In many people’s minds, ancient towns have become somewhat formulaic, often seen as all the same. Over-commercialization can make them feel chaotic, with vendors selling mass-produced souvenirs from Yiwu, leaving little trace of the towns’ original character. But the Qingyan Ancient Town introduced here is different. Beyond its classic scenery of small bridges, flowing streams, and traditional homes, and the romantic charm of Miao and Dong villages, it offers a unique allure. It is not only a renowned historical and cultural town in Guizhou Province, but also recognized as one of China’s most charming towns. Recently, Qingyan has been awarded the 5A-level scenic spot title, making it Guiyang’s first 5A-level attraction.
Qingyan Ancient Town was first built during the Ming Dynasty, and its layout follows the urban planning patterns of the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring majestic ancient memorial archways and weathered stone-paved streets. The town is usually quiet, without the crowds typical of popular tourist spots, nor cluttered with mass-produced trinkets. Thanks to its relatively late development, the architectural style and lifestyle of the original residents have been well preserved and passed down. The entire town exudes an ancient, traditional atmosphere and a strong sense of history.
As the foremost of the Ming and Qing ancient towns, Qingyan holds a reputation on par with Lijiang. With a history spanning several hundred years, Qingyan boasts profound cultural heritage. The town places great emphasis on the preservation of ancient architecture and culture, with 36 well-preserved historical sites including nine temples, eight monasteries, five pavilions, two ancestral halls, one palace, two halls, one courtyard, one tower, and one mansion.
There are plenty of interesting spots in Qingyan, among which the former residence of Zhao Yijiong is definitely worth a visit. A native of Qingyan, Zhao achieved fame after ten years of diligent study. During the Qing Dynasty, he ranked first in the imperial examination, becoming the first person from Guizhou to win the top scholarly degree and bring glory to the province.
The “Former Residence of the Zhuangyuan (Number One Scholar) Zhao” is located at No. 1 Zhuangyuan Street and was built in the early years of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign. It has now become a famous tourist site in Qingyan and is a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit. The house features a traditional Chinese wooden structure with a through-tenon system and a gable-and-hip roof, forming a two-courtyard quadrangle compound. Aside from the imposing grandeur of the courtyard, it also has the refined elegance of a garden. It is said that when the examination results were announced, the Guizhou and Yunnan guildhalls in the capital city set off firecrackers in celebration. Zhao Yijiong, together with Cao Weicheng (martial arts Zhuangyuan of the Kangxi era), Xia Tonghe (literary Zhuangyuan of the Guangxu era from Majiang), and Yang Zhaolin (Tan Hua of Zunyi), are known as Guizhou’s “Three Zhuangyuans and One Tan Hua” of the Qing Dynasty. Undoubtedly, in the eyes of many admirers in Guizhou, these four gentlemen also represent the highest standards of scholarly good looks. As learned and handsome scholars of their time, they must have been quite the charmers.
Qingyan Ancient Town is not only gentle and charming but also, due to its location along a key transport route between Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi and its easily defensible terrain, it has historically been a strategic military stronghold since the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu era. During wartime, it was often engulfed in the smoke of battle.
The ancient town was laid out strategically, taking full advantage of the local topography, resulting in a comprehensive defense system that withstood countless wars over the centuries. The town is surrounded by thick city walls, with a highly fortified appearance, featuring ramparts built from massive stones, as well as military structures such as watchtowers, battlements, and artillery platforms. There are also four city gates: east, west, south, and north. The solemnity of its military heritage and the austere external appearance set it apart from other ancient towns.
Despite having endured the ravages of war, this military stronghold has retained much of its original architecture remarkably well. The intact residential buildings and former military structures now appear tranquil and peaceful to today’s visitors. It’s as if the town never experienced those brutal battles. Qingyan stands like a silent passerby, quietly observing the changes of the world and the passage of time.
Back Street is the most distinctive stone alley in Qingyan. The movie “Finding the Gun,” directed by Lu Chuan and starring Jiang Wen, was filmed here. The bluestone slabs on the alley floor and the blue flagstones on the walls, tinted by centuries of time, lend the street a unique air of mystery. The courtyards built from stacked stones form narrow passageways, and as people walk through the lane, it feels as though they’ve traveled back in time, enjoying a journey all their own. This feeling was true in ancient times, and it remains so today.
When traveling, trying local specialties is a must. Qingyan’s cuisine could be described as “the flavors of all directions — sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy.” Braised pork trotters, tofu pudding, spicy chicken, sticky rice porridge, rose-flavored shaved ice, rice tofu, and rose candy are just a few of the local delicacies. Sipping a bowl of sticky rice porridge and eating a couple of rose candies can sweeten your whole day. Many say you could easily spend two days in Qingyan just sampling all the diverse and delicious foods.
Among these, braised pork trotters are an absolute must-try. Known locally as “Zhuangyuan Trotters,” the pork and skin are infused with rich flavors from hours of stewing, resulting in tender and succulent meat. A single bite gives you both the softness of the meat and the crispiness of the skin. Paired with a dipping sauce made from Qingyan’s refreshing double-flower vinegar, it’s aromatic without being greasy, and spicy without being harsh. Each trotter weighs about seven or eight taels. Ladies worried about calories need not fret — after all, you can comfort yourself with the thought that trotters are packed with collagen.
Qingyan Ancient Town isn’t very large — you can easily stroll through the entire area. As you admire the Ming and Qing-era architecture and sample delicious local snacks, you’ll notice that Qingyan is unlike Lijiang, Zhouzhuang, or Tongli. Many local artisans haven’t followed trends to other places — and that might just be what makes Qingyan different from other ancient towns.
The popularity of ancient town tourism won’t fade due to chaos. True ancient town legends like Qingyan, much like its 600-year-old city walls that have withstood wind and rain, can endure the test of time and continue to showcase the authentic charm of ancient towns to the world.