Zhenyuan Ancient Town: Highlights, Tips & Essentials
If you want to see well-preserved Qing and Ming architecture, don’t miss Zhenyuan Ancient Town. This 2,200-year-old riverside town is one of Guizhou’s four major ancient towns, along with Longli, Qingyan, and Bing’an. In this guide, you’ll find how to get to Zhenyuan Ancient Town, the best time to visit, things to do, and top travel tips.
The architecture of Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan Ancient Town: Basic Information
Zhenyuan Ancient Town is part of Zhenyuan County, in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province. We can help organize transportation by car from Kaili and Tongren. It's under an hour away from both cities and a lovely drive through the Chinese countryside.
- Ticket Information: free, and you can arrive anytime
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Recommended Duration: One day and one night
Recommended Tour Itinerary
Best Time to Visit Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Night scenery of Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the town, and you'll enjoy pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Visit between March and May to see the landscape covered in flowers and enjoy the Siyueba Festival, a Miao cultural celebration with traditional dress and song.
In the autumn months between September and November, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is alive with fall foliage, and you can participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chongyang Festival. Autumn is also an excellent time for hiking and getting spectacular photos of the changing leaves.
Summer, between June and August, tends to be a bit rainier, but the landscape is green and beautiful. See the dragon boat races, and cruise down the Wuyang River to other towns along the way.
If you want to avoid the crowds, visit during the winter, between December and February, when you'll have the winding streets of Zhenyuan Ancient Town to yourself. Winter is also when the local people celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Lusheng Festival.
Top Highlights of Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Scenery of Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Between exploring ancient history, hiking through the incredible karst landscapes, and enjoying small-town hospitality, there are plenty of things to do in Zhengyuan Ancient Town. We can put together a personalized itinerary for you, but these are some of the top highlights.
Take a Night Cruise Along the Wuyang River
The scenery of Wuyang River
Cruising on the Wuyan River is the best way to admire the town from a distance and get some amazing views and pictures of it aglow at night. Zhenyuan Ancient Town is full of Ming-and-Qing-style buildings, and you'll catch a glimpse of stone bridges, like the Zhusheng Bridge, too.
Visit Qinglong Cave
Scenery of Qinglong Cave
The Qinglong Cave Temple Complex is the jewel of Zhenyuan Ancient Town, where you can see Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist influences and art. It's built directly into the cliffside, so the views from the top are dramatic and sweeping. Make sure to wear good shoes with tread when you go, because there are a lot of stairs and viewing platforms. It costs 60 RMB to visit Qinglong Cave, and it's the highlight of any trip to Zhenyuan Ancient Town.
Wander the Old Streets
Fuxing lane in Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan Ancient Town's winding streets are one of the area's biggest draws, especially places like Sifangjing Lane (四方井巷), Renshou Lane (仁寿巷), and Fuxing Lane (复兴巷). Sifanjing Lane is known for its ancient communal well, and fantastic architecture. You can also find plenty of souvenirs and snacks along this road. Renshou Lane is a peek into the past, with Qing and MIng architecture, and Fuxing Lane has gorgeous stop steps that lead up to the hillside around the town.
Check Out the Free Museums
The museum in Zhenyuan Ancient Town
We highly recommend that you take a deep dive into Zhenyuan's history at some of the small museums scattered throughout the town. The Zhenyuan Folk Museum is a great place to learn about the town's history, and the Zhenyuan Ancient Town History Museum has plenty of artifacts from the Qing and Ming eras, plus maps and photos of how it used to look.
Explore Fu Family Mansion
Family Mansion is an exceptional example of Hui-style, with several courtyards, ornate doors, and preserved furniture and relics that give you a peek into what was like for wealthy families. Visit the mansion, and relax in the serene courtyard for 20 RMB.
How to Get to Zhenyuan Ancient Town
There aren't any direct high-speed trains to Zhenyuan Ancient Town, but we can organize your trip from Kaili, Tongren, or Guiyang. Kaili is the closest, at just 1.5 hours from the town; Tongren is 1 hour and 42 minutes away, and Guiyang is the furthest from Zhenyuan Ancient Town, at 2.5 hours.
Where to Stay
Air view of Zhenyuan Ancient Town
We definitely think that it's best to spend the night in Zhenyuan Ancient Town. You'll be able to fully explore the city, take a night river cruise, and fully experience what this unique place has to offer. The great thing about staying overnight is that the town is small and you'll never be too far from the action.
We recommend staying at a hotel on the mountain and enjoying the stunning views of the Wuyang River. We're very familiar with many of these properties and have visited them ourselves, so we can offer personalized recommendations based on your preferences. These hotels also tend to be peaceful and surrounded by the beautiful nature that makes Zhenyuan Ancient Town so famous. You'll get panoramic views of the town and enjoy lovely sunrises and sunsets from your accommodation.
Travel Tips
We're happy to address any specific questions that you might have about visiting Zhenyuan Ancient Town and ensure that your experience is the highlight of your trip to China. Additionally, these travel tips will help you prepare for and enjoy Zhenyuan Ancient Town to the fullest.
- Wear comfortable sneakers with good tread for navigating the winding roads
- Dress in layers, and bring waterproof clothing if you're visiting during the summer
- Many street vendors and local shops don't take credit cards, so bring some cash with you
Explore the Wonders of Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan Ancient Town is easily one of the most fascinating areas of Guizhou Province, with well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, natural wonders around every corner, and fantastic cultural experiences. Let us help you plan the ideal trip. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com or visit our contact page to start your personalized itinerary today.
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