Xiangyang: Culture and City History

In the wider region around Xiangyang, cultural themes range from historic urban structures to crafts and staged experiences. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, these highlights can help you decide on the cultural focus of your stay.

City Wall and Historic Buildings

In the wider region around the destination of Xiangyang are the ruins of Xiangyang Ancient City, on the south bank of the Han River, in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang City, at the northern foot of Xianshan Mountain. The city wall has a circumference of 7.3 kilometers, and the moat is 130 to 250 meters wide. These measurements refer to different elements of the historic urban structure: the circumference of the wall and the width of the moat.

Starting in 2018, Xiangyang implemented two consecutive three-year plans to protect and make use of the old city. Six sections of the wall were renovated, including the section east of Linhan Gate and the section between North Gate and Changmen. In 2024, four historic buildings were equipped with exhibitions and opened to the public: the Shan Family Ancestral Hall, Zhongxuan Tower, the Prince Xiang Palace, and Changmen. As exhibition programs can change, check the latest information before visiting.

North Street: Street Culture and Crafts

In the wider region around Xiangyang, Xiangyang North Street is described as the country’s longest pedestrian street designed in an ancient style. It is 1,270 meters long and classified as a national tourism and leisure street. Its redesign created a staged cultural experience route. One described sequence of experiences included the scene-based performance “三尺仁义” at Shan Maoqian Memorial Hall, a poetic exchange for children with an NPC playing the role of Meng Haoran, a calligraphy interaction on the theme of Mi Fu, and a procession led by a performer playing Han Furen. Theater, verse, calligraphy, and procession represent different forms of staging.

In the wider region around Xiangyang, Guanjia Lane, connected to North Street, adds a focus on traditional crafts. A description dated May 19, 2026, mentions more than 20 shops offering intangible cultural heritage. Items presented included Zaoyang cotton fabric, Laohekou woodblock New Year prints, Nanzhang paper-cutting, and Chenghe willow weaving. Visitors could also touch the crafts. While North Street offers a broad cultural experience, these crafts provide more specific insights into materials and techniques.

Cultural Attractions and Staged Experiences

In the wider region around Xiangyang is the Zhaoming Tower Cultural and Tourism Area, described in February 2026 as covering more than 8,000 square meters and themed around Zhaoming culture. Listed features included displays of cultural and creative products, cultural exhibitions, opera performances, views of the old city, and interactive educational activities. In September 2026, the MR experience space “奇遇三国·XR奇幻之旅,” themed around the Three Kingdoms, was also described in the basement of Zhaoming Tower, in the wider region around Xiangyang. Visitors could experience scenes such as “三顾茅庐” and “赤壁之战.” As immersive programs can change, it’s advisable to check the latest information before visiting.

In the wider region around Xiangyang, Xiangyang Shengshi Tang City Scenic Area is centered on the culture of the High Tang period and is rated a national 4A tourist attraction. Activities for traditional holidays have included family outings for children and a New Year temple fair. If you’re planning to travel specifically for such an occasion, check the event dates.

In the wider region around Xiangyang, the Xiangyang Traditional Lacquerware Museum has opened. The museum’s opening is accompanied by long-term free training in traditional lacquer art provided by inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. If you’re interested in this craft instruction, ask about the specific dates.

Discover more destinations: Enshi, Wuhan, Ezhou, Huangshi, Xiaogan, Suizhou, Xianning, Badong

For the overview of the wider region: Hubei.