Anren's historic heart occupies what was once a complex of mansions amassed by notoriously cruel landlord Liu Wencai. Today they've been converted to art galleries, hotels and museums.
Anren: China's museum town —
Anren's historic heart occupies what was once a complex of mansions amassed by notoriously cruel landlord Liu Wencai. Today they've been converted to art galleries, hotels and museums.
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Each of the mansions boast its own unique style, displaying the rank, importance and interests of the owner. The murals on Liu's door frame indicates his social status in the town.
High status carvings —
Each of the mansions boast its own unique style, displaying the rank, importance and interests of the owner. The murals on Liu's door frame indicates his social status in the town.
Qin Xie/CNN
The museum complex consists of mansions that are now museums, hotels, art galleries, and restaurants. Many mansions still sit behind locked doors.
Museums, hotels, art galleries, and restaurants —
The museum complex consists of mansions that are now museums, hotels, art galleries, and restaurants. Many mansions still sit behind locked doors.
Qin Xie/CNN
Real estate developer-turned collector and curator Jianchuan Fan took the first step in turning Anren into a museum town in 2003. The "Handprint Square of the veterans of China" is a free outdoor installation.
Handprint Square of the Veterans of China —
Real estate developer-turned collector and curator Jianchuan Fan took the first step in turning Anren into a museum town in 2003. The "Handprint Square of the veterans of China" is a free outdoor installation.
Numerous vintage posters decorate the walls in Anren's old town center. Buildings in the area feature well-preserved architecture and murals.
Vintage film posters —
Numerous vintage posters decorate the walls in Anren's old town center. Buildings in the area feature well-preserved architecture and murals.
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Liu was said to have amassed his fortune through by forcibly taking lands from farmers and brutalizing local women.
Liu's cruel reputation —
Liu was said to have amassed his fortune through by forcibly taking lands from farmers and brutalizing local women.
Qin Xie/CNN
Mansion feasts draw visitors to Anren but traditional Sichuan food can be found at street stalls.
Museum town street food —
Mansion feasts draw visitors to Anren but traditional Sichuan food can be found at street stalls.
Qin Xie/CNN
The Liu Family estates are split into four main areas, the Liu Family Old Manor, Liu Family's Historic Home, Precious Artifacts Gallery and Rent Collection Hall.
Family estates turned galleries —
The Liu Family estates are split into four main areas, the Liu Family Old Manor, Liu Family's Historic Home, Precious Artifacts Gallery and Rent Collection Hall.
Qin Xie/CNN
The mansions' blend of Western and Chinese architecture offers insight into the period between the end of the Qing dynasty and the formation of the People's republic of China.
Architectural insight —
The mansions' blend of Western and Chinese architecture offers insight into the period between the end of the Qing dynasty and the formation of the People's republic of China.
Qin Xie/CNN
Anren remains something of a ghost town that comes alive at weekends and holidays when tourists flock in.
Sleepy rural town —
Anren remains something of a ghost town that comes alive at weekends and holidays when tourists flock in.
Qin Xie/CNN
Officials announced an $820 million investment in 2009 to transform Anren into a renowned museum town.
Investing in China's Museum Town —
Officials announced an $820 million investment in 2009 to transform Anren into a renowned museum town.
Qin Xie/CNN