The city of Fuyang in eastern Zhejiang province administered by Hangzhou is noted for its location next to the Fuchun River that flows between two lush mountains.

An ancient sector of Fuyang, Longmen - or "Dragon's Gate - town is famed for its rich culture and history that stretches back more than 1,000 years. Fifty-two km from Hangzhou, it is listed as a first-level scenic region for its tourism route along the Fuchun River, Xin'an River and Thousand-Island Lake.

The 2-sq-km ancient town was named by hermit Yan Zilin during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Yan marveled at the town, giving a verse claiming that its mountains were superior to the dragon's gate at Luliang in Shanxi province.

The birthplace of Sun Quan, founder of the Eastern Wu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), 90 percent out of the town's 2,600 residents are descendants of Sun, the youngest of which are the 58th generation of his progeny. The Suns all still live near each other today

Most of its well-preserved buildings were constructed in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, including ancestral temples, traditional halls and residences, Buddhist gates, pavilions, stone bridges and ancient pagodas.

The town was also noted for its mixture of courtyards. There were over 60 old buildings in the town, but now only two ancestral temples from Sun clan remain, one of which is called Siyuan Temple.

The town's narrow 1-km-long cobblestone road was a gathering place for businessmen in the 18th century. Folk shows are staged there occasionally, with all visitors are warmly welcomed to participate.

Residences line Longmen Stream that crosses the town from the north. A mountain of the same name in the south of town has an elevation of 1,067 m, the highest mountain in the city.

Tourists can enjoy the rural atmosphere of the village that grows turnips set amid traditional pavilions, quiet streams and lofty mountains.

Several of its alleys and stone archways still have the flavor of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The town holds a millennium-old temple carnival every year on the first of September in Chinese lunar calendar, when residents of all ages gather together to watch the traditional Chinese opera and offer sacrifices to Buddha or their ancestors. Those in their thirties donate their labor to build or improve roads in the town.

At the Chinese Lantern Festival, varieties of self-made lanterns are lighted and hung on the beams of all ancestral temples. Portraits of ancestors are put up at main halls, in front of which myriad pastries and refreshments are placed. Families offer incense and pray to their ancestors.

The town is also home to a very old private institute, or Sishu, which trained one Zhuangyuan and seven Jinshi.

Zhuangyuan - literally "exemplar of the State" - is the one who ranked first in the imperial examinations in ancient China that selected talent for the state's bureaucracy.

Jinshi - or "presented scholar"- was a graduate who traveled to the capital every three years in ancient China.

As one of the most beautiful ancient towns in China, Longmen has also attracted many directors to film their TV series or movies. This June, a TV series starring famous actress Lu Liping began shooting in the town.

Ancient Longmen town was selected to hold the opening ceremony of 2006 Hangzhou World Leisure Expo in April, when a series of performances were performed on its stage.

Hangzhou China Travel Service (24h): 0086-571-88398499; 13588476467