Located about 30 km south of Guiyang city center (approximately 40 minutes by car), Qingyan Ancient Town offers a unique perspective. In China, most ancient towns are known for their beautiful landscapes. However, Qingyan Ancient Town is like a military fortress with hidden secrets, waiting for you to explore.
Built over 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, the entire town is constructed of stone.
Its origins can trace back to the Ming-era military policy, known as "Garrisoning the South with Northern Troops." - Transfer troops from the north to the south to strengthen control.
In Qingyan Ancient Town, you can not only navigate through the maze-like alleyways built centuries ago but also climb the ancient city walls to find old arrow slits and beacon towers. You might even discover secret hidden in the roof tiles, once used for intelligence transmission.
How to Visit Qingyan Ancient Town
Qingyan Ancient TownExploring the highlights of the ancient town takes about half a day. If you prefer a more leisurely pace - for example, to dress in period costumes for photos. You may want to allow an extra 2–3 hours.
You can follow this suggested route:
North Gate Tower → North-South Ming-Qing Street → Ascend the South Gate Wall → Back Street → West Ming-Qing Street → West Gate Tower → Zhuangyuan Street → Return to North Gate.
Qingyan Ancient Town has four main gates: north, south, east, and west. To avoid crowds, I recommend starting your visit from the North Gate, which tends to be less crowded. If you plan to dress in traditional costume for photos, you can rent your outfit at a photo studio here. When you finish your trip, you could return the clothing here at the same gate.
South Gate wallIt's best to enter before 9:00 AM to capture the tranquil morning atmosphere. Below is a suggested schedule. Feel free to adjust it based on your interests:
9:00 AM – Enter through the North Gate and climb the North Gate Tower. From here, you can overlook the layout of the entire stone fortress. You can also observe the roof styles of the buildings and notice the direction of the tiles. Try to look for patterns, breaks, or repairs in the roof tiles. These could be coded messages used to indicate whether a household was "safe" or "in danger."
9:30 AM – Descend from the tower and stroll along North-South Ming-Qing Street (the main street). Lined with Ming- and Qing-style architecture, silver shops, and snack stalls, this street truly captures the lively spirit of the town. I recommend trying the braised pork knuckle at Jinbixuan(金必轩). It is a popular local spot with over 20 years of history, often busy with queues during mealtimes.
10:00 AM – Walk to the end of the street and climb the South Gate Tower and city wall. Known as the "Little Great Wall," the town's wall stretches about 1.5 kilometers. If you haven't visited the Great Wall in Beijing, this can fulfill your wish to walk along an ancient wall. Try to look for arrow slits used to shoot arrows and signal towers for communication.
11:00 AM – Descend from the South Gate wall and stroll along Back Street (a popular photo spot). The cobblestone path, stone walls, and red lanterns create a perfect setting for photos in traditional attire. Then, find a café or restaurant for lunch and a short break.
12:00 – Continue along West Ming-Qing Street to the West Gate Tower. This street is quieter, with more scenes of daily local life. Outside the West Gate Tower, there is an open platform offering views of rural landscapes. Nearby, a local market provides a glimpse into everyday community life.
12:30 – Next, head to Zhuangyuan Street. This is the former residence of Guizhou's first zhuangyuan (top scholar in the imperial examinations). Learn how a student from a humble background advanced through rigorous exams to become a high-ranking official.
After your visit, you can return to the North Gate from Zhuangyuan Street. Near the North Gate, you'll find craft workshops like Qingyan Xunfang. Here you can try traditional tie-dye.
How to Avoid Crowds
The cobblestone path in QingyanThe ancient town tends to get crowded on weekends and holidays, especially from midday to afternoon. It's best to avoid peak holiday periods such as National Day (Oct 1–7) and Labor Day (May 1–5). If possible, visit on a weekday for fewer people and a better experience for photos and exploration.
If you can't avoid weekends or holidays, I strongly recommend following the suggested itinerary and visiting Ming-Qing Street in the morning, as this area becomes most crowded around noon and in the afternoon.
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