Huangyao Ancient Town

​Overview​​
​​Huangyao Ancient Town​​ (Chinese: 黄姚古镇), a ​​AAAAA-rated​​ scenic area in ​​Zhaoping County, Guangxi​​, is a ​​millennium-old​​ settlement famed for its ​​harmony of karst scenery and Lingnan culture​​. Established during the ​​Song Dynasty (960–1279)​​ and flourishing in the ​​Qing Dynasty​​, it spans ​​3.6 km²​​ with ​​300+ Ming-Qing buildings​​, ​​8 flagstone streets​​, and ​​20+ temples​​.

​​Key Attractions​​

1. ​​Architectural Marvels​​

   • ​​Ancient Theatre​​: Built in ​​1524​​, this ​​hip-and-gable roof​​ stage hosted Guiju opera and dramatist Ouyang Yuqian.
   • ​​Anle Street​​: A Qing-era business hub lined with shops, named for the "peace and contentment" ideal.
   • ​​Zhenwu Mountain​​: Offers panoramic views of ​​riverside dwellings​​ and ​​limestone peaks​​.

2. ​​Natural Wonders​​

   • ​​Immortals’ Well​​: A ​​Ming Dynasty​​ well with five ponds, central to the ​​Water Fetching Festival​​ (7th day of 7th lunar month).
   • ​​Karst Landscapes​​: Surrounded by ​​serpentine rivers​​ (Xiaojiang, Xingning) and ​​towering peaks​​ like ​​Jigong Mountain​​.

3. ​​Cultural Heritage​​

   • ​​Revolutionary Sites​​: Served as the ​​WWII base​​ for Guangxi’s Communist Party; preserves ​​Qian Xing’s office​​.
   • ​​Zhongyuan Festival​​: Locals release ​​pomelo lanterns​​ on July 14 (lunar calendar) to honor ancestors.

​​Visitor Experience​​

• ​​Activities​​:
  • ​​Bamboo Rafting​​: Drift along ​​Xiaojiang River​​ (¥50).
  • ​​Night Tours​​: ​​LED-lit streets​​ and ​​folk performances​​ (e.g., lion dances).
• ​​Cuisine​​:
  • ​​Huangyao Tofu​​: Fermented with ​​black soybeans​​, a ​​geographic标志 product​​.
  • ​​Sticky Rice​​: Served in ​​five colors​​, symbolizing longevity.
• ​​Access​​:
  • ​​From Guilin​​: ​​3-hour drive​​ (200 km) or shuttle (¥130).
  • ​​Entry​​: ​​¥100/adult​​ (free for scenic spots post-2022).

​​Ecological & Historical Significance​​

• ​​Biodiversity​​: Hosts ​​500-year-old banyans​​ and ​​rare orchids​​; air quality exceeds ​​WHO standards​​.
• ​​UNESCO Potential​​: Nominated for its ​​intact hydrological system​​ and ​​anti-flood architecture​​.

​​Nearby Attractions​​

• ​​Baimo Cave​​: ​​Healing karst cave​​ with ​​50,000 ions/cm³​​.
• ​​Detian Waterfall​​: Combine for a ​​2-day nature tour​​.

​​Pro Tips​​

• ​​Best Time​​: ​​April–October​​ (avoid summer floods).
• ​​Etiquette​​: Respect ​​ancestral shrines​​; avoid touching ​​century-old artifacts​​.

Huangyao’s ​​timeless charm​​—where ​​history, ecology, and culture​​ converge—makes it a ​​must-visit​​ for global travelers.