Jinping, 23℃, a cool and leisurely travel destination
I was truly moved to tears by the hidden beauty of this little-known fairyland town in southeastern Guizhou 😭 A cool 23°C summer, a 600-year-old Ming Dynasty military settlement, a thousand-year-old timber merchant culture along the Qingshui River, pristine Miao villages, and pastoral sandbars in the river.
Yu Qiuyu calls it the only isolated island of Han culture on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau!
📍Five Must-Visit Spots in Jinping | Local Secrets, No Hidden Dangers
1. Longli Ancient Town | A 600-Year-Old Ming Dynasty Military Settlement Island 🏯
Jinping is definitely the star! Guizhou's best-preserved Ming Dynasty military town, over 600 years old!
Unlike Miao and Dong villages, this is a quintessential Jiangnan-style Han Chinese ancient town, with its blue brick horse-head walls, centipede-shaped ancient streets, and barbican walls—the layout is incredibly sophisticated.
✅Must-Visit Highlights:
· Climb the East Gate Tower for a panoramic view of the ancient city's chessboard-like layout, perfect for taking stunning photos in the ancient style.
· Longbiao Academy, Tao Family Courtyard, Wuju Residence, and Kejia Residence – every step reveals a piece of history.
· Generations of residents have lived here; grandmothers weave straw sandals and dry crops on the streets.
A living ancient city, not a renovated tourist hotspot!
Experience intangible cultural heritage: painting dragon faces, weaving straw dragons, and traditional rubbing techniques.
A quiet and healing night, with starry skies and ancient alleys creating an amazing atmosphere.
2. Wendou Miao Village | A Millennial Contractual Ancient Village📜
A hidden gem of a Miao village! A 600-year-old ecological village by the Qingshui River.
Scarcely known online, it's one of China's earliest environmentally friendly contractual ancient villages.
Hundreds of years ago, the Miao people erected monuments to protect forests, water, and the ecosystem – its educational value is off the charts!
The entire stilted house complex is nestled against the mountain and overlooks the river, with winding ancient alleys paved with bluestone and wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.
This is also the site of the ancient papermaking tradition.
You can experience the ancient papermaking technique firsthand and touch the craftsmanship of the Miao people, a tradition passed down for millennia.
No crowds, no shops, pure and pristine ecology—a healing and tranquil place.
3. Sanbanxi Lake | Guizhou's Little Thousand Island Lake 💙
A hidden gem of a high gorge and tranquil lake on the Qingshui River! The lake is vast and azure, with verdant mountains on both banks.
The lake water is so clear it seems to glow, surrounded by mountains and scattered islands.
You can drive around the lake, stroll along the riverbank, or fish and relax.
The evening breeze is cool on the lake, making it a super comfortable place to escape the summer heat, a truly picturesque scene.
4. Leitun Sandbar | A Natural Tai Chi Pastoral Paradise 🌿
A green island in the heart of the river embraced by the Liangjiang River! Natural Tai Chi landform, surrounded by water on all sides, with continuous rice paddies. Expansive lawns and clear streams make it a local favorite for families with children, camping, and fishing. Green trees, sandbars, and flowing water create a truly healing atmosphere. Perfect for picnics, photography, and relaxation – a true haven of tranquility.
5. Maoping Timber Merchant Ancient Town | A Century-Old Timber Merchant Hub 🛶
Once a bustling timber merchant wharf on the Qingshui River, it retains well-preserved ancient streets and alleys, and former residences of famous figures. The remnants of the once-thriving timber merchant community remain quietly. Quiet and peaceful, it allows you to understand the thousand-year-old commercial civilization of Jinping.
🗓️3 Days 2 Nights Relaxing Itinerary | In-Depth Experience
🚗Transportation
· By Car: Road conditions are good throughout southeastern Guizhou; 1.5 hours direct from Kaili/Sansui.
· Public Transportation: Direct buses from various counties to attractions, making travel easy.
· Attractions within the county are moderately spaced, perfect for leisurely strolls.
🏨Accommodation Recommendations
1. 1. **Longli Ancient Town B&Bs:** Renovated century-old houses with views of horse-head walls from the windows, offering an immersive ancient town experience.
2. **Jinping County Hotels:** Abundant night markets, excellent value, convenient dining and accommodation.
3. **Riverside B&Bs:** Riverside living, soothing evening breezes, tranquil relaxation.
Day 1: First Experience of Ancient Charm | Longli Ancient Town Full-Day In-Depth Tour
Morning: Arrive in Jinping, check into a B&B, and stroll through Longli Ancient Town.
Climb the East Gate Tower, walk along Centipede Street, visit Longbiao Academy and Tao Family Courtyard.
Lunch: Enjoy authentic Jinping farm-style cuisine in the ancient town.
Afternoon: Experience intangible cultural heritage rubbing, dragon-themed cultural and creative products, and take photos in the ancient alleys.
Evening: Watch the gentle sunset in the ancient town, with stunning light and shadow on the blue bricks and gray tiles.
Night: Stroll through the quiet ancient alleys and experience the uncommercialized nightlife of the old town.
Day 2: Mountain and Water Countryside + Timber Merchant Heritage | Leitun Sandbar + Maoping Ancient Town
Morning: Head to Leitun Sandbar
Explore the riverside fields, stroll along the stream, relax on the lawn, and take photos.
Lunch: Enjoy authentic mountain cuisine at a nearby farmhouse.
Afternoon: Stroll through Maoping Ancient Town, a hub for timber merchants
Visit the ancient wharf, old streets, and former residences to learn about the thousand-year-old timber merchant culture of the Qingshui River.
Evening: Take a walk along the riverbank, enjoying the cool 23°C summer breeze.
Day 3: Cultural Study Tour Concluding | Wendou Miao Village + Sanbanxi Lake Return Trip
Morning: Explore the thousand-year-old Wendou Miao Village
Wander through stilted houses and ancient alleys, see the century-old forest protection contract, and experience ancient papermaking. Immerse yourself in the ecological wisdom and ancient culture of the Miao village.
Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Miao farmhouse meal.
Afternoon: Stroll around Sanbanxi Lake, admiring the healing scenery of green mountains and clear waters. Purchase local specialties and enjoy a relaxing return trip.
🍜Jinping Must-Try Foods | Locals Don't Miss Out
✅ Jinping Yuhe Pickled Fish: Intangible Cultural Heritage Food, Sour and Spicy, a Jinping Signature Dish
✅ Qingshui River Fish Feast: Fresh, tender, and sweet fish from the river.
✅ Miao-style oil tea and glutinous rice: Authentic, hearty breakfast.
✅ Sour soup with wild vegetables and farm-style cured meat: Authentic, natural mountain flavors.
✅ Rice puffs, glutinous rice cakes, and handmade snacks: Affordable, authentic, and full of rustic charm.
Souvenirs
Traditional pickled fish, local mountain tea, handmade bamboo weaving, and Miao cultural and creative products.
💡Super Practical Travel Tips for August
1. Jinping is generally cool at 23℃, with high forest coverage, making it an excellent summer retreat.
2. All ancient villages and towns are almost uncommercialized, with simple and honest folk customs and no hidden charges.
3. The ancient town's stone-paved streets are gentle, making it friendly to the elderly and children, and comfortable to walk on.
4. Intangible cultural heritage experiences have transparent pricing, suitable for parent-child study tours and hands-on activities.
5. The pace is super relaxed, perfect for those who don't want to rush and just want to unwind and unwind. In Guizhou's summer, with temperatures around 23°C, Jinping gently embraces the season. 🍃 It lacks the hustle and bustle of crowds, offering only the tranquility of a 600-year-old ancient city, the gentle evening breeze of the Qingshui River, the rustic charm of Miao villages, and the soothing beauty of its pastoral sandbars.
Come to Jinping, slow down, immerse yourself in the ancient charm and natural beauty, and unlock the cleanest and most healing off-the-beaten-path slow travel experience in southeastern Guizhou!
When visiting Jinping, would you rather explore the 600-year-old Ming Dynasty city or experience the intangible cultural heritage of ancient papermaking? Let us know in the comments!