Xiasi Ancient Town is a bustling commercial hub, truly deserving the title of 'Little Shanghai of Guizhou

' Ten thousand influencers checked in at Qiandongnan. Our journey lasted five days, during which we visited Congjiang, Liping, Zhenyuan, Leishan, Danzhai, Kaili, and Shibing, exploring one place each day. We toured the most beautiful ancient city in China—Zhenyuan Ancient City, the largest Dong village in the country—Zhaoxing Dong Village, and the largest Miao village in the country—Qianhu Miao Village. We went drifting in Shibing, experienced intangible cultural heritage in Danzhai, drank high mountain flowing water in Leishan, and felt the Dragon God marrying off his sister in Liping. The itinerary was very exciting, and the last stop of the activities was Xiasi Ancient Town in Kaili. Xiasi Ancient Town, a town with a history of over six hundred years, lies quietly upstream of the Qingshui River, like an old man who has experienced the vicissitudes of life, telling stories of past prosperity and changes. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was an important port on the Qingshui River, bustling with merchants and earning the nickname 'Little Shanghai.' It was also known as the 'Pearl on the Qingshui River.' Today, although time has passed, the charm of the ancient town remains, with beautiful mountains and rivers and talented people. It is known as the hometown of Chinese red garlic, zinc-selenium rice, and the world-famous Xiasi dog. The development of the ancient town benefited from the dredging of the river during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty and multiple renovations during the Qianlong period, which made the waterways smooth. Xiasi gradually became a water port and a distribution center for goods. In the 13th year of Jiaqing, the ancient town was opened as a commercial port, and the commercial circulation industry developed unprecedentedly. Merchants from Guiyang, Anshun, Xingyi, as well as from Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Fujian, settled in the town. The town was filled with guild halls and numerous shops, with hundreds of merchant ships, and the lights reflecting in the river were as bright as stars. Walking into the ancient town is like entering a melting pot of diverse cultures. The stilted buildings of the Miao people, the drum towers of the Dong people, and the Western-style ancient churches all tell different stories. When we arrived, there was an immersive performance taking place in the ancient town, making us feel as if we had traveled back to the Qing Dynasty. The bustling port, the busy streets, and the classical and beautiful performances made us feel the prosperity of the ancient town. In the ancient town, there are many old buildings, among which the Yu Wang Palace is a representative. It enshrines Yu the Great and is a place where people pray for good weather. The Yangming Academy, founded by students of Wang Yangming, is said to have been a place where Wang Yangming himself taught. Inside the academy, a large stone is engraved with the Yangming philosophy of 'the mind is principle, knowledge and action are one,' giving a deeper understanding of this legendary historical figure. When you come to Xiasi, the local cuisine is not to be missed. Especially the sour soup fish, which is not only one of the four famous dishes of Qiandongnan but also an intangible cultural heritage. Its unique flavor is unforgettable. It uses wild fish from the Qingshui River, paired with rice acid or chili acid, and added with ginger, garlic, and tomatoes. It is a dish with excellent color, aroma, and taste, with tender meat and a fresh and appetizing soup, making it a rare delicacy. The five-day trip to Qiandongnan allowed me to deeply appreciate the richness and diversity of this land. Xiasi Ancient Town, with its profound historical and cultural heritage, unique natural scenery, diverse architectural styles, and rich cuisine, has become the most beautiful memory in my heart. Here, I not only saw the accumulation of history but also felt the integration of cultures. It is a place that makes people reluctant to leave.