# Zhenyuan

Zhenyuan is a county in Guizhou Province. Tourism (particularly related to history and wine) is a significant and growing portion of the economy. Zhenyuan is an ancient Miao city.
The county is largely agricultural, focused on rice farming and vegetable cultivation. The forestry industry is also important.

## Understand

Zhenyuan County is in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou, 96 kilometers away from the prefecture's capital, Kaili City. It's in the southeastern part of Guizhou, slightly east of Hunan. In 2020, the population of Zhenyuan County was 190,000.

### History

Zhenyuan has a history dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period. In the early 20th century, Zhenyuan played a role in the Republic of China revolution. After the People's Liberation Army took Zhenyuan in 1949, the region underwent administrative restructuring, leading to the establishment of the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in 1956. Despite changes in governance and administrative offices, the name "Zhenyuan" has persisted for over 700 years.

### Climate

The town belongs to the subtropical monsoon humid climate zone, the climate is mild, the rain is abundant, the four seasons are distinct, the water and heat are in the same season, there is no severe cold in winter, and there is no scorching heat in summer. The rainy season enters the rainy season in April every year, and the rainy season ends in late October, and the rainy season rainfall accounts for about 84% of the annual rainfall, and the rainfall is concentrated from May to June.

### Towns

* 27.08588108.5672071 Jiaoxi Town. in the southeast of Zhenyuan County. In 2019, the population of Jiaoxi was 26,000. (updated Dec 2023)
* 27.05451108.4009092 Wuyang Town. In 2019, the population of Wuyang was 64,000. (updated Dec 2023)
* 27.119413108.734683 Qingxi Town. In 2019, the population of Qingxi was 34,000. (updated Dec 2023)
* 27.173563108.8269354 Yangping Town. In 2019, the population of Yangping was 22,000. (updated Dec 2023)

## Get in

* It is most convenient to get there by train or by car.The railway station is in the county, about 3 km from the railway station to the ancient city. The best way to get to Zhenyuan is by train.
* Zhenyuan railway station from Guiyang or Kaili Zhenyuan train is the best choice, Guiyang to Zhenyuan 4 hours, Kaili to Zhenyuan 1 hour. From Zhenyuan railway station, take a taxi, about ¥5, you can reach Zhenyuan ancient town.
* You can enter by car, the distance from Kaili to Zhenyuan is 96.2 kilometers, and it takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes by car. The straight-line distance from Guiyang to Zhenyuan Ancient Town is about 260 kilometers, and it takes about 4 hours and 42 minutes to drive.

## See

* 27.053611108.4283331 Qinglongdong Ancient Architectural Complex. Qīnglóngdòng Gǔ Jiànzhù Qún) is located on the cliff of Mount Zhonghe (中和山; Zhōnghé Shān), and on the riverside of Wu River. Three religions, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, co-exist in the Qinglongdong Ancient Architectural Complex, including Zhusheng Bridge, Zhongyuan Chan Temple (Buddhist), Ziyang Academy of Classical Learning (紫阳书院; Zǐyáng Shūyuàn), Qinglongdong, Wanshou Palace (万寿宫; Wànshòu Gōng; 'Longevity Palace', Taoist), and Xiangluyan (香炉岩; Xiānglú Yán; 'Incenses Burner Rock'. (updated Sep 2023)
* The Site of Heping Village (和平村舊址)
* The Zhenyuan Ancient Wall
* Major Buddhist temples in Zhenyuan County include Zhongyuan Chan Temple
* Major Taoist temples include Mazu Temple
* Mount Shiping (石屏山). The main peak is 668 m high. There is the Great Wall of the South on the mountain. Climbing Shiping Mountain offers a panoramic view of Zhenyuan County.

## Do

* You can take pictures by the river. The river outside the town is very beautiful at night
* Go to the street to buy street snacks, many home snacks are delicious
* After seven o'clock in the evening, all the lanterns are lit up, go to the Wuyang River to take photos, go to the tavern and so on

## Buy

* Tianyin Tribute tea：Tianyin Tribute tea is produced in Tianyin Village, Duping Town, Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province. According to Lu Yu's Book of Tea, it has a history of at least 1200 years. In fact, it has become one of the famous teas in China as early as the Tang Dynasty, and became even more famous in the Song and Yuan Dynasties and Ming and Qing Dynasties.

## Eat

* 27.048544108.425271 Ancient city red sour soup. The most delicious sour soup fish in the town is "Ancient City Red Sour Soup", one of the old shops with a long history. Old town far people have always had the north fall xiang south ancient city, north fall Xiang refers to the Hebei bank of the "fall Xiang sour soup house" South ancient city is the ancient city red sour soup, when the residents of both sides of the two places to eat out, came to town far must go to experience the place, although not luxurious, but the town of ordinary people meal simple sense is his unique charm. But to the south bank to identify the ancient city red sour soup five words, the north bank to recognize incense because the front with the ancient city two words of the restaurant too much, in the local mouth to learn that this restaurant was established in the 1990s, in the town is a well-known restaurant has a glorious period, every day full, people eat in order to eat, the table are added to the edge of the road, according to the local introduction of the ancient city red sour soup, It is a restaurant that Zhenyuan people must go to to eat out, the taste has never changed, and it still maintains the traditional process, without any additives, pure natural and healthy food. (updated Dec 2023)
* Golden Burger rice wine: Jinbao Township, Zhenyuan, Guizhou Province, is famous for its rice wine. Almost every household here makes rice wine. Especially the Miao people are more popular brewing. There is an unwritten saying in the local: to the golden fort does not taste the golden Fort rice wine is not to the Golden Fort, big a little "not the Great Wall is not a good man" taste, although this is a bit too much, but once the guests who have been to the Golden Fort must taste the Golden Fort rice wine this is certain! Almost every household here brews it. The brewing of rice wine is also very particular: it must be made of local specialty glutinous rice and rice. No matter how big or small, rice wine is a must in this area. This kind of rice wine is not high, usually about 20 degrees, the wine is sweet, after drinking the mouth to leave a lingering aroma. Most of the guests have a feeling like a drink when they first appreciate this wine, so they call the sea: it is not a problem to drink several large bowls of this stuff. Sure enough, two bowls of stomach feel no reaction at all, but this kind of rice wine drink too much, after a while it will not be fun, will feel top-heavy. You should be careful when you first get to Goldberg.

## Drink

* 27.048252108.4323581 Find fine cafes (循觅精致咖啡馆). The coffee shop features quilts with the word "Zhenyuan" printed on them. Take a photo and punch in at an emergency. (updated Dec 2023)

## Sleep

It is best to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast by the river: the night view is very beautiful.

## Connect

Emergency numbers: 110 - Police, 119 - Fire, 120 - First aid, 122 - Traffic accidents

## Go next

* Guiyang (贵阳; Guìyáng) is the capital of Guizhou province. While not the most spectacular of Chinese cities, it has much to offer as an introduction to the history, culture and natural splendor of Guizhou and China's southwest. Moreover, it is drastically cheaper than the more touristed and developed provinces. It makes an excellent base for exploring mountains, caves, rivers, and minority cultures of the province.
* Anshun (安顺; Ānshùn) is a city in Guizhou Province. The city is rather small, but the huge waterfalls and caves in the surrounding area make this city a popular stop in most trips to Guizhou.
* Kaili (凱里; Kǎilǐ) is an industrial city in Guizhou province, and the capital of the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture.