Huangyao Ancient Town is located in Huangyao Town, Zhaoping County, Hezhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It is a national 5A - level tourist scenic area. The scenic area covers an area of 3.2 square kilometers. It is a millennium - old ancient town where Lingnan culture and karst landscape are perfectly integrated. There are mostly karst depressions in the town, belonging to the typical karst landform. In the town, there is always water where there is a mountain, a bridge where there is water, a pavilion where there is a bridge, a couplet where there is a pavilion, and a plaque where there is a couplet, forming a unique Lingnan ancient town landscape in Huangyao. The town consists of three strip - shaped block building complexes in Longpan Street, Zhongxing Street, and Commercial Street, which form a self - defense system. These building complexes are cleverly connected by bridges, city walls, and gate towers to form an integrated whole. The pavements of the eight main streets in the ancient town are all paved with slate, with a total length of more than 10 kilometers. There are more than 300 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties preserved in the town, covering an area of 16,000 square meters.
Historical Culture
Huangyao Ancient Town originated in the Song Dynasty, was built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. There are several theories about its name origin. One theory is that it was named after the two most populous surnames, Huang and Yao, but this does not match the history and current situation of the ancient town. Another theory is that it originated in the Song Dynasty. When Di Qing pacified the south, Yang Wenguang saw the water of Yao River surging like a yellow dragon and exclaimed "the water of Huangyao", which later evolved into the place name. The third theory is that it was originally a place where the Yao people with the surname Huang lived, called "Huangyao", and later the homophone "Yao" was adopted.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, due to its superior geographical location and developed water transportation on the Yao River, it became an important material transfer point. The commercial trade was prosperous, and the handicraft industry was booming, forming a business circle centered around Huangyao and reaching its heyday. However, since the Xianfeng period, due to the increase in population, the decrease in the water volume of the Yao River, and the closed - mindedness of the residents, it gradually declined.
In modern times, from 1937 to 1945, it was a famous rear - area base. After Guilin was occupied by the Japanese army in 1944, patriotic democratic figures such as He Xiangning, Liang Shuming, and Ouyang Yuqian moved to Huangyao and continued to promote the anti - Japanese salvation activities. In 1945, the Guangxi Provincial Working Committee of the Communist Party of China moved to Baozhu Temple in Huangyao Town, which became the cradle for guiding the underground anti - Japanese struggle.
Main Attractions
Residence of the Magistrate's Assistant
It is a representative work of official and civilian residences in Huangyao Ancient Town. The owner, Mo Airan, held the position of Deputy Magistrate of Zhili in the Qing Dynasty and was known as "Magistrate's Assistant Mo". It is a three - entrance and three - bay building. The foundation is nearly one meter higher than the ground, and the main hall of the back seat is nearly 70 centimeters higher than that of the front seat, implying "making continuous progress".
Guo's Grand Courtyard
It was built by Guo Jingzhang in the Daoguang period. Nearly 200 years have passed, and there are still descendants of the Guo family living here. It is a typical flat - ground courtyard - style building, covering an area of more than 500 square meters. It consists of a front hall, a courtyard, a main hall, and wing - rooms. It is equipped with anti - theft devices, and there is a plaque bestowed by the imperial court in the Daoguang period, "A Loving Couple in Old Age", preserved in the residence.
Guo's Ancestral Hall
It was first built in the fourth year of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (1739). It is a two - entrance and three - bay building, adopting the architectural style of a hip - and - gable roof with upturned eaves shaped like an official hat. There is a large - scale colored painting, "The Dragon Entering the East Sea", and the ancestral motto of the Guo family, "Only Reading Leads to a Higher Status", painted in the main hall.
Dailong Bridge
It is one of the landmark buildings in Huangyao Ancient Town. It was first built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The bridge is 22 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 3 meters high. It is a stone arch bridge. The bridge body is built of huge bluestones, the bridge hole is semi - circular, and there are exquisitely carved railings on both sides of the bridge. Dailong Bridge spans the Yao River. It is the largest bridge in the ancient town and an excellent place to enjoy the scenery of the ancient town.
Xingning Temple
It was first built in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a temple dedicated to the Northern Emperor. The temple faces south, consisting of a gate tower, a front hall, a back hall, and left and right wing - rooms. The architectural style of Xingning Temple is unique, adopting the traditional architectural techniques of the Lingnan region. There are many exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, and murals preserved in the temple, which are important physical materials for studying Lingnan architectural culture and religious culture.
Baozhu Temple
It was first built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a Taoist temple. Baozhu Temple covers an area of about 1,000 square meters, consisting of a mountain gate, a front hall, a back hall, left and right wing - rooms, and a courtyard. In 1945, the Guangxi Provincial Working Committee of the Communist Party of China moved to Baozhu Temple in Huangyao Town. Since then, it has become the cradle for guiding the underground anti - Japanese struggle. Now it is the former site of the Guangxi Provincial Working Committee, a key cultural relic protection unit in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and a patriotic education base.
Local Cuisine
Huangyao Fermented Black Beans
It is a product with a national geographical indication in China. It has a long - standing production history, originating in the early Ming Dynasty. It was quite famous before the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and reached its peak in the Qianlong period. It was once a tribute to the imperial court. They are shiny black, plump, with a strong aroma and delicious taste. They are a pure natural seasoning.
Huangyao Tofu
It is made from high - quality water flowing out of the local stone - mountain caves through a series of processes such as soaking soybeans, grinding soy milk, and filtering residues. It is particularly tender, delicate, as white as congealed fat, not easy to break or release water. After cooking, it is delicious and smooth.
Huangyao Polygonatum
It is one of the "Three Treasures of Zhaoping". It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family. Its rhizome can be used as medicine, mainly treating spleen and stomach weakness, lung deficiency cough, and diabetes.
Huangyao Rice Noodles
They are made from high - quality local rice through multiple processes such as soaking, grinding into pulp, and steaming. They have a smooth and chewy texture and can be paired with various meats, vegetables, and sauces, with a delicious taste.
Stuffed Tofu
The tofu is cut into small pieces, hollowed out in the middle, and filled with minced meat. Then it is fried in a pan until golden brown, and then cooked with soy sauce, sugar, water, and other seasonings until it is well - flavored. It has a crispy outside and a tender inside, with a delicious taste.
Tickets
The ticket price of Huangyao Ancient Town is generally about 100 yuan. The specific price may be adjusted according to factors such as the peak tourist season and holidays. You can follow the official channels to get the latest ticket price information.
Opening Hours
Generally, it is open from 08:00 to 18:00. However, the opening hours of some attractions in the ancient town may vary. You can consult the staff in the scenic area for specific information.
Tour Route
Here is a classic tour route: Enter from the entrance of the ancient town. First, visit Zhongxing Street to admire the ancient streets and buildings. Then go to Dailong Bridge to feel its simple charm and take pictures on the bridge. Next, go to Xingning Temple to learn about the local religious culture. Then visit the ancient residences such as the Residence of the Magistrate's Assistant and Guo's Grand Courtyard to appreciate the charm of the Ming and Qing architecture. After that, stroll to Baozhu Temple to explore the revolutionary historical relics. Finally, walk along Longpan Street, enjoy the small shops and scenery on the street, and take a rest under the ancient banyan tree to feel the tranquility of the ancient town.
Transportation
- Public transportation: You can first arrive in Hezhou City, and then take the special - line bus to Huangyao Ancient Town at Hezhou West Bus Station. It takes about 1.5 hours to arrive.
- Self - driving: Starting from the urban area of Hezhou, drive along the G78 Shantou - Kunming Expressway. Exit at Huangyao, and then follow the signs to reach the ancient town. The driving time is about 1 hour.
Must - visit Attractions
- Dailong Bridge: A landmark building in the ancient town. It has a huge bridge body, spans the Yao River, with beautiful scenery. It is suitable for taking pictures. It was first built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, 22 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 3 meters high.
- Residence of the Magistrate's Assistant: A representative of official and civilian residences. It is a three - entrance and three - bay building, reflecting the style and meaning of an official's family. It has a high foundation, and the main hall of the back seat is higher than that of the front seat. It has high historical and cultural value.
- Baozhu Temple: It was once the former site of the Guangxi Provincial Working Committee of the Communist Party of China. It is an important revolutionary historical memorial site. It has a simple architectural style, and many historical relics and cultural heritages are preserved here.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 1 - 2 days visiting to fully experience the charm and culture of the ancient town.
- You can choose to stay in the ancient town to experience the quiet nights and the morning's hustle - and - bustle atmosphere.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the bluestone roads.
- When tasting local cuisine, choose some restaurants with a good reputation to avoid being overcharged.
Precautions
- Most of the buildings in the ancient town are ancient cultural relics. Pay attention to protecting them and do not touch or damage them when visiting.
- Be careful when playing by the river, especially if you are traveling with children.
- Take sun - protection and anti - mosquito measures when visiting in summer, and keep warm in winter.
- When buying local specialties, pay attention to distinguishing the quality and price to avoid buying fake or inferior products.