Zhenyuan ancient town in southwestern Guizhou province offers visitors charming views from virtually all angles. [Photo/gog.cn]

The tourist attraction of Zhenyuan ancient town in Zhenyuan county -- in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture in southwestern Guizhou province -- was recognized as national 5A tourist attraction on Dec 25, according to a list published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Local media reported that Zhenyuan ancient town used to be the busiest courier station on the "ancient Southern Silk Road" – serving traffic from the Central Plains to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau leading to West Asia and East Asia.

In recent years, Zhenyuan county has made great efforts to improve its green features and have a general upgrade -- in the process improving living conditions, industry and tourism and helping to increase the civic pride and happiness of Zhenyuan’s people.

Local officials said the general idea was to improve the balance of harmony between residents and surrounding nature, and they said that the ancient town has been turned into a place integrating culture, entertainment, recreation and sports.