
Luodai Ancient Town is located on the ancient business route between Sichuan and Chongqing. It became a street in the Han Dynasty, a bustling market in the Three Kingdoms period, and a major commercial town in the Song Dynasty. By the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, Sichuan experienced a great catastrophe. Luodai became desolate. However, the Hakka immigrants who moved to Sichuan worked hard and brought prosperity back to the town. Over the past 300 years, through the vicissitudes of rise and fall, the Hakka immigrants have still retained their native accents. They not only inherit the ancient charm of the Central Plains but also embrace the warmth of the southern land. They have passed down the family tradition of combining farming with studying, and they highly value culture and education. Today, Luodai, known worldwide, is “the magical Hakka kingdom in the inland of China”. The thousand – year – old streets and Hakka dwellings in the ancient town are well – preserved, featuring a typical architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Zhenzi Market is the most original old street of Luodai Ancient Town. It has a layout of “one street and seven alleys”, with rich spatial variations. The layout of the main street is as smooth as flowing clouds and water, natural and fluent. The ground is paved with blue – grey flagstones, and there are numerous shops on both sides of the street. It is quiet, simple and elegant, showing the past prosperity of the ancient town.