Qibao, the only ancient town within greater Shanghai, has a history spanning over a thousand years. It flourished as a business hub during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The town’s name, “Qibao,” meaning “seven treasures,” is linked to two theories. One suggests it originates from the Qibao Temple, which helped the town thrive. The other, popular among locals, involves folk tales about seven treasures, including a Ming Dynasty iron Buddha, a mysterious bronze bell, an ancient Lotus Sutra, a thousand-year-old catalpa tree, a jade axe, a gold cockerel, and jade chopsticks. Only the first four of these can be verified, with the bell and scripture still surviving today. But come on, a bit of mystery always helped with advertisement and as I ventured out, all of a sudden I knew I was on the right track when tourists and old buildings suddenly appeared as I slowly approached the old city gates.
The town offers an irresistible array of snacks that will catch your eye and tempt your taste buds as you stroll through its historic streets. The colorful and fragrant treats are hard to resist, with options like Qibaogao (glutinous rice cakes), Hebao doufugan (dried bean curd wrapped in lotus leaves), roasted sweet potatoes, smoked toads, and Tanghulu (sugar-coated haws on sticks) available at every corner. The town blends ancient streets with newly developed areas, offering a fascinating glimpse into its rich history, culture, architecture, and local life.
So a visit to this unique and historic town was on my list and I enjoyed walking the 4 by 4 busy streets and the 3 ponds over the canal, loading up on street food and enjoying the sunny day.
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