Qingyan Ancient Town
» Guiyang, Gui Zhou

青岩古镇

Lying in the southern suburb of Guiyang, Guizhou Province, the historical and cultural Ancient Town covers an area of 3 square kilometers. It was originally built in 1378, Ming Dynasty. Today, a few thousand people still live in the Qingyan Ancient Town, including Han, Miao and Buyi nationalities. And the long history and strong cultural atmosphere makes Qingyan an attractive destination for numerous domestic and foreign tourists.

Why built the town

To enforce the imperial court's administration in the southwestern border area, a post station was set up in Qingyan in 1373, followed by the establishment of a garrison in 1381, an army of 300,00 men was sent to today's Yunnan and Guizhou. Those assigned to Qingyan built their first earthen fortress, indicating the emergence of Qingyan Town. In later warring years, the local residents all moved into the fortress for safety, and helped strengthen the town's defense with massive mason works, leaving Qingyan a rich legacy and numerous Ming-and Qing-dynasty cultural relics.

A stone town

It would be no exaggeration to call Qingyan "a stone town." Almost everything is made of stone-houses, walls, roads, archways, stoves and other utilities. Dwellings lining the stone-paved lanes are built with distinguished doors, decorated with Guizhou-flavor New Year paintings.

Attractions

Among its 37 tourist attractions are nine monasteries, eight temples, five towers, three caves, two halls, a palace and an academy. Its three archways situated at the North, South and Guangmen gates - all 9.5 meters high and nine meters wide - are exquisitely carved with terrapins and dragons.

Getting around

Walking inside the inner town, visitors will surely marvel at the ancient architecture here. There are over 30 types including monasteries, temples, cabinets, caves, courtyards and palaces. All of them were delicately designed by the skillful architects of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. A number of exquisite articles, such as the stone sculptures of Ciyun Temple and wooden sculptures of Shoufo Temple are all worth a look. You can visit the ancient business streets to admire the elegant classical wooden houses.

Western cultural & Chinese civilization

In this small town, Western cultural influences have blended with Chinese civilization, while Catholic and Christian churches co-exist with Buddhist and Taoist temples. If you are interested in Buddhism, you can take this chance to learn the typical Buddhism culture here. Also, you will be impressed by patter of the Taoists. What's more, you will be surprised to find that so many residents here are Catholic and Christian, since the Catholicism was introduced here in 1851 by a French churchman and the Christianity was introduced to Qingyan Town nearly 70 years ago.

Local specialties

Qingyan owns some famous local specialties as well. One of them is Rose Candy sweet and delicious, being the hundred-year-old mark from 1874. It was also known as Meigui Candy in Chinese, made by the Ping family in Qingyan town. History of the Candy can be traced back as early as 1874 and it is passed down through generations in the old town. Today the fragrant and sweet candy becomes a famous brand and is still liked by young and old.

Another local product is Qingyan Shuanghua Vinegar. The liquid of the vinegar is quite thick and is of the color of dark red. The vinegar tastes of slight sweetness in the mouth and the fragrance lasts long. Local Guiyang people like it very much.

Attractions around » Guiyang, Gui Zhou

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. When is the best time to travel to Guiyang?
  2. Are there any travel tips about weather?

  Shopping

  1. What good souvenirs can I buy there?

  Travel

  1. Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

  Customs

  1. What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?
  2. Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?
  3. Some customs about the Miaos

  Other Hints

  1. Some warnings about hotels
  2. Electricity

  • Does Guiyang rain a lot?

    Guiyang has a pleasant moist subtropical climate with ample rainfall. It is neither hot in summer nor too chilly in winter. Guiyang is lucky as much as it does not suffer sandstorms and the pleasant climate makes it a cozy city in which to live.


  • Are there any travel tips about weather?

    Whether for escaping from summer heat or winter cold, Guiyang is definitely a good destination.

    However, due to the changeable weather on the Yungui Plateau where Guizhou is located, it is recommended that you take rain wear along with you and a folding umbrella is an asset! In addition, temperatures in the morning and the evening can often be rather low, so a windproof coat is necessary. The strong radiation from the sun means that you will also need our sun glasses and a sun hat - and don't forget your suntan lotion!


  • What good souvenirs can I buy there?

    Some special local products like traditional art works, or local food are decent gifts for you friends and relatives.


  • Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

    July and August is the best time to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall. During this period of time, there is a rich amount of water, making magnificent scenery. You can not appreciate such scenes during the lack-of-water period. An umbrella is suggested when you go to the waterfall, due to the giant size of the waterfall, you will be soaked wet without it.


  • What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?

    Liu Yue Liu literarily means a date, June 6. Actually it is a festival held on the sixth day of the sixth Chinese lunar month, hence the name. This festival is an important day for Buyi people to worship the cook's god and the mountain god.

    Si Yue Ba is held annually on the eighth day of the lunar month. On this day, large numbers of Miao people put on their beautiful costumes and congregate in the center area of Guiyang City to celebrate this great festival by playing the Lusheng and flute, singing antiphonal songs and dancing.

    Di Xi is a form of local drama. It is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month at Huaxi by Buyi People and other minority groups. The performers put on masks and costumes and engage in dancing and singing. Generally the performance tells a story of a battle or the loyalty between friends of ancient times


  • Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?

    Guizhou is a multi-region province. Apart from Han, there are about 17 other ethic groups that live here, such as Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Zhuang, Yao, Man, Bai, Mongolia, Qiang and Tu.

    We suggest that you 'do as the romans do' when you go to visit Guizhou, because there are a lot of customs and taboos in the ethnic groups. Also respect their tradition to avoid conflict.


  • Some customs about the Miaos

    The Miaos usually keep open doors and are fond of drinking. Most of them can make home-made alcohol. Shaojiu is the most common alcohol. During a meal, the host might want his guest to drink some alcohol, if they refuse to drink, the host will not be happy. If you really can't drink, then please tell the host before the meal starts.


  • Some warnings about hotels

    Hotels in small towns such as Rongjiang and Congjiang are of significantly lower standard. Heating is sometimes not available and western style toilets usually unavailable.


  • Electricity

    The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Many middle and high-class hotel wash rooms have transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers, but it is better to be prepared with an adapter plug.


A fantastic place for visitors to learn about Chinese culture, Qingyan Ancient Town remains its original style of Ming and Qing dynasties with magnificent city walls, watchers, stone-slab lanes etc. The ancient town appears more elegant in the early morning.



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