Dreaming by the ancient city walls in Fuquan, I spent 3 days learning Tai Chi from Zhang Sanfeng
You might not believe this, but as a 996 office worker, I escaped to a small city in Guizhou to learn Tai Chi from a Taoist priest for 3 days. I returned in such a great state of mind that my colleagues thought I’d secretly had some cosmetic work done 😂
📍 Where is Fuquan? How do I get there?
Fuquan is a county-level city in Qiannan Prefecture, 128 km from Guiyang. The Guixin Expressway is in great condition as of 2026, making for an easy 1.5-hour drive. If taking high-speed rail, you can travel to Guiding North Station and transfer to the K877 train to Fuquan Station; the trip from Guiding to Fuquan takes just 35 mins. Trains K112 and K943 also run directly from Guiyang to Fuquan Station, with a travel time of about 1.5 hours.
Once you arrive, the city center is compact. Bus line 3 connects the main attractions, taxis generally cost no more than CNY 10, and walking around the ancient city is also perfectly fine.
🏯 Fuquan Ancient City—2,300 years of history, free to explore
The entire ancient city cultural tourism area is a national 4A-rated attraction, and the best part is: it’s FREE! Covering a planned area of 3.88 square kilometers, the core highlights include the Ming Dynasty city walls, Xiaoximen Water City, Xiongzhen Tower, the Confucian Temple, Chaoyin Pavilion, and the original tomb of Shen Wansan—all free of charge.
My top 3 tested photo spots 👇
① Xiongzhen Tower: One of the highest points in the ancient city, offering a 360-degree view of the entire city. It’s amazing to come here on a summer evening to catch the breeze and watch the sunset; the texture of the stone bricks on the city walls looks incredible in the golden hour light.
② Xiaoximen Water City: This is a rare "water city" structure in China, with the city walls built directly over the river and water flowing beneath the gate. The ancient design for flood control and defense remains ingenious even today. In summer, when the water levels are high, standing on the city walls and listening to the rushing water is incredibly soothing.
③ Shahe Wetland Park section: The riverside trail is beautifully maintained, with ancient trees shading both banks. It’s not crowded in the evening, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll and taking photos—the pace is so slow you’ll lose track of time.
The ancient city also features cultural sites like the Da Fudi residence and the former residence of Mao Yisheng. I recommend setting aside half a day to explore at a leisurely pace rather than rushing.
🥋 Taiji Palace—The only dedicated Zhang Sanfeng dojo in China
Taiji Palace is located at the foot of Fuquan Mountain. With a building area of 20,000 square meters, it is constructed entirely from imported Indonesian Merbau wood and features glazed tiles, stone-carved railings, and both a bell and drum tower. The first thing you feel when walking in is that it’s solemn yet not oppressive, with a cool, rustic atmosphere.
This is where Zhang Sanfeng practiced Taoism for 8 years and is the largest Zhang Sanfeng dojo in China. Inside the hall, you’ll find reliefs depicting his life, recording stories like "practicing medicine to save the world," "gathering herbs to save children," and "cultivating immortality and enlightenment." It’s immersive to take your time and look at them.
Here’s the highlight—you can take Wudang Tai Chi classes here! I signed up for the 28-style Wudang Tai Chi short-term course. We practiced with the Taoist priest every morning at 6:30 AM, with extra practice sessions in the evening. It’s perfectly fine for beginners; the movements are broken down in great detail. The instructor was so patient that even someone as uncoordinated as me felt like I had a talent for martial arts 🤣 Besides the forms, you can also learn Hunyuan Zhuang Gong (standing meditation), which is really hard to find elsewhere. After 3 days of practice, my shoulders and neck felt relaxed, and my sleep improved. When I returned, my colleagues even said I looked healthier.
⛰️ Fuquan Mountain—An underrated hiking gem
Fuquan Mountain is named after the "Fu" (Fortune) spring on the mountain, and the city of Fuquan itself is named after this mountain. It is open all day and free to enter.
I recommend the 6 km small loop hiking route: head up the mountain from the Longtan Reservoir direction. The path is shaded by green trees, so you won't be in the sun, and the gentle incline with few stairs is very knee-friendly. You’ll pass 4 reservoirs along the way, with water surfaces like emeralds embedded in the mountains. Finally, you’ll descend through a large bamboo forest; the sound of the wind in the bamboo sea combined with birdsong creates an atmosphere that’s hard to describe in words.
There are over 10 attractions on the mountain, including the Stele Forest, Fuquan Well, Huisheng Osmanthus Tree, and Longhu Pool. It takes about 2–3 hours to walk and see everything.
🏡 Where to stay
I chose a Chinese courtyard-style room within the ancient city cultural district. Turning left out the door takes you to the ancient city walls, and turning right is a 3-minute walk to Taiji Palace. The room features a modern Chinese style with solid wood furniture and cotton-linen bedding. The window faces a small patio courtyard, and at night, it’s so quiet you can only hear the chirping of insects and the sound of water in the distance. The bathroom has a dry/wet separation design, hot water is instant, and the toiletries are herbal-based with a very light, pleasant scent. There’s a tea room in the common area; coming back after Tai Chi in the afternoon to brew a pot of local "eagle tea" and sitting on the veranda to zone out—that kind of deep relaxation is something you just can't get at a chain hotel.
📋 Travel tips to take with you
→ Tai Chi courses require confirming the schedule in advance; there are many summer sessions, but spots are limited
→ For hiking Fuquan Mountain, I recommend wearing long pants as there are mosquitoes in the bamboo forest section
→ Some old alleys in the ancient city have bluestone pavement, so flat shoes are more comfortable
→ In August, the daytime temperature in Fuquan feels like 25–28℃, but there is a significant temperature difference between morning and evening, so a light jacket is a must
→ The city center is small; you can visit the main attractions by riding a shared e-bike
→ The ancient city cultural tourism area is free, but some smaller attractions may require ID registration
🍜 Local eats
I won't even mention the sour soup fish—it's a must-eat when you come to Guizhou. I highly recommend the iced sweet fermented rice cakes; having a cold bowl in the summer is sweet but not greasy, and it's a great way to beat the heat. Also, try "Yi Guo Xiang" (one-pot fragrance), where various local ingredients are stewed in a large iron pot; the flavor is so rich you’ll want 3 bowls of rice. You must also try the grilled tofu on the street—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and dipped in chili powder. You can eat your fill for CNY 5.
Fuquan is truly the kind of place where you "don't want to leave when you arrive, and want to come back as soon as you leave." Taoist culture, canyon scenery, and the vibrant atmosphere of the ancient city—these 3 qualities blend perfectly in this small city. Fuquan in August is worth a special trip 🫶