Zhenyuan is one of the least known Ancient Towns in Guizhou. Read my Travel Guide to find out if it’s worth a visit and what you can do in one day.
Conveniently located about halfway between Guiyang (Guizhou’s capital) and the impressive Fanjing Mountain (here my guide), Zhenyuan (镇远古城) is hardly ever mentioned in itineraries for foreigners visiting Guizhou. Most people prefer to visit minority villages such as Xijiang (here’s my guide) or Zhaoxing (here’s my guide). These villages are beautiful but super touristy, so if you are looking for something less crowded, Zhenyuan might be the right place for you.
This ancient town also boasts a history of over 2000 years. It’s home to a complex of ancient temples and pavilions from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, which makes this area unique.
Best time to visit
Guizhou Province is known for its constant rains, and the months between May and October are the rainiest. Winter in Guizhou is not extremely cold, but it can be pretty uncomfortable due to the humidity and the lack of heaters in most hotels. For these reasons, the best time to visit Zhenyuan is Spring and mid-Autumn.
What to do in Zhengyuan and for how long to stay
This ancient town is mainly famous for the beautiful Wuyang River (舞阳河), which flows right through the center of the city, and for the Qinglong Cave (青龙洞).
Qinglong Cave (青龙洞)
The term cave is confusing since it’s not a cave but a series of pavilions and temples from the Ming dynasty clinging to a cliffside like a swallow’s nest over the Wuyang River.
This unique site, originally constructed in the 14th century, blends different religious elements. The wooden pavilions and shrines are built into the rock and are connected by narrow staircases and suspended walkways. The complex includes temples dedicated to the Taoist Black Dragon deity, Buddhist Guanyin, and Confucian scholars.
Zhusheng Bridge (祝圣桥) and Kuixing Pavilion (魁星阁)
Built during the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu period, the seven-arched Zhusheng Bridge is located on the eastern part of Zhenyuan, right next to the Qinglong caves. A local legend says that construction stalled when builders couldn’t secure foundations in the river’s thick mud – until Taoist master Zhang Sanfeng miraculously transformed spilled tofu into solid bluestone footings.
In the Qing Dynasty, magistrate Wang Bingao added Kuixing Pavilion to honor the Scholar God, as the bridge served as the mandatory route for Yunnan-Guizhou examination candidates traveling to Beijing. The pavilion became known as “Champion Tower” after Guizhou produced two top scholars within a decade of its completion.
Shiping Mountain (石屏山) and Wuyang River (舞阳河)
Rising just across the Wuyang River from Qinglong Cave, Shiping Mountain forms the northern boundary of Zhenyuan’s old town. You can hike to the top of the mountain where you’ll find a pavilion with a panoramic view of the ancient town. The path begins near the Zhusheng Bridge.
Below, the Wuyang River flows through the town while the Miao Great Wall winds along the ridgeline.
The Miaojiang Great Wall (苗疆长城), also called the Southern Great Wall (南方长城), is a lesser-known but historically significant defensive wall system in China’s Guizhou and Hunan provinces. Built during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, it was designed to protect Han Chinese territories from Miao ethnic minority uprisings and to control trade routes in the region.
I recommend spending one night in Zhengyuan to enjoy the view of the city with the lights on. But if your time is limited, you can spend half a day there.
Getting to Zhenyuan
Zhenyuan is not particularly remote, and you have different options to choose from if you want to visit it:
- There are a few daily trains from Guiyang (only regular trains and no high-speed for now). It usually takes 4 hours to get there. This means it’s faster to get to Zhenyuan by car (it takes 3 hours), but also more expensive.
- There are also daily buses from the Kaili Bus Station (凯里客运站) to Zhenyuan Bus Station (镇远汽车站). The trip takes 2-3 hours.
- If none of the options above work for you and you prefer a private driver, send me a direct message on Instagram.
Where to Stay
Like many similar Ancient Towns in China, there are plenty of options. I recommend staying somewhere along the main river, since it will give you a lovely night view of the town.
As I explained in my Complete Travel Guide to China, I recommend using Trip rather than Booking to book your stay. You’ll find more options, usually cheaper, since Trip is a Chinese company that offers special deals for many hotels in China.
Final thoughts
Zhenyuan was a pleasant discovery. It’s not a popular destination since most people would rather visit ethnic villages or more famous ancient towns such as Fenghuang (here my guide).
If you want something more authentic with fewer tourists, go for it. You won’t regret it. This town’s real charm lies in its long history and the relaxed atmosphere you’ll find while wandering around the ancient alleyways.
Remember to get a VPN before heading to China. I recommend this one. If you prefer an eSIM, this works well. If you need a Travel Insurance, I recommend this one.
Don’t miss my travel guide to one of the prettiest ancient towns in China: Furong. If you want to explore other water towns in China, check out this complete guide to the water towns in Jiangsu.
