Revisiting the ancient town of Zhenyuan, I discovered the poetic prosperity deep in the years, with a history and culture even older than Guiyang

Four years later, I came to Zhenyuan Ancient Town again. Although the trip was still hurried, it felt more familiar and intimate, as if it was a gentle retrospective of time. The amazement and shock of the first encounter, after the precipitation of years, added a bit more familiarity and warmth. Compared to the fleeting glance in 2020, this reunion gave me a deeper understanding of Zhenyuan Ancient Town, known as "China's most beautiful ancient town." Zhenyuan is an ancient town with a long history. It has been established as a county since the 30th year of King Zhao of Qin, more than 2300 years ago. It was once one of the most important cities in Guizhou, serving as the location of Dao, Fu, and Zhou for more than 700 years, with a history even older than the provincial capital Guiyang. Today, it belongs to the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou Province. Revisiting Zhenyuan Ancient Town, we encountered good weather. We immediately launched the drone and looked down from the air. The Wuyang River meanders through the town in an "S" shape, with the old Fu city on the north bank and the old Wei city on the south bank, resembling a Tai Chi diagram from a distance. Zhenyuan Ancient Town preserves the city walls and gates from the Ming Dynasty, with more than 200 cultural relics and historical sites inside and outside the city, including ancient buildings, traditional residences, and historical docks. Notable sites include the Eight Guild Halls, Four Caves, Eight Temples, Nine Shrines, and Twelve Docks, all showcasing Zhenyuan's profound cultural heritage. Attractions such as Qinglong Cave, Zhongyuan Chan Courtyard, Wanshou Palace, and Zhusheng Bridge make every visitor linger. Walking through the alleys of Zhenyuan Ancient Town, you will find that most of the streets and the gates of the mansions are crooked, and the roads are slanted. These unique designs have earned Zhenyuan the nickname "Crooked Gates and Slanted Roads." The ancient doorways, mottled window lattices, and green corners of the walls all tell the story of the town's prosperity and bustle. Zhenyuan Ancient Town not only has a long history but is also a melting pot of diverse cultures. More than 20 ethnic groups, including Han and Dong, live here. Central Plains culture, Jingchu culture, Bashu culture, Wuyue culture, Minyue culture, and indigenous culture blend here, forming a "social museum" of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural integration. Experts call it a "world cultural protection circle." As night falls, Zhenyuan Ancient Town takes on another look. The night scene of the ancient town is even more charming under the dim lights. Boarding a cruise ship, as the boat slowly leaves the dock, we seem to be in a flowing landscape painting. The lights on both sides of the river and the stars in the sky reflect each other, making the Wuyang River look dreamy. Sailing on the green waves, people feel like they are traveling in a painting. At this moment, Zhenyuan is breathtakingly beautiful. Once an important gateway of Guizhou, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is now a famous tourist attraction in Guizhou. It was named a Chinese historical and cultural city in 1986, became a national scenic spot in 1988, won the title of "China's Top Ten Most Beautiful Ancient Towns" in 2009, and became a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2020. These honors not only affirm Zhenyuan Ancient Town but also comprehensively recommend its history, culture, and natural scenery. Fortunately, when we arrived, the 2024 China (Qiandongnan) International Folk Song Choir Festival was being held here. It attracted many tourists from other places, and even many international friends, making the ancient town more lively. We also encountered a drone show in the evening, which was truly eye-opening. It is particularly worth mentioning that although Zhenyuan Ancient Town has many honors, it is open to tourists for free, which is rare in the country. It is indeed a very tourist-friendly place, making it a place worth visiting again and again, a place that makes visitors linger.