# Zhenyuan Ancient Town and Zhusheng Bridge (镇远古城、祝圣桥)

Eastern Guizhou, Guizhou Province · Southwest, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/zhenyuan-ancient-town-and-zhusheng-bridge
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** Ancient town free; large cruise boat ¥80
- **Opening hours:** Open all day
- **Time needed:** 0.5–1 day
- **Address:** No. 21 Xinglong Street, Zhenyuan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
- **Getting there:** Take a train from Guiyang to Zhenyuan, about 4 hours. After leaving Zhenyuan Railway Station, take a bus and get off at Zhenyuan Zhongxue (镇远中学) stop
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Hiking & Outdoors, Photography

## About Zhenyuan Ancient Town and Zhusheng Bridge

Some say Zhenyuan is an ink-wash painting, ‘plain yet with unexpected rarities, understated yet with a distinctive charm’, and it has remained well preserved for more than two thousand years. Only by walking through its secluded old lanes can you truly appreciate the town's natural and unpretentious character. The lanes of Zhenyuan are quiet, following the contours of the hills, climbing slopes and winding around corners, a feature that is unique in its own right. On the western side of the old town stands the New Bridge (Xin Daqiao), and on the eastern side, Zhusheng Bridge, the landmark of the ancient city.
For centuries, the ancient city of Zhenyuan has preserved a layout in which land routes and waterways run side by side, with streets in front and the river behind. Residential houses are set in pleasing rhythm, small boats are moored at old wharves with cormorants perched on their prows, and women wash clothes on the stone steps by the river…

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. Dragon Boat Festival: Every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Zhenyuan holds its traditional Dragon Boat Festival, featuring spectacular dragon boat races.
- 2. A new look for the old town: Unregulated new construction has damaged the old town, and it has lost much of its atmosphere.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 496. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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