Zhenshan Village

Zhenshan Village is a Buyi minority village in Shiban Town, Huaxi District, about 20 km from central Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province in southwest China. The Buyi are one of Guizhou's major ethnic groups, known for their stone-built houses, indigo cloth and batik, and Zhenshan preserves a cluster of dry-stone buildings with slate roofs set on a hillside beside a lake. Visitors walk through narrow lanes of gray stone houses, past courtyards, small shops and craft stalls, and down to the water's edge, where the reflections of the village make a popular photograph. Several houses have been converted into guesthouses and tea rooms, and the village is a quiet place to stay overnight, which lets visitors see it after the day-trippers leave. Local women sometimes wear traditional blue and indigo clothing, and batik and embroidery items are sold in small shops. The village is also a base for local dishes such as sour soup and sticky rice, served in restaurants and family kitchens. A typical visit takes about two hours, and it is usually combined with Tianhe Lake nearby, as the two are separated by only about 2 km. Entry to the village is free, with the village open daily from about 08:30 to 17:30, though guesthouses and restaurants run later. Daytime is the usual time to come, and weekdays are very quiet, whereas weekends and holidays attract Guiyang residents for short trips and the lanes become busier. The best viewpoints are the lakeside edge and the upper lanes, which show the stone roofs descending to the water, and late afternoon light is the most flattering. Visitors reach it by taking bus 211 to Tianhetan and then a taxi or motorcycle taxi for the last 2 km, so having a little cash for the short ride is useful. Visitors should be respectful when photographing residents and ask before entering private courtyards.