Is half a day enough for Qingyan Ancient Town? The underestimated stone town in Guizhou that overseas Chinese often overlook.

Last week, I hosted a family of four returning from Singapore. Upon landing in Guiyang that afternoon with no other plans, I took them as usual to explore Qingyan. What started as a simple jet-lag transition turned into something memorable: the grandmother sat on the stone-paved backstreets for half an hour, refusing to leave, saying, "This feels just like our hometown in Malacca." After four hours of walking, the family enjoyed two rounds of tofu balls and one round of braised pork trotters, bought three jars of rose sugar, and the grandfather snapped over 40 photos atop the city gate tower.

I've seen this reaction too often. Many overseas Chinese tourists pack their Guizhou itineraries tightly—Huangguoshu, Libo, Xijiang, Fanjingshan—with no stops skipped. Yet Qingyan Ancient Town is frequently overlooked, dismissed as "just a commercialized old town with nothing special." Honestly, that judgment comes too soon.

Why Qingyan is worth the trip

Qingyan is one of Guizhou's four ancient towns and the only 5A-rated scenic area in Guiyang, located less than 30 kilometers from the city center—a 40-minute drive. Established during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago, it originally served as a military garrison town. As a result, its layout differs entirely from typical Jiangnan water towns, featuring stone-built city walls, gates, arrow towers, and fortress structures.

Walk along the stone-paved alley, flanked by layered bluestone walls up to a meter thick. These aren't decorative—they're remnants of historic defenses. Run your hand over them and feel how centuries of footsteps and palms have worn the surfaces smooth and glossy. This backstreet is the town's most photogenic spot and my top recommendation for overseas Chinese visitors: short at just 200 meters, yet it delivers stunning photo opportunities.

MeituShuo ReminderThe back street looks best between 2–3 PM when the sunlight slants across it, creating distinct light and shadow patterns on the stone walls. If you arrive in the morning, eat first and save the back street for the afternoon when the lighting is better.

There are a few spots worth visiting in town: the Zhuangyuan Residence (former home of Zhao Yijiong, the only Imperial Top Scholar in Guizhou's history), Ciyun Temple (founded during the Ming Dynasty), and Wenchang Pavilion. Together, these attractions take about two hours to explore. If you skip the combined ticket and just stroll and snack along the Main Street and Back Street, two to three hours will be plenty.

If you visit Qingyan without trying these, you haven't really been there.

Qingyan's cuisine differs from that of central Guiyang, featuring more braised and pickled dishes. This reflects its history as a military garrison town, where soldiers needed to preserve food—leading to the development of advanced techniques in braising, pickling, and sun-drying.

Must-try:

First up: Tofu balls. These aren't your typical fried tofu; they're made with sour soup coagulant, giving them a crispy exterior and tender interior. Dip them in chili sauce with fish mint (Zhe'ergen). The "Wangji Tofu" stall at the entrance of Back Street has the longest line, but honestly, any small shop in town serves equally delicious versions. Each costs about 2–3 yuan—buy five to sample is enough.

Next up is the braised pig's trotters. Qingyan's version uses a decades-old broth infused with dozens of spices, resulting in a deep color, gelatinous skin, and fall-apart meat. A serving costs around $30–40. I usually take guests to "Jin Bi Xuan," where the trotters are braised so thoroughly that even the bones become chewable.

Third is rose sugar. Unlike mass-produced versions found in supermarkets, this artisanal product is handcrafted by several old shops in town using fresh rose petals and malt syrup, then cut into small pieces. Priced at around $20 per bag, it makes a perfect souvenir to take home.

MeituShuo ReminderMany "rose sugar" products sold on the main street are machine-pressed and have a poor texture. Look for small shops that hand-cut fresh pieces—watch the owner cut them right in front of you to ensure authenticity. Taste before buying; skip any shop that won't let you sample.

Transportation & Tickets: Best half-day itinerary

Qingyan is approximately 30 km from downtown Guiyang. Departing from Guiyang North Station toward Huaxi, the drive takes about 40 minutes without traffic.

How many transportation options are there:

Option 1: Take the bus. In central Guiyang, route 210 goes directly to Qingyan for a fare of 3. The trip takes about an hour and a half. While convenient, it's time-consuming, and the last bus back leaves at 6:30 PM. Given how tight that schedule is, I don't recommend this for travelers returning from overseas who have limited time.

Option 2: Private Car. If you only plan to visit Qingyan in one day, it might feel a bit rushed. We recommend combining Qingyan with Huaxi Wetland Park or Tianhe Tan instead. Since Huaxi Wetland is just a 15-minute drive from Qingyan, you can explore the wetlands in the morning and stroll through the ancient town in the afternoon—a perfect full-day itinerary. This is a common schedule for our Guizhou private tours, especially ideal for your first day in Guiyang after adjusting to the time zone: relaxing yet packed with experiences.

Option 3: Ride-hailing. A ride from the city center costs around $70–80 each way and is easy to book on return. Ideal for splitting the fare among two or three people.

Ticket Info: Qingyan Ancient Town entrance fee is 10 yuan, which covers access to the Main Street and Back Street. The combined ticket is 60 yuan and includes all minor attractions such as the Zhuangyuan Mansion, Ciyun Temple, and Wenchang Pavilion. I generally recommend overseas visitors purchase the combined ticket—the Zhuangyuan Mansion is worth seeing; it's the only former Scholar of the Imperial Examinations in Guizhou, so you're already here.

Pitfall Alert 1Qingyan's main street gets very crowded on weekends and holidays, especially between 11 AM and 2 PM. If possible, visit on a weekday. If you must go on a weekend or holiday, arrive before 9 AM, eat first, then explore to avoid the peak crowds.

Warning 2Some shops in the town offer "free fortune telling" or "free tea tasting." Once inside, you may be pressured to buy expensive items ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan. Don't go in out of curiosity—just walk past. This is common in tourist ancient towns. Qingyan does a better job controlling it than most, but it's not completely absent.

How to include Qingyan in your Guizhou itinerary

Many ask: With only 5–6 days total and Huangguoshu, Libo, and Xijiang already scheduled, is Qingyan still worth visiting?

It depends on your schedule. If you're flying back to Guiyang from overseas, you'll likely have a half-day free on either your first or last day. Instead of staying at the hotel, take a stroll through Qingyan. No hiking or physical exertion is required—suitable for seniors and children alike. You can experience Guizhou's stone culture, Tunpu history, and local snacks all in half a day, with plenty of food and drink options available.

For guests booking a Guizhou custom tour, Qingyan often appears on the "first afternoon" or "last morning." You don't need to add an extra day, but including it will give your trip's start or end a more authentic feel.

If you need a Guizhou car charter service, a 5-passenger sedan round trip from downtown Guiyang to Qingyan with waiting time included costs approximately 400 (within 4 hours). Adding a day trip to Huaxi Wetland brings the total cost to between 600 and 800, including fuel, tolls, and driver waiting fees.

Say a few words

Qingyan isn't the kind of destination that makes you gasp in awe. It lacks the grandeur of Huangguoshu, the vibrant colors of Xiaoqikong, or the enchanting night views of a Miao village. But it is Guizhou's most authentic experience: a historic stone-paved street, a bowl of braised pork trotters, and freshly sliced rose-flavored candy.

For overseas Chinese returning home, this experience hits harder than any 5A tourist site. Every step you take is on 600-year-old stone, while the food, dialects, and pace of life here are unlike anything you'll find in Los Angeles, Singapore, or Sydney.

Planning a trip back to Guizhou? Meitushuo Travel specializes in tours for overseas Chinese, offering private car services, customized itineraries, and small-group experiences tailored to your schedule and preferences. Let us help you plan trips around Guiyang.

Chat with us on WeChat first:18285125548 (Phone / WeChat)Free route planning for you. No deposit required upfront.

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