Qingyan Ancient Town
Qingyan Ancient Town
Introduction
Qingyan Ancient Town, located in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province in Southwest China, is a historic settlement with a rich cultural tapestry dating back over 600 years. Initially established in 1378 as a military post during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Qingyan has evolved over the centuries while retaining its historical and cultural heritage. The town is one of Guizhou's four major ancient towns and exemplifies architectural excellence from the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, with its stone constructions—houses, walls, roads, and archways—that contribute to its moniker as a stone town.
Culturally, Qingyan is a vibrant tapestry of traditions and religions, boasting more than 30 temples and clan halls, eight shrines, five garrets, three caves, one palace, and one yard, with lovely carved beams, rafters, and pillars. Visitors can explore ancient manors of past military leaders and temples dedicated to Confucius and Wenchang, the deity of literature.
Tourist Attractions
It covers a 3–square-kilometer area, and still has a Ming and Qing dynasty style, with some architectural characteristics. It would be no exaggeration to call Qingyan "a stone town". Almost everything is made of stone – houses, walls, roads, archways, stoves and other utilities. Within the town, well-preserved stone-slab lanes and archways testify to its past glory.
Qingyan also offers a unique blend of traditional and modern attractions. While it maintains centuries-old crafts, such as Miao artisans crafting silverware, it also features digital experiences like the Starry Sky Art Museum, which offers visitors an immersive cosmic journey through art installations. Culinary offerings include local specialties like Miao-style tofu balls, stewed pig trotters, and the renowned Qingyan tofu, accompanied by red bayberry juice.
The town's cultural richness is further celebrated through media tours like A Date with China, which highlights Qingyan's local customs, ethnic clothing, traditional crafts, and music, bridging the past and present for visitors from around the globe.