Ci Qi Kou Village
Located 14 kilometers west of Chongqing, Ci Qi Kou Village, has remained relatively untouched for centuries and offers a look into China’s history and culture. The village has a history of over 1,700 years and was famous for its production of porcelain. The name Ci Qi Kou translates as “Porcelain Village”. Over twenty ancient kiln sites have been found in the village. The village was also an important trading port on the Yangtze River, which explains why there is an unusually large amount of ancient shops in the village.
The majority of the houses in the village date back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. They were constructed of bamboo and timber and with their white plastered walls, grey tile roofs, and red lanterns; they are works of art in their own right. The many ancient shops in the village contain art studios, Shu Embroidery workshops, and teahouses. There are over one hundred tea houses in Ci Qi Kou Village, each one with its own unique atmosphere.
The large numbers of local artisans in the village allow visitors to see traditional Chinese works of art being created. It is a great way to experience Chinese culture firsthand. The local Shu Embroidery is world famous and watching the women’s nimble fingers created photo-quality embroidery is truly special.
