Situated on the banks of the Jiulong River, Zhangzhou City became a prefecture under its present name in 686. Situated in southern Fujian and Guangdong provinces, the city took advantage of its geographical location and natural environment to rapidly develop as a political and economic center for the region during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Built in 1572, the Bagua Tower is one of the most famous historical sites in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. /CFP

Located in the downtown area, the Old Town of Zhangzhou retains more than a thousand years of history and culture. It is an essential part of China's national-level Hokkien Cultural Ecology Conservation Area, featuring a wealth of historical buildings, relics and intangible cultural heritage sites.

The ancient town can be dated back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). After several phases of renovation work, the ancient block now retains the original appearance of the ancient architectural styles from the Tang and Song dynasties amid its delicate urban design. The old downtown area is the treasured core area of Zhangzhou City.

The Old Town of Zhangzhou area is home to the Confucian Temple built in 1139, an ancestral hall established during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), several ancient stone memorial archways, ancient temples and many other historical and cultural sites. In addition, the ancient town is a popular gathering spot for local artists and craftspeople to showcase their intangible cultural heritage skills –from puppetry performances and Gezai Opera to Zhangzhou puppet figurine carvings and wood paintings.

A file photo shows a series of ancient stone memorial archways in the Old Town of Zhangzhou, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. /CFP

The Old Town of Zhangzhou received the "UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation" in 2004 and was listed in the first group of Chinese historical and cultural blocks. The location is an ideal backdrop for filmmakers thanks to its well-preserved ancient streets, buildings and rich local historical and cultural atmosphere.