A city wall with a circumference of 7.3 kilometers and a moat 130 to 250 meters wide give Xiangyang Ancient City a tangible sense of scale. The historical and cultural sites in this overview are located in the wider Xiangyang region; they range from fortifications and exhibitions to staged cultural and craft experiences. This allows you to plan your stay around the interests that matter to you on a cultural trip.
Old Town History in Concrete Measurements
The ruins of Xiangyang Ancient City lie on the south bank of the Han River, at the northern foot of Mount Xianshan, in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang City. The city wall has a circumference of 7.3 kilometers; the moat is between 130 and 250 meters wide. These two measurements describe different parts of the historic site.
Since 2018, Xiangyang has implemented two consecutive three-year plans to protect and make use of the Old Town. Six sections of the city wall were renovated, including the section east of Linhan Gate and the one between North Gate and Changmen. Buildings are also part of the area's history: in 2024, four historic buildings were fitted with exhibitions and opened to the public. These included the Shan Family Ancestral Hall, Zhongxuan Tower, the Prince of Xiang's Palace, and Changmen.
Tang Culture and North Street
The culture of the High Tang period is the central theme of the Xiangyang Shengshi Tang City Scenic Area. The site is rated as a national 4A tourist attraction; this rating was reported in June 2026. Xiangyang North Street has a different focus. It is 1,270 meters long and is classified as a national tourism and leisure street; this classification was reported in 2026. It is also described as the country's longest pedestrian street designed in an antique style.
The redevelopment of North Street created a staged cultural experience route. These attractions therefore offer different cultural frameworks: the High Tang period is the central theme of Tang City, while the street was designed as an experiential route through its redevelopment. Those interested in particular historical periods will find a different approach here than in the architectural history of the city wall.
Reported Experiences and Crafts
One reported series of experiences on North Street included a poetic verse exchange for children with an NPC portraying Meng Haoran, a calligraphy activity themed around Mi Fu, and a procession led by a performer as Han Furen. Activities reported at Tang City for traditional holidays included family outings for children and a New Year temple fair. A report from September 2026 also states that visitors could experience Three Kingdoms-themed scenes in the “奇遇三国·XR奇幻之旅” MR experience space in the basement of Zhaoming Tower. Visitors could experience scenes such as “三顾茅庐” and “赤壁之战.”
A report from February 2026 describes the Zhaoming Tower cultural and tourism area, which covers more than 8,000 square meters. It mentions displays of cultural and creative products, cultural exhibitions, opera performances, views of the Old Town, and interactive educational activities. Lacquer art is also featured: a report on the opening of the Xiangyang Traditional Lacquerware Museum describes long-term free training in traditional lacquer art provided by bearers of intangible cultural heritage.
Guanjia Lane, which is connected to North Street, offers a craft-focused counterpoint to these staged experiences. A report dated May 19, 2026, mentions more than 20 shops there offering intangible cultural heritage products. The shops displayed, among other things, Zaoyang cotton fabric, Laohekou woodblock New Year prints, Nanzhang paper-cutting, and Chenghe willow weaving; visitors could also touch the handicrafts. These examples put named materials and techniques at the forefront.
Cultural Highlights for Your Stay
For planning purposes, the themes can be distinguished by interest: the city wall and historic buildings offer insights into architectural and urban history; Tang culture and North Street focus on themed staging; Guanjia Lane and lacquer art turn the focus to crafts. For specific interactive or event-related programs, it is worth checking the latest information before your trip. When choosing a hotel, it helps to decide on your cultural focus and travel dates first.
Discover more destinations: Jingzhou, Wuhan, Yichang, Huanggang, Badong, Huangshi, Suizhou, Xianning
For the broader travel overview: Hubei.
