[2025 Zhaoping Attraction] Travel Guide for Xianren Ancient Well (Updated May)

Morning · Stroll Along the Bluestone Paths Huangyao is at its most tranquil in the early morning. A light mist hangs over the black-tiled roofs. Stroll along the smooth bluestone paths, and you might encounter elderly residents carrying shoulder poles or women washing clothes by the river. The Dragon Bridge and Carp Street are excellent photo spots. In the slanted morning light, the ancient town resembles a traditional Chinese ink painting. Late Morning · Explore Ancient Homes and Traditional Crafts Visit the Guo Family Courtyard and the Sima Mansion to admire the exquisite Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Deep within the ancient town, find an old workshop and watch artisans handcraft fermented black beans or Huangyao pickles. Consider taking some home as a souvenir. Afternoon · Tea, Daydreaming, and Slow Time Find a teahouse by the river, order a pot of Huangyao oil tea, and pair it with soft and glutinous mugwort rice cakes. Watch the water flow under the small bridges and the boats drift by. Or, duck into a bookstore, browse some old books, and write a postcard to your future self. Evening · Fishing Fires and Lanterns, Gentle Night The ancient well of the immortals reflects the sunset glow. As the lanterns gradually light up, the ancient town becomes dreamlike. Enjoy a bowl of fermented black bean noodles at a riverside food stall and listen to the locals share stories of the past. Accommodation Recommendations Choose a guesthouse converted from an old residence, featuring wooden window lattices and carved beds. Open the window to enjoy the scenery and fall asleep to the sound of gently flowing water. Tips - Best seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November), avoid the rainy season. - Clothing suggestions: Hanfu or plain-colored dresses will enhance your photos. - The essence of slow travel: Focus less on checking in at every spot and more on experiencing the moment. Let the old-world charm of the ancient town soothe your soul.

#discoverchina Xianren Ancient Well is a testament to the ingenuity of traditional craftsmanship, offering a natural spring divided into specific sections for drinking, washing vegetables, and laundry. Its thoughtful layout reflects the balance between functionality and sustainability, seamlessly serving the community’s daily needs for generations. The well’s crystal-clear spring water flows with a sense of timeless vitality, making it more than just a practical feature—it’s a symbol of simple yet profound living. With its serene ambiance and historical charm, Xianren Ancient Well offers a unique glimpse into a way of life deeply connected to nature’s rhythm. This is not merely a well but a living piece of heritage, celebrating harmony between people and their environment. 🌿✨💧📜

【📌Basic Information】 📍Location: Zhaoping County, Hezhou, Guangxi, a thousand-year-old town with more than 300 Ming and Qing dynasty houses and 11 ancient bridges connecting the Yaojiang River system ⏰Recommended duration: 1 night (do not miss day or night) 🎫Tickets: Original price 88 yuan, you can enjoy a 60 yuan discount ticket if you stay in a B&B in the scenic area (the B&B owner will take you to the ticket office to register + face recognition) 🅿️Parking: Free open-air parking lot opposite the scenic area 【🚶♀️Must-visit spots】 1️⃣Dailong Bridge: Enjoy the poetic beauty of the fog-covered stone bridge in the early morning, watch the sunset dye the bluestone into honey color, and turn on the lights at night to create a full moon-like reflection in the water🌖 2️⃣ Immortal Ancient Well: It got its name from the legend that the "Seven Immortals" came to play by the well since ancient times. The water in the well is clear and will not dry up even in drought. The ancient well is divided into two parts, inner and outer parts, with a total of five pools. The inner well is used for drinking and washing vegetables, while the outer well is used for washing clothes and farm tools, etc. It is a living cultural relic. There are still residents washing clothes and vegetables here. The atmosphere of the market is more moving than the scenic spot. 3️⃣ Wu's Ancestral Hall: The existing building was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is one of the earliest ancestral halls built in Huangyao and the former site of the Guangxi Art Museum. 4️⃣Guo Family Courtyard: A merchant residence built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It is said that there is an anti-theft mechanism hidden in the four courtyards (I don’t know where it is) 5️⃣Dragon Claw Ficus: The roots of the 850-year-old tree are like a frozen waterfall of time, and the sunlight leaking through the branches dances💃 6️⃣After nightfall, lanterns on the streets of the ancient town light up one after another, and the stone pavement is glowing with moist light. It feels like walking into a Hou Hsiao-hsien movie. 【🏡Accommodation suggestions】 ✔️If you like modern decoration or have a lot of luggage, choose a homestay outside the ancient town or at the entrance of the ancient town ✔️If you want to experience the old house, choose a homestay with a patio, but you need the store to help you move your luggage, and it's hard to drag luggage on the cobblestone road ✔️B&Bs do not provide breakfast, but there are many breakfast shops 【🍜Food list】 ✅Black bean feast: black bean ribs, stuffed tofu, etc. ✅Black bean: Yang Jin Ji’s most famous, dry black bean wrapped in paper bags. There are also fermented black beans that are packaged in bottles and can be taken home for use. Locals say that they are made using traditional techniques and are sun-dried for at least 60 days. ✅Dried sweet potatoes: dried on bamboo mats, 20 yuan/catties, available for tasting ✅Local specialties: Gujing papaya pickles, old factory director's nine-process plums, water chestnut vermicelli, old brown sugar, etc. 🖼The value of Huangyao lies in the fact that it is not only a scenic spot but also a home - the descendants of the ancient town still live in the wing rooms of the ancestral house, a milk tea shop is opened next to the jars of drying pickles, and the water drawn from the ancient well is still used for cooking and washing. This daily routine of "living in history" may be the best inheritance of civilization. 🎁Before leaving the ancient town, I bought some fermented black beans. The store owner carefully packed them and said, "Put them in a cool place when you get home. They can be kept for a long time." I can't take away the moonlight of the ancient town, but at least I can save some stories that make the daily necessities shine. 💡Tips: 🛤The alleys of the ancient town are like a maze, but you can walk through them all. Just wander around and you may find some surprises. 🎬Trip Moments recommends going in the morning or after 4 p.m., when the light and shadows shine obliquely on the old bridge, old walls, door knockers, and stone slabs. Huangyao Ancient Town, Zhaoping

#favouriteitinerary Xianren Ancient Wells consist of five wells, each serving different purposes such as drinking, washing vegetables, and doing laundry. These wells highlight the practical aspects of daily life in ancient times and offer visitors a unique glimpse into the local traditions and practices. Personal Opinion: In my opinion, Xianren Ancient Wells are a captivating destination for those interested in historical sites and traditional water sources. The diverse uses of these wells and their cultural significance make them a must-visit for anyone exploring the area.

👍Recommended reason: Huangyao Ancient Town is full of poetic charm and vitality. With its stone-paved streets, ancient opera stage, and century-old banyan trees, it offers picturesque scenery everywhere. The slow pace of life will allow you to completely relax. 🌹Address: Huangyao Town, Zhaoping County, Hezhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 🚴Transportation: - High-speed rail: Take the high-speed train to Hezhou Station. There are shuttle buses directly to the ancient town, about a 1-hr drive. - Self-driving: Navigate directly to "Huangyao Ancient Town." The scenery along the way is also beautiful, suitable for a family trip. 🏞️Must-see attractions: - Ancient Opera Stage: Experience traditional opera culture in this antique building. - Da Long Qiao Bridge: This is a filming location for the movie *The Painted Veil*. It's incredibly beautiful for taking photos in the evening. - Immortal Ancient Well: Composed of five natural springs of varying sizes, it exudes a rich local atmosphere. 🏷️Ticket price: Ticket prices may fluctuate. Check the latest prices on the official public account or major travel platforms. Sometimes there are discounts available. 🍜Food recommendations: - Huangyao Black Bean Sauce: A local specialty that adds a unique aroma to stir-fries or steamed fish. - Huangyao Rice Noodles: Smooth and delicious, served with local sour bamboo shoots and chili peppers, it's a super satisfying meal. - Stuffed Tofu: Tofu filled with minced meat, pan-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. 🛍️Shopping: There are many small shops in the ancient town where you can buy souvenirs such as black bean sauce, green plum wine, and hand-embroidered items. Remember to bargain. 🏠Accommodation recommendations: - For an authentic experience, choose a guesthouse within the ancient town. Open the window and enjoy the view of the old streets. - If you prefer comfort, you can also choose hotels around the ancient town with better facilities. ❤️Other tips: - A 2-day visit is recommended. Avoid holidays to better enjoy the tranquility. - Bring mosquito repellent, as there are many mosquitoes in the summer. - Don't miss the opportunity to take photos of the ancient town lit up at night. It has a unique charm.