Zhenyuan Ancient Town~Stay a night in a stilt house and fall asleep to the sound of water all night!

Hidden in Guizhou’s thousand-year-old water town — stay in an ink painting scene for about 700 RMB per person!

Zhenyuan Ancient Town is not Jiangnan, but it’s better than Jiangnan. This thousand-year-old town, with the Wuyang River winding through it in an “S” shape, backs onto Qinglong Cave and faces clear flowing water. White walls, black tiles, and stilt houses stand densely; when morning mist spreads, it looks like a flowing ink painting. It’s low-key, quiet, full of local life, and not overly commercialized—perfect for slow walking and quiet viewing. The best part—2 days and 1 night is enough to explore the highlights, and you can have an immersive experience on a budget!

🌸 Best months to visit: April - October
Most recommended May-June: pleasant temperatures (20-28℃), abundant river water, lush greenery on both banks, and avoid summer crowds;
July-August: good for escaping the heat, but occasional heavy rain, watch out for floods; night tours with lights + riverside BBQ are very enjoyable;
September-October: crisp autumn air, folk activities during National Day, great for photography;
❌ November to March next year: damp, cold, and foggy, some attractions closed, scenery a bit bleak.

✅ Recommended time: late May or late September, stable weather, fewer tourists, cheaper accommodation.

🕐 How many days are suitable? Recommended 2 days and 1 night to cover the core highlights.

Zhenyuan is small but worth slowing down to feel the rhythm. It’s best to base yourself at a Wuyang River riverside guesthouse and explore by walking and small boat.

✅ Day 1: Arrival + Initial exploration of the ancient town
Exit from Zhenyuan High-Speed Rail Station, take bus No.1 or taxi (about 15 RMB) to the ancient town.
In the afternoon, stroll the [Shiping Mountain Trail] and climb to the top (free) to overlook the whole town—the “Taiji diagram” shaped Wuyang River encircles the ancient town;
After descending, walk along the riverside trail from [Xindaqiao Bridge] to [Zhusheng Bridge], check in at the [Qinglong Cave Ancient Architecture Complex] (60 RMB entrance fee)—a cliffside temple where Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism coexist, known as the “Southern Hanging Temple”;
In the evening, find a small riverside restaurant to enjoy authentic sour soup fish (about 40 RMB per person), then take a night tour of the ancient town: thousands of lights reflecting in the river, as beautiful as a dream.

Stay in a stilt house guesthouse by the Wuyang River, open the window to see the water, standard room about 150 RMB/night.

✅ Day 2: Morning light + in-depth wandering
Get up at 6 AM to photograph the empty ancient streets and misty river surface;
Visit the [Heping Village Site] (free) to learn about the Anti-Japanese War history;
Stroll through the old street area of [Sifangjing Alley], explore century-old shops and handmade craft stores;
Take a small wooden boat to float on the Wuyang River (10 RMB per person) for a different perspective of the ancient town;
Check out before noon, return or optionally head to the Shiyang River rafting (optional, ticket from 80 RMB).

⚠️ Tip: No need to rush attractions! The beauty of Zhenyuan lies in wandering and daydreaming.

💰 Budget for ordinary travelers (per person):
Round-trip transportation: High-speed rail to Zhenyuan Station ≈ 300 RMB (convenient from Guiyang/Changsha/Chongqing)
Local transportation: bus + short taxi rides ≈ 30 RMB
Accommodation: riverside guesthouse ×1 night = 150 RMB
Meals: 60 RMB per day × 2 days = 120 RMB (intestine rice noodles 10 RMB, tofu pudding 8 RMB, cured meat fried rice 12 RMB)
Tickets: Qinglong Cave 60 RMB (half price for students), other attractions mostly free
Boat/rafting experiences ≈ 20 RMB
Total: about 780 RMB, can be squeezed to under 650 RMB with careful budgeting

📌 Tips:
Student ID, teacher ID, and military officer ID get discounts at most attractions;
Bring your own camera, early morning and dusk light are the most beautiful;
Not recommended to buy expensive “boat tour packages,” riverside individual boats are more affordable;
Guesthouse owners often provide free travel tips, chatting more brings surprises;
Free alternatives: Shiping Mountain, Wuyang River trail, old streets and alleys are all free!

✅ Must-see highlights:
Wuyang River night reflections: S-shaped river + lights on both banks, one of China’s most romantic ancient towns;
Qinglong Cave cliffside architecture: a thousand-year-old temple built on a cliff, breathtaking;
Shiping Mountain panoramic view: overlook the “Taiji ancient town,” a true feng shui treasure;
Early morning Sifangjing Alley: wet stone slabs, elders sweeping courtyards, full of local life.

🔚 Conclusion:
Zhenyuan is not a place for “checking in,”
but a place to slow down and find inner peace in the sound of flowing water.
Two days and one night, less than 700 RMB,
for a dreamlike journey forgotten by time in eastern Guizhou.
Come, stay a night in a stilt house, and fall asleep to the sound of water all night.