With every step, a picturesque scene unfolds, as if wandering within a painting
Mountains and rivers in ink and color depict the scenery of Qian, while the ancient town of Pingyuan in Zhijin is a tapestry of history.
At night, the town is tranquil and resplendent, while during the day, the landscape is as picturesque as a painting. There is no severe cold in winter, nor extreme heat in summer. Surrounded by mountains and accompanied by the gentle flow of streams, one finds peace and tranquility here, reluctant to leave this paradise-like scene. This is Pingyuan Ancient Town, located in Zhijin County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, named after the ancient name of Zhijin, 'Pingyuan'.
As we arrived in Zhijin when it was already dark, we wished the driver could speed to the ancient town. Yet, whenever pedestrians wanted to cross the road, the driver would stop in advance. To be precise, all drivers would do the same, uniformly, which made us curiously ask if not yielding to pedestrians would result in a penalty. The driver answered simply: 'When someone is crossing, we should yield. Everyone who drives here does the same. I don't know about other places, but that's how we do it in Guizhou.' This further enhanced our good impression of Zhijin and Guizhou, and added a sense of security to our night stroll in Zhijin.
Between conversations, the windows began to reveal the bright and antique lights, and the grand, magical version of the ancient town gradually came into view. The city gate is majestic and awe-inspiring. After getting off the bus, the air feels fresh, and the temperature is comfortable. Strolling through Pingyuan Ancient Town at the end of September, one feels relaxed, with the scent of flowers pleasing to the senses; under the light, the natural wonders of the mountains appear even more imposing. The ancient architecture, reflected in the water, complements each other beautifully. In this comfortable environment, we can see the residents of Zhijin leisurely walking, dancing in groups, or sitting together singing, displaying a leisurely and comfortable life. Looking at the ancient town surrounded by mountains, it feels like a fairyland, as if entering a beautiful dream at night, so comfortable that one does not want to wake up.
In Pingyuan Ancient Town, there is a landmark ultra-five-star hotel with an ancient style. Staying here, when you wake up in the morning and open the window, you feel refreshed, with a stunning garden view and morning mist over the water, like a fairyland. Walking through the ancient town during the day, it's like entering an ink painting with the style of a Jiangnan water town. Such an ancient town, built around real mountains and waters, is rare. The scale and grandeur exceed expectations. Each building is a scene in itself, yet all are integrated. Here, there are famous sights such as Santan Gungyue, which is listed in the 'Dictionary of Famous Places in China', and the Zhijin scenic spot Shuangtan Duijing, Shuisheng Bridge, and the bridge over the water. The ancient town, while restoring the historical appearance of the old Pingyuan State, also incorporates cultural and creative elements and modern architectural design concepts. The ancient buildings that disappeared into the mists of history, such as rain towers, mountain pavilions, carved corridors, lotus ponds, temples, and stone arch bridges, are scattered throughout the town, making it a resting place for the soul of Zhijin's landscape. Many intangible cultural heritages are also reflected here. Along the way, one can only lament that photos and words are pale and cannot fully display the beauty of the ancient town.
Pingyuan Ancient Town, a place worth visiting, a place you should visit at least once. Pingyuan Ancient Town