A distinctive way to explore Ding'an's history is through the old town of Ding'an in Dingcheng. Its four main streets—Dongmen Jie, Ximen Jie, Beimen Jie, and Zhongnanmen Jie—form a pattern resembling the Chinese character for “广” (guang).

Urban History and Streetscape

Dingcheng is a national historical and cultural city. Its cultural heritage dates back more than 700 years, and it also has a diverse local culture and a rich revolutionary heritage. This historical significance gives Ding'an a character that extends beyond the old town's street network.

Dingcheng was formerly known as Dingyang. In 1370, the county government seat was moved here, after which the place was called Dingcheng. The old town of Ding'an in Dingcheng was laid out from 1513 around the county government seat of the time. The history of the name and the street plan therefore represent two distinct stages of development: the relocation explains the new place name, while the later layout describes the historic urban fabric.

Water Management and Historical Change

The Longzhou Irrigation Canal is man-made, runs from southwest to northeast, and passes through all of Dingcheng. It reflects water management across the whole area, while the historic town is defined by its four main streets and their guang-shaped arrangement. The canal and the street network thus illustrate two different scales: infrastructure that crosses Dingcheng and a specific historic town layout.

The former wharf at Dingcheng was a hub for historic water transport and the transfer of goods. It is no longer in use following the construction of a dam downstream. The canal and the wharf represent different uses of the water: one was built for irrigation, while the other served historic transport and the handling of goods.

Cherry Tomatoes and Local Cuisine

Cherry tomatoes are among Dingcheng's ten agricultural brands; availability may vary by season. In 2023, an agritourism harvest festival for cherry tomatoes, “Meet in Ding'an in Spring and Savour the Sweet Fragrance of Cherry Tomatoes” (相约定安春天，品圣女果香甜), was held in the Tanli area of Dingcheng.

A 2025 report describes Wu Zhiqiang and his wife preparing handmade rice noodles for noodle soup on Dongmen Street in the old town of Ding'an. The dish uses broth made from Ding'an black pigs and locally grown selenium-rich rice. This specific combination makes food culture a distinct point of interest alongside the historic urban layout.

Choose Your Travel Dates and Focus

When planning your trip, note the difference in timing: the historic urban layout and Dingcheng's cultural heritage are enduring features, while cherry tomato availability may vary by season, and the harvest festival in Tanli took place in 2023. If cherry tomatoes are important to your visit, check availability for your preferred season. When looking for a holiday rental in Ding'an, consider whether history, local food culture, or agriculture is the main focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Tunchang, Baoting, Sanya, Wenchang, Haikou, Xinzhuzhen, Danzhou, Qionghai

For the broader travel overview: Hainan.