By Meri Hakobyan and Vazgen Yetumyan

About 30 kilometers from Guiyang, China, lies the ancient city of Qinyang, one of the famous historical and cultural centers of Guizhou Province.

The city was founded in 1378, during the Ming dynasty. More than six centuries later, the old city walls, gates, stone streets, and historical buildings have still been preserved here.

Qinyang was created as a fortified settlement of military significance. Its location was strategic in terms of overseeing the roads passing through Guizhou. But over time, the military base turned into a residential and commercial center, and the city was expanded and rebuilt many times.

The old city's architecture has largely retained the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, Qinyang's historic center boasts numerous temples, halls dedicated to ancestral worship, and other historic buildings. The city's unique blend of religious traditions is also a testament to its rich cultural heritage: Buddhist and Taoist structures, as well as Christian and Catholic churches, coexist side by side here. This multi-layered cultural environment gives Qinyang a special place among the historic cities of Guizhou.

Today, the old city is also a tourist destination, with shops, teahouses, and local food stalls alongside historic buildings. Qinyang's famous local products include the Qinyang tofu and rose sugar, which have become the city's trademarks.