Huangyao Ancient Town: A poetic paradise deep in time

[Rose] "Small bridges, flowing water and people's homes", when such a picture is truly presented before our eyes, that is the Huangyao Ancient Town in Zhaoping County, Hezhou City, Guangxi. This famous Chinese historical and cultural town with a thousand-year history is like a pearl lost in the world. It attracts countless tourists to explore with the quaint charm of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, the unique style of karst landscape and the simple folk customs. [Rose] Best time to travel and see the most beautiful scenery [Rose] The beauty of Huangyao Ancient Town has different charms in different seasons. Spring and autumn (March - May, September - November) are the best times to travel. In spring, the ancient town is shrouded in mist like a veil, giving people a dreamlike feeling. Walking in it is like walking into an ink painting. In autumn, the sky is high and the clouds are light, and the sun shines gently on the ancient buildings, making people feel relaxed and happy. June to August is the local rainy season. Although there is a lot of rain, which may affect travel, the ancient town is more quiet and peaceful after the rain, which has a unique flavor. As for holidays such as the Spring Festival and National Day, the ancient town will become very lively, but there will also be relatively more tourists. If you want to enjoy a quiet trip, it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours. [Rose] Convenient transportation, easy to arrive [Rose] The transportation to Huangyao Ancient Town is very convenient. If you choose to take the high-speed rail, you can first arrive at Hezhou Station, and then take a bus after exiting the station. It will take about 1.5 hours to get to Huangyao; you can also choose to share a car, which costs about 50 yuan per person. If you drive yourself, it takes about 3-4 hours to get there from Guangzhou or Guilin. The ancient town is crisscrossed with stone paths. Walking is the best way to explore. Remember to wear comfortable flat shoes. The parking lot in the ancient town charges about 20 yuan per day. [Rose] Must-see attractions to experience the charm of the ancient town [Rose] Dailong Bridge is the iconic attraction of Huangyao Ancient Town. The morning mist or the afterglow of sunset makes it picturesque and a great place for taking photos. The Dragon Claw Banyan tree has a history of 500 years. Its roots are shaped like dragon claws and are connected to the Stone Tiao Bridge, full of ancient charm. Shiban Street is an ancient street from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with numerous shops and ancestral halls on both sides. Liyu Street and Jinde Street are especially worth a visit. Guo Family Courtyard was the residence of a wealthy merchant in the Qing Dynasty, where you can gain in-depth insights into the architectural features of the ancient town. The Immortal Ancient Well is still used by residents today. It is divided into different areas for drinking water, washing vegetables, and washing clothes, reflecting the wisdom and tradition of the people in the ancient town. Xingning Temple is the most popular temple in the ancient town. You may wish to pray for your family and yourself here. The surrounding Dongtanling is an excellent place to overlook the panoramic view of Huangyao and the karst peaks. In the early morning, watching the sunrise and the sea of ​​clouds here makes you feel like you are in a fairyland. [Rose] Special experience, immerse yourself in the life of the ancient town [Rose] Touring the ancient town at night is a unique experience. When the lanterns are lit, the atmosphere of the ancient town becomes quiet and charming. You can find a quiet bar, sit down and listen to folk songs, and feel the night of the ancient town. This is also a paradise for sketching and photography. Many art lovers come here to create, especially on rainy days, when they can create works rich in artistic conception. Huangyao fermented black beans is a local intangible cultural heritage. You can visit the workshop and even participate in the production process. Rent a bicycle and ride to Zhoujia Reservoir or Shiwai Tianyuan to experience the surrounding natural scenery. [Rose] Food and accommodation, enjoy a pleasant journey [Rose] Huangyao black bean sauce is a must-try delicacy. The black bean ribs and black bean steamed fish are delicious. You can also buy some as souvenirs. Stuffed tofu is a specialty of the ancient town. The fried tofu is stuffed with meat and has a rich taste. There are many flavors of glutinous rice cakes, including mugwort glutinous rice cake, pumpkin glutinous rice cake, etc., both sweet and salty. Snail rice noodle and oil tea are classic flavors of Guangxi and are suitable for breakfast. Recommended restaurants include Gujing Farm, Huangyao Flavor, and Laojie Winery. As for accommodation, each homestay in the ancient town has its own characteristics. The high-end ones include the Huangyao Puli Xingfuli with a strong sense of design and the Shengzhifu Hotel which was converted from an ancient house; the cost-effective ones include the literary and artistic Occasionally B&B and Shui Mo Inn. The prices of hotels outside the ancient town are relatively low, but they lack the atmosphere of the ancient town and are suitable for self-driving tourists. [Rose] Tickets and notes, travel more safely [Rose] Tickets are about 88 yuan. There are discounts for buying tickets online in advance. Students and seniors can enjoy half price. If you want to save on ticket fees, there may be no ticket checking if you enter the ancient town before 7 am or after 6 pm, but some attractions require ticket checking. When visiting, please note that the stone roads are slippery, and you need to be extra careful when walking on rainy days; respect local customs and do not play in the water at will in places such as ancient wells; take anti-mosquito measures in summer, and remember to bring a thin coat in winter because the temperature difference between morning and evening is large; some attractions require ticket inspection, so please keep your tickets properly. [Rose] Itinerary suggestions, perfect planning [Rose] If you have enough time, you might want to plan a 2-day, 1-night trip. On the first day, after arriving at the ancient town, we visited the Dailong Bridge, Longzhua Banyan Tree, Stone Street, and Immortal Ancient Well in turn, and then took a night tour of the ancient town at night. On the second day, go to Dongtanling to watch the sunrise, then visit the Guo Family Courtyard and experience the making of fermented black beans, and then return. [Rose] Huangyao Ancient Town, this poetic paradise deep in time, is waiting for you to unveil its mystery and feel its unique charm.