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Qingyan Ancient Town
Renewing Ancient Towns: Savour History, Savour Cuisine, Savour Culture.
Introduction
Qingyan Ancient Town was first built in the 11th year of Emperor Hongwu's reign during the Ming Dynasty (1378 AD). With a history of over 600 years, it was initially a military fortress in the Ming Dynasty and has long been known as "The Impregnable Stone City". Dingguang Gate, the core of the ancient town, guards the southern gateway to Guiyang. Historically, it was a strategic stronghold for protecting the granaries of Dingfan and Guangshun. The town features a well-structured layout, preserving military relics such as city walls and watchtowers, along with dozens of exquisitely designed ancient structures, including nine temples, eight shrines, and five pavilions. It seamlessly integrates military defense, religious culture, and architectural artistry. The winding city walls and polished bluestone pathways together tell the profound stories of its past as the "Southern Gateway to Guiyang".
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North Gate TowerClimb the tower for a panoramic view of the ancient town, where echoes of time linger among the gray-tiled roofs and stone walls.
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Back AlleyA filming location for the movie The Missing Gun, it features bluestone roads and walls built with stone slabs, making it perfect for taking photos.
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Ming-Qing StreetThis perfect destination for shopping and dining invites you to discover Qingyan through the alluring aroma of its local cuisine.
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Wanshou PalaceIts intricately carved doors and windows pair perfectly with Hanfu outfits. Press the shutter to capture this beautiful Chinese-style moment.
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Zhuangyuan ResidenceFeel the scholarly ambiance and youthful vigor here, and the bamboo grove in the backyard is an ideal spot to escape the summer heat.
Immersive Experience
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「Qingyan Xunfang | New Adventures Beyond the Ancient Town」
As a core hub connecting Qingyan Fort and Qingyan Ancient Town, this destination adopts architectural styles Ming, Qing, and Republican periods. It blends ancient post road historical and cultural experiences, a trendy fashion block, ethnic folk culture experiences, and garden hotels into one integrated space. -
Qingyan Xunfang
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Youdai PavilionOnce a place where literati and poets composed poems and created paintings, it now serves as a museum showcasing the history and culture of the ancient town.
Xugong PavilionXu Xiake, the great Chinese traveler, once visited here and left a precious travel note that reads, "Qingyan is a newly built city with many tile-roofed buildings and bustling markets, serving as a strategic stronghold in southern Guizhou."
Caishen TempleAs one of the "Eight Temples" in the ancient town, this is a relatively bustling spot and an ideal place to experience folk beliefs and ancient architectural art.
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Recommended Routes
Ancient Town Itinerary
Duration
2-3
hours
Highlights
Historical and cultural experience
Half-Day Tour Route: Ming and Qing Imperial Examination Culture
Duration
3-4
hours
Highlights
Historical and cultural experience
‘In Search of the Gun’ Photo Tour
Duration
3-4
hours
Highlights
Historical and cultural experience
Travel Guide
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Road travelSearch for "Qingyan Ancient Town" on your navigation app. Depart from Guiyang via the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, and you will arrive in approximately 50 minutes.
Public TransportationTake Guiyang Metro Line 3 to Langfengguan Station (Exit D), then transfer to Bus 203 to reach the destination. -
Zhuangyuan Pig TrotterThis specialty features farm-raised pig trotters slow-braised with dozens of spices. With tender skin, juicy meat, and a rich yet not greasy flavor, it is truly the "signature delicacy" of the ancient town.
Tofu BallsThe balls are fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Dipping them in either chili paste sauce or fish mint sauce creates a unique flavor.
Glutinous Rice Cake with PorridgeMade with lotus root starch as the base, it is mixed with glutinous rice cakes, crushed nuts, and rose sugar, offering a smooth and delicate texture with a sweet flavor.
Rose SugarAvailable in two varieties—the soft and chewy perilla/sesame rose sugar and the crispy sesame slice sugar. The rose jam can also be used in ice jelly or for brewing tea, making it an iconic souvenir of the ancient town. -
Around the scenic areaStaying closer to the scenic area allows you to better enjoy the scenic area allows you to better enjoy the surrounding local delicacies and have a more immersive travel experience.
DowntownWhile slightly further from the scenic area, downtown accommodations offer a wider range of options to suit your personal needs, and also allow you to explore Guiyang city along the way.
Travelogue
"Hoofbeats echo upon the flagstones, Six centuries of time seem frozen within these winding lanes. I trace the weathered courtyard walls, Hearing in the wind the bells of caravans long past."
"Freshly steamed pork knuckles steam from their bamboo baskets, while the sweet fragrance of rice cakes and congee wafts through the streets. Sitting beneath the old locust tree, savouring each bite slowly, the flavour seems to make the afternoon sun itself slow its pace."
"Climbing the ramparts to gaze afar, the undulating hills encircle the layered black-tiled rooftops. As my fingertips trace the rough stone surface of the battlements, I suddenly grasp the profound weight of what it means to “stand guard for a thousand years"
Kindly note
Opening hours
peak season
08:10-22:00
(Some attractions within the scenic area close early)
Ticket prices
60RMB per person (Adult Play Package)
Ticket validity period after purchase: 10 days
Tourist season
Suitable for all seasons
Duration
To fully explore all attractions, allow at least three hours or more.
Tips
Qingyan Ancient Town boasts a profound cultural heritage and is equally delightful to visit throughout the year. We recommend wearing comfortable, non-slip footwear for strolling along the cobbled streets, exploring the back alleys, and visiting iconic sights such as Ding Guang Gate.
Mysterious Guizhou
