Ten-Mile Gallery (Part II)

Perched atop the phoenix head of Phoenix Mountain, Fenghuang Village is only connected to the outside world via Grandma’s Bridge. Nestled against mountains and beside waters with lush woods all around, it sits at the northern tip of Ten-Mile Gallery.

Inspired by the line A captive bird longs for old woods; pond fish yearn for native pools, the Bouyi dwellings half-hidden among tree canopies embody countless people’s pastoral dream of returning to nature — hence the scenic name “Old Woods and Ancient Springs”. Nowadays, tourist infrastructure in Fenghuang Village has been gradually upgraded, and its farm homestays are extremely popular on holidays.

Scenic View of Fenghuang Village

Legend has it that Zhuge Liang fought campaigns here during his Southern Expedition in the Three Kingdoms Period. Place names such as Zhuge Stockade survive to this day, and local residents have unearthed ancient weapons while constructing houses. The fierce battle scenes of old have long faded, replaced by the cozy tranquility of riverside farmhouses.

A suspension bridge linking the two willow-lined riverbanks casts a serene reflection in the clear bay. Beneath dense ancient trees, amid the melodious local primitive Yang Opera, watching the river flow on for a thousand years stirs a longing for the solemn ancient times and the lingering charm of boating on the river.

Every summer when lotus flowers are in full bloom, Ping Village bustles with visitors. Tourists escaping the summer heat come not only from Guiyang but also from Chongqing, Chengdu and other provinces.

Water Fun at Ping Village

Also known as Yangfang Grand Bridge or Diwo Bridge, Wanshou Bridge is a stone arch bridge located on the main street of Hefeng Township. First built in the 6th year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1728), it stretches 53.33 meters long, 6.9 meters wide with an arch height of 12.7 meters, making it the ancient stone arch bridge with the largest span in Kaiyang County.

Boasting an elegant primitive design, the bridge still serves as a vital transport artery. Under the sunset glow, the aged stone structure stands dark against the tranquil river, its silhouette shimmering with rippling light, like an elderly elder silently witnessing the development and inheritance of this land.

Still a Major Traffic Artery Today

Sited on the summit of Baihua Mountain, Baihua Tea Farm is an eco-friendly scenic zone integrating tea tasting, leisure, entertainment and catering services. High altitude keeps the area free from pollution, with mist shrouding the mountains year-round and slightly acidic soil ideal for premium tea growth.

Its signature teas — Qinghe Green Bud and Maofeng — feature attractive appearance and a crisp, refreshing taste, abundant in selenium that fights cancer and aging, and hold organic tea certification. At Cloud Mountain Tea Sea, visitors may sit and watch clouds drift by, wander through endless tea bushes as the breeze flutters their clothes, savoring the authentic tea spirit of Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea.

Sit on the winding pavilion atop the mountain to sip fragrant tea while listening to gentle guzheng melodies, reluctant to leave the peaceful scenery.

The Ancient Matou Village Complex, an old Shuidong Tusi stockade, lies on a hillside terrace. Its construction dates back to the Song Dynasty. It was one of the Twelve Matou Districts directly governed by the Song Clan Tusi, who ruled the Shuidong region of Guizhou (east of Yachi River, covering Guiyang, Longli, Guiding and surrounding areas) for over a thousand years from the early Tang to late Ming dynasties. Most villagers here are descendants of the Song Tusi clan of Shuidong.

Most residences are century-old buildings blending two architectural styles: Han Chinese timber courtyard houses with bucket construction and grey tile overhanging roofs, plus unique Bouyi elements including carved “waterwheel blossom” window grilles and side gateways on the left wing. With an elegant primitive layout surrounded by ancient trees, the village is designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. Surviving relics include the Governor’s Mansion, Red Army slogans, and mansions of the Seventh and Eighth Elders. The Ancient Village in Spring Bloom

At Diwo Dam in Hefeng Township, the Qinglong River curves gracefully around the farmland. In spring, layered rapeseed blossoms glow like golden morning glow; in autumn, heavy rice stalks undulate like golden waves in the wind. Nature dresses Diwo Dam in rich, mellow hues all year round. Overlooking from the viewing platform, the river encircles the whole polder into a golden basin shape, thus earning the name “Golden Basin of Jade Waters”.

Golden Basin Patterned with Olympic Five Rings

Shuitou Village sits at the southern end of Ten-Mile Gallery, where the Qinglong River flows past its foot into Diwo Dam. All villagers here bear the surname Luo and belong to the Bouyi ethnic group, who have well-preserved traditional Bouyi handicrafts and folk songs.

Stroll through the village past century-old dwellings, old private schools, gateways and sacred ancient trees. Accompanied by the murmuring Qinglong River and melodious Bouyi folk tunes, you witness a touching scene of Bouyi people living and working by the water, thriving generation after generation.

When distinguished guests arrive, villagers led by the village chief hold a welcoming ceremony at the village gate, presenting home-brewed rice wine to warmly greet visitors from afar. Village Gate

Upon entering Wangche Village, couplets pasted on the halls and gateways of every household fill the air with the rich charm of brush calligraphy in clerical, cursive, running and regular scripts. Villagers here valued education and practiced calligraphy as early as the Qing Dynasty, and this profound literary tradition endures to this day. Everyone from 70-year-old seniors down to seven-year-old children can write beautiful calligraphy, granting Wangche Village the reputation of a Calligraphy Village.