2024 Zhenyuan Ancient Town Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Zhenyuan Ancient Town nightlife.
Zhenyuan County in Guizhou is an ancient town with a history of over a thousand years. The current county committee compound was the county government office in the Qing Dynasty, and the museum was a barracks in the Qing Dynasty. The most well-preserved ancient alley is Sifangjing Street, which is well-connected and leads directly to the ancient wharf. The surrounding area is home to distilleries, tofu shops, and dry goods stores. The best-preserved famous residence is Quanjia Courtyard, which is said to be the old residence of a Tang Dynasty official. It has high walls, a main gate, side gates, and crooked paths, reflecting the ancient worldview. Sifang Alley still has original residents, and the houses retain the Hui-style architectural style of white walls, black tiles, and horse-head walls. Wooden houses are equipped with air conditioning, truly bridging the past and present. By examining Zhenyuan's geographical location, you will understand that it is a military stronghold. The Wuyang River connects Hunan, eastern Guizhou, and central Guizhou. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhenyuan was a border town in Guizhou, belonging to the ancient Sizhou territory. Zhenyuan Ancient Town is a 5A small city with no entrance fee. Sour soup fish and beef hot pot are the signature dishes. Night tours of the Wuyang River and homestays are the main sources of tax revenue for the ancient town. If you have the chance, visit my hometown in southeastern Guizhou and try the 60 yuan per jin yellow beef. The hot pot is free, and the rice wine flows freely. This is the life of the Miao people.
Zhenyuan Ancient Town, a thousand-year-old town hidden deep in the mountains of Guizhou.
Located in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, this ancient town is surrounded by mountains and the beautiful Wuyang River runs through it. Although it is a 5A scenic spot, it is not as famous as Fenghuang Ancient Town, Wuzhen, Lijiang, and Dali. However, the more it is like this, the more original the scenic spot is, and the more intense the fireworks are, it is worth a visit.
Must-See Scenic Spots in Zhenyuan Ancient Town 🏞️✨
1) The Holy Bridge: The night scene here is absolutely stunning! 🌉✨✅
2) Qinglong Cave: Known as the "Southwest Hanging Temple" 🏯✅
3) Shiping Mountain: The highest point, offering a breathtaking view of Zhenyuan town! ⛰️✅
4)"Crooked Door Ramp": The most beautiful alley in Renshou Palace Lane 🏘️✅
5)Fu Grand Courtyard: A perfect spot to snap some photos! 📸✅
6)Peace Village: An important historical site from the Anti-Japanese War era! 🕰️✅
🚘 Traffic Guide:
Train 🚞: From Guiyang to Zhenyuan station, it's about a 4-hour trip. Then, hop on bus 1 or 2 🚌 to reach the town directly!
Self-driving 🚗: Use navigation for "Zhenyuan Ancient Town." From Guiyang, it’s around 3 hours. The road is bumpy, so drive carefully! ‼️
#ZhenyuanAncientTown #ScenicSpots #HolyBridge #QinglongCave #ShipingMountain #CrookedDoorRamp #PeaceVillage #TravelGuide #BeautifulChina #Zhenyuan
The Eastern Venice - a free 5A scenic spot
Zhenyuan Ancient Town, a dreamy place where time seems to stand still.
In Zhenyuan, time appears to have hit the pause button.
Here, the green mountains are enchanting, the waters flow gently, ancient buildings carry the memories of years past, and the simple local customs warm the heart.
Stroll leisurely along the Wuyang River, with the gentle breeze brushing by, it's utterly relaxing.
Gazing at the stilted buildings scattered along the banks, it's like being in a time tunnel, transported back to bygone days.
At night, Zhenyuan becomes even more dreamlike. Lanterns hang high, illuminating every corner of the town, resembling a fairy-tale world.
Here, time becomes lazy and slow, everything is so peaceful and beautiful.
A variety of delicious foods are on display, sour soup fish, beef noodles, and other delicacies, making your taste buds dance on the tip of your tongue.
A free scenic spot full of ambiance—Zhenyuan
This ancient town, listed as a national 5A-level tourist attraction, is like a dazzling pearl inlaid in the land of Southeast Guizhou. Despite thousands of years of vicissitudes, it still retains its simplicity and tranquility.
Zhenyuan, the name itself carries a sense of detachment from the mundane world. It is not as bustling as some popular tourist spots, but tells its own story quietly and with an understated, elegant demeanor.
The ancient town is nestled against mountains and by the water, gently embraced by the Wuyang River, which draws a perfect 'S' shape here, dividing the town into north and south banks. The old government city and the old garrison city face each other across the river, like guardians of time, witnessing the historical changes.
Walking through the alleys paved with bluestone slabs, you are flanked by ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, revealing past glories between the carved beams and painted rafters.
Every brick and tile here, every patch of moss, seems to whisper, recounting Zhenyuan's glorious past as an important post station and commercial hub in the southwest region.
There is no aggressive promotion, no expensive tickets, just silently waiting, for those who truly appreciate it to arrive. Here, you can immerse yourself in every corner for free, experiencing the indescribable beauty and harmony of its antiquity.
In the early morning, you can see locals washing clothes and fishing by the river, while the faint scent of tea drifts from the old teahouses, mingling with the mist in the distant mountains to form moving pictures.
In the evening, when the setting sun shines on the ancient city walls, the golden glow reflects off the river, and at that moment, you may forget the passage of time, wanting only to immerse yourself in this rare tranquility.
Although Zhenyuan Ancient Town has such a rich historical and cultural heritage and natural scenery, it seems to be gradually marginalized by the torrents of time, less noisy, more serene.
In this corner of the world forgotten by time, there are no crowded crowds, no commercial hawkers, only the sediment of history and the gifts of nature.
Zhenyuan, a place that inspires awe and emotion without the need for excessive embellishment, quietly awaits the visit of each traveler, offering true rest and purification for the soul.
Zhenyuan Ancient City·Zhenyuan
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan Ancient Town is called the Oriental Venice. Zhenyuan is located in Zhenyuan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, where the river meanders in an "S" shape through the town. The north bank is the prefectural city, and the south bank is the defensive city. Both cities were built during the Ming Dynasty, and some parts of the city walls and gates still exist. There are many ancient buildings, traditional residences, and historical docks both inside and outside the city. Zhenyuan boasts one hall, two nunneries, two institutes, four bridges, four caves, six passes, six offices, eight temples, eight ancestral halls, eight pavilions, nine galleries, nine temples, and over 160 cultural relics and historic sites from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including ancient residences, alleys, and docks that are of great value for sightseeing and scientific research.
According to records, ancient Zhenyuan was located at the junction of the 'Wuxi Barbarians' and the 'Baiyue people' in history. In the first year of Shaoding of the Song Dynasty (1226), it was named Zhenyuan Prefecture, and the name 'Zhenyuan' has been used ever since. Zhenyuan has a long history, dating back more than 2280 years to the 30th year of King Zhao of Qin (277 BC) when it was first established as a county. During the Yuan and Qing dynasties, it was the site of a Taoist prefecture for over 700 years.
In Zhenyuan, you can climb the 'upright and vast like a screen' Shiping Mountain to overlook the entire ancient town, visit the 'Hanging Temple of the South' Qinglong Cave to see the ancient architectural complex that integrates Buddhist scripture halls, Taoist temples, Confucian academies, and guild halls, and explore the 'crooked doors and slanted paths' of the Sifang Well Alley, Stone Archway Alley, Fuxing Alley, and other ancient alleys to see the traditional residences.
Ticket: Free (Separate admission fees for Shiping Mountain and Qinglong Cave).
Popular Trip Moments
Guizhou Huangguoshu-Libo Autumn Travel Guide: The Best Time to Visit. Don't Miss Out! | Encounter Xiasi Ancient Town and experience its thousand-year-old charm. | Xijiang Homestay | Enjoy the Scenic Views of Qianhu and the Long-Lasting Miao Culture | Stunning Viewing Platform | A Secret Homestay Hidden in the Clouds of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. | Guizhou Guiyang-Huangguoshu-Libo Travel Guide for Seniors: So Beautiful You Won't Want to Leave! | Morning Serenity at Qianhu Miao Village：Discovering the Quiet Charm Before the Crowds | Autumn Stroll Through Zhenyuan Ancient town | A Warm Stay at Yunting Yishan Boutique Homestay | There are 10 reasons to leave home, but only one to go back. | Exploring Qinglong Cave: A Masterpiece Among China's Hanging Temples | Shiqiao Town, Danzhai County, Guizhou Province | Once Every 13 Years: Witnessing the Spectacle of the Leishan Miao New Year and Drum Festival | Shiping Mountain: A Serene Escape | The best viewing point in Kaili Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. | 5-day tour of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village and other places. A super detailed guide is here. | Guizhou Guiyang-Libo autumn trip, don't miss it! | Hotel at Zhenyuan: Zhenyuan Zhishe Jingju Inn | Explore the mysterious ancient site of Feiyun Cliff in Guizhou, which has a history of 600 years. | Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village Beautiful Xijiang Performance. | Would you travel thousands of miles for such a beautiful view? | Have you checked in to the Guizhou Village Super Hotel that has gone viral online? | Weekend trip! Relaxing 2-day, 1-night trip from Chengdu to Guizhou and Qianhu Miao Village. | Guizhou Rongjiang Village Super Hotel = Guizhou Village Super Hotel. | Guizhou! Zhaoxing Tongzhai! A secluded homestay that is so good to stay in! Worth crying for! | Guizhou Secret Adventure: The Tranquil Time of Feiyun Cliff in the Ming Dynasty. | Feiyunya, Guizhou: A forgotten ancient temple, a peaceful and tranquil paradise for the soul. | 6-Day Guizhou Huangguoshu-Libo Tour: A Stunning Itinerary You'll Want to Do Again! | Huangguoshu-Libo Autumn Tour | Nanny-level Guide, Miss It and Wait a Year. | A luxurious oasis in the city - Cun Chao Hotel. | Qianhu Miao Village, a stunning journey through time. Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Qiandongnan