In Guiyang, I found China's most underrated ancient town

This is a highly promising creative journey featuring "Qianzhong secret realm + Ming and Qing architecture + vibrant local culture + culinary treasures." Qingyan Ancient Town, located in Huaxi District, Guiyang, Guizhou, was established in the 11th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1378). It is one of China's four great ancient towns and the top among Guizhou's four famous towns, known as the "living fossil of mountain military defense ancient towns." It is neither as noisy as Lijiang nor as commercialized as Fenghuang, but it boasts: ✅ 600-year-old city walls | ✅ Nut and silver jewelry alleys | ✅ Stone slab streets full of local life | Theme positioning: Qianzhong's number one town | Stone alley life | Ancient town on the tip of the tongue | Living fossil of mountain military defense Suitable content directions: street food exploration / cultural documentary / slow travel vlog / ethnic customs / niche ancient town reviews 💰 Budget overview (per person, total: ¥580) | Item | Cost (¥) | Description Round-trip transportation | 200 | Metro Line 3 to Huaxi South + taxi (about 40 minutes from Guiyang city center) | | Admission | 10 | Free entry during the day, city wall climb ¥10 (must buy) | | Accommodation (optional) | 200 | Huaxi District homestay (if coordinating with sunrise/night shots) | | Food & drink | 120 | Braised pig’s feet, rose sugar, spicy chicken corners, rice tofu, etc. | | Filming & props | 50 | Backup battery, microphone, bubble machine, pinwheel | | Total 580 | Can be compressed to ¥400, extremely cost-effective |>✅ If budget allows (¥1200), you can:> - Stay in boutique homestays on the outskirts of the ancient town (¥400+/night) > - Join Buyi ethnic handicraft experiences (embroidery, batik) > - Rent a GoPro + stabilizer 🗓️ Day 1: Early morning arrival + stone alley exploration + food spree + night shots of city walls 🚇 Morning: Arrive at Huaxi South Station or Huaguoyuan → Taxi to Qingyan Ancient Town - Recommended to arrive before 7:30 to avoid the travel group peak after 9:30 - About 40 minutes by taxi from Guiyang city center, taxi fare under ¥60 🏡 Accommodation suggestions (if staying overnight): - Homestays near Huaxi University Town or quiet inns on the outskirts of the ancient town - Recommended keywords: "near scenic spots," "hot water provided," "luggage storage available" --- 🕰️ 7:30–8:30 | Early morning empty alley shooting | Streets empty, stone slabs reflecting light, morning mist rising || 8:30–9:30 | City wall aerial shots | Four city gates, watchtowers, and arrow slits well preserved | Shoot "Walking in a Ming Dynasty military fortress" | 9:30–11:00 | Main street exploration | Stone roads, carved wooden doors, silver jewelry shops, nut stalls | Shoot "Every stone carved with 600 years" || 11:00–12:30 | Food spree | Braised pig’s feet, spicy chicken corners, rice tofu, rose sugar | Do "Eat all over Qingyan with 100 yuan" challenge vlog || 13:00–15:00 | Cultural documentary | Elderly sunbathing, kids playing shuttlecock, artisans | Shoot "Slow life in the ancient town" documentary style || 16:00–17:30 | Niche alley exploration | Back alleys of North Street, Zhao Gong Ancestral Hall, Wanshou Palace ruins | Shoot "Hidden corners missed by 99% of tourists" || 18:00–19:30 | Night shots of city walls & lighting | City walls lit up, fewer tourists, tranquil atmosphere | Long exposure shots of lantern reflections | 🔥 | East Gate city wall top | "This is the wisdom of Ming Dynasty military defense" || Dingguang Gate night scene | Long exposure shots of red lanterns + stone road reflections | "Where the lights dim, is a 600-year watch" || Backstreet narrow alleys | Low-angle shots of stone textures, high walls on both sides | "This was a filming location for 'The Missing Gun'" || Braised pig’s feet old shop | Shoot the steaming moment when served | "The birthplace of Chinese braised pig’s feet is on this street" || Buyi silver jewelry stall | Shoot elderly handcrafting silver | Super fragrant, smells like a crime" || Rose sugar | Handmade on site stall | ¥5 each | "Sugar blowing + rose filling, sweet to the heart" || Rice tofu | Grandma’s stall | ¥8 per bowl | "600-year-old ancient town, a bowl of rice tofu is the warmest" || Iced juice 📌 1. Best seasons: - March to May: spring blossoms, fewer tourists - September to October: crisp autumn weather 2. Transportation tips: - From Guiyang city center, taxi or Didi recommended (more efficient than bus) - Self-driving can park at the ancient town outskirts parking lot (¥5/day) - Walking is required to enter the ancient town, wear comfortable shoes!