Zhenyuan Town

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Overview

Zhenyuan Town is under jurisdiction of Zhenyuan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou Province. It is surrounded by mountains and with location by Wuyang River, which winds through the town in a shape of “S”. In the north bank of the Wuyang River, it is the old city, and in the south bank, there is the old acropolis, both of which looks like a Tai Chi picture from a distance. The two cities were both built in Ming Dynasty (1368 AD – 1644 AD), and some of the city walls and gates still exist

Zhenyuan Town has a long history of 2,300 years since the establishment of the county in the 30th year of King Qin Zhao (277 BC). It was the seat of local goverment in Yuan Dynasty (1271AD – 1368 AD) and Qing Dynasty(1636 AD – 1912 AD） for more than 700 years. There are more than 50 ancient buildings such as halls, temples, shrines, and pavilions, including 33 ancient houses, 12 ancient wharves, 8 ancient lanes, and 5 ancient post roads.

Among them, there are 1 national key cultural relics protection unit and 7 provincial key cultural relics protection units. On January 7th, 2020, it was designated as a national 5A tourist attraction by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

Zhenyuan Ancient Town covers an area of 3.1 square kilometers. It is of multi-cultural integration. There are more than 20 ethnic minorities such as the Han and Dong people living in harmony. The Central Plains culture, Jingchu culture, Bashu culture, Wuyue culture, Fujian and Guangdong culture blend , Making Zhenyuan a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-society “museum”

Historical evolution

During Western Han Dynasty (BC 202 － AD 8), Zhengyuan was belonged to Wuling County

In the 5^th year of Emperor Han Gaozu(BC 202), Yuanyang County was established in the region of Zhengyuan

During Sui Dynasty (AD 581 – AD 619) and Tang Dynasty(AD 618 – AD 907), Zijiang County was established in the region of Zhengyuan

In November of the 6^th year of Song Baoyou (AD 1258), Huangping City was built and was named Zhenyuan, which was the beginning of the use of Zhenyuan’s name.

In the first year of Deyou (1275 AD), Bian-xi-dong Pacification commissioner was set up in Zhenyuan

In 20^th year of Zhi Yuan period (1283 AD) of Yuan Dynasty, Bian-xi-dong Pacification commissioner was changed to the General Administration Office.

In 11^th year of Yongle Period of Ming Dynasty (AD 1412), it was changed to Zhenyuan Mansion

In 11^th year of Hongzhi Period of Ming Dynasty (1446 AD), Zhenyuan County was established,

In the first year of Xuantong of Qing Dynasty (1909 AD), the county was abolished and the land was directly governed by Provincial government

In 1913, the county was restored.

In 1956, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture was established, and Zhenyuan was the capital of the autonomous prefecture.

In 1958, the state capital was moved to Kaili, and Zhenyuan was changed to a county.

In 1986, it was listed as a national historical and cultural city by the State Council of China.

Festivals

Dragon Boat Festival — June 3^rd 2022 | June 22^nd 2023

Taijiang Dragon Boat Festival — June 22^nd – 25^th 2022 | July 11^th – 14^th 2023

San Yue San Valentine’s Day — April 3^rd 2022 | April 22^nd 2023

April Ox King Festival — May 8^th 2022 | May 26^th 2023

August Tujia Suona Festival — September 3^rd 2022 | September 22^nd 2023

Local Flavour Food

Zhenyuan has a rich variety of cuisines, including:
Fish in Hot and Sour Soup, beef noodles, Fried cakes, Grilled fish, Red sour soup, Bacon hot pot, Bean curd hot pot, Intestine noodles, Glutinous rice cake, Yuan Jia Nen Tofu

Jinbao Rice Wine

Zhenyuan Jinbao Township is a well-known rice wine township, and almost every household here can make rice wine.

The brewing of rice wine is also very particular: it must be brewed with local specialty glutinous rice and rice. The degree of this kind of rice wine is not high, usually around 20 degrees. The taste of the wine is sweet and leaves a lingering fragrance after drinking.

Fish in Hot and Sour Soup

It is a traditional dish of the Miao and Dong people.

According to textual research, this dish originated in the area of Yashuang, Leidong Town, Liping County.

The main raw materials are fish meat, sour soup, shankangzi and other spices.

After cooking, it has a slightly sour taste, delicate fragrance, fresh and refreshing appetizer, and it is one of the masterpieces of Guizhou “Qian series” dishes.

Changwang Intestine noodles

Changwang Intestine noodles is a very famous flavor snack in Guizhou.

Known for its “three uniques” of color, fragrance and taste, it has the flavor and taste of tender blood, crisp noodles, spicy aroma and fresh soup. In 1980, it was rated as a high-quality product of Qiandongnan Prefecture.

Zhenyuan Ancient Town Data

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How to get to there

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Zhenyuan Ancient Town is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and southeast of Guizhou, amidst lofty mountains on the transitional slope of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the hills of western Hunan Province. It is at the junction of the two provinces of Hunan and Guizhou with convenient road, railway and air transportation,

The Xiangqian Railway, Zhuzhou-Liu Dual Line, National Highway 320, and Shanghai-Kunming Expressway pass through, and it is surrounded by Tongren Airport, Hunan Zhijiang Airport, Guiyang Longdongbao Airport and Kaili Huangping Airport

By vehicle

Starting from Guiyang City, it is about 260 kilometers and takes about 4 hours.
Drive To Fenghuang (Phoenix) County, Hunan Province, about 210 kilometers, takes about 3 hours
Starting from Tongren City to Zhengyuan, about 145 kilometers, it takes about 2.5 hours
To Kaili City, about 120 kilometers, takes about 2 hours

By train

Ordinary trains depart from Guiyang, there are about 20 trains a day, the journey takes about 4 hours, and then get to Zhengyuan by local bus with rate of 2 RMB per person only

By high-speed train

Whether you depart from cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Guiyang, Kunming, etc., choose to arrive at the “Sansui High-speed Railway Station“. After leaving the station, take a local vehicle and drive for about 45 kilometers. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Zhenyuan.

By plane

There are 4 airports to choose from, namely Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, Zhijiang Airport, Phoenix Airport and Huangping Airport; the distance from these 4 airports to Zhenyuan

Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, 270 kilometers, about 3.5 hours
Hunan Zhijiang Airport, 160 kilometers, about 2.5 hours
Tongren Phoenix Airport, 170 kilometers, about 2.5 hours
Kaili Huangping Airport, 60 kilometers, about 1.5 hours