How is Qingyan Ancient Town in Guizhou? Compared with Zhenyuan Ancient Town, which one is more worth visiting?

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In terms of ancient town style and history, Zhenyuan is definitely one of the top ten ancient towns in China. In terms of convenient transportation, Qingyan Ancient Town is more convenient.

Qingyan Ancient Town, one of the four ancient towns in Guizhou, is located in the southern suburbs of Guiyang City, Guizhou Province. It was built in the 10th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1378) and was originally a military fortress. In the ancient town, ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties with exquisite design and exquisite craftsmanship are densely intertwined. Temples, pavilions, painted pillars, carved beams, flying corners and double eaves alternate with each other. The town is rich in humanities, including historical celebrities Zhou Yuhuang and Zhao Yijiong, the number one scholar in the late Qing Dynasty (the first literary scholar in Guizhou history).

In September 2005, the Qingyan Ancient Town Scenic Area was announced by the Ministry of Construction and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as the second batch of Chinese historical and cultural towns. In 2013, it was hailed as one of the most charming towns in China in the Summit International Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance Tourism Planning Project.

In 2010, Qingyan Ancient Town won the honorary title of "Hometown of Chinese Poetry" awarded by the Chinese Poetry Society, becoming the first town of poetry in the country. In 2016, it was listed as one of the first batch of small towns with Chinese characteristics by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. On February 25, 2017, it was rated as a national 5A tourist attraction.

In the small ancient town, ancient buildings abound. In addition to the above eight archways, there are also nine temples: Longquan, Ciyun, Guanyin, Chaoyang, Yingxiang (also known as Douge), Shoufo, and Yuantong. , Phoenix, Lotus; there are eight temples: Yaowu, Heichan, Chuanzhu, Leizu, God of Wealth, Sun Bin, Dongyue; there are five pavilions: Kuiguang, Wenchang, Yunlong, Sangong, and Jade Emperor.

There are two temples: Ban Lingui Tusi Temple and Zhao Guoshu Temple; there are Zhao Zhuangyuan (Yijong) Mansion, Qingyan Academy, Wanshou Palace, and Mercury Tower. There is also a rare tree "Qingyan fir" in the world; there are four karst caves including Shenxian, Huanglong, Huashan and Xuangong; and there are mountains of paleontological fossils from the Triassic system.