Guide to Xiasi Ancient Town in Guizhou: Traveling through the glory of a 600-year-old commercial port

#Mainland Travel Xiasi Ancient Town is located in Kaili City, Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, adjacent to the Qingshui River. It was built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years. As an important post station on the ancient Miaojiang Plank Road and the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, it was once known as "Little Shanghai" due to its prosperous water transportation. It integrates the architectural styles of the Miao, Dong, Han, Western and Hui styles, and was rated as a national AAAA-level scenic spot in 2017. The ancient town retains bluestone roads, ancient docks, guild halls and stilt houses, presenting a unique charm of the interweaving of diverse cultures. Transportation Self-driving: Starting from downtown Guiyang, drive along the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway (G60) for about 120 kilometers, a 2-hour drive. High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail from Guiyang East Station to Kaili South Station (about 40 minutes), then take a taxi or bus (Line 17, Line 202) and arrive in 20 minutes. Must-see attractions Wind and Rain Bridge and Qingshui River Cruise: The Wind and Rain Bridge across the river is the best place to take photos, and you can take a ride on an antique cruise to experience the grand scene of the bustling merchant ships of the past. Lusheng Square: Experience the Miao Lusheng dance. During festivals, there are also ethnic song and dance performances and dragon boat races. Yangming Academy: A Ming Dynasty building that showcases Wang Yangming's philosophy of mind. You can also watch the situational drama "The Past of Xiasi" Yuwang Palace (Lianghu Guild Hall): a relic of a Qing Dynasty merchant group, now a historical exhibition hall, witnessing the prosperity of the ancient town's commerce. Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience: Learn batik and silver forging at Workshop Street, or watch traditional handmade noodles being made at Noodle Street. Specialties Sour Soup Fish: A famous dish in Southeast Guizhou. We recommend Wangjiang Restaurant to try the yellow croaker sour soup pot. Xiasi noodles: Handmade with 24 steps, served with colorful noodles in vegetable sauce, chewy and smooth. Blueberry ice jelly: the first choice for cooling off in summer, a blend of blueberries and brown sugar water, sweet and thirst-quenching. Accommodation Recommendations Most of the homestays in the ancient town are converted from old houses, such as "Jiuqi·Boyue" and "Tonghe Courtyard", etc. The price is about 200-400 yuan per night, and you can enjoy the river view or the tranquility of the courtyard. Useful Tips Tickets and time: The ancient town is open to the public free of charge, and some exhibition halls require tickets (such as Yangming Academy). The opening hours are mostly from 9:00 to 17:00. Dressing suggestions: Wear non-slip shoes as the cobblestone road is slippery; wear sunscreen and mosquito repellent in summer and warm clothes in winter. Photography time: The ancient bridge and the stilt house are best photographed in the early morning mist or in the evening when the lights start to come on. Precautions Respect the customs of ethnic minorities and do not photograph residents or religious sites without permission. Some ancient buildings have fallen into disrepair over the years. Please do not enter dangerous areas without permission. Xiasi Ancient Town has both the vicissitudes of a commercial port and the simplicity of the Miao and Dong people. It is suitable for a one-day wandering or two-day immersion. Stroll along the riverside, listen to the gurgling water, savor the lingering charm of history, and feel the quiet beauty of time standing still.