Tempted by *Meet Yourself*! Come to Huangyao Ancient Town for a breath of fresh air

Huangyao Ancient Town: A Millennium of History on Cobblestone Streets Strolling along the cobblestone paths of Huangyao Ancient Town, every step feels like treading on the notes of history. This thousand-year-old town, established during the Song Dynasty, was once a vital commercial hub at the intersection of Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hunan provinces during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The weathered walls and winding alleys hide countless reasons to press the shutter. 📸 A Paradise for Cultural Photography 1️⃣ **Dailong Bridge** This stone arch bridge, built during the Ming Dynasty, spans the Yao River. Its surface, pieced together from 11 massive stones, is covered in uneven grooves—marks left by the hooves and wheels of ancient merchant caravans. At dawn, the silhouette of an old farmer leading his ox across the bridge, framed by the gnarled ancient banyan tree at the bridgehead, creates a perfect composition. No wonder photographers say, "Without a shot of Dailong Bridge in the morning mist, you haven’t truly been to Huangyao." 2️⃣ **Ancient Opera Stage** Built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, this opera stage remains remarkably intact, with its colorful stucco decorations still visible on the upturned eaves. During festivals, locals still perform Nuo opera here. When actors dance wearing rustic masks, the dappled light filtering through the carved wooden windows creates the ideal moment for documentary-style photography. 3️⃣ **Simadi Mansion** The brick carvings on the gatehouse of this Qing Dynasty scholar’s residence are masterpieces of Lingnan architecture. The bold characters "Simadi" and the intricate pine-and-crane longevity motifs glow golden in the slanting evening light. For the best shot, try a low-angle perspective to frame the gatehouse against the sky. 4️⃣ **Cobblestone Streets** All eight main streets in the town are paved with bluestone slabs, with the most distinctive being Carp Street—where the stones are arranged like fish scales. On rainy days, water flows along the "scales," creating a uniquely poetic scene. In the early morning, before shops open, the long, empty streets flanked by weathered arcades offer endless opportunities for vintage-style photography. 5️⃣ **Immortal’s Ancient Well** Dug during the Song Dynasty, this square well still holds crystal-clear water, its stone railings polished to a shine by centuries of use. Local women still wash clothes here, and when they bend to work, the reflections of ancient houses on the water’s surface resemble an ink-wash painting come to life. As night falls, lanterns gradually light up, transforming the ancient town into another kind of enchantment. The cobblestones glow warmly, and the aroma of oil tea drifts from old teahouses. Press the shutter now, and you’ll capture the timeless charm of everyday life, unchanged for a thousand years.