staying overnight is highly recommended for travelers who want to experience both the daytime cultural attractions and the enchanting night scenery.

The ancient town brings together eight architectural styles, including traditional southern Shandong residences, northern Chinese courtyard houses, Huizhou-style architecture, southern Fujian architecture, and European-style buildings. Temples, guild halls, historic streets, and waterways are interwoven throughout the town, while ancient canals and historic wharves have been well preserved. Taierzhuang is therefore one of the few living ancient water towns in northern China where the waterways remain an integral part of everyday scenery.

Main Highlights

West City Gate (Anlan Gate)

The West City Gate, also known as Anlan Gate (安澜门), is the town’s iconic main entrance. According to local tradition, Emperor Qianlong entered Taierzhuang through this gate during his southern tour and personally inscribed the words “First Village Under Heaven.” The imposing historic gate tower is one of the first photo stops for visitors entering the ancient town, and its upper level offers views over the Grand Canal outside the city walls.

Ship-Shaped Street

Ship-Shaped Street is designed in the shape of a large ship when viewed from above, symbolizing smooth sailing and good fortune. Historic-style towers and buildings line both sides of the street, which also serves as a concentrated showcase of local intangible cultural heritage. Traditional folk performances such as southern Shandong paper-cutting, shadow puppetry, and Liuqin Opera can often be seen here. The combination of stone-paved lanes and red lanterns makes it one of the most classic photography locations in Taierzhuang Ancient Town.

Battle Relics Park

Battle Relics Park preserves authentic bullet-scarred walls and street-fighting sites, offering a vivid reminder of the fierce urban combat during the Battle of Taierzhuang. Dense bullet marks remain clearly visible on the weathered walls, making the site an important place to understand and reflect on the history of the battle. Memorial sculptures and historical interpretation panels are also installed throughout the park.

Tianhou Palace

Tianhou Palace (天后宫) is a Mazu temple built by merchants from Fujian during the Qing dynasty. With red walls, historic halls, and a neatly arranged courtyard, it is one of the larger temple complexes in the ancient town. Traditional folk performances such as Qianlong’s Tour of Taierzhuang are staged here from time to time, adding to the strong religious and folk-cultural atmosphere.

Canjiang Office

The Canjiang Office (参将署) was once the residence and official compound of a military officer responsible for canal affairs. The complex features a grand northern-style official courtyard layout, with successive courtyards arranged one behind another. Exhibitions recreate the working and living environment of military officials involved in the management of canal grain transportation and introduce the administrative system governing the Grand Canal.

Fuxing Tower

Fuxing Tower (复兴楼) stands at one of the highest points in the ancient town. From the tower, visitors can enjoy a broad view over the town’s interconnected waterways, historic streets, and canal channels. During the day, the layered historic architecture creates an attractive panorama, while at night, the tower provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the illuminated ancient town.

Canal Signboard Museum and Daosheng Distillery

The Canal Signboard Museum (运河招幌博物馆) recreates the traditional shop signs and advertising banners once used by businesses along the Grand Canal, offering a glimpse into the commercial prosperity of the canal towns during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Daosheng Distillery (道升酒坊) showcases traditional Chinese brewing techniques and introduces the production process of traditional southern Shandong aged liquor. Together, the two venues recreate the lively atmosphere and everyday commercial life of an old canal town.

Night Tour by Sculling Boat

Taking a traditional sculling boat through the waterways of the ancient town is one of the most poetic experiences in Taierzhuang. Boatwomen sing traditional canal folk tunes as the boat glides through the narrow water lanes, while the reflections of red lanterns shimmer across the water. This is a paid experience, and early evening is generally the best time to enjoy the atmosphere of the illuminated waterways.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances

During holidays and peak travel periods, Taierzhuang Ancient Town may stage spectacular intangible cultural heritage performances such as the Fire Dragon Steel Flower show. Molten iron heated to extremely high temperatures is splashed into the night sky, transforming into showers of sparks resembling a spectacular display of stars. Performances are held at scheduled times, so visitors should check the daily performance timetable after entering the scenic area.

Travel Tips: The ancient town is open around the clock, although individual museums and exhibition halls have their own opening hours. After facial recognition is registered with the ticket, visitors can enter and leave the ancient town multiple times within 48 hours. Staying overnight is highly recommended so that you can enjoy both the daytime cultural attractions and the illuminated night scenery. The walking routes inside the town are extensive, so comfortable shoes are advisable. Sculling boats, sightseeing vehicles, and some performances require additional payment. The town can become very crowded during public holidays, so visiting during off-peak hours provides a more comfortable experience. The bullet-scarred walls in Battle Relics Park are valuable historical remains and must not be touched or damaged.

Tickets and Reservations

The standard adult ticket is RMB 118, and visitors can enter and leave the ancient town repeatedly within 48 hours after registering their facial information when purchasing the ticket. Visitors under 18 and full-time students can receive discounted admission with valid identification. Seniors aged 60 and above, military personnel, and visitors with disabilities can enter the main scenic area free of charge with valid documents. Residents of some nearby cities may also be eligible for special discounted tickets.

Opening hours: Taierzhuang Ancient Town is open to visitors 24 hours a day. The internal museums and exhibition halls are generally open from 8:30 to 18:00, while the main nighttime illumination period is approximately 19:00–24:00.

Real-name reservations can be made through the scenic area’s official WeChat account, and visitors enter by scanning their ID cards. Large paid parking areas are available around the scenic area.

Best Time to Visit

April to November is generally a good period to visit Taierzhuang Ancient Town. Spring and autumn offer comfortable weather, while summer is particularly atmospheric at night when the ancient town is illuminated.

A daytime visit alone usually requires around 4–5 hours. If you want to experience the night scenery, it is recommended to enter in the afternoon and stay overnight to enjoy the town from day to night. Taierzhuang Ancient Town can also be combined with the Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall to create a one- or two-day cultural and Red Tourism itinerary in southern Shandong.

Climate Guide

Taierzhuang has a warm temperate monsoon climate. Summer temperatures from June to August generally range from 22°C to 32°C; autumn from September to November ranges from 12°C to 23°C; winter from December to February ranges from approximately -3°C to 7°C; and spring from March to May ranges from 8°C to 22°C.

How to Get There

By car: Navigate to Taierzhuang Ancient Town in Taierzhuang District, Zaozhuang, using the East Gate or the Bridge Tourist Service Center as your destination.

By high-speed rail: From Zaozhuang Railway Station, visitors can take the B10 rapid bus directly to Taierzhuang Ancient Town. A taxi is another option, with the journey taking approximately 40 minutes.

Getting around the town: Walking is the main way to explore the ancient town. Sightseeing vehicles and traditional sculling boats are also available for visitors who prefer alternative ways to get around.

Recommended Touring Route

Enter through the West Gate → visit the Canjiang Office → explore the Ship-Shaped Street intangible cultural heritage district → visit Tianhou Palace and watch a folk performance → explore the Canal Signboard Museum and Daosheng Distillery → continue to Battle Relics Park to see the authentic bullet-scarred walls → climb Fuxing Tower for a panoramic view of the ancient town → take a traditional sculling boat through the waterways at dusk and enjoy the illuminated night scenery.

If time permits, visit the Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall on the second day. For a broader Shandong itinerary, Taierzhuang Ancient Town can be combined with the Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall and the Tengzhou Han Dynasty Pictorial Stone Museum to create a southern Shandong cultural and Red Tourism route.

Accommodation

A large number of hotels, guesthouses, and boutique homestays are available both inside and outside the ancient town. Staying inside the ancient town is particularly convenient for experiencing the nighttime scenery. During public holidays and peak travel periods, advance booking is strongly recommended.

Navigation

Taierzhuang Ancient Town, Dongshun Road, Taierzhuang District, Zaozhuang, Shandong

Best Photography Spots

Recommended photography locations include the historic gate tower at the West City Gate, the red lanterns along Ship-Shaped Street, the bullet-scarred walls in Battle Relics Park, the panoramic view of the ancient town from Fuxing Tower, and the nighttime scenery of traditional sculling boats moving through the illuminated waterways.