Huangyao Ancient Town

Surrounded by chalk-like karst landform, the ancient town of Huangyao is located at Hezhou, Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. It is distinguished by an austere and elegant style with more than 300 well-preserved traditional architectures dating back to the 14th to the 20th centuries. The town was established during the Wanli reign (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and enjoyed its heyday in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Standing at the top of the Zhenwu Mountains nearby, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the picturesque scenery below dotted with quaint dwellings, many of them built by the indigenous people in the Lingnan region. Meanwhile, pavilions, terraces, halls, Buddhist temples, Taoist abbeys and ancestral shrines are all connected by the flagstone roads. Well-preserved couplets and signed boards still remain on old door frames.

What to see here

1. The Anle Street

The Anle Street was named after the Anle Temple in town. It means “living and working in peace and contentment” in Chinese. It has been one of the most important business districts since 1796 with rows of shops and stores thriving on both sides.

2. Ancient Theatre

Started in the year 1524, Ancient Theatre was built in a single-eaved pavilion structure with a hip-and-gable roof supported by eight pillars. It is composed of a stage and a backstage. Its fine decoration includes couplets written by celebrities. A major platform of the local performing arts including the Guiju and Caidiao operas, the well-known dramatist Ouyang Yuqian (1889-1962) once performed there.

3. The Immortals' Well

Immortal’s Well was named after a local legend about seven immortals once having fun around. Dug during the Wanli reign , the well has five ponds and with clear and abundant water. On the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, local residents celebrate their Water Fetching Festival and take water there.