Zhenyuan Ancient Town Scenic Area is located in Zhenyuan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and the ancient town covers an area of about 3.1 square kilometers. Its distinctive features lie in its long history, diverse culture, and well-preserved ancient building complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Most of the buildings in the ancient town are wooden or brick-and-stone structures, laid out skillfully against the mountains and by the water. The architectural style of the ancient dwellings blends the characteristics of Huizhou-style architecture and local minority architecture. The ancient streets and alleys are winding and zigzagging. There are more than 120 extant ancient dwellings, 7 ancient lanes, and 12 docks, showing a unique charm. The Wuyang River runs through the town, adding a lively beauty to the ancient town.
Historical Culture
Zhenyuan Ancient Town has a long history. Since the establishment of a county in the 30th year of King Zhao of Qin (277 BC), it has a history of more than 2,200 years, and it served as the political, economic, and cultural center of eastern Guizhou for more than 700 years.
In ancient times, Zhenyuan was an important military fortress and transportation hub. Located at the intersection of the Hunan-Guizhou post road and the Yuan River water route, it was known as the “Key to Yunnan and Chu, Gateway to Eastern Guizhou” and played an important role in military defense and material transport. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a large number of troops were stationed here, leaving many military relics.
Zhenyuan was also a place where multiple ethnic cultures blended. Han, Miao, Dong, and other ethnic groups lived together, forming a unique regional culture. Central Plains culture, Jing-Chu culture, Ba-Shu culture, Wu-Yue culture, Min-Yue culture, and others converged and merged here, reflected in the town’s architecture, folk customs, food, and other aspects.
Main Attractions
Zhenyuan Ancient City Wall
Zhenyuan Ancient City Wall includes the Fu city wall and the Wei city wall. The Fu city wall was first built in the Ming Dynasty, with a total length of 1.5 km, a height of 5 m, and a thickness of 2.8 m. It was built according to the mountain terrain and is majestic and spectacular. The Wei city wall was also built in the Ming Dynasty, with a total length of 3 km, a wall height of 4 m, and a thickness of 2 m. After hundreds of years of wind and rain, the ancient city walls are still relatively well preserved and are a witness to Zhenyuan’s history. Visitors can stroll along the walls and feel the vicissitudes of history.
Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex
Located on Zhonghe Mountain east of Zhenyuan, the Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex is a famous ancient building complex and Buddhist site in Guizhou. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty and has 36 individual buildings, covering an area of 21,000 square meters. The complex consists of Qinglong Cave, Zhongyuan Cave, Ziyang Cave, Wanshou Palace, and others. It integrates Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, guild hall, bridge, and post-road architectural cultures. Its architectural style is unique, naturally blending with cliffs, ancient trees, vines, rocky banks, and karst caves. It has extremely high artistic and historical value.
Wuyang River Scenic Area
Located west of Zhenyuan, the Wuyang River Scenic Area features the Wuyang River, which has a total length of 258 km; the section flowing through Zhenyuan is especially beautiful. The scenic area contains three gorges—Zhuge Gorge, Longwang Gorge, and Xi Gorge—with a total gorge length of about 50 km. The water is clear, and grotesque peaks and rocks stand on both banks. There are many natural landscapes, such as Peacock Spreading Its Tail and Three-Tier Waterfall. Visitors can take a sightseeing boat to enjoy the natural scenery on both banks and experience the uncanny workmanship of nature.
Heping Village
Heping Village is a special attraction in Zhenyuan. It was originally the Second Model Prison of Guizhou Province under the Nationalist Government. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it became a detention center for Japanese prisoners of war and is one of the best-preserved World War II prisoner-of-war camps in China. Heping Village covers an area of 6,422 square meters and includes buildings such as an office building, auditorium, and infirmary. Here, visitors can learn about that special period of history and reflect on the theme of war and peace.
Suggested Tour Route：
Recommended route: If time is sufficient, a two-day visit is recommended. On the first day, enter Zhenyuan Ancient Town in the morning and first visit the Zhenyuan Ancient City Wall, following it to experience the historical atmosphere. Then go to the Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex to appreciate its unique architectural art and religious culture. At noon, taste local specialties in the ancient town, such as Zhenyuan red sour soup and Chennian Daocai. In the afternoon, visit Heping Village to learn about its special history. In the evening, stroll through the ancient town and enjoy the night view on both banks of the Wuyang River. On the second day, go to the Wuyang River Scenic Area in the morning and take a boat to enjoy the natural scenery on both banks. In the afternoon, return to the ancient town, wander through the ancient streets and alleys, visit ancient dwellings, buy some local souvenirs, and then end the trip. If time is limited, choose a one-day tour focusing on the Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex, Wuyang River Scenic Area, and the main streets and alleys of Zhenyuan Ancient Town, and taste the local specialties.
Travel Tips：
Learn about Zhenyuan Ancient Town’s history, culture, and attractions in advance through books, online resources, etc., so as to better understand and appreciate its charm.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking, as there are many ancient streets and alleys in the town and a fair amount of walking is required.
When tasting food, try more local specialty dishes, such as Zhenyuan red sour soup and Chennian Daocai, but pay attention to food hygiene and choose reputable restaurants and snack stalls.
If you want to photograph the beautiful scenery of the ancient town, it is recommended to go in the early morning or evening, when the light is soft and you can take more charming photos. In particular, the night view of the Wuyang River should not be missed.
In summer, take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures; in winter, keep warm.
Precautions：
Protect the environment of the ancient town; do not spit or litter; put rubbish in designated bins.
Respect local customs and religious beliefs; when visiting temples and other religious sites, follow relevant regulations and do not make loud noises.
When visiting ancient buildings and streets, do not touch or damage cultural relics and buildings at will; follow the scenic area’s rules.
When taking a boat tour on the Wuyang River, follow the instructions of staff, wear a life jacket, and do not move around or perform dangerous actions on the boat.
In case of emergency, call the scenic area’s emergency rescue number or ask nearby staff for help.
Transportation：
Public transport: From Guiyang, take a long-distance bus to Zhenyuan from Guiyang Longdongbao Passenger Station or Jinyang Bus Station; the journey takes about 4 hours and the fare is about 100 yuan. Alternatively, take the high-speed rail to Kaili South Station, then transfer from Kaili Bus Station to Zhenyuan; the journey takes about 1 hour and the fare is about 25 yuan. After arriving in Zhenyuan, take a taxi or walk to the ancient town scenic area; taxi fares are generally within 10 yuan.
Self-driving: From Guiyang, take the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, Tianhuang Expressway, etc., to reach Zhenyuan; the total distance is about 270 km and driving time is about 3.5 hours. There are parking lots around Zhenyuan Ancient Town, and parking fees are charged according to the length of parking.
Opening Hours：
Zhenyuan Ancient Town is open all day throughout the year; visitors can enter and tour the ancient town at any time. Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex is open from 08:00 to 17:30 (ticket sales and entry stop at 17:00); Wuyang River Scenic Area is generally open from 08:30 to 16:00, and specific boat departure times are adjusted according to season and visitor numbers; Heping Village is open from 09:00 to 16:30 (entry stops at 16:00). On public holidays or during peak tourist seasons, some attractions may adjust their opening hours according to actual conditions. Visitors can check the scenic area’s official information in advance and plan their itinerary reasonably.
Tickets：
It is free and open; visitors may enter the ancient town freely. However, some attractions charge separately: Qinglong Cave 60 yuan/person, Wuyang River 40 yuan/person, Shiping Mountain 30 yuan/person, and Tiexi 50 yuan/person.