[2025 Zhenyuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Tiexi Natural Scenic Area (Updated May)

I just got back from wandering around Zhenyuan, Guizhou. Here's an honest guide! There are no suffocatingly commercial streets, only stilted buildings hanging over the Wuyang River and sour soup rice noodles sold at stalls in the early morning. Follow my guide to avoid the tourist traps 👇 🚄 [Must-Read Before You Go] ✅ Transportation: It takes 1 hr by high-speed train from Guiyang to Zhenyuan. It costs about CNY 15 to take a taxi from the station to the ancient town (don't take a black cab!). If you're driving, navigate to "Zhenyuan Tourist Center." Parking costs CNY 10/day. ✅ What to wear: The stone roads in the ancient town are slippery! Wear non-slip shoes and a loose-fitting cotton and linen dress (flowy and comfortable for photos). Bring a folding umbrella for the rainy season (it can rain anytime in May). ✅ Things to avoid: Don't buy silver jewelry in the scenic area! Many local grandmas on the main street of the ancient town sell handmade embroidery. Embroidery pieces for CNY 20 make great souvenirs. 📸 [5 Must-See Spots, Plus Hidden Gems] 1. Wuyang River Stilted Buildings (Beautiful All Day Long, But Best at Certain Times!) ✔️ 6am: When the mist hasn't cleared, watch the boatmen row their wooden boats past. It looks like an ink painting (wear white and stand on the stone bridge to take photos). ✔️ 7pm: After the stilted buildings light up, find an outdoor restaurant along the river, eat sour soup fish, and watch the lights on both sides reflected in the river 🌉 2. Qinglong Cave Ancient Architectural Complex (Tickets cost CNY 30, not too tiring to climb!) Focus on the "Hanging Temple" section! The wooden corridors connect Taoist temples and Buddhist temples. Standing at a high point, you can photograph the S-bend of the Wuyang River (the light is best at 3pm, avoid the tour group peak from 10am–12pm). 3. Ancient Alleyways Winding Streets (Free! Getting lost is the right way to explore) Enter through "Fuxing Alley." The bluestone road has a steep slope but short steps. Every courtyard is planted with hydrangeas and roses. If you meet a grandma drying peppers in front of her door, she will smile and say, "Take pictures as you like, just don't step on the threshold." 4. Shiping Mountain Summit Sunset (Tickets cost CNY 30, 40 min climb) It is recommended to start climbing at 17:30. The viewing platform on the mountainside offers a panoramic view of the ancient town, and the view from the top of the mountain is even more open! It will be dark when you go down the mountain, so use a flashlight to watch the steps (wear sneakers!). 5. Tiexi Scenic Area Longtan Secret Realm (Tickets cost CNY 40, suitable for hiking) Take the CNY 10 sightseeing bus to the end of the scenic area, and walk 1.5 hrs along the wooden boardwalk to "Longtan." The water is as blue as a gemstone! On the way, you will meet villagers carrying bamboo baskets selling freshly picked bayberries (CNY 15/basket, just the right amount of sweet and sour). 🍜 [5 Dishes Recommended by Local Aunts] ✔️ Sour Soup Fish: Choose an old restaurant by the Wuyang River, cook freshly killed rice paddy fish in red sour soup, and serve with a wood ginger dipping sauce. Eat the soup with rice! (Don't believe the "special fish" on the menu, just order the regular carp, it's the most tender). ✔️ Aged Daocai: Pickled by the grandmas in the farmers market, CNY 10/bag as pickles, super flavorful when stir-fried with meat or added to noodles (the packaged ones sold in the main street shops look nice but are expensive). ✔️ Ash Water Cake: CNY 3/piece at the breakfast stalls, the rice cake has an alkaline flavor, dip it in soybean flour or honey, it's best when it's hot~ ✔️ Red Sour Soup Hot Pot: In addition to eating fish, be sure to add "fern cake" and "blood tofu"! The fern cake is chewy, and the fried blood tofu is super fragrant when cooked. ✔️ Rice Tofu: A must-have for roadside stalls in summer! Pour red oil and pickled cowpeas over the green rice tofu, and remember to ask the boss to add more mint for a refreshing taste. ⚠️ [Tips to Avoid Tourist Traps + Practical Tips] • Stay on the "North Bank" instead of the "South Bank"! The North Bank is close to the core area of the ancient town, the South Bank is too quiet at night, and you have to cross a bridge to get back after shopping. • You can bargain for Shiping Mountain tickets! If you go after 5pm, you can sometimes buy half-price tickets for CNY 25 (depends on luck, don't bargain too hard). • When buying bayberries, don't choose the all-red ones! The ones with a little green will last longer, and buying them at the entrance of the scenic area is CNY 5/basket cheaper than on the main street. • Choose a "one-way" boat ride on the Wuyang River! CNY 30 to Zhusheng Bridge is enough, there's no need for the whole 1 hr trip (if you're rich, go ahead). 🌿 [3 Days and 2 Nights Itinerary for Lazy People] Day 1: Stroll around the ancient town → Qinglong Cave → Wuyang River night view (stay in a stilted building on the North Bank) Day 2: Shiping Mountain sunrise → Tiexi hiking → Eat red sour soup hot pot (stay in a homestay on the mountainside, the stars are super clear) Day 3: Stroll the ancient alleyways → Buy aged daocai → Return trip (the ancient town is quietest at 10am, perfect for taking pictures) Zhenyuan is really a place to slow down! Sit by the river and watch the clouds float by, learn to embroider sachets with the local grandmas, and even time seems to slow down~ Remember to click ❤️ and save this, and ask me any questions in the comments section. After all, I've filled in all the potholes for you! 👋

A Must-See Checklist Before You Go 🧳 ✅ Documents: ID card 📄, student ID (don't forget to bring it if you can get discounts!) ✅ Outfit Guide: In April, Zhenyuan is warm and pleasant during the day 🌤️ and slightly cool at night. Prepare a light jacket 🧥, a flowy long dress 👗, comfortable flats 👟, a sun hat 👒, sunglasses 🕶️, and sunscreen 🧴. Sun protection is essential for staying beautiful! ✅ Other Goodies: Portable charger 🔋, camera 📷, umbrella ☂️ (in case of spring rain), mosquito repellent 🦟 (useful for strolling around the ancient city at night) Transportation Guide 🚗 🚄 External Transportation: • First, go to Guiyang North Station, then transfer to a high-speed train for 1.5 hrs to Zhenyuan Station 🚝. There are many trains, so it's super convenient! • Self-driving enthusiasts, go for it! Departing from Guiyang, you can arrive in 3 hours along the stunning highway 🛣️. The scenery along the way is so beautiful that you'll want to stop and take pictures 📸. 🚌 City Transportation: • County buses can take you directly to the scenic spots for only CNY 1–2 🚌. Remember to download the bus APP! • The taxi starting price is super affordable 🚕. You can also negotiate prices with drivers to go to surrounding scenic spots. • Renting a car for a free trip is also super awesome 🚗. It costs CNY 100–300/day, and you can stop whenever you want! 3 Days and 2 Nights of Heavenly Itinerary ✨ Day 1: Encountering the Romance of the Ancient City 🏮 📍 Zhenyuan Ancient City: Step onto the bluestone road and instantly travel back thousands of years! The horsehead walls of the Huizhou-style buildings are scattered in a well-organized manner 🏘️, and every shot is a blockbuster with ancient charm. 📍 Qinglong Cave Ancient Architectural Complex: Tickets cost CNY 60 🎫 and it is known as the "Hanging Temple of Southwest China"! Pavilions and towers are embedded in the cliffs, and the exquisite architectural art is simply divine ⛩️. 📍 Night Tour of Wuyang River: The CNY 80 boat ticket is a must 🚢! As night falls, the lights on both sides of the river are dazzling. The ancient bridges and buildings are reflected in the water, making you feel like you've stepped into the world of "Spirited Away" 🌃. Day 2: Exploring the Poetry Between Mountains and Rivers 🌳 📍 Tiexi Scenic Area: Tickets cost CNY 50 💰 and it is known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Guizhou and Yunnan"! The stream is crystal clear, the forest is lush 🌲, and you can also check out the legendary site of "Dragon God Marrying His Sister." 📍 Zhenyuan Museum: Free admission! There are many cultural relics and materials 📜, allowing you to learn about Zhenyuan's past and present life in minutes. 📍 Ancient Alleyways: Wander into the "crooked alleys" and experience the unique layout of the ancient city! The mottled brick walls hide the stories of time 🧭. Day 3: Embark on a Slow Journey 🪷 📍 Gaoguo River: Although you can't go rafting in April, hiking is super healing! Surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, it is full of negative oxygen ions 🌿. 📍 Heping Village: Learn about that special period of history in the Republic of China buildings with green bricks and black tiles 📚. 📍 Shiping Mountain: An excellent place to overlook the entire ancient city! Climb to the top at sunset, and you can see the ancient city, Wuyang River, and mountains all at once 🌅. It's breathtakingly beautiful! Zhenyuan's Gastronomy 🍜 🍲 Must-Eat Dishes: • Sour Soup Fish: Tender fish soaked in a spicy and mellow red soup 🐟. The aroma of litsea cubeba is directly maximized, and you'll fall in love with it after one bite! • Aged Daocai Pork with Preserved Vegetables: "Daocai" + pork belly is fatty but not greasy, salty and delicious. You can eat three bowls of rice in a row! 🍢 Snack Paradise: • Fried Glutinous Rice Cake: Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, wrapped in bean sprouts and minced meat. It is golden, crispy, and super satisfying with one bite 🍡. • Gray Alkali Rice Cake: Delicious in cold salads and soups! With a unique taste, locals have been eating it since they were young. Photo Tips 📸 1️⃣ Zhusheng Bridge: When the morning mist has not yet dissipated, take pictures of the bridge and its reflection for a fairy-like atmosphere! 2️⃣ Qinglong Cave: Shoot the ancient architectural complex from a low angle, matched with blue sky and white clouds, to instantly create a blockbuster! 3️⃣ Ancient City Alleyways: Avoid the crowds, find a small alley, and take atmospheric photos in Hanfu. Small Tips to Avoid Pitfalls ⚠️ ❌ Make sure to buy scenic spot tickets through official channels! Don't trust scalpers on the roadside, or you may be scammed. ❌ Book Wuyang River cruise tickets online in advance, as they may be sold out on site! ❌ Stone roads are not suitable for high heels 👠. Flats are the best! ❌ Be sure to check the condition of the car when renting a car for self-driving, and pay attention to safety on mountain roads! Hidden Gems 🎁 1️⃣ Go to the local farmers market: Buy fresh fruits and special pickles to experience the full local atmosphere! 2️⃣ Find a riverside cafe: Stare blankly for an afternoon and watch the Wuyang River flow slowly. 3️⃣ Participate in an intangible cultural heritage handicraft experience: Learn to make tie-dye and bamboo weaving, and bring the romance of Zhenyuan home!

Hello everyone👋! I'll be genuinely sad if you haven't visited Zhenyuan Ancient Town yet😭! This place hides the real-life "Venice of the East," with the Wuyang River flowing through the town, stilted buildings with twinkling lights lining both banks, and every step feels like walking into a Chinese ink painting! Save this complete travel guide👇! 🚗 Transportation Guide 1️⃣ Train: Take the green-skinned train🚞 from Guiyang to Zhenyuan Station for just 41.5 yuan! A leisurely 4-hour journey with incredibly therapeutic scenery along the way~ Take the public bus🚌 from the station for 2 yuan directly to the ancient town - amazing value! 2️⃣ High-speed rail: First go to Sanhui High-speed Railway Station, then transfer🚗 Perfect for those in a hurry~ 3️⃣ Self-driving: The road conditions are excellent! Cruise along S25 and S306🚙 and drive straight into the county for parking - maximum freedom! 🌟 Must-Visit Attractions 1️⃣ Zhenyuan Ancient Town 🆓: Free!! The entire ancient town is laid out in a Tai Chi Bagua pattern, with the Wuyang River winding through. The bluestone paths are full of charm during the day, and when the lights come on at night, it transforms into a real-life Spirited Away🌃! 2️⃣ Qinglong Cave 🎫60 yuan: One of China's three major hanging temples! A complex of ancient buildings combining Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, built against a cliff - perfect for amazing photos📸! 3️⃣ Shiping Mountain 🎫30 yuan: Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the ancient town and the "S"-shaped bend of the Wuyang River. Especially breathtaking at sunset🌇! 4️⃣ Wuyang River 🎫40 yuan + 100 yuan for boat ticket: Take a boat ride along the river with strange peaks and rocks lining both shores, like being inside a landscape painting🖼️~ 🗺 Recommended Routes 🔥 One-Day Tour Morning: Start your energetic day with a bowl of beef noodle soup🥣 from Laojie Noodle House! Visit Zhenyuan Museum to learn about the ancient town's thousand-year history~ Afternoon: Check out Qinglong Cave and marvel at the architectural wisdom of the ancients! Then explore the ancient alleys and discover the mysteries of the "crooked paths"~ Evening: Night cruise on the Wuyang River⛴️ to see the lights reflecting on the water! Head to the bar street for grilled fish🍢 paired with craft beer - perfect ambiance! 🌿 Two-Day Tour Day 1: Follow the one-day tour route Day 2: Breakfast at An's Baked Flatbread🥧 and explore Sifangjing Lane to experience local life! In the afternoon, go to Tiexi for a hike through the pristine forest🌳 and breathe in the super fresh negative ions~ 🎉 Three-Day Tour Days 1-2: Follow the two-day tour route Day 3: Take a boat tour deep into the Wuyang River for more scenery! Before heading home, pack some sour fish soup to take the delicious flavors with you~ 🍜 Food Guide 1️⃣ Sour Fish Soup 🐟: A Miao ethnic soul food! The sour soup is so appetizing it'll make you stamp your feet, with tender fish, bean sprouts, and bamboo shoots - absolutely divine! 2️⃣ Huishui Ba 🥢: Soft and chewy, delicious whether boiled or served cold! Once soaked in gravy, you'll be hooked with just one bite~ 3️⃣ She Fan 🍚: Artemisia leaves + glutinous rice + cured meat, steamed together. A spring-only specialty with unique fragrance that takes you back to childhood! 4️⃣ Fried Rice Cakes 🍢: Crispy outside, chewy inside! Choose from red bean paste or minced meat filling - perfect for eating on the go~ 5️⃣ Ice Jelly 🍧: Brown sugar base + crushed peanuts + fruit. When you're burning from spicy food, a bowl of this instantly cools you down! 6️⃣ Zhenyuan First Dumplings 🥟: Steamed dumplings with fresh meat and green onion filling from a shop that's been open for over 20 years! Opens at 6 PM until dawn~ 7️⃣ Laojie Noodle House 🍜: Open 24 hours! Must-try dry mixed tripe noodles and Huishui Ba - noodle lovers rejoice! 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 1️⃣ Heba Street Guesthouses: River-view rooms with stilted buildings visible from your window! Food street is just downstairs~ 2️⃣ Zhenyuan Jiangshan Ji · Jixiang Mountain Residence ⭐️4.9 rating: High-altitude terrace overlooking the entire ancient town - every photo is Instagram-worthy! 3️⃣ Zhenyuan Guilaixie · Qi Designer Aesthetic Guesthouse ⭐️4.9 rating: Full of design elements! Terrace with river views, amazing atmosphere~ 📌 Useful Tips ✅ Lots of mosquitoes! Bring insect repellent and anti-itch cream🦟 ✅ Many stone paths, so wear sneakers or flat shoes👟 or your feet will be ruined! ✅ Book boat tickets for the night cruise on the Wuyang River in advance! Long queues during peak season~ 💖 Zhenyuan is truly a town that makes you want to return again and again! Here, even time becomes gentle~ Hurry up everyone, come for a healing journey away from the hustle and bustle!

#favouriteitinerary Tiexi is a nationally renowned scenic area, rich in historical stories and enchanting legends. Its beauty and cultural significance make it a treasured destination. Personal Opinion: In my opinion, Tiexi's blend of natural beauty and historical mystique offers a captivating experience. It's a perfect spot for those who appreciate both history and the wonders of nature.