With a history spanning over 1,023 years, it has been designated as both a traditional village of China and a famous historical and cultural village in Shanxi by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In 2018, it was rated a national 3A-level scenic area.

The ancient town features a well-preserved layout, defined by Paifang Road and Mufang Street intersecting at its center and connecting the four city gates. It is divided into four primary zones: Tangcheng, Xingxian, Jiantong, and Tongying. The town is home to numerous cultural relics, including a national-level protected site featuring wood-and-stone memorial archways, the provincial-level Monk Yugong Attainments Monument, and several municipal and county-level heritage sites such as the Guandi Temple, Martyrs’ Memorial Pavilion, Bell Tower, Wenfeng Pagoda, Wukui Pagoda, and Houtu Temple. Additional attractions include the Zhao Baocheng Martyrs Memorial Hall, Emperor Yao’s Chess Garden, and numerous traditional Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368-1911) residences, which collectively preserve the town’s historical charm.

Yicheng Ancient Town also celebrates its intangible cultural heritage, featuring national and provincial treasures such as the Yicheng Flower Drum, Yicheng Qinshu (a folk art form), Yicheng Chess, and the Ancient Town Clay Sculpture Experience Hall. These elements not only keep the town’s cultural legacy alive, but also enhance the appeal of this historical and cultural treasure.