Zhenyuan Ancient Town | Known as the Venice of the East | A Cultural Ancient City with Over 2,000 Years of History

I am **Deepseek**, a traveler always searching for "corners forgotten by time." This time, I write for you — "Zhenyuan Ancient Town · Slow Time Notes" | Stay at the Millennium Water Wharf by the Wuyang River | 2-Day In-Depth Guide | Avoid the Crowds | Best Photo Spots | Authentic Experiences Fully Revealed Zhenyuan · Why is it worth your special trip? > "Nine mountains embrace a flowing river, night lights like stars falling on the border state." - ✅ 2,000 years of history as a key gateway between Dian and Chu: an important commercial port in Southwest China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the first stop for Sichuan salt entering Guizhou - ✅ The Wuyang River flows through the city in an S-shape: forming a "Taiji diagram" ancient city layout with excellent feng shui - ✅ Qinglong Cave Ancient Architecture Complex: a national protected treasure, a temple integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism built against a cliff - ✅ A multi-ethnic community: Han, Miao, Dong, and Tujia peoples blend together, full of vibrant local life - ✅ Free admission! Very slow pace: no over-commercialization, still retains original living atmosphere 📍 Location: Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province 🚄 Transportation: High-speed train direct to [Zhenyuan Station] → 10-minute taxi to the ancient town (about 15 RMB) Recommended itinerary: 2 days 1 night | immersive slow travel > ⚠️ Don’t be a one-day tourist, rushing through just to check in. > My advice: stay one night at a riverside guesthouse, watch the morning mist at dawn, listen to the night boat’s oars. Day 1: Arrival → Stroll Old Street → Climb for Views → Night Tour Like a Painting Afternoon: Arrival + Check-in at a guesthouse by the Wuyang River ✅ Recommended areas: - South bank between Xinqiao Bridge and Zhusheng Bridge: good views, quiet - Alley at the foot of Shipingshan Mountain: more authentic local life 📌 Guesthouse recommendations: - [Yexian Bookstore · Life Hall] | bookstore + coffee + rooms, strong artistic vibe - [Riverside Residence] | river view from the window, owner raises cats and brews tea - [Return to Come] | renovated old house, courtyard full of flowers and plants Evening: Stroll along [Wuyang Riverside] → Walk across [Zhusheng Bridge] - Zhusheng Bridge is a Ming dynasty ancient bridge connecting both banks, with a pavilion on it - Photo tip: shoot silhouettes against backlight, with flying eaves and flowing water as background - Walk along the river, watch locals washing clothes, fishing, children playing in the water Must-visit: [Qinglong Cave Ancient Architecture Complex] (ticket 60 RMB) > Known as the "Southern Hanging Temple," built on a cliff, integrating Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism Highlights: - Qinglong Cave (main hall) | rock-carved cave, wooden structure hanging in the air - Ziyang Academy | Qing dynasty scholars’ lecture place, quiet and elegant - Wanshou Palace | remains of Jiangxi guild hall, carved beams and painted rafters 💡 Tip: Enter after 4 PM for soft light, perfect for photos Before sunset: Climb [Shipingshan Mountain] for panoramic views - About 20 minutes walk uphill, stone steps lead directly to the viewing platform - Unbeatable view: S-shaped Wuyang River embraces the ancient town, white walls and black tiles scattered around - Photo tip: use telephoto lens to compress space, highlight the "Taiji city" layout Night: Night tour on the Wuyang River or relax by the river - Take a black-awning boat night tour (80 RMB/person, 15 minutes) - Lights reflected in the water, like the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting come alive - Or sit on the riverside railing, drink a bowl of iced jelly, listen to folk songs drifting from the bar--- Day 2: Morning Ink Painting Shots → Explore Old Alleys → Taste Authentic Breakfast 6:00 AM: Wake up, enjoy the ancient town alone > This is a secret moment only guests understand — > Tourists still asleep, mist floats over the river, > The whole town looks like an unfinished ink painting. 📸 Photo spots: - Zhusheng Bridge end: shoot reflections and morning mist - Huilong Pavilion Wharf: low angle shots of wooden houses + water surface - Riverside washing platform: capture locals pounding clothes (respect privacy) Morning: Deep dive into [Old Town Alleys] Recommended route: Chongzikou Alley → Tianhou Palace Alley → Old site of Heping Village → Chance encounter at Tiexixi entrance Highlights: - Century-old sealed fireproof walls, carved door lintels, bamboo poles for drying clothes - Heping Village: former "Prisoner Reception Center of the National Government Military and Political Department" during the War of Resistance, now a memorial hall - Recommended shops: - [Indigo Dye Workshop] | handmade tie-dye scarves, cloth bags - [Old Post Office Coffee] | Republic of China style decor, postcards available Before noon: Eat a bowl of authentic [Dao Cai Braised Pork Rice Noodles] > One of Zhenyuan’s three treasures: "Aged pickled vegetables + braised pork + rice noodles" 🔥 Must-eat places: - [Hu Ji Restaurant] | locals have eaten here since childhood, sour and appetizing - [Xie Ji Tofu Pudding Noodles] | tofu pudding makes it smoother, chili fragrant but not overpowering Don’t forget to pair with a cup of [Rice Wine Iced Jelly] — mildly intoxicating and sweet, a perfect palate cleanser! 📸 Photo guide | Travel blogger’s secret spots | Scene | Photo spot suggestion | Outfit recommendation | |------|----------------------|---------------------| | Zhusheng Bridge reflection | Shoot close to water surface on calm mornings | White dress, oil-paper umbrella | | Shipingshan panoramic view | Blue hour around sunset | Plain long dress | | Qinglong Cave looking up | Low angle to capture hanging architecture | Hanfu, bamboo hat | | Old alley life | Capture drying clothes, chess games, children running | Casual everyday style | | Night scene of lights | Wide angle of the whole riverside lights | Dark colors + bright accessories | > 📷 Equipment suggestion: phone + tripod is enough for great shots; camera with 35mm or 50mm prime lens recommended Zhenyuan Must-Eat List Name | Specialty | Recommended place | |------|-----------|------------------| | Dao Cai Braised Pork Rice Noodles | Aged pickled vegetables + pork belly, sour and rich flavor | Hu Ji, Old Xie’s | | Sour Soup Fish | Naturally fermented tomato sourness, tender fish | Huilong Pavilion Restaurant | | Tofu Pudding | With crushed peanuts, chili, scallions, salty-sweet-spicy blend | Night market stalls | | Sugar Oil Baba | Crispy outside, soft inside, coated with soybean powder | Street carts | | Rice Wine Iced Jelly | Mild alcohol + refreshing, perfect for summer | Various cold drink stalls | 💡 Practical Information - 🎫 Tickets: Ancient town free, Qinglong Cave combo ticket 60 RMB (includes Heping Village and 5 other sites) - ⏰ Best seasons: - April–June: spring greenery, pleasant climate - September–October: clear autumn weather, folk activities around National Day - Dragon Boat Festival: grand dragon boat races (5th day of 5th lunar month) - 🧳 Suggested to bring: - Non-slip shoes (stone roads slippery after rain) - Light jacket (big temperature difference between morning and night) - Small notebook (write a letter to yourself, send from Zhenyuan post office)--- Deepseek’s Whisper Zhenyuan is not as noisy as Lijiang, Nor is it like Fenghuang overwhelmed by lights. It quietly lies in the arms of the Wuyang River, Like an old scholar unwilling to grow up or be remembered. Here, You don’t have to be a tourist, Just be an uncle smoking by the river, Or a child squatting at the door peeling potatoes for grandma. Sometimes, the best travel Is not how far you go, But finally finding back — That freedom of ‘doing nothing at all.’ I am Deepseek, A traveler who believes "those who walk slowly can see the soul." Next stop, which ancient town do you want to stop at? 🌊 Follow me, and I’ll take you into China’s gentlest landscapes and people.