Luodai Ancient Town: A Journey to Trace Roots from an Immigrant Settlement to the First Hakka Town in the West

The name of Luodai - The legend of the Last Emperor Liu Shan
The name "Luodai" originated from a dramatic anecdote about The Three Kingdoms period. It is said that Liu Shan (Adou), the last emperor of the Shu Han State, once visited here and accidentally slipped the jade belt around his waist into an ancient well in the town. The name "Luo Dai" thus came into being and was later refined to "Luo Dai". This "Jade Belt Lake" or related legendary relics add a touch of imperial anecdote to the ancient town and also serve as a footnote to its long history.

The Road of Immigration - The Hakka People's "Western Pioneering"
The true soul of Luodai began with a grand epic of immigration - "Hubei and Hunan Filling Sichuan".
- Historical Background (Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties) : After years of warfare, the population of Sichuan sharply declined. The Qing government implemented a large-scale immigration policy, encouraging residents from Huguang (now Hunan and Hubei), Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian and other places to move and cultivate in Sichuan.
The westward migration of Hakka people: Hakka people from Guangdong, Jiangxi and other places, as an important part of the immigrant army, followed the waterways of the Yangtze River and the ancient Hunan-Hubei Road, endured hardships, and finally chose to settle down in Luodai, which has fertile land and convenient transportation.
Settlement formation and prosperity: The Hakka people rebuilt their homeland here, bringing with them the architectural skills, living habits and dialects of their original hometown. With diligence and wisdom, Luodai gradually became a major commercial center in the Dongshan area of Chengdu. Immigrants from different regions built grand guild halls, which were not only places for fellow townspeople to socialize but also symbols of strength.
- Cultural Inheritance and Revival: Over the course of several hundred years, the Hakka people in Luodai have still tenaciously preserved their unique language (Hakka, commonly known as "local Cantonese"), customs and identity. Today, as the "First Hakka Town in the West", the ancient town vividly presents its immigration history and culture to the world through the restoration of guild halls and the hosting of Hakka festivals.

> In-depth Understanding: Explore More Ancient Chinese Cultural Towns >> [Furong Ancient Town]

Architectural Treasures - Juxtaposition and Dialogue of Diverse Cultures
The texture of Luodai is a frozen symphony composed by architectural styles from Guangdong, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan, with its core being the four exquisite guild halls in the "one street and seven alleys" layout.

Clubhouse Complex: The "Circle of Friends" of Immigrant Society
- Guangdong Guild Hall: The most magnificent and exquisite building in the ancient town, it is also one of the best-preserved and largest existing Hakka guild halls in China. Its wind and fire walls are towering, the stage is magnificent, and the wood and stone carvings are exquisite. The overall style reflects the refinement and vitality of Lingnan architecture. The museum houses a Hakka Culture museum and is the top choice for learning about the history of Hakka migration.
Jiangxi Guild Hall (Wanshou Palace) : Its style is simple and solemn, in contrast to the elaborate style of Guangdong Guild Hall. In the rear hall, there is a unique stage supported by two pillars, commonly known as the "suspended stage", which is ingeniously designed. Here, the characteristics of Gan-style architecture can be better reflected.
- Huguang Guild Hall (Yuwang Palace) : Grand in scale and spacious in halls, it showcases the strength of the immigrants from Huguang. The architectural style is more substantial and grand.
- North Sichuan Guild Hall: Originally located in the urban area of Chengdu, it was relocated here as a whole to protect historical buildings. It represents the local architectural style of Sichuan and shares the same street with other immigrant clubs, completing a dialogue that transcends time and space.

Unique Architecture: A Contemporary Echo of Hakka Culture
- Blog Building (Hakka Tulou) : Located beside the ancient town, it is a landmark new building in Luodai. It is not a historical relic but a newly-built cultural exhibition center imitating the style of the Tulou in Yongding, Fujian Province. Its unique circular architecture and huge volume stand out conspicuously in the western Sichuan Plain, making it a popular spot for learning about the architectural culture of Hakka Tulou and taking commemorative photos.
- Old Street and Residences: The core old street, "Upper and Lower Streets", is paved with bluestone slabs, flanked by wooden shops in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. If you delve deeper into the "Seven Alleys" behind (such as North Alley and Fengyi Lane), you can see more simple Hakka residences and experience the urban life atmosphere of the ancient town.

Humanistic Craftsmanship - The Living Hakka Life
The dialects, festivals and daily life here are the true carriers of culture.
- Hakka Dialect Island: Surrounded by the Chengdu dialect, many residents in Luodai Ancient Town, especially the older generation, can still speak "Hakka" (locally known as "Native Cantonese") fluently. Walking on the street, the unique dialect you occasionally hear is the most direct proof that this place is a living fossil of culture.
- Hakka Folk festivals
The Fire Dragon Festival: From the first to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year, especially during the Lantern Festival, the ancient town holds a stunning "burning Fire Dragon" performance. The dragon dancers, bare-chested, move and dance through the sparks of molten iron, creating a thrilling and lively scene. It is an important folk activity in Hakka culture for praying for blessings and good fortune.
The Water Dragon Festival: A festival evolved from the rain-praying ceremony held during the summer drought. People splash water on each other with water guns and basins to play, creating a cool and lively atmosphere.
The living scenes in the old street: Local residents playing mahjong, drinking tea and chatting merrily coexist harmoniously with the continuous stream of tourists, forming a vivid picture of life in the ancient town.

Photography Secrets:
The interior and exterior of the Blog Building (Tulou) are ideal locations for capturing the symmetrical beauty of architecture and silhouettes of people.
The stage, wood carvings and firewalls in the Guangdong Guild Hall are suitable for photographing architectural details.
The arched Bridges and the depth of the streets in the old street are suitable for shooting street scenes with a lively atmosphere.
The festival period (especially the Fire Dragon Festival) is the golden time to shoot dynamic humanistic masterpieces, but safety should be noted and equipment protected.

Five must-do things to unlock a Complete Ancient Town Tour
Have a bowl of authentic heartbreak cold noodles
- Experience: Luodai Hakka Heartbreak Cold Noodles got its name because Hakka people eat it when they miss their hometown, using spiciness to relieve their homesickness. The spiciness makes people shed tears and thus it is called "heartbreak". The texture is smooth and refreshing, with a spicy, fresh and fragrant taste. It is a signature dish that must be visited by the taste buds.
Recommendation: There are several time-honored brands on the old street, each with its own unique flavor.
2. Visit the four major immigrant clubs
- Core: At least focus on visiting the Guangdong Guild Hall and the Jiangxi Guild Hall, compare the architectural styles and cultural expressions of different regions, and feel the weight of the history of immigration.
3. Log in to the blog "Tulou" once
- Experience: Climb up the Blog Building, overlook its unique circular structure, and systematically learn about Hakka history, customs and art in the "Hakka Cultural Exhibition Hall" inside the building.
4. Find a souvenir with Hakka characteristics
- Recommendations: Hakka handmade ginger candy, stuffed tofu seasoning, swan eggs (a kind of fried sugar-coated fruit), or some Hakka indigo-dyed cloth artworks.
5. Attend a Hakka folk festival
- Planning: If time permits, be sure to visit during the Fire Dragon Festival or the Water Dragon Festival. This will be the climax of experiencing the soul of Luodai Hakka culture, an experience that is unparalleled.

Suggested tour route
One-day "Cultural Essence" Tour (Suitable for most Tourists)
Arrive at 10 a.m. → Enter through the entrance of the ancient town and first visit the Blog Building (Tulou) to learn about the overview of Hakka culture (1 hour) → Walk into the old street and taste snacks like Heartbreak Cold Noodles for breakfast → Visit the Guangdong Guild Hall and Jiangxi Guild Hall in sequence (you can choose the Huguang Guild Hall according to your interests) (2 hours) → Choose a restaurant on the old street for lunch Taste the local specialties such as Hakka stuffed tofu and smoked oil-boiled goose (1 hour) → In the afternoon, leisurely stroll along the old street, purchase local specialties, and immerse yourself in the alleys to experience the atmosphere of life (1.5 hours) → You can take a walk and relax in Luodai Wetland Park near the ancient town, or find a tea house to experience the "slow life" of the western Sichuan Plain (1 hour) → Leave with a full heart of Hakka memories in the evening.
IntoTravelChina Tips: This itinerary is relaxing and rich in cultural content. For a visit to the clubhouse, it is recommended to consult the tour guide or read the information boards carefully for greater gains.

Two-day "In-depth Folk Customs" Combined Tour (Recommended for festival periods or cultural enthusiasts)
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and check into a characteristic inn in the ancient town or its surrounding areas → Leisurely tour the guild hall and the old street to get a preliminary sense of the atmosphere and inquire about the specific arrangements of the festival activities (such as the time of the night fire dragon performance) → Have dinner and enjoy banquet dishes like Hakka Jiudouwan → Participate in night Tours such as the Fire Dragon Festival in the evening to experience the most lively folk atmosphere.
Day 2: Enjoy the peaceful morning view of the ancient town in the early morning → After breakfast, you can visit the nearby Jinlong Great Wall (an artificial landscape, suitable for mountain climbing and exercise) or Weiran Flower Sea (a seasonal landscape) in the morning → Return to Luodai for lunch → End the trip in the afternoon or continue your tour in the urban area of Chengdu.
This itinerary combines core cultural experiences with unique festival activities and surrounding leisure, making it suitable for weekend outings.
IntoTravelChina Advantages: We can book the most suitable accommodation for you, arrange the connection of all activities, and provide detailed hiking route maps and safety guidelines.
Professional guide IntoTravelChina can offer you a personalized and in-depth tour of the surrounding culture and cuisine of Chengdu. It connects Luodai Ancient Town with Chengdu Jinli/Kuanzhai Alley (urban folk customs), Anren Ancient Town (Laoyongguan Cluster), or Sanxingdui Museum (Ancient Shu civilization). Led by guides familiar with local culture and history, it provides an in-depth interpretation of the diverse cultural features of western Sichuan. >> [Consult for Customization Now]

How to Get There: A Seamless Connection Guide
Luodai Ancient Town is very close to the urban area of Chengdu and enjoys extremely convenient transportation.
- Public transportation (preferred) : Take Metro Line 4 in the urban area of Chengdu to Xihe Station. After exiting the station, transfer to Bus L024 or 219 directly to Luodai Passenger Transport Center. Or take a direct tourist bus to Luodai from places like the Chengdu Tourist Distribution Center.
- Taxi/Ride-hailing: It takes about 40 to 50 minutes to get there from the center of Chengdu (such as Tianfu Square), and the cost is approximately 60 to 80 yuan.
- By car: Use your navigation to "Luodai Ancient Town Parking Lot". From Chengdu, you can quickly reach the destination via the Chongqing-Chengdu Expressway (Chengluo Avenue). There are several parking lots around the ancient town.

Best visiting time
All year round, festivals first: The ancient town itself is open all year round. However, the most recommended period is the "Fire Dragon Festival" during the Spring Festival (from the first to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month), which is an excellent opportunity to experience the essence of Hakka culture, but it also attracts the most tourists.
- Off-season (March to June, September to November) : The climate is pleasant and there are relatively fewer tourists, allowing you to visit the clubhouse and enjoy the delicious food more leisurely.
- Summer (July - August) : The weather is hot, but you can participate in the refreshing "Water Dragon Festival" activities. It is necessary to pay attention to sun protection and avoid the heat.
- Winter (December to February) : It is relatively quiet except for the Spring Festival, allowing you to experience the daily tranquility of the ancient town.

Accommodation options
- Characteristic inns in and around the ancient town:
- Experience: It is convenient to deeply experience the tranquility of the ancient town in the morning and evening, especially during festivals, it is convenient to participate in night activities.
Suitable for: Tourists who plan to participate in festival activities and wish to have an immersive experience.
- Hotels in Longquanyi Urban Area
- Experience: More choices, ranging from economy to mid-to-high-end, more standardized accommodation conditions, and a rich variety of dining options.
Suitable for: Tourists who have high requirements for accommodation conditions and travel by car. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to drive to the ancient town.
- Hotels in Chengdu urban area:
- Experience: As a classic destination for one-day Tours in Chengdu, most tourists choose to return on the same day. Living in the urban area of Chengdu offers the widest range of transportation and dining options.
Suitable for: The vast majority of tourists, flexible and convenient.

IntoTravelChina Accommodation Booking Suggestions
During major festivals such as the Fire Dragon Festival, accommodation in the ancient town is very tight and prices rise. Reservations need to be made several months in advance. By booking through us, you can not only ensure that there are rooms available during peak hours, but also be recommended the most convenient and distinctive accommodation based on your itinerary (whether it's a festival or a self-driving trip). [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]

The story of Luodai Ancient Town is about the migration across mountains and rivers, about the tenacity of rebuilding a homeland in a foreign land, and more importantly, about the tenacious inheritance of culture in the veins. IntoTravelChina is dedicated to creating in-depth, personalized and worry-free travel experiences in China. Our travel experts can help you
Tailor-made itinerary: Based on your interests and time, we design a perfect route covering Luodai, the surrounding areas of Chengdu and even the entire Sichuan Province, balancing culture, cuisine and leisure.
One-stop service: Handle accommodation, transportation, festival information and reservations, as well as special food recommendations.
Exclusive Experience: Arrange exchanges among Hakka cultural scholars, reserve the best viewing spots during festivals, and taste authentic Hakka home-cooked dishes, etc.

Let your trip to Luodai be more than just savoring the sad cold noodles; it will be a cultural journey that traverses three hundred years of immigration history and touches the spirit of the Hakka people.
Start planning your journey right away
Welcome to contact our professional travel consultants. We will provide you with a customized itinerary plan and quotation within 24 hours. [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]