Located in Shandan County of Gansu Province, not far from the Shandan Great Walls, Xiakou Ancient Town has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was one of the most important post houses along the ancient Silk Road and stood on the only route connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions in the ancient times. In the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), it was also an important fortress to prevent the enemies. Xiakou Ancient Town is a rectangle-shaped town, covering an area of 190,000 square meters (46.9 acres), and comprises rows of houses of the feudal officials, barracks, residential houses for common people as well as shops and stables.