2025 Zhenyuan Ancient Town Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Visit the historic cultural city of Zhenyuan Ancient Town in Guizhou and stay at the Fucheng Hotel. The hotel is built along the banks of the Wuyang River, with Shibing Mountain at its back. Its exterior features a classical Huizhou style with elements of the ethnic minorities of Yunnan and Guizhou, blending well with the architectural characteristics of the ancient town, giving it a quaint and classical charm. The hotel's location is excellent, being very close to Zhenyuan Ancient Town and Shibing Mountain Scenic Area. There are also many cultural attractions along both sides of the river, such as Kuixing Pavilion, Fire God Temple, Fuwen Temple, Zhenjiang Pavilion, and Zhenyuan County Museum, all within walking distance, making it very convenient. Most importantly, the price is affordable. A double room with breakfast costs less than 1200 TWD per night, and the room size and facilities are quite good. It's well worth staying a night in the ancient town to experience the splendid and lively night scene along the Wuyang River.

#favouriteitinerary During a past visit to Zhenyuan Ancient Town, I was enchanted by its poetic charm and everyday life. Strolling along the stone-paved streets, I could feel the 2,000 years of history. Sitting by the riverbank, I enjoyed the view across the river, felt the gentle breeze, and watched the boats come and go. Qinglong Cave, an ancient architectural complex with over 600 years of history, stood out as part of the world-renowned cliffside architecture gardens. Taking a boat tour on the Wuyang River, I marveled at the stunning scenery of high gorges, tranquil lakes, and cascading waterfalls. Climbing Shiping Mountain, I enjoyed a panoramic view of the ancient town with its towering peaks and majestic cliffs. Tiexie, rich in historical legends and beautiful tales, added to the town's allure. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the stone paths. Zhenyuan Ancient Town's historical charm and cultural richness make it a must-visit destination. 🌿😊

#favouriteitinerary 📍 Zhenyuan Ancient Town: This serene and distant Miao town offers a perfect blend of poetic charm and everyday life. Strolling along the stone-paved streets, you can feel the sediment of 2,000 years of history. Sitting by the riverbank, you can enjoy the view across the river, feel the gentle breeze, and watch the boats come and go. 🎫 Tickets: The ancient town itself is free to enter. Separate tickets are required for some attractions: Shiping Mountain (30 RMB) and Qinglong Cave (60 RMB). 🏮Must-Visit Attractions: 🔹 Qinglong Cave: This ancient architectural complex, with a history of over 600 years, is part of the world-renowned cliffside architecture gardens. 🔹 Wuyang River: Take a boat tour to appreciate the stunning scenery of high gorges, tranquil lakes, and cascading waterfalls. 🔹 Shiping Mountain: Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the ancient town, with its towering peaks and majestic cliffs. 🔹 Tiexie: A national key scenic spot, Tiexie is rich in historical legends and beautiful, mysterious tales. Travel Tips: Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the stone paths. Enjoy your journey through the historical charm and cultural richness of Zhenyuan Ancient Town! 🏯🌿😊

"Zhenyuan Love Song": Set in Zhenyuan, this song showcases the natural scenery and cultural characteristics of Zhenyuan. Zhenyuan Ancient Town Self-Drive Guide 1. Itinerary Day 1: Depart from Guiyang → Zhenyuan Ancient Town → Visit Qinglong Cave and Zhusheng Bridge → Night view of the ancient town • Morning: Depart from Guiyang and take the G60 Hukun Expressway to Zhenyuan Ancient Town. The journey is about 260 km and takes about 4 hours. • Noon: After arriving at Zhenyuan Ancient Town, park your car in the parking lot outside the ancient town (search for "Ancient City Tourist Scenic Area Parking Lot" on the north bank or "Qinglong Cave Parking Lot" on the south bank). • Afternoon: Visit the Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex (CNY 60 per person). This is the landmark building of Zhenyuan Ancient Town, combining Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in one cave, and is of great cultural value. Then head to Zhusheng Bridge to admire the Kuixing Pavilion on the bridge and the beautiful scenery of the Wuyang River. • Evening: Stroll through the ancient town, enjoy the night view, and experience the bright lights along the Wuyang River. Day 2: Shiping Mountain → Wuyang River Cruise → Ancient Alleys → Return • Morning: Head to Shiping Mountain (CNY 30 per person) and climb the mountain to overlook the panoramic view of the ancient town and experience the Taiji Bagua layout of the ancient town. • Noon: Taste local specialties in the ancient town, such as Miao sour fish soup and grilled fish with tofu. • Afternoon: Take a cruise on the Wuyang River (CNY 60 per person) to enjoy the ancient buildings and natural scenery on both sides of the river. Then stroll through the ancient alleys, such as Sifangjing Alley and Renshou Alley, to experience the historical charm of the ancient town. 2. Attractions and Cultural Introduction 1. Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex • Cultural Background: Qinglong Cave is one of the three major hanging temples in China, combining Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Its unique architectural style makes it a landmark attraction in Zhenyuan Ancient Town. • Experience Suggestion: It is recommended to reserve 2–3 hours to visit and experience the charm of ancient architecture. 2. Zhusheng Bridge and Kuixing Pavilion • Cultural Background: Zhusheng Bridge is a landmark building in Zhenyuan. The Kuixing Pavilion on the bridge is a three-story pavilion with a unique historical value. • Experience Suggestion: Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Wuyang River on the bridge and experience the historical charm of the ancient town. 3. Shiping Mountain • Cultural Background: Shiping Mountain is the highest point in Zhenyuan Ancient Town, offering a panoramic view of the entire town. The night view is particularly charming. • Experience Suggestion: The climbing route can start from the "Wuyang Town Democratic Community Committee" to avoid the entrance fee. 4. Wuyang River • Cultural Background: The Wuyang River runs through the city, dividing the ancient town into the government city and the guard city, forming a unique Taiji Bagua layout. • Experience Suggestion: Take a cruise to enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river and experience the tranquility and beauty of the ancient town. 5. Ancient Alleys • Cultural Background: The ancient alleys of Zhenyuan Ancient Town are well-preserved, such as Sifangjing Alley and Renshou Alley, full of historical traces. • Experience Suggestion: Stroll through them and experience the slow life of the ancient town. 6. Zhenyuan County Museum • Cultural Background: The museum is open to the public for free, offering an in-depth understanding of the history and ethnic customs of Zhenyuan. • Experience Suggestion: Visit the museum to learn about the thousand-year history of Zhenyuan. 3. Practical Information • Ticket Price: Zhenyuan Ancient Town is open to the public for free, but some attractions require separate tickets (e.g., Qinglong Cave CNY 60 per person, Shiping Mountain CNY 30 per person). • Accommodation Recommendation: There are various homestays to choose from in the ancient town. Homestays in the old city offer night views, while those in the Pillow River Dream area are quieter. • Food Recommendation: Miao sour fish soup, grilled fish with tofu, dried tofu, etc. • Parking Information: Private cars are not allowed in the ancient town and must be parked in the parking lot outside the ancient town. Zhenyuan Ancient Town is a city full of historical charm and ethnic customs. Whether strolling through the ancient alleys or taking a boat tour of the Wuyang River, you can feel the unique charm of the ancient town.

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.

Enjoyed the slow pace of life for two days, it was simply the life I longed for~ ✨Visit the ancient city wall of Zhenyuan, touch the traces of history, and stand on the city wall Go up and have a panoramic view of the whole ancient town and the beautiful scenery of Wuyang River. Try local specialties in restaurants in the ancient town, such as fish in sour soup, aged dishes, Fried cakes, etc., each bite has a unique flavor ✨Wander along both sides of Wuyang River and enjoy the picturesque river scenery and ancient bridges. As a landmark building, the Consecrated Bridge has a majestic three-story pavilion on the bridge. It is very beautiful to take pictures here. You can also go for a walk by the river under the bridge and feel the peaceful atmosphere. Then visit the Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Group. This group of Ming and Qing religious buildings built on the mountain combines Buddhism, Taoism and Confucian culture with carved beams and painted buildings. It has a unique style and is worth seeing. ✨In the evening, taste the delicacies of Zhenyuan Night Market, grilled fish, barbecue, etc. are full of aroma. Take a night tour of Wuyang River. Zhenyuan is brilliantly lit at night, and the lights are reflected on the river, which is beautiful. Take a cruise and experience a different style. ✨Get up early and go to Shiping Mountain to watch the sunrise. The mountain overlooks the entire Zhenyuan Ancient Town. At sunrise, the sun shines on the ancient town, which is extremely spectacular. After going down the mountain, browse the small shops in the ancient town and buy Miao silver jewelry, handicrafts and other special souvenirs. 💕Taste the local food again to bring the journey to a successful end. 💕Book your hotel in advance to avoid the embarrassment of not having a room during the peak tourist season. 💕Pay attention to the weather conditions and take sun protection and rain protection measures. 💕Respect local customs and religious beliefs. 💕When tasting delicious food, try several restaurants to find the one that best suits your taste!

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.

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

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.

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 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).