Qingyan Ancient Town really didn’t disappoint! A complete local-style guide to the experience

Just got back from Qingyan Ancient Town, and this trip perfectly captured both the "bustling local life" and the "ancient charm"! As a 600-year-old military town, it’s not as commercialized as expected, but instead hides a lot of genuine joy. First, transportation is super convenient from Guiyang! Take bus 203 for just over an hour straight there, or drive about 40 minutes. Parking costs 10 yuan for the whole day, and carpooling with 3-4 people is even more cost-effective. A Didi ride is around 60 yuan. Important tip about tickets: don’t just buy them blindly! After 5:40 PM, entry to the town is free, so you can save that money to enjoy a couple more snacks—super worth it. If you want to visit small spots like Wenchang Pavilion or the Top Scholar’s Former Residence, the 60-yuan combo ticket is much better than buying separately, and students get half price. No need to try to see everything; a few spots are enough for great photos. The backstreets are a must! They were filming locations for Jiang Wen’s "The Hunting Gun," and the narrow stone alleys have beautiful light and shadow. Go before 8 AM when it’s less crowded, and wear plain-colored clothes for a special atmosphere. You must climb the city wall at the North Gate; although the steps are steep, the view from the top overlooks the whole ancient town. At sunset, the sun casts a golden glow on the bluestone slabs, and even the distant karst mountains look stunning. The Dingguang Gate area is quieter; go an hour before sunset to shoot the wall, and with a telephoto lens, you get a full cinematic vibe. The food is the soul of Qingyan! For braised pig’s trotters, go to "Jin Bixuan" or "Wang Wanma," 35 yuan per jin, tender and falling off the bone, perfect dipped in chili powder. Pair it with a cup of bayberry soup to cut the richness—locals love this combo. Girls must try the rice cake porridge, made with lotus root powder, sprinkled with sesame and peanuts, and drizzled with rose sauce—sticky and super fragrant and sweet. Also, the green rice tofu is sour, spicy, and refreshing—perfect for summer. The roadside grandma’s stall is way more authentic than the "old brand" shops on the main street. A few honest tips: wear flat, non-slip shoes! The stone slabs are super slippery after rain, but the reflections are unexpectedly beautiful. Don’t buy silver jewelry or souvenirs randomly on the main street; only trust the "Qingyan Brand." On Friday and Saturday nights, there’s a light show, and when the lanterns light up, it looks just like a scene from "Spirited Away"—night tours are really atmospheric. Qingyan isn’t a place to rush through. It’s perfect to find a small shop, sit down with a bowl of iced jelly, or bask in the sun under the city wall. The 600 years of history are hidden in the patterns of the stone slabs and in the aroma of the braised pig’s trotters. This slow, easy happiness is exactly what an ancient town should be like~