Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County town lies a short drive from the Huangguoshu area, with plenty of lodging and dining and friendlier prices than right outside the gate. For drivers or multi-day visitors, staying in town and entering by day is a common way to balance experience and cost.
Built on the hillside, the town lets you look down over its blocks and distant hills from many rooms — lovely light at dawn and dusk. The lanes hold snacks, fruit and daily goods; stocking water, snacks and rain gear here is calmer than buying inside. Town lodging is tight in peak season, so book ahead.