Zhenyuan Ancient Town is located in Zhenyuan County, southeastern Guizhou, on the banks of the Wuyang River. The river meanders through the city in an "S" shape, forming a style similar to the Taiji diagram, hence it is also known as Bagua Ancient Town. Every summer, tourists from the surrounding area gather here, bustling with excitement.
Zhenyuan County is divided into two by the Wuyang River, with the north bank being the place where soldiers were stationed in the past, known as the Acropolis; The south bank is a place where administrative institutions and civilian businesses gather, known as the Fucheng. There are still some remnants of ancient city walls and gates in the city today. There are two large bridges on the Wuyang River. The west side is a newly built bridge, known locally as the New Bridge. The Zhusheng Bridge on the east side is a landmark building of Zhenyuan Ancient City, known locally as the Old Bridge. Between the new and old bridges is the traditional boundary of the ancient town, which is composed of three streets (Xinzhong Street, Xinglong Street, and Shuncheng Street) connected at the beginning and end. Similar to other ancient towns, both sides of the streets are filled with inns, restaurants, and shops.
Zhusheng Bridge is a landmark of the ancient town, with a three story pavilion on the bridge. It was once the main passage connecting Hunan and Guizhou, and has been known as the "throat of Hunan and Guizhou" since ancient times. Every night, the bridge is brightly lit, and the river reflects the lights, which is quite spectacular. Whether strolling on the bridge or taking photos, it is very suitable.
To the east of Zhusheng Bridge is Yuping Mountain, where more than 40 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties are built along the mountain, layered and spectacular. These ancient buildings are built along the mountain terrain, blending seamlessly with cliffs, ancient trees, vines, and caves, creating a natural and harmonious atmosphere. The Jade Emperor Pavilion at the top is the highest point of Zhenyuan Ancient Town and a great place to enjoy the panoramic view of the ancient city.
There is a section of the ancient Great Wall on the back of Yuping Mountain, which is a site where the Ming army fought against the border people. If you are interested and have physical strength, you may want to take a walk in this Miao Xinjiang Great Wall with a rich history. The Miaojiang Great Wall and Yuping Mountain jointly sell tickets and can be played together.
In addition to the three main streets, there are also interconnected ancient alleys such as Sifangjing Lane, Fuxing Lane, and Renshou Lane in the ancient city. The alleys are crooked and twisting, but they extend in all directions. Walking in the alley, ancient wells, houses, and some old workshops can evoke some childhood memories, right.
After visiting the ancient city, you can rent a bicycle at the intersection of Xinglong Street and ride it around Zhenyuan County like a local. The fresh air in the suburbs, green trees, wildflowers, and farmland along the way give you the excitement of leaving the city. You can also rent a boat at the ticket office upstream of the ancient city and take a boat ride on the Wuyang River, especially at night, to enjoy the charming night view of the ancient city.
There are many inns in the ancient city, and you can choose according to your preferences. Accommodation and food and drink are essential for settling in. Zhenyuan Ancient City has three major specialty dishes, including braised pork belly and stewed goose meat in Tiexi, which are worth tasting.
Travel Tips
Address: No. 21 Xinglong Street, Zhenyuan County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province
Telephone: 0855-5722898
Opening hours: Open all day throughout the year
Ticket: CNY 100