Guizhou Wujiangzhai｜A National Geographic Certified Secluded Wonderland, Explore the Ink Painting Realm in Two Days and One Night

— Escape the city noise and unlock the real-life secret world of "Spirited Away"!

📍 Why choose Wujiangzhai?

Wujiangzhai in Zunyi, Guizhou, is hidden among the green mountains and clear waters of northern Guizhou, combining the elegance of Jiangnan water towns with the boldness of northern Guizhou mountain villages. It is picturesque all year round, with an average summer temperature of only 26°C, making it a top summer retreat; at night, the lights pour down like a river of stars, with drone shows and bonfire parties igniting lively human scenes. It has been called a "paradise lost on earth" by National Geographic.

✈️ Transportation Guide: High-speed Rail + Self-driving Options

- High-speed rail direct access:
- Recommended trains: Direct high-speed trains to Zunyi South Station from Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, and other places (about 4-6 hours).
- Taxi from the station to the scenic area: About 20 minutes to West Village Entrance (30 RMB per person), about 40 minutes to East Village Entrance (50 RMB per person).
- Self-driving navigation:
- Search for "Wujiangzhai International Tourism Resort." East Village Entrance is the main gate, West Village Entrance is closer to the core area. Parking fee is 20 RMB/day.

📅 Two Days and One Night Itinerary

Day 1: First Encounter with Ink Painting Wujiang, Night Viewing of the Starry Illusion

- Morning: Arrive at Zunyi South Station by high-speed rail → Taxi to Wujiangzhai (West Village Entrance recommended for time-saving).
- Afternoon:
- Rowboat tour: Cruise between stilted buildings, feel like "boating on green waves, traveling in a painting" (30 RMB per person).
- Intangible Cultural Heritage Single Bamboo Raft Performance: Watch performers cross the river on a single bamboo, thrilling like water ballet (free, showtimes at 10:30/14:30/16:00).
- Evening:
- Yalu King Covered Bridge: Climb the bridge to shoot terraces and river reflections, the blue hour light and shadow are stunning.
- Music and Water Dance Show: Watch the light fountain show on Huilong Island at 19:30, with drone formations telling mythological stories (free, reserve spots early).
- Night:
- Bonfire Party: Join thousands around the bonfire at 20:30, learn the Miao bamboo pole dance, experience intangible cultural heritage.
- River Lantern Blessing: Release a river lantern and wish for everlasting mountains and waters (10 RMB per lantern).

Day 2: Explore the Ancient Village Fireworks, Handmade Memories of Northern Guizhou

- Early morning:
- Morning mist photography: 6:30-7:30 shoot stilted buildings shrouded in mist, occasionally meet Miao women washing clothes (best shutter speed 1/60s).
- Morning:
- Handmade experience with flower paper/ bamboo weaving: Make intangible cultural heritage crafts by hand in artisan workshops (50-100 RMB per item, take home souvenirs).
- Food street by the river: Must-try sour soup fish (60 RMB per person), Zixia shrimp and lamb noodles (15 RMB), bamboo tube milk tea (18 RMB).
- Afternoon:
- Terrace hiking: Walk along mountain trails to terrace viewing platforms, autumn brings colorful forests, summer waves of rice.
- Return trip: Recommended to leave before 16:00 to avoid evening peak traffic.

📸 Photo Hotspots Guide

1. Stairs beside Huoshu Inn: Shoot river surface and light reflections from above, a must for night scenes (tripod recommended) [User recommended].
2. Taiyi Pavilion Covered Bridge: Capture rowboats passing by, the scene looks like an ink animation (shutter priority mode).
3. Kuai Reading Bookstore Terrace: Frame with Jionglong Tower, easily get ancient style shots (wide-angle lens preferred) [User recommended].
4. Dyeing Workshop Cloth Drying Alley: Red and blue tie-dye cloth as background, wear Hanfu or Qipao for instant great photos.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations: Live in the Scenery

- High-end experience:
- Mushan Hotel: Riverside villa, includes breakfast, dinner, and tickets, private terrace for stargazing (about 1200 RMB/night).
- Cost-effective choice:
- Qian Academy Homestay: Chinese courtyard style, 5-minute walk to core area (about 300 RMB/night, guests free admission).
- Unique experience:
- Stilted Building Inn: Sleep in a century-old wooden building, fall asleep to the sound of flowing river water (book one month in advance).

🍜 Food Map: Taste of Northern Guizhou

- Must-eats:
- Baoguo Soup Restaurant: Salted sliced pork + tofu beef, 50 RMB per person to eat until full.
- Qianjin Teahouse: Guizhou barbecue with bamboo rice, cozy night fireside.
- Ancient Stage Long Table Banquet: Experience Miao "High Mountain Flowing Water" toast, unlimited sour soup fish (80 RMB per person).

🧳 Practical Tips: Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. Ticket discounts:
- Children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 80 free; students and seniors half price (60 RMB).
- Hotel guests free daytime tickets, night tickets sold separately (80 RMB).
2. Dress suggestions:
- Summer: sun protection + light jacket (big temperature difference morning and night), winter: bring down jacket.
- Photo outfits: Miao costumes (30 RMB/set including makeup), oil-paper umbrellas, Hanfu (rentable inside the scenic area).
3. Warnings:
- Be cautious of "low-price one-day tour groups," may have shopping traps!
- Bring rain gear in rainy season, some stone paths slippery, wear anti-slip shoes.

🌌 Why is it worth visiting?

The magic of Wujiangzhai lies in its ability to let city dwellers briefly escape the fast pace and immerse in the slow time woven by nature and culture. Whether it’s the stunning drone-lit night sky or the lightness of bamboo pole artists on the river, every frame here perfectly interprets "poetry and distant places."

📆 Best travel season: April to October (summer for coolness, autumn for terrace views)

🎫 Ticket reference: Adult 120 RMB/person, night 80 RMB/person

🚗 Travel TIP: 2-hour self-drive from Guiyang, or take high-speed rail to Zunyi South Station + direct shuttle to the scenic area

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