Qiantong Ancient Town (Ninghai county in Ningbo city)

Qiantong presents an out-of-the-way atmosphere with its small population, remote location, time-honored large family residences and widespread family legends. [Photo/Zhejiang Fabu WeChat]

A half hour's drive from Ninghai county, Zhejiang province, the ancient town of Qiantong is nestled between two mountains. 

Similar to many ancient townships in the eastern provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu, Qiantong offers an out-of-the-way atmosphere with its small population, remote location, time-honored large family residences and widespread family legends. 

The narrow lanes interlacing the township are all paved with cobbles because in ancient times shoes were made from cloth. In order to prevent their shoes from getting wet and dirty, the builders of Qiantong town chose cobbles as the material for their roads. 

The general layout of the township is in accordance with the Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang. The houses and ancestral halls are enclosed by layers of roads.