Must-See in Guiyang | Qingyan Ancient Town: A Lively Place Frozen in Time

| Qingyan Ancient Town: A Lively Place Frozen in Time. Qingyan Ancient Town is located in Huaxi District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province. It is a Ming and Qing military town with a history of more than 600 years. It is known as one of the four ancient towns in Guizhou (together with Zhenyuan, Bing'an, and Longli). It not only has a profound historical and cultural heritage, but also has a unique architectural style and rich cuisine. It is a popular destination for tours around Guiyang. The following is a detailed travel guide: --- ### **I. Basic Information** - **Opening Hours**: 8:30–17:00 - **Tickets**: - **First Entrance Ticket**: CNY 10 (only to enter the ancient town, excluding attractions) - **Combo Ticket**: CNY 60 (including major attractions, such as the No.1 Scholar Mansion, Ciyun Temple, etc.) - **Discount Policies**: - Seniors over 60 years old, children under 14 years old, students, soldiers, teachers, medical staff, etc. can enjoy free first entrance tickets. - There may be additional discounts during certain periods in 2025 (such as during Guizhou cultural tourism events). --- ### **II. Transportation Guide** 1. **Plane**: - After arriving at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, you can take **Airport Bus Line 5** directly to the North Gate of Qingyan Ancient Town. 2. **Train/High-speed Rail**: - Take bus routes 203, 210, or 225 from Guiyang Railway Station or Guiyang East Railway Station to Qingyan Ancient Town. 3. **Self-driving**: - Starting from Guiyang, take **Guihui Avenue** or **Hukun Expressway** for about 40 minutes to reach the destination. 4. **Subway + Bus**: - Take Guiyang Subway Line 3 to **Tongmuling Station**, and transfer to Bus 18 to reach the ancient town directly. --- ### **III. Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Dingguang Gate**: The iconic city gate of the ancient town. Climb the city wall for a panoramic view. 2. **Back Street**: A quiet alley composed of bluestone slabs and stone walls. It is the filming location of the movie *The Missing Gun* and is suitable for taking pictures. 3. **No.1 Scholar Mansion**: The former residence of Zhao Yijiong, the first No.1 Scholar in Guizhou, showcasing the imperial examination culture. 4. **Ciyun Temple**: Now the Huaxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, displaying local traditional dances, dramas, etc. 5. **Wanshou Palace**: The Jiangxi Guild Hall with exquisite wood carvings. It used to be the location of Zhejiang University's westward relocation. 6. **Catholic Church & Christian Church**: Reflecting the unique religious culture of the ancient town where "three religions coexist." --- ### **IV. Food Recommendations** 1. **Qingyan Braised Pig Trotters (No.1 Scholar's Trotters)**: Soft, glutinous, and flavorful. It tastes better with dipping sauce. Zhao's or Xu's old shop is recommended. 2. **Tofu Balls**: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, eaten with chili water. 3. **Gaoba Porridge**: Sweet, soft, and glutinous, with rose sugar, sesame, etc. 4. **Rose Sugar**: A specialty of the ancient town, sweet with a floral fragrance, suitable as a souvenir. 5. **Sour Soup Fish & Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles**: Guizhou specialties, sour, spicy, and appetizing. --- ### **V. Suggested Itineraries** - **Half-Day Tour**: Dingguang Gate → City Wall → Back Street → No.1 Scholar Mansion → Ciyun Temple → Wanshou Palace. - **One-Day Tour**: Add Longquan Temple, Catholic Church, Qingyan Academy, and enjoy the night view in the evening. --- ### **VI. Accommodation Recommendations** - **In the Ancient Town**: Characteristic B&Bs (such as Guiyang Qingyan Ancient Town Inn) to experience the ancient nightlife. - **Huaxi District**: Guiyang Huaxi Hotel, a 10-minute drive away. --- ### **VII. Travel Tips** - **Best Seasons**: Spring and autumn (March–May, September–November) with a pleasant climate. - **Dress Code**: There are many stone slab roads in the ancient town, so it is recommended to wear comfortable flat shoes. - **Night Tour Experience**: The ancient town under the lights has a unique style. You can find a small shop to sit and watch the scenery quietly. --- Qingyan Ancient Town integrates history, architecture, cuisine, and folk customs. It is suitable for cultural exploration and leisure travel. If you want to experience it in depth, it is recommended to arrange a day to slowly feel the charm of this ancient stone city!