Zhenyuan Ancient Town

Chinese name: 镇远古镇（Zhen Yuan Gu Zhen）
Location: Wuyang Town, Zhenyuan County, Qiandongnan Miao Prefecture, Guizhou Province.
Ticket: Entrance ticket Free, Wuyang River Cruise CNY120.00, Black Dragon Cave CNY50.00
Estimated tour time: half day to one day
Recommended time to visit: Apr to Oct
Nearby attractions: Fanjing Mountain, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Nine-Dragon Cave, Miao King City, Nanhushan Nationa Forest Park, etc.

Dubbed the "Venice of the orient", Zhenyuan Ancient Town is located in Yuan County, southeast of Zhendong on the bank of Wuyang River. The river winds through the city, forming a pattern similar to the famous yin-yang symbol, so the town is sometimes called Bagua Ancient Town.  Zhenyuan is a surprisingly unspoiled ancient water town, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and rivers, the town is best-known for its picturesque landscape, historic sites and mysterious ethnic cultures. The ribbon-like Wuyang River, which runs about 94 kilometers from west to the east across Zhenyuan, cuts the town into the northern "Old Fu (Government) Town" and the southern "Old Wei (Fortification) Town".The South bank contains the old acropolis, while the North bank holds the ancient city that was built during the Ming Dynasty. The city contains ancient walls and gates, and a number of ancient buildings sitting atop the hills.

With a history of nearly 2,300 years, Zhenyuan has been a hub of land and water transportation; a center of politics, trade and culture; as well as a strategically important spot in eastern Guizhou. The area's local cultures blend together with Western elements, making it a place of unique glamour.

A stroll along the narrow lanes leads one to the still non-commercialized beauty of the town, which includes well-preserved high walls, residential compounds, ancient wells and docks. Visitors can also make their way to the top of Shiping Mountain, north of the Wuyang River, to enjoy the ruins of the 3-kilometer Great Wall that was constructed during the late Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The site offers a spectacular bird’s view of the tranquil town. A boat cruise along a 35-kilometer stretch of the Wuyang River provides visitors with breathtaking sights of marvelous gorges, peaks and waterfalls.

Melting the cultures of the Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, Zhenyuan is a famous historical and cultural city of China. The Wuyang River Scenic Spot at the state level and the group of ancient architectures of Qinglong Cave under the state protection attract numerous tourists home and abroad. There are over 200 places of historical interest and over 300 scenic spots open to tourists in the whole county. Zhenyuan is the hometown of the dragon boat. The dragon-boat race is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month every year on the Wuyang River. The tourist resources featuring peculiar mountains, elegant field sights, customs of the Miao and the Dong nationalities are of high value for scientific research and appreciation.

● Highlights of  Zhenyuan Ancient Town

Wuyang River

Cut through by the Wuyang River, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is divided into two parts: south city and north city, which forms a water town. Hence you will see the importance of Wuyang River for this ancient town. Flowing through the Mt. Miaoling , the charming and lively Wuyang River runs 95 kilometers from Huangping to Zhenyuan, finally into Yuanjiang River in Hunan Province. The part in Zhenyuan Ancient Town is the essence of whole part.

Taking a cruise on the Wuyang River will bring you one surprise after another. Grotesque gorges, perilous peaks and crystal-like waters present a wonderful picture before you, as if you were entering a wonderland. Secluded caves, gurgling springs, rugged rocks, dangerous passes and spectacular waterfalls interspersed on the mountains of both banks endow the Wuyang River, along with the dangers of Yangtze River and the elegance of Li River in Guilin. Each scenic spot has been given a fanciful name according to their beautiful legends.

Shipin Mountain

Shiping Mountain is found on the east side of Wuyang River, Zhenyuan County. At the southern foot of Shiping Mountain, the ancient Ming and Qing Sihe Courtyard buildings are clustered with provincial key cultural relics such as Fucheng Temple, Sigong Temple, and Tianhou Palace from the top of the mountain to the foot of the mountain, the temple of fire, the Temple of Literature, and many other ancient temples can be seen. Tens of county-level cultural relic protection units, such as roadways, ancient wells, and ancestral wharfs, are located on the same site to form a huge community of ancient buildings.

The highest peak of Shipin Mountain is 204 meters above the Wuyang River’s surface. It takes about 1 hour to reach the top via the steps, where you can have a panoramic view of the ancient town.

Qinglong Cave

Qinglong Cave is located at the foot of Zhonghe Mountain along the banks of Wuyang River nearby Zhenyuan. Referred to the name of the cave, one maybe image it is as a cave. But in fact, it is exactly an ancient architectural complex instead of a cave. It is a group of architecture constructed on a narrow belt of 40meters wide, 300 meters long, under cliff.

The Qinglong complex, built in 1388 (in the Ming Dynasty), consists of the Black Dragon Cave, Zhongyuan Buddhist Temples, Longevity Taoist Joss House, Ziyang Confucian College, Wish Sage Bridge, Lotus Flower Pavilion and so on. It is really a wonderful art masterpiece that skillful craftmanship make full use of the natural landform to create. Also it is a culture museum of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.