Plan at a glance
Tickets and opening hours
A full-price adult ticket costs RMB 88. The scenic area is usually open from 7:30 to 18:00 Sunday through Thursday, and until 22:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, public holidays and during summer. Temporary notices may change the hours on a particular day.
Admission is one ticket per person, valid for 72 hours. Huangyao Ancient Town is in Zhaoping County (昭平县), Hezhou (贺州), and is mainly explored on foot. Park at the Visitor Center before entering the old town.
How much time to allow
The standard round trip takes about three hours. Allow three to four hours if you plan to walk slowly, visit open exhibition halls or stop for a meal.
Evening visits and staying in the old town
Lanterns are usually lit at 19:30. Plan an evening visit according to that day's opening hours. Overnight guests inside the old town also need their own valid tickets to enter and leave. When booking an inn, ask both the inn and the scenic area about returning after closing, re-entry procedures and evening access.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Bridges, banyan trees and the ancient well
Dailong Bridge (带龙桥) connects Liyu Street (鲤鱼街) and Zhongxing Street (中兴街) and is one of the old town's larger stone arch bridges. The branches and aerial roots of Dragon Claw Banyan (Longzhao Rong, 龙爪榕) hang down through its canopy. Zuolong Pavilion (佐龙亭) and Shitiao Bridge (石跳桥) are also along the walking route; Shitiao Bridge is a line of stepping stones, so cross one stone at a time.
Immortal Ancient Well (仙人古井) consists of five connected basins that were historically used for different purposes, reflecting residents' routines of drawing water, washing vegetables and doing laundry. It is a historic feature; do not take its water to drink.
Old streets and ancestral halls
Stone-paved lanes are lined with buildings in Ming- and Qing-style forms. Take time to notice the gateways, carved beams and street corners. Guo Clan Ancestral Hall (郭氏宗祠) and Guo Family Courtyard (郭家大院) are next to each other; the hall's roofline plasterwork is a detail to look for. Not every private residence is open to visitors.
This visit suits people who enjoy walking, bridges, wells and traditional architecture. With children, watch the stepping-stone bridge, slippery paving and residents' vehicles in the lanes. Visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility can choose the shorter route from the Visitor Center to East Gate Tower (东门楼).
For another historic walk in Hezhou, see Linhe Ancient City.
Build your day
The roughly three-hour round trip
Use these key stops as a quick summary of the full route: Huangyao Ancient Town Visitor Center (黄姚古镇游客中心) — East Gate Tower (东门楼) — Dailong Bridge (带龙桥) — Immortal Ancient Well (仙人古井) — Guo Clan Ancestral Hall (郭氏宗祠) — Qianxing Martyrs' Square (钱兴烈士广场). Return to the Visitor Center via Longmen Street (龙门街). The detailed walking order below follows the same round trip and includes the sights along the way.
From the Visitor Center, continue past Qianli Jiangshan Tu (千里江山图), Yulong Huange (鱼龙欢歌), Fuqi Rong (夫妻榕), East Gate Tower, Zhongxing Street, Nanshe Chudong (南蛇出洞), Dailong Bridge, Liyu Street, Shuixian Banyan (睡仙榕), Shishang Banyan (石上榕), Xingning Temple (兴宁庙), Immortal Ancient Well, Wu Clan Ancestral Hall (吴氏宗祠), the Farming Workshop (农事作坊), Guo Clan Ancestral Hall, Guo Family Courtyard, Shengping Gate (昇平门), Yingxiu Street (迎秀街), Jinde Street (金德街), Anle Street (安乐街), Yikong Zhigu (亦孔之固), Longmen Banyan (龙门榕), Zuolong Pavilion, Dragon Claw Banyan (龙爪榕), the Old Opera Stage (古戏台) and Qianxing Martyrs' Square (钱兴烈士广场).
From Qianxing Martyrs' Square, return to the Visitor Center via Longmen Street; the full round trip takes about three hours. A deeper visit that does not return to the Visitor Center takes about two hours and ends at Qianxing Martyrs' Square. For the full loop, start and finish at the Visitor Center and follow the walking order above after entering the town.
A shorter, more accessible route
The shorter route runs from the Visitor Center past Qianli Jiangshan Tu, Yulong Huange and Fuqi Rong to East Gate Tower, taking about one hour. It suits visitors who want to explore only the first part of the old town. The bluestone paving is uneven and wheelchair access is limited; ask at the Visitor Center which sections are accessible that day.
Get there
Navigate to the Visitor Center
Huangyao Ancient Town is about 60 km from downtown Hezhou and about 61 km from Hezhou Railway Station (贺州站), which also serves high-speed trains. Set your navigation to “Huangyao Ancient Town Visitor Center” (黄姚古镇游客中心). The Visitor Center has a car park. The old-town lanes are primarily for walking; leave vehicles in designated parking areas.
Transfer from Hezhou
After arriving in Hezhou by train or coach, transfer to a tourist shuttle or coach for Huangyao. The tourist shuttle can reach the Visitor Center. Services may change, so confirm the departure point and return arrangements for your travel date before buying a ticket.
Know before you go
Tickets, overnight stays and re-entry
A valid ticket is required to enter the scenic area. Guests staying in the old town also need their own valid ticket to go in and out. After facial registration on the first entry, visitors can re-enter during the ticket's validity period using facial recognition. Do not follow anyone offering to take you into the town without a valid ticket or through an unofficial entrance.
The scenic area's real-name ticketing information lists an original or electronic Chinese ID and allows redemption with an order QR code or ID; after facial registration on the first entry, facial recognition can be used for re-entry. It does not say whether foreign passports are accepted. If travelling on a foreign passport, call the scenic area at 0774-6722748 / +86 774 672 2748 before buying to confirm accepted documents, first-entry verification and re-entry procedures. Also check the document requirements for any concession ticket.
Stone paths, residents and crossing bridges
Bluestone paving and paths beside wells can be slippery after rain. Queue to cross Shitiao Bridge when it is busy, and hold children's hands. Stay on open streets; do not climb over railings or enter closed houses or residents' courtyards. People still live in the old town.
Food and supplies
Local Hezhou dishes include fermented black-bean rice noodles, stuffed tofu, Niu Chang Suan (牛肠酸), a local snack made with beef offal and tangy, spicy sauce, and stuffed squash blossoms; steamed pork ribs with fermented black beans are also common on local menus. Shops and dishes vary, so check the menu and prices before ordering. The Visitor Center offers luggage storage; keep valuables with you.