Journey to Zhenyuan Ancient Town: A Photographic Exploration

Introduction

My first trip to Zhenyuan Ancient Town, also known as the "gateway of Hunan-Guizhou," was absolutely enchanting. The train ride there offered amazing views of lush mountains, and when I arrived, it was this cool mix of old and new. I loved wandering through the narrow alleys, passing all these traditional folk houses (just like the "Wall, Alley, Street" photos!). You could see distant "Roof, Slope, Mountain Village" views and even "Electrical cable, Wire" overhead, showing how nature and modern life blend together here. The "Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture" really highlighted the rich cultural exchange over time.

The "Urban area, Neighbourhood, Town" felt really charming, especially with the Wuyang River ("Water, City, Town") flowing so peacefully, reflecting the "Sky, Blue, Water." And that "Bridge, Water, Water resources"? It just beckoned me to explore more. Qinglong Cave was stunning with its intricate "Wall, Town, Architecture." Walking along the riverbank on those "Alley, Street, Concrete" paths, I noticed the "Wall, Road surface, Road" was so worn, you could almost feel the history.

There was so much life and color everywhere, from "Flower, Petal, Garden roses" to "Flower, Petal, Pink" blossoms. Even the "Natural material, Cylinder" details on the old buildings were fascinating. Zhenyuan truly lives up to its "World Cultural Protection Circle" title, with over 20 minorities living together harmoniously and its beautiful "Water, Water resources, Body of water." It was a truly profound experience, and I'm left with such vivid memories!

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings

Figures

Camera

Sony A6700

Lens

Sigma 16mm F1.4 Prime Lens

Creative Style

FL

Date

7 September 2025

Location

Zhenyuan, Guizhou

Photos

Urban area, Neighbourhood, Town.#: 1 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Roof, Slope, Mountain Village.#: 2 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Wall, Alley, Street.#: 3 | SS: 1/50s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Wall, Alley, Street.#: 4 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Daytime, Electrical cable, Wire.#: 5 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 24mm

Wall, Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture.#: 6 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 24mm

Wall, Town, Architecture.#: 7 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 24mm

Alley, Street, Concrete.#: 8 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.7 | FL35: 24mm

Wall, Road surface, Road.#: 9 | SS: 1/200s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Natural material, Cylinder.#: 10 | SS: 1/50s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Flower, Petal, Garden roses.#: 11 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Flower, Petal, Pink.#: 12 | SS: 1/80s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

#: 13 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 24mm

Water, City, Town.#: 14 | SS: 1/200s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 24mm

Water, City, Waterway.#: 15 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 24mm

Sky, Blue, Water.#: 16 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 24mm

Bridge, Water, Water resources.#: 17 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 24mm

Bridge, Water, Water resources.#: 18 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 24mm

Bridge, Water, Water resources.#: 19 | SS: 1/200s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 24mm

Water, Water resources, Body of water.#: 20 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 24mm

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