Truly a secret spot treasured by National Geographic! The night view is absolutely stunning
Who would have thought that nestled among the mountains and waters of Zunyi, Guizhou, there lies a hidden gem recommended by National Geographic—the Wujiangzhai International Tourism Resort🌿! The gentle Wujiang River flows through the village, century-old stilt houses are built along the mountains, and by day it’s a quaint village like an ink painting. At night, when the lights come on, their reflections shimmer on the river, resembling the bathhouse from the real-life “Spirited Away,” so beautiful you can’t look away.
Location: Wujiangzhai International Tourism Resort, Zunyi, Guizhou
Transportation Guide:
✅ Self-driving: Navigate to “Wujiangzhai East Gate Parking Lot,” convenient parking with affordable fees (20 RMB/day)
✅ Public Transport: Take the high-speed train to Zunyi Station or Zunyi South Station, then transfer to the direct shuttle bus to the scenic area, about 1 hour ride, ticket price 30 RMB/person
Tickets: Adult ticket 120 RMB/person; free admission if staying at hotels inside the resort (such as Qianshuyuan Hotel), great value for money
🗺️ 2 days 1 night immersive itinerary (no backtracking)
Day 1: Explore the ancient village + chase night views + watch folk performances
Enter from Dongzhaikou → Heping Dyeing Workshop (shoot stunning intangible cultural heritage indigo dyeing photos) → Wu Paper Workshop (experience making herbal paper) → Yalu King Covered Bridge (capture terraced fields at blue hour) → Lusheng Square (watch the lively street parade) → Huilong Island Square (wait for the young village chief to toss the embroidered ball) → Check in at Qianshuyuan Hotel (overlooking the whole village) → Night tour of Taiyi Covered Bridge (photograph the light and shadow of the punt boats)
Day 2: Leisurely tour + intangible cultural heritage crafts + return trip
Early morning punt boat ride (cruise the Wujiang River, see the village in morning mist) → Stroll along Zhilanjie Street (check in at Huoshu Inn photo spot) → Experience intangible cultural heritage bamboo weaving/indigo dyeing handcrafts → Rest and tea break at Qiancha Tea House → Return to Zunyi South Station
📸 7 must-visit photo spots, every shot is a masterpiece
1. Yalu King Covered Bridge Terraces🌌: Shoot during blue hour (30 minutes before and after sunset), terraced fields and covered bridge complement each other, misty like a fairyland, even phone photos look amazing
2. Huoshu Inn✨: Walk from the middle of Zhilanjie Street towards the river, stilt house lanterns and flowing water in one frame, perfect for atmospheric night shots
3. Zhilanjie Street📸: The indigo-dyed fabrics at Heping Dyeing Workshop and the rustic paper art at Wu Paper Workshop make natural backdrops, wearing Hanfu makes photos even better
4. Qiancha Tea House🍵: Antique-style window views with the river as background for silhouette shots, instantly transporting you to a Jiangnan water town
5. Above the roadside of Kuaidu Bookstore🔍: A lesser-known overlook spot, capturing the entire cluster of Wujiangzhai stilt houses, few people and beautiful scenery
6. Yanhuang Teahouse🎑: Shoot the river and punt boats by the window, light and shadow filtering through the window lattice, the scene tells a story
7. Taiyi Covered Bridge🚣: Capture the moment when punt boats shuttle between stilt houses, after nightfall when lights come on, the lens is filled with gentle light and shadow
🎭 Must-see performances, you’ll regret missing them!
🌞 Daytime shows (immersive folk experience)
Single Bamboo Rafting: An intangible cultural heritage performance on the terraced water, performers glide on the water standing on a single bamboo pole, thrilling and beautiful, shows at 10:30 and 15:00 daily
Indigenous Theater Performances: Ethnic dances, face-changing, acrobatics performed in turn, authentic northern Guizhou folk customs, free admission
Young Village Chief Tossing the Embroidered Ball: Performed daily at 14:00 at Huilong Island Square, catching the ball lets you experience traditional wedding customs, very fun
🌙 Night performances (a visual feast)
Street Parade: Starts at 19:00 at Lusheng Square, Miao girls and Dong boys in festive costumes parade with hand drums and lusheng pipes, lively and exciting
Ten Thousand People Dance Night: Starts at 20:00 at Lusheng Square, join locals in ethnic dances, very immersive
Drone Fireworks Show + Music Fountain: Starts at 20:30 over the terraced water, hundreds of drones form stunning patterns, combined with fountains and fireworks, lighting up the night sky instantly
🧶 Intangible cultural heritage craft experiences, make your own exclusive souvenirs
Intangible Cultural Heritage Herbal Paper: At Wu Paper Workshop, master artisans teach on-site, embedding flowers and herbs into pulp to make unique bookmarks and lanterns, only 30 RMB/person
Intangible Cultural Heritage Bamboo Weaving: Bamboo weaving workshop next to Heping Dyeing Workshop, make bamboo baskets, fans, and other small items, beginners can quickly learn, finished products can be taken home as souvenirs
This millennium-old village hidden in northern Guizhou combines the gentleness of Jiangnan water towns with the passion of southwest ethnic cultures. Spend your days exploring intangible cultural heritage and watching performances, and your nights chasing night views and joining bonfire dances. Slowing down is the true essence of travel.