Anren

Some pictures of the old town of Anren

Introduction to Anren Old Town

The Anren region is centered around its old town and is made up of several centers. The old streets feature architecture that mixes European and Chinese styles, as can be seen in Shanghai in the concessions (end of the 19th century). The history of the city of Anren dates back to the Tang dynasty, but the remains of this period are not visible.

The history of the place is linked to the fact that several important generals of the army of the Republic of China are from the region. They therefore left impressive residences furnished in a Western and Chinese-inspired style. Several dozen residences in Anren will eventually be open to visitors, one of which is dedicated to a cinema museum, showing old films for tourists, some in foreign languages. There are examples of very old projectors among the first to have entered China, all in a beautiful residence with a square courtyard. Other residences have been converted into inns or restaurants. Another residence with 2 rooms of former army officers furnished in period is located in a building in the center of a garden planted with grapefruit trees. A Sichuan opera performance is given in a small theater depending on the season. A tram in the style of “Shanghai bund” connects the old streets area to the Liu mansion in a few minutes’ journey.

The nearby new area, with traditional architecture, includes the information center of the shops and luxury hotels. The Anren Museum is an impressive project grouped around 4 themes: red tourism, war against Japan, 2008 earthquake, traditions and customs of Sichuan. The development is modern and the explanations are subtitled. Access: Anren is about fifteen kilometers from Xinchang and located a little over an hour’s drive from Chengdu. Anren is also located at the crossroads of other major sites in Sichuan: to the north, Dujiangyan (40 minutes) and the road to Jiuzhaigou, to the south Ya’an and the Bifengxia panda reserve (1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes), to the west the Xiling Mountains (40 min – 1 hour). The highway network and road conditions are excellent, making the region a very accessible area.