An ancient gate tower in Ciqikou, in southwest China's Chongqing municipality. [Photo: china.org.cn/china.com.cn]

Mahua Chen is a shop which sells a popular local fried sugar cake snack in Ciqikou. [Photo: china.org.cn/china.com.cn]

Ciqikou is an ancient street located in a suburb of Chongqing. Porcelain was produced and exported from here during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, that's how it got its name Ciqikou. Houses in Ciqikou are made from bamboo and wood and are typical of the type found in east Sichuan. The paintings on the houses are beautiful and delicate. Ciqikou was upgraded to the status of an 'ancient street' under Chongqing's state protection in 1998.