Zheng Renhao, Party secretary of Zhanjiang, urged Anpu to improve itself as a China Characteristic Small Town, in the wake of it receiving the honor from the Ministry of Housing & Urban-Rural Development in July.

Zheng's comments were made during a visit to the town on Aug 21, where he led a delegation to investigate Anpu's many ancient historic and cultural sites.

Anpu is the first town in Zhanjiang to be honored as a national Characteristic Small Town. [Photos by Lin Shizhan/Zhanjiang Daily]

The town of Anpu features many buildings made in the "Qi Lou" style, a type of architecture favored from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) to the early Republic of China (1912-1949). The buildings and arcades embody characteristics of local Linnan culture as well as influences from the West.

The delegation toured some of the town's most popular tourist destinations such as Yushu Palace, Riverside Street, Wenge Tower, Qi Lou Cultural Street, Guanyue Temple, Culture Square and several ancient wharfs.

With a history of more than 500 years, Anpu is the first national Characteristic Small Town in Zhanjiang. Zheng said that departments at all levels should attach great importance to developing the town's natural landscape and cultural relics to attract more tourism.

He added that the improvements in Anpu should not only focus on it being an asset as an ancient town, but also look ahead to the future and comply with new town development.

A delegation headed by Zheng Renhao, Party secretary of Zhanjiang, tours scenic spots in Anpu town on Aug 21.