Explore Longshengzhuang Ancient Town in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia!
Ancient Post Station Beyond the Great Wall, Tea Road Heritage — A Journey to Longshengzhuang Ancient Town in Ulanqab
Nestled in the northeast of Fengzhen City, Ulanqab, on the southern bank of Huangqi River, lies a timeless ancient town—Longshengzhuang. As a nationally recognized historic and cultural town and the first node of the Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road entering Inner Mongolia, it blends the heritage of Shanxi merchants, grassland customs, and the ancient charm of the Great Wall. Without excessive commercialization, only the blue brick alleys remain to tell the legendary stories of the Western Pass. A leisurely day here is enough to immerse oneself in centuries of history.
The story of the ancient town began with the beacon fires of the Ming Great Wall. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, this was the Weining Pass on the "Second Border" of the Great Wall, a place for border defense and grain storage. In the 32nd year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty, the town was officially established and named Longshengzhuang, meaning "prosperity and flourishing." It reached its peak from the Daoguang to Guangxu periods. At that time, it was a "dry port" connecting Shanxi and Hebei to the south and the grasslands to the north, with over 3,000 businesses thriving. The sound of camel bells never ceased day or night. Tea and silk were transported here to the grasslands, while furs and medicinal herbs were sent south. The courtyards of Shanxi merchants and Mongolian customs merged here, creating a unique Western Pass culture.
Entering the ancient town, the Ming and Qing layout of six main streets and 42 alleys remains intact. The bluestone roads have been polished smooth by time, flanked by blue brick walls, barrel tiles, and flying eaves with dougong brackets, all exuding ancient charm. Da Nan Street and Da Bei Street were once the busiest commercial streets. The old shop doors are weathered, faintly revealing the bustling scenes of "carriages and horses gathering, merchants flocking." Turning into Silaocai Alley, the Shanxi merchant courtyards stand quietly. The Zhang and Duan family courtyards are the most representative, with tall, thick blue brick walls. Inside, brick and wood carvings are delicate and exquisite, with vivid floral and bird patterns. Every brick and tile hides the craftsmanship and wealth of the Shanxi merchants.
The soul of the ancient town lies in its diverse architecture and intangible cultural heritage. The mosque, built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, is a key protected cultural site in the autonomous region. Its blue brick arches and wrought iron flower windows are simple and elegant. The century-old iron flower vine patterns remain, and the small bluestone pool exudes the solidity of old artifacts. It is said that it once received an inscription from Empress Dowager Cixi, reflecting its status. Not far away, the South Temple (Longfu Temple), rebuilt from a Guan Yu temple, houses murals that have retained their colors for over a century. It is the core venue for the traditional temple fair held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month. This fair, dating back to the Qianlong era, has lasted more than 240 years and is an intangible cultural heritage of the autonomous region. During the fair, dragon and lion dances and folk parades recreate the lively scenes of centuries-old commercial blessings.
When visiting Longshengzhuang, Fengzhen mooncakes are a must-try intangible cultural heritage delicacy. Known as the "Mooncake Town," these mooncakes have no filling and are made with sesame oil, deep well water, honey, and dough, baked to a golden crisp with a rich, sweet flavor. In 2009, they were listed as an intangible cultural heritage of the autonomous region. At the heritage workshop, you can knead the dough, press molds, and bake the mooncakes yourself. Watching the dough turn golden in the oven and biting into a warm mooncake offers the pure taste of the frontier’s everyday life. At just 3.5 yuan each, they are an affordable treat that makes you want to bring home several as gifts.
Beyond the ancient town, the Ming Great Wall ruins are not to be missed. The 38-kilometer rammed earth Great Wall winds through the wilderness, with towering enemy watchtowers. The second-largest rammed earth mound watchtower in Inner Mongolia stands proudly here. Amid the mottled loess, the years of border defense with clashing armor and horses are evident. From a drone’s aerial view, the Great Wall lies like a giant dragon across the grasslands, majestic and grand. Standing beneath the watchtower, the wind brushes past your ears, as if you can hear the whispers of ancient soldiers and the jingling bells of camel caravans, the weight of history overwhelming.
Strolling through Longshengzhuang, the most touching is its pristine tranquility. There are no crowded crowds, only elders sitting in front of their doors basking in the sun, chatting about stories of the Western Pass; children chase and play in the alleys, their laughter echoing between the blue brick lanes. Every plant, every brick and tile here tells the legendary tale of Shanxi-Mongolian fusion, preserves the memory of the Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road, and holds the pure warmth of frontier life.
From the beacon fires of the Great Wall to the camel bells of the Tea Road, from the prosperity of Shanxi merchants to the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, Longshengzhuang Ancient Town is a living history book of the Western Pass. It unfolds slowly, hiding centuries of stories in its ancient alleys and courtyards, blending them into the sweet aroma of mooncakes and carving them into the texture of the Great Wall. If you are tired of the city’s noise, come here for a slow day, touch the traces of time, listen to echoes of the past, and in the wind of this ancient frontier post, encounter the purest moments and beauty.