guiyang travel guide

Guiyang Travel Guide - How to Plan a Trip to Guiyang

Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou Province in southern central China. It is on the mountainous Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with an altitude of 1,100 meters. Guiyang is likely to be the first stop of your Guizhou tour, where you can enjoy its pleasant climate, visit some historical buildings, glance at the big data centers, and taste local snacks.

You may not stay for very long in the city, but it will leave a deep impression on you. Discover what's in the city and start your Guizhou tour here.

• Name: Guiyang (贵阳)
• Location: the center of Guizhou Province, south central China
• Urban population: 3.5 million
• Languages: Mandarin, Southwestern Mandarin, minority languages

Excellent Economic Performance

An unlikely claim for Guiyang, since it has spent recent decades as the capital of China's poorest province, is that it has excelled on the economic front .

But this is actually true. From 2007 to 2017, Guiyang's GDP rose from 12 billion dollars to 50 billion dollars. In 2018, economic growth in Guiyang ranked the highest of all Chinese provincial cities.

What's going on? The Milken Institute believes 'the city has benefited from the central government's effort to bridge the gap between the coastal and inland regions. In particular, the OBOR (One Belt One Road) initiative helps Guiyang receive more investment, stimulating growth'.

Varied Things to Do

Guiyang is a transportation hub in Southwest China and the central city of Guizhou Province. Not being particularly famous in the world, many travelers consider it to be just a transfer stop before visiting other attractions.

However, Guiyang City is a place worth stopping in to spend some leisure time. Now, let's find out what you can do in Guiyang.

1. Take a Day Tour in the City

Guiyang is a combination of ancient and modern attractions , where you can visit historical buildings in the morning and then the big data centers in the afternoon, or relax in some local parks and gardens.

The whole province is undergoing a time of transition. Come here to experience the changes.

• Cuiwei Garden is comprised of a large-scale group of ancient buildings, and was founded around 1488–1505. Here, you can marvel at the integration of Buddhist temples and garden sceneries.
• Further south again is the fantastic Qingyan Ancient Town , which was founded in 1378. It's full of wonderful ancient architecture, which itself is a repository of Chinese history and culture. Fancy a cup of rose-candy tea?
• If you are looking for some changes, you can take a look at the big data center located in Gui'an New District, where many global enterprises, such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft, have set up their big data systems.

You can also visit Jiaxiu Pavilion , a British villa built in 1948, and more. Guiyang and its environs are well worth a visit.

2. Taste Local Food and Snacks

If you like spicy food, Guiyang is paradise. Walking along the streets, you can find restaurants selling all kinds of spicy and sour food . Would you like to try some popular dishes?

• Changwang noodles: This is the most famous dish in Guiyang. It contains spicy oil and changwang , which means pork intestines and coagulated pig blood. If you don't mind the ingredients, you are recommended to have a taste.
• Siwawa: This is a traditional Guiyang snack, which is easily prepared. Use wrappings made from flour to wrap several kinds of vegetable shreds, dip them into chili sauce, and then eat them.
• Glutinous rice: By Guiyang's roadsides, you'll find restaurants or vendors serving all kinds of glutinous rice with different flavors. Sweet, salty, sour, or spicy — you may choose whichever flavor you like.

If you don't like strong-flavored food, there are also Western restaurants , bakeries, and cafés in the city.

3. Experience the Nightlife

After night falls, it is time to see another side to Guiyang. You can enjoy feasts at lively food stalls or in the snack streets, have a drink in a bar, or enjoy a cup of coffee in a quiet café or book store.

Another great option is to enjoy the night view . When the lights illuminate the riverside, bridges, and buildings, the whole city becomes a bouquet of brightness. You can enjoy a slow walk along the riverside and streets, or take photos of the scenery with your camera.

Find things to do at night .

4. Start Your Journey to Surrounding Destinations

As the capital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang is a natural base from which to launch exploratory trips to minority areas and some natural attractions. There are now bullet and high-speed trains as well as express highways linking Guiyang with other cities in Guizhou.

Kaili is the cultural hub of ethnic minority groups, making it a major destination for those wanting to visit some minority villages and to experience folk cultures.

You can visit villages where women wear short skirts, where men use sickles to shave their hair, and where people use the most original craft to make paper. You can also hike between two villages or learn folk handicrafts from a master.

If you are looking for chances to discover some natural wonders, Huangguoshu Waterfall in Anshun and Fanjing Mountain in Tongren are great choices.

Convenient Transportation

Guiyang used to be an isolated place but things have dramatically changed in this century.

Air: Guiyang now has an international airport connecting overseas cities, such as Seoul, Osaka, and Bangkok, and major Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Railway: Guiyang is connected by high-speed railways in all directions, leading to important cities (such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, and Guilin) and nearby destinations (such as Kaili, Anshun, and Tongren), and even some towns.

Express highway: Guiyang has express highways stretching in all directions, connecting all the famous scenic areas, ancient towns, and minority villages. Traveling on the highways, it only takes 2 or 3 hours to travel from one scenic area to another.

City transport: Buses are more convenient in the city since the new loop line was constructed, and there will be more urban rail links in the future. Another option is to enjoy a private tour with a travel service, like China Highlights.

Weather and Seasonal Tips

The pleasant weather in Guiyang makes it suitable for visiting all year round , and the best seasons are summer and autumn. The weather is most suitable for traveling at those times, and you can carry less baggage due to the warmer temperatures.

The peak seasons are the May Day holiday (the first week of May), the National Day holiday (the first week of October), and the summer holidays (July and August).

If you visit Guiyang during peak seasons, you are recommended to confirm your tour as early as possible and be ready for the tide of travelers. Your China Highlights guide will try his/her best to keep you away from the crowds.

Guiyang has lots of rainfall all year round so take an umbrella with you no matter when you visit. The city also has a cooler climate than other places in China so take long-sleeved clothes, even in summer, and some thicker jackets in winter.

If you didn't pack enough warm clothes, you can buy some suitable and affordable ones in the local supermarkets.

Travel Tips

Guiyang is about 1,000 meters above sea level. Generally, people don't suffer from altitude sickness at this altitude.

Guiyang has many places with similar names, such as Caijia Jie and Caijia Guan. If you are going to take a taxi or bus by yourself, you should confirm your destination carefully. It is highly recommended to let your guide take you around.

Some Guiyang attractions are in hilly or mountainous regions, so wearing a pair of comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers is recommended.

Visit Guiyang with Us

Our recommended 6-day Guiyang and Guizhou tour will lead you around Guiyang City and to visit Qingyan Ancient Town as well as some nearby minority villages.

We have more Guiyang tours for new ideas, and all itineraries can be customized according to your requirements and interests. Alternatively, we can create your own tour .

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Guiyang Travel Guide

South China

3.5 million

Welcome to Guiyang!

This youthful, modern metropolis is unique among China’s big cities as it’s virtually hidden by the nature surrounding it. Guiyang’s skyscrapers and shopping malls are ringed by mountain ranges and some of China’s most pristine, dense highland forest.

• Things to do
• Where to eat
• Where to stay

Around Guiyang

Located in one of China’s poorer provinces , Guiyang is a mid-sized city with a population of over 3.5 million.But Guiyang is different from your average mid-sized Chinese city still entrenched in low-tech, polluting industries.

Doing away with much of its former heavy industry, Guiyang has made a conscious effort to fuel its economy via tech and big data. Guiyang is putting so much effort into becoming a city of the future that The Economist recently ranked Guiyang as China’s top emerging city.

But Guiyang is also a rare example of a Chinese city on the rise that’s yet to lose its provincial character. It’s more laid-back and slower paced than its big brothers.

Guiyang get tops marks in China for quality of life, relative lack of pollution and easy access to nature.

Guiyang is a modern city. Image by lin2015 on Pixabay.

The green lungs of Guiyang. Image by lin2015 on Pixabay.

Guiyang is one of China’s greenest cities

Guiyang has quickly become one of China’s leaders in cleaner, greener urban development.

Industrialization and deforestation has had a devastating impact on air quality in many Chinese cities.

But Guiyang prioritizes maintaining a clean environment, preserving vast green spaces and natural forest parks. This means the air is more breathable than in most Chinese cities.

Guiyang isn’t just surrounded by forest – the forest is part of the city itself. A massive urban green center, the incredible 1,000-acre Qianling Hill Park is 98% forest.

Guiyang is surrounded by lush, green trees.

Guizhou’s leaders, along with grassroots community movements, are actively working to increase forest coverage in the province. Now, forest covers almost 60% of Guizhou.

When you consider China’s generally poor environmental management record, what Guizhou has achieved (as one of the poorest provinces in the country) is extraordinary.

Guiyang is home to ethnic minorities

Guizhou is home to one of the largest rural-dwelling populations in the country.

Over 40 non-Han Chinese minority groups, including the Miao, Yao, Dong, Zhuang, Bouyei and Bai, account for more than 37% of Guizhou’s total population.

This ethnic mix make the city so interesting, especially from an outsider’s perspective. ( Read more about what makes China so interesting.)

Many of the younger generation from the Miao and Dong ethnic groups have moved to Guiyang to improve their education and employment prospects.

However, a large number of ethnic communities have chosen to stay in their rural hometowns.

A Miao man in Guizhou. Image by Jixin Yu on Shutterstock.

Here, they still live a largely traditional, mainly agricultural way of life. Difficulty of access caused by Guizhou’s mountainous terrain has meant basic infrastructure, and consequently tourism and its influences, have been extremely slow to arrive.

By contrast to rural Guizhou, Guiyang is a young, energetic and surprisingly developed city – a modern, urban Chinese center with visions of a prosperous future.

Things to see and do in Guiyang

Guiyang’s main attractions revolve around its natural beauty.

Qingyan Ancient Town

Remarkably well preserved, this fascinating old town from the Qing and Ming Dynasties was founded in 1378. It lies in the southern suburbs of Guiyang, about a 15-minute taxi ride from downtown.

Houses, temples and monasteries are built almost entirely out of the local blue-tinged cyan stone.

The town also boasts atmospheric wide streets, exquisitely carved landmarks and hundreds of relic sites scattered across the easily walkable grounds.

Qingyan Ancient Town is popular with tourists. Image by lin2015 on Pixabay.

Qingyan Ancient Town is unique in that several religious communities lived together in peace during various periods of its history.

You’ll find Buddhist temples, Taoist shrines and Christian churches sitting side-by-side.

Qianling Park

Just a mile from downtown Guiyang is one of southern China’s biggest and most beautiful urban nature parks – Qianling Park .

Spread over 1,000 acres (426 hectares) and surrounded by forested mountains, this park really is the green lungs of the city.

A cable car ride takes you to the highest point the in park, Qianling Hill. At the top stands the Zen Buddhist Hongfu Temple, built in 1667.

Qianling is a haven for hikers, bird life and also the park’s famous resident macaques.

Yes, this is one of the best places to see wild monkeys in China!

A hungry macaque monkey in Qianling Park. Image by YKLiu on Shutterstock.

Extremely bold, the monkeys seem to be constantly scheming new ways to snatch food, bags and hats from unsuspecting tourists.

Please though, be a responsible tourist and don’t feed them. This only encourages aggressive behavior.

At the foot of the hill, picturesque Qianling Lake is another highlight. With numerous hiking trails and hidden shrines, it’s easy to find your own tranquil spot far from the crowds.

This is almost impossible to find in most Chinese cities!

Jiaxiu Tower

With shiny new towers springing up all over town, Guiyang isn’t exactly overflowing with historic architecture.

The 65-foot (20 m) high Jiaxiu Tower is an exception. Atop the Fuyu Bridge, the three-story pavilion (which has gone through several part-reconstructions) dates back 400 years to the Ming Dynasty.

From the top, a clear day will treat you to a panoramic view of the city and the mountain ranges beyond. The pavilion is lit up at night to cast its reflection on the waters of the Nanming River below.

Tianhe Pool Scenic Area

Guiyang is surrounded by incredible mountain landscapes, rivers and waterfalls.

Among the most stunning is Tianhe Pool, 15 miles (24 km) from downtown. The pool itself is a sparkling lake surrounded by a patchwork of karst hills and steep valleys, caves and waterfalls.

Tianhe is normally quite peaceful but does attract group day tours and weekend crowds from time to time. It’s best appreciated early in the morning when you may well have this sanctuary all to yourself.

Local Guiyang cuisine

Like most people in southwest China, Guiyang locals love spicy food.

Don’t be surprised to come across dishes smothered in dried chilies, especially the local hotpot (贵州火锅 ) .

If you can’t handle too much heat, and you hear the word là, be sure to tell your waiter: bù tài là (不太辣) before you order!

A few local specialties include:

Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles (花溪牛肉粉)

These chewy soup noodles, from Guiyang’s Huaxi district,  are pure Chinese soul food.

The dish is made from a stock of beef, pork, chicken bones, and spices which simmer for almost 12 hours. This gives the soup a deep and rich, beefy flavor.

A bowl of Huaxi beef rice noodles. Image by HelloRF Zcool on Shutterstock.

It’s usually topped with chili oil and herbs to give it a bit of a kick.

Sour fish soup (酸汤鱼)

This classic Miao fish stew is a staple across Guizhou. It’s made with tomatoes, pickled chili, cabbage and fish collected from the rice paddy terraces.

It’s brought to the table still bubbling away in an impressive metal burner. This soup is tangy, fragrant, bursting with flavor – delicious!

Silk babies (丝娃娃)

Similar to Vietnamese rice paper rolls, this vegetarian dish in China is usually served DIY style.

You’ll be given a stack of think rice pancakes (silk babies, pronounced ‘siwawa’) and a variety of raw and pickled vegetables.

Grab a pancake and fill it with whatever takes your fancy. Then roll it up, dunk in chili and vinegar, and enjoy!

Where to eat in Guiyang

Wandering around downtown Guiyang you’ll find plenty of places to eat at reasonable prices.

There are also street food and fresh fruit vendors on virtually every corner.

Finding traditional Guizhou and Miao food isn’t difficult. However, it’s a good idea to start your flavor crusade with one of the most well-known purveyors of excellent, authentic Guizhou cuisine, Siheyyan.

Siheyuan (四合院) 

This place is so popular that it’s overtaken several of the surrounding alleyways to squeeze in as many tables as possible. You’ll find it opposite the large Protestant Church with the red cross on Qianling Lu.

Address: 79 West Qianling Road Road, Yunyan District (云岩区干陵西路79)

Old Kaili Sour Fish Restaurant (老凯俚酸汤鱼)

Another Guiyang institution (you can guess what the specialty is here), this restaurant has several branches. The Shengfu Road branch is particularly popular and arguably the most tourist-friendly option. The atmosphere is buzzing and the fish soup is top-notch.

Address: 55 Shengfu Road, Yunyan District (云岩区省府路55号)

Toufeng Bean Hotpot (土风豆米火锅店)

Bean hotpot is an authentic Guiyang hotpot with a broth of kidney bean seeds, Chinese sauerkraut, cured meat, pork fat, pickled pepper, garlic shoots and green onions.

Unlike most hotpots, this version isn’t doused with chili. It’s safe for the spice phobic! The flavor is unique, balanced and incredibly tasty.

This famous restaurant has a rustic storefront and timber furniture, giving off a charming village-like vibe in a busy part of town.

Address: 35 Qianling East Road, Yunyan District (云岩区黔灵东路35号)

Night food markets in Guiyang

Night markets are hugely popular in Guiyang.

If the city center seems a little empty in the evening, it’s probably because the student and worker hordes have dispersed into suburbia to feast at their favorite night markets.

A typical night market includes innumerable grilled-meat-on-stick stalls, dumplings, all sorts of noodle concoctions, stir fries, mini hotpots and all kinds of unusual delicacies from Guizhou’s ethnic communities.

Night markets are spread across the city, usually in suburban areas. From downtown, hop in a taxi and try some of these popular evening haunts:

Hequn Road Night Market, Yunyan District (合群路小吃夜市)

An ordinary street by day lit up by a kaleidoscope of bright lights by night, Hequn Road is one of the biggest and busiest night markets in Guiyang. Located close to Qianling Park, some stalls stay open until 3 am!

You’ll find all the famous street snacks from Guizhou like Huaxi beef noodles and candied hawthorn berries, as well as more unusual specialties such as snake meat.

The buzzing, youthful atmosphere makes Hequan a great place to spend a night out.

Xingguan Road Snack Night Market (兴关路小吃夜市)

Smaller and slightly more low-key than Hequan, Xingguan stil offers plenty of variety. Favorites from Guizhou and around southeastern China are represented here.

The market is known for its quality selection of grilled meats and seafood, like freshwater fish, crayfish and field snails, all at cheap prices.

Where to stay in Guiyang

There are some good accommodation options in Guiyang, ranging from cheap hostels to pricey hotels.

Still catering more towards business than tourism, the super low-priced hotels found in other Chinese cities are rare in Guiyang.

A few hostels are beginning to pop up however, including February of That Year Hostel. It’s a good-value offering, with colorful, well-equipped, air-conditioned private rooms and dorms, and a friendly young team of staff.

The only problem is it’s located in the Hua Guo Yuan District, which is a long walk from the center of town.

While there are some restaurants and shops in the immediate vicinity, you might prefer to use the shuttle bus that ferries guests to and from the downtown area.

The Howard Johnson Plaza was once one of the plushest digs in town.

Now looking slightly old-fashioned, it’s easily one of the best bargains in Guiyang. The rooms are huge and spotless and the service is kind and obliging.

It’s a quick taxi ride to the center of town, and only a short walk to Qianling Park. So, if you want to experience the atmosphere of the park in the early morning, this hotel makes a good choice.

The Sofitel Guiyang Hunter has a plush mix of rooms and executive suites, many with dramatic mountain views.

Unlike a lot of other upscale hotels, it’s also reasonably close to downtown and the Yunyan restaurant district. It has pretty much everything you’d expect – a pool, a day spa, and a 55 th floor cocktail lounge with superb city views.

It also boasts the upmarket Le Chinois Restaurant, which specializes in Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine.

Transport in Guiyang

You’ll most likely arrive in Guiyang from elsewhere in China, either by air, rail or the slow, scenic option – by road.

High-speed rail

Thanks to the new high-speed rail network, Guiyang is well-connected to other towns and cities.

• As the central hub for the rest of Guizhou, high-speed trains link Guiyang to other major cities in Guizhou such as Anshsun and Kaili. From these cities, you can venture out further to ethnic minority villages.
• High-speed rail lines now connect Guiyang to other major Chinese tourist/business destinations in southern China like Kunming (2-3 hours) and Guilin (2.5-3.5 hours).
• Around 30 high speed trains depart Guiyang for Guangzhou, completing the journey in around 4 hours.
• The new high-speed rail between Guiyang and Shanghai runs 8 times a day and cuts the former 27-hour trip to just 8.5 hours.
• Fast trains now also connect Guiyang and Xi’an, about 750 miles (1,200 km) away. You can make the trip in 14 hours.

Air transport

The compact Guiyang International Airport connects Guiyang to major cities like Beijing , Shanghai and Hangzhou.

You can fly with a number of domestic Chinese airlines including the local carrier, Colorful Guizhou Airlines.

International flights to Guiyang are growing little by little. In 2014, Hainan Airlines kicked off weekly flights to Paris. There are daily flights to and from Hong Kong (two hours).

Long-distance bus

Long distance buses are still the only way to reach destinations in the more remote southwestern parts of Guizhou, such as Weining and Cao Hai Lake.

If you’re on a budget, they’re also extremely cheap. Long distance coaches are surprisingly convenient and comfortable, and the much-improved expressway network in this region has made road travel more accessible than ever.

Taxis and rideshare

For getting around town, taxis remain super convenient. Almost 8,000 taxis operate in the city.

Guiyang is also building a fleet of eco-friendly taxis, now numbering around 200.

Hailing a cab on the street is easy and fares are cheap. Just be aware of traffic jams during peak times.

You can also download DiDi on your phone. This is China’s version of Uber.

Find out more about Didi and other helpful travel apps for China here .

Public buses

For short-distance travel to tourist hot spots like Tianhe Scenic Area, public buses are inexpensive, if a little confusing at first. You can always write down where you want to go and ask a friendly local for help.

For example, to get to Tianhe from downtown, look for the 211 bus which leaves from Binhe Park.

Jinyang Tourist Bus Station

This takes visitors to other major locations in Guizhou such as the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall (2 hours, departing every 45 minutes) and Anshun City (60-90 minutes, departing every 20-30 minutes).

Guiyang’s biggest drawcard isn’t the town itself.

Rather, it’s the extraordinary natural beauty and enchanting rural villages surrounding it.

Some of the (admittedly more developed towns) are just half a day’s drive away, but still seem worlds away from the bright lights of the city.

‘Ethnic minority tourism’ is hardly a new thing in China. In fact, some ethnic villages in the neighboring province of Guangxi have been transformed into gaudily reconstructed tourist towns, complete with fake building facades and karaoke bars.

But if you have any interest in the diverse cultures of southern China’s ethnic minorities, Guizhou offers an authentic and immersive cultural experience.

Just be aware that public transport can be infrequent where the train lines end. Travel is slow and reaching some of Guizhou’s remote villages may require the services of a private driver to guide you safely through the windy mountain roads.

Ethnic minority villages

If you want to visit the ethnic minority villages, Guiyang is a great place to begin your journey.

Unlike Guangxi province to the south, where many villages have been developed to cater for tourism, Guizhou province sees far fewer visitors. Many of the Miao, Dong, Shiu and Bouyei communities here have retained a traditional way of life.

Guided tours are available from Guiyang with advanced bookings, although the adventurous can visit many of the villages by a combination of public buses and short hikes through some absolutely breathtaking scenery.

Some of the larger villages have guesthouses available for overnight stays. Just remember to be mindful of the local culture and customs and you’ll find the vast majority of the locals to be warm, friendly and curious towards visitors.

Ethnic folk festivals

If you visit in the late summer, you might be lucky enough to witness the annual buffalo fighting festival held throughout several Dong villages.

Each minority group celebrates dozens of religious and folk festivals throughout the year. Full of elaborate traditional costumes, song, dance and ritual, it’s well worth timing your visit to coincide with a major festival.

Videos about Guiyang

Get a visual taste of Guiyang before you visit!

Here’s a quirky video of just how nice and modern Guiyang is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gXb3eABDo&t=183s Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Walking the Unseen Streets of China – 2nd Tier Capital City Guiyang (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gXb3eABDo&t=183s)

And here’s another helpful video showing how cheap Guiyang can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgpwMogcuKY Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Traveling for $20 A Day: Guiyang, China – Ep 22 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgpwMogcuKY)

Need help with your travel bookings?

Going on a tour in China is a great idea, especially if you can’t speak Mandarin.

You can refer to this list of China travel agencies who can help put a plan together for you.

Or, to book your own flights, tours and hotels, we recommend Trip for amazing choice and value. Trip is one of the leading travel companies in China.

Don’t forget…

It’s easy to forget a thing or two before you head to China.

So, here are a few reminders for you:

• The right visa – if you’re only staying for a quick trip, you may be eligible for visa-free travel .
• Summer gear – Guiyang gets hot and humid, so make sure you bring breathable clothes.
• A VPN app – if you want access to all your favorite websites and apps in China, you’ll need to download a VPN before you leave your country. Get a VPN that works in China .

Have a great time in Guiyang. And remember to get your VPN!

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• Guizhou Tours
• Attractions
• Transportation
• Travel Tips

Guiyang Attractions - Things to Do

Those that know Guiyang will always remember it for the many minority group people in their colorful traditional costumes and ornaments, their singing and dancing during the festival occasions. Also, the beautiful lake and mountain scenery creates a truly romantic atmosphere.  

Top Things to Do

More Attractions

Guiyang Travel Guide: An Ultimate Guide to Natural and Cultural Splendors

Guiyang, also known as the “Forest City” (thanks to its high forest coverage), is the capital city of Guizhou. And also, the gateway for a trip to Guizhou. The city has a lot to offer: various ethnic groups, breathtaking karst landscapes, delicious food, and many historic sites.  

With continuous mountain ranges and dense forests embracing its 8,034 square kilometers of land, the city is blessed with a subtropical humid and moderate climate. The relatively cool summers make it a popular summer retreat in China.

If time permits, don’t just consider Guiyang as a gateway to Huangguoshu Waterfall or Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in Libo. The elegant architecture of Jiaxiu Tower, the breathtaking beauty at Qianling Mountain Park, and the history discovery in Qingyan Ancient Town all will make your time in Guiyang rewarding.

This Guiyang travel guide can help you plan your trip, and make the most of your time there. We will cover all the best attractions, top things to do, transportation options, Guiyang weather and best time to go, etc.

• Chinese : 贵阳 guì yáng
• Location : Southwest Guizhou, the capital city of Guizhou
• Population (urban area): about 6.22million
• Altitude : About 1,100 meters above sea level

Why Visit Guiyang?

• Temperate and humid subtropical climate : Guiyang enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. It is especially known for its cool summers, earning it the nickname “City of Coolness”. The cool summers coupled with its high negative oxygen ions and low wind speed make Guiyang an ideal summer retreat. 
• Rich ethnic culture: Similar to its surrounding regions, Guiyang is also inhabited by many ethnic groups, such as Miao and Buyi. Besides the modern vibe, Guiyang will also entertain visitors with colorful ethnic cultures, festivals, and life.
• Profound history: Guiyang boasts a history of over 400 years, and once served as an important passway in the southwestern frontiers. Though has been transformed into a modernized city from an ancient town, Guiyang is still rich in historical heritage. Jiaxiu Tower and Qingyan Ancient Town are the top two sites to look into its historical culture.
• Culinary delights:  The flavorful food is also an added bonus for a Guiyang tour. You will not only look into locals’ food culture but also treat your stomach and taste buds with the unique spicy and sour flavors.

Top Tourist Attractions in Guiyang

Top things to do in guiyang, outdoor activities: hiking, camping, biking.

The charming Guiyang will entertain visitors with a diverse range of outdoor activities. Camping or cycling among the beautiful landscapes and mountainous areas are top recommended for people who travel to Guiyang with kids. A light hiking among Qianling Mountain will reward you with stunning natural landscapes. For those adventure seekers, there are also thrilling activities like rock climbing awaiting.

Explore the City Area

The profound history and modernization transition of Guiyang has endowed its city area with many historical landmarks and modern attractions. You can enjoy a history exploration at Jiaxiu Tower, Qingyan Ancient Town, and Wenchang Pavilion.

The Yelang Valley in Huaxi District is where you can enjoy the mysterious Yelang culture, and unique natural beauty, as well as great photo opportunities.

To look into the modern aspect of Guiyang, visit the relatively new Huaguo Garden Twin Towers, a representative of Guiyang’s modern skyline. Or, enjoy a panoramic view of Guiyang from the 360-degree viewing platform on Guiyang TV Tower.

Experience Guiyang Nightlife

The nightlife in Guiyang is not just about eating and entertainment. Its dazzling nightscapes and many options for drinks are also highlights. Below are the top activities to do in Guiyang at night.

To sample local authentic food, Qingyun Road Night Market and Shaanxi Road Night Market are top recommended, offering both authentic street food and a lively atmosphere.

To seek trendy bars and entertainment, Yueran Plaze should be on your list.

If light shows and city nightscapes are your thing, then don’t miss Huaguo Garden Twin Towers and Jiaxiu Tower. Alternatively, visit the Qingyan Ancient Town at night when the ancient architecture is lit up by illuminated lanterns.

Taste Diverse Guiyang Food

Guiyang is also impressive for its diverse delicacies and snacks. Spicy food lovers will like the unique spicy and sour flavors of Guiyang food. Its diverse and creative street foods and snacks are confident to satisfy people of different tastes and preferences. The top recommended foods in Guiyang include Changwang Noodles, Tofu Balls, Sour Soup Fish, Glutinous Rice Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Si Wa Wa, etc.

Guiyang Weather and Best Time to Go

Guiyang has a subtropical humid monsoon climate, which is coupled with some unique highland characteristics. The average annual temperature usually hovers around 15.3°C, being comfortable year-round. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions are rarely seen in Guiyang.

The city features relatively abundant rainfall, with summers seeing the most rainy days. This contributes to its humidity and lush landscapes. Also, it means sunny days are relatively less common in this city, and that’s why the saying “three consecutive sunny days are rare” is prevalent in Guiyang.

Generally, Guiyang is suitable to travel all year round considering the weather conditions. While the actual best time to travel to Guiyang depends on your preferences. Spring and summer are the peak travel season in Guiyang and other destinations in Guizhou, with most attractions seeing more crowds. But this is also the time when more authentic activities are arranged. Autumn and especially winter are the low seasons, allowing lower prices and more immersive experiences.

Guiyang Transportation: How to Get to and Travel Around

Flights to guiyang.

Most travelers fly to Guiyang through Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, which is about 31 kilometers from Guiyang city center. Currently, it offers direct flights to/from most domestic cities, like Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hong Kong, etc. Also, a few international flights to/from Seoul, Osaka, and Bangkok are available.

After arrival, visitors can conveniently reach the city center by airport shuttle bus, or taxi.

The extensive railway network allows visitors to reach Guiyang conveniently by either high-speed trains or normal trains. Currently, there are frequent high-speed trains connecting Guiyang with major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guilin, etc.

Guiyang Railway Station, Guiyang North Railway Station, and Guiyang East Railway Station are the three main high-speed trains in Guiyang. Guiyang North Railway Station is the largest and busiest high-speed railway station in Guiyang, which is about 7.5 kilometers from the city center. It is more recommended to arrive through Guiyang Railway Station, for its city center location.  

If take the normal train, visitors usually will arrive at the Guiyang Railway Station.

Travel around Guiyang

Currently, there are three metro lines under operation in Guiyang. Line 1 runs northwest to south, connecting Guiyang North Railway Station with the city center. Line 2 connects north and southeast, and line 3 is between Luowan in the northeast and Tongmuling in the south.

Guiyang’s bus system is also convenient. The buses usually run between 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM and support various payment methods.

The taxi fare in Guiyang is also affordable, with a starting fare of CNY 10 for the first 3 kilometers, and CNY 1.8 for each subsequent during daytime.

Beyond the above options, visitors can take the airport buses from Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport to the city center easily. Or, use the bike-sharing services for short-distance transfers.

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Guiyang (贵阳, Guìyáng) is an unpretentious, relatively youthful provincial capital under seemingly continual construction. While it may not leap out at the traveler, there are some interesting sights and affordable fine hotels, and the city's location makes it a perfect base for exploring the surrounding southern countryside, especially Huangguoshu Falls, the villages around Kaili, and historic Zhenyuan.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Hongfu Temple

Guiyang's best attraction is a temple complex hidden inside Qianling Mountain Park to the north of the city. Near the top of 1300m Qianling Mountain (黔灵山,…

Qianling Mountain Park

Qianling Mountain Park, in the northwest of the city, is more forest than park. It's a great escape from the crowds and city noise and has some lovely…

Jiaxiu Pavilion

Constructed during the Ming dynasty in 1598, this triple-roofed pavilion perched atop a boulder is Guiyang's most iconic landmark. Built to celebrate the…

Cuiwei Garden

This city park features a restored Ming dynasty temple with some picturesque pavilions. It's a pleasant place to find some respite from the city noise.

Wenchang Pavilion

There's not a lot left of this restored pavilion, but its central location makes it popular with locals. Kite flyers gather at the highest landing.

Latest stories from Guiyang

May 13, 2019 • 6 min read

In a hidden corner of southwest China, a mountainous province remains secreted away from the travel trail. Little-known Guizhou is sandwiched in between…

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Book popular activities in Guiyang

Guiyang travel guide

Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, sits amidst encircling mountains in the provincial center. Nicknamed “Forest City”, Guiyang is hailed as the “Second Spring City on the Plateau” after the more flamboyant “First Spring City” Kunming. Guiyang captivates with its refined and pristine beauty.

Though often just a transit hub for travelers, Guiyang rewards those who explore its understated charms. Most attractions are named “Park”, especially the famed karst landscapes of verdant peaks and emerald caverns. Crisp air and limpid waters abound.

Beyond splendid scenery, Guiyang exudes leisure and contentment. Life ambles at an unhurried pace unlike hectic metropolises. At night, snack streets and bar streets burst with revelry, embodying the city’s relaxed and tolerant spirit.

Come savor Guiyang’s laidback vibe and uncover its hidden depths!

Consumption level

Guiyang offers moderate travel costs, with budget hotels running 150-200RMB per night. Dining averages around 75RMB per person daily. Breakfast is about 15RMB while lunches and dinners of local snacks and dishes cost 20-30RMB, with nicer restaurants up to 60RMB. Public bus rides are 1-4RMB and taxis start at 11RMB to reach most attractions.

To maximize your budget, stay in affordable express hotels near the city center. Take buses and subways to get around town. For meals, enjoy inexpensive local noodle and rice dishes as well as Guizhou snacks like spicy tofu and fried peanuts.

With good planning, you can experience Guiyang's scenery, history, and unique local culture for 500-800RMB per day. Focus your time and budget on public transit, reasonably priced hotels and restaurants, and free natural attractions like Anshun Bridge and Huaxi Park to make the most of this laidback southwest Chinese city.

Guiyang International Beer Festival

The Guizhou International Beer Festival taking place in Guiyang, China from late June to mid July is a must-visit event for beer lovers and families alike. At the festival grounds located in the Weilai Ark area on Shuidong Road and the Guiyang International Convention Center in downtown Guiyang, attendees can taste beers from all over China and learn about the history, culture, and production process of Chinese beer. The festival also features Guizhou’s famous spicy cuisine to perfectly complement the beers. Even kids can have fun at the festival with rides like carousels, rotating chairs, and bouncy castles. With beer, food, and amusement all in one place, the Guizhou International Beer Festival promises to be an engaging cultural experience for visitors of all ages.

Climb the Jiaxiu Tower to admire the most beautiful night scenery in Guiyang

Jiaxiu Tower stands as Guiyang's most iconic landmark. At night, Jiaxiu Tower Square dazzles with lights as crowds gather. Having weathered countless storms, Jiaxiu Tower has silently witnessed Guiyang's history. Bathed in illuminations, its antique charm and beauty shine through. Modern high-rises glow seductively in neon hues. Tranquil Nanming River flows on below. Jiaxiu Tower's silhouette reflects gracefully on the water's surface. Make the ascent to the top of this storied tower and take in the mesmerizing nightscape. Against the glittering city backdrop, admire Jiaxiu Tower up close under the moonlight. Feel transported back through time as you gaze out at the juxtaposition of Guiyang's heritage and its cosmopolitan present. For breathtaking views of river and skyline, there's no better vantage point than Jiaxiu Tower to appreciate Guiyang's most romantic evening allure.

The Leisure Taste of a Small Town in the Night Market

Even with limited time in Guiyang, don't miss experiencing the lively night markets. From Erho Road Night Market to Shaanxi Road Night Market, these bustling bazaars capture the city's spirit. Strolling past endless rows of food stalls, the streets come alive with sizzling grills, clinking dishes, spirited chatter, and wafting aromas. Duck into humble local eateries tucked in neighborhoods to find authentic Guiyang snacks. Try signature dishes like siwawa spicy noodles or qingshuitan parboiled fish. Elbow-to-elbow with locals, savor the tangy, tongue-tingling flavors unique to Guiyang. Among the smoky grills, colorful crowds, and vendor shouts, lose yourself in the moment. Night markets let you taste the true hustle and hospitality of this lively city. Full of flavor and energy, they offer the perfect bite-sized experience of Guiyang after dark.

Playing macaques in Qianlingshan Park to see the beauty of the city in the forest

Qianling Mountain Park is beloved not just for its verdant hills and waters, but also its boisterous troops of monkeys. Completely habituated to humans, these mischievous macaques may even brazenly snatch food from your hands or clamber onto your shoulders. It's a rare delight to encounter such freely roaming wildlife in the heart of a city. Hike uphill through the forest to Zhanzhuting Pavilion to be rewarded with panoramic views of Guiyang, fittingly nicknamed the "Forest City." Watch monkeys romp and tumble as you take in the sea of treetops blanketed in foliage below. Let these gregarious primates entertain you with their antics - they’re always eager to show off for extra treats or playtime. An encounter with Qianling Mountain Park's monkeys offers a lively nature encounter as well as spectacular vistas of Guiyang nestled harmoniously within its verdant surrounds.

To savor the nostalgic times in the corners and corners

Meander down Liyu Street to step back in time among Guiyang's most evocative old alleys. Lined with weathered brick dwellings and vintage mom-and-pop stores, its narrow lanes exude nostalgic charm. Glimpse snapshots of daily life as residents shop at traditional sundry stalls stocked with wares from yesteryear. For artistic treasures, browse the antique dealers under Wandong Bridge, a haunt of the culturally inclined. Nearby Wandong Bridge Flower and Bird Market offers an array of exotic pets. Visit Guiyang's Beitang Catholic Church to admire the fusion of Chinese and Western architecture. Lose yourself in the ancient streets around Tongren Bookhouse, Dade College, and Wenchang Pavilion to soak up the enduring antiquity permeating Guiyang. Wandering these age-old alleys lets you experience the unhurried pulse and time-honored character of the city.

Strolling through ancient alleys and savoring delicious food in Qingyan Ancient Town

With stone walkways, walls, pillars, and tiles, everything in Qingyan Ancient Town is sculpted from rock. As one of Guizhou's four grand ancient towns, Qingyan reflects the regional Tunpu culture while integrating diverse beliefs. Rather than ticking off sightseeing spots, lose yourself in the maze-like stone alleys to soak up the captivating old-world atmosphere. When you work up an appetite, Qingyan’s main street tempts with local snacks like pig’s trotters, Qingyan tofu, rose candy, huangba (fried pancakes), sticky rice, gaojian rice porridge, and jila (spicy chicken). Let your tastebuds guide you through fried, steamed, saucy and sweet treats from stall to stall. Wandering these atmospheric lanes while sampling Qingyan's specialties makes for the quintessential experience of this charming heritage town and its rich culinary traditions.

Best Travel Time

Medical treatment, safety considerations.

When traveling in Guiyang during summer, mosquito repellent is a must, as bugs can be bothersome, especially in the parks' forests and hills. Additionally, solo travelers should avoid lingering for long periods around the train and bus stations, and be sure to closely watch their valuables. As in any city, keep aware of your surroundings and use common sense precautions. However, Guiyang is generally quite safe. Violent crime is rare and the city centers are well-lit and populated. Simply take regular safety measures like avoiding unlit alleyways at night, only taking registered taxis, and keeping belongings secure in crowded areas. For added peace of mind, the tourism police provide assistance to visitors if issues arise. While mosquitoes may be an annoyance, violent crime is not a major concern. With some basic precautions, Guiyang makes for a safe and enjoyable trip.

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GUIYANG lies in a valley basin, encircled by a range of hills that hems in the city and concentrates its traffic pollution. Established as a capital during the Ming dynasty, modern Guiyang is a patchwork of elderly apartment blocks rubbing shoulders with glossy new high-rises and department stores, all intercut by a web of wide roads and flyovers. The effect may be downmarket and provincial, but Guiyang is a friendly place, whose unexpected few antique buildings and a surprisingly wild park lend a bit of character. With a spare half day, it’s worth making an easy side-trip to the old garrison town of Qingyan, whose cobbled lanes and merchants’ guildhalls provide a relief from Guiyang’s crowded streets.

Canine cuisine

Dog meat is widely appreciated not only in southwestern China, but also in culturally connected countries across Southeast Asia, with the meat considered to be warming in cold weather and an aid to male virility. For some Westerners, eating dog can be akin to cannibalism; others are discouraged by the way restaurants display bisected hindquarters in the window, or soaking in a bucket of water on the floor. If you’re worried about being served dog by accident, 我不吃狗肉, wŏ bùchī gŏuròu, means “I don’t eat dog”.

Travel ideas for China, created by local experts

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Family Time in Guilin and Yangshuo

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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• Where to stay
• Travel advice

• 1.1 By plane
• 1.2 By train
• 3.1 By metro
• 3.3 By taxi
• 3.4 By motorcycle
• 3.5 By foot
• 4.1 Central Guiyang
• 4.2 Huaxi District
• 4.3 Outlying areas
• 7.1 Guizhou cuisine
• 7.2 Minority cuisines
• 7.3 Street food

Guiyang [dead link] (贵阳; Guìyáng ) is the capital of Guizhou province, China . While not the most spectacular of Chinese cities, it has much to offer as an introduction to the history, culture and natural splendor of Guizhou and China's southwest. Moreover, it is drastically cheaper than the more touristed and developed provinces. It makes an excellent base for exploring mountains, caves, rivers, and minority cultures of the province.

Guiyang is relatively easy to get to by air with many flights daily coming in from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and other cities in Southwest China, particularly Kunming and Chengdu.

Travelers flying in from abroad will most likely transfer to a domestic flight to Guiyang in Kunming, Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing.

From the airport, taxis (¥60 flat rate) or the airport shuttle bus (¥10, drops off in a few locations around town) take fifteen to twenty minutes to reach downtown. Those interested in saving money may opt to catch a taxi from the bus stops in town rather than directly from the airport. Doing so brings the total for a solo traveler to ¥20 from airport to hotel.

Guiyang straddles the trunk rail line linking Chongqing (12 hours) with Kunming (overnight) and points south. Train tickets to Chengdu are also readily available (17 hours). Train tickets, including for hard sleepers, are relatively easy to acquire, given the size of Guiyang's population and its significance as the commercial hub of the province. Heading in from Hunan, the train passes through Kaili before arriving in Guiyang. Tickets to Zunyi (hard seat only) cost ¥17 for the 3½-hour trip.

High speed rail lines have made their way to Guiyang. The journey to Kunming previously took around 7 hours. Now, travelers can pay ¥212 for a 2½-hour trip. To get from Guiyang to Guangzhou, which took 20–24 hours on normal trains, now takes 4–5 hours and ¥267.5. The line that leads from Guiyang to Chongqing, costs ¥129, and has cut a 4-hour trip in half.

The long-distance bus station (金阳汽车站) is in the new JinYang development area. Buses to Jinyang leave from the train station and pass by peoples square, opposite the school. From here you can get buses to several destinations, including Guilin and Guangzhou.

Long-distance buses arriving in Guiyang will likely stop at a different station near the airport where you can take a taxi into the city. The driver will probably not use the meter and will take as many passengers as he can, bargain for the price.

The long-distance bus stations are also the best location to get buses to Anshun (60–90 minutes), the gateway to Guizhou's signature Huangguoshu Waterfall. Buses north to Zunyi (two hours) depart every 30 to 60 minutes.

The highway infrastructure in Guizhou is undergoing continual upgrading as part of China's Western Development Effort. Once completed, an expressway will link Guiyang to Chongqing, allowing relatively easy travel and an alternative to the train. The highways leading west and east out of Guiyang are modern and well maintained making for easy access to the western reaches of the province or east to Kaili. It is possible (although expensive, so it may be better to take the bus or train) to hire a car and driver between Guiyang, Zunyi, and other cities.

Subtropical monsoon humid climate.

The temperature changes little, the winter is warm and the summer is cool, and the climate is pleasant.

The Guiyang metro system is called Guiyang Urban Rapid Transit, or GYURT. Line 1 is in operation between Xiaomeng Industrial Park in Guanshanhu district and Xiamaixi in Guanshanhu District. It connects to the rail network at Guiyang North and Guiyang railway station. Standard fares are ¥2-6, though each 8 km after the first 24 km will cost an additional ¥1. Line 2 is expected to open at the end of 2020. It starts from Baiyun District, connect the city center to Line 1, and ends at the East Bus Terminal with a stop at the Longdongbao International Airport. A further four lines are under construction, while the long-term plans include a total of nine lines for the city.

Guiyang has a well-developed bus system, although it is entirely in Chinese and takes some getting used to. A local can help you if you know where you are going. All bus fares cost ¥2. Small local buses pick up passengers at various points around town and can take you to Huaxi or more distant districts of the city for ¥3 per person. These buses can get crowded and are forbidden to carry standing passengers. As a result, all of the standing riders are asked to duck when passing the police.

Guiyang taxis charge ¥10 at flagfall. Short trips within the city should cost ¥10. This is an excellent way to get around, as taxis are everywhere. Note that taxis charge extra late at night (¥12 starting rate although for short trips the driver may let you off with the ¥10 flat rate). Taxis heading into or out of the city center may pick up extra passengers.

By motorcycle

As elsewhere in China, motorcycle and scooter taxi services are available. Large intersections or areas with concentrations of bars or restaurants will attract a crowd of motorcyclists. Negotiate a price in advance (¥10-15). Unlike in other areas, the driver is unlikely to have a helmet available for you. Hold on tight.

Although not the smallest town in China, many of Guiyang's neighborhoods and sights can be seen with a little patience and footwork. This is also a great way to experience life in a still emerging town. The city abounds with small workshops (often in what would normally be locations for small shops or restaurants), delightful street-side restaurants, and small shops selling everything from local handicrafts to new business cards (next day availability) and sheet metal.

Central Guiyang

• 26.637415 106.631202 1 Guanshan Lake Park ( 观山湖公园 ), Guanshan Bridge, Lincheng West Road, Guanshanhu District (观山湖区观山大桥南北两侧) ( Guanshanhu Park Metro Station (观山湖公园地铁站) ), ☏ +86 851 84878411 . Summer hours 06:00-00:00, winter hours 06:30-00:00 . Guanshanhu Park is a forested park that lies 12 km from Guiyang’s city center. It lies around a pair of lakes, Guanshan North and South Lakes, and has a main paved path around them.There are also smaller paths that lead to scenic spots. In the center of the park, you can find an 18-meter-tall golden pheasant drum statue, representing luck and happiness. On the opposite side of the lake, there is a 30-meter statue of a trio of hot peppers, or lajiao, an integral ingredient in Guizhou cuisine. Other attractions within the park include Hunan Garden, home to several original buildings from a 1950s Soviet-style farm; and the National Culture Promenade, a 330-meter-long corridor of paintings and wishing pools dedicated to the 56 ethnic groups of China. The park is home to over 700 types of plant life, including purple myrtle and osmanthus trees. If you make your visit in the spring or summer, you are likely to spot a sizeable colony of wild herons on a central island. Free, but boat rides and children's rides charge fees . ( updated Nov 2018 )
• 26.59559 106.70141 2 Guizhou Art Museum ( 贵州美术馆 ), 168 Beijing Road, Yunyan District (云岩区北京路168号) ( Take bus no. 2, 15, 101, 214, 311 or Circular Route 1 and get off at the Museum (博物馆) bus stop. Alternatively, catch one of the many buses that stop at the nearby Beijing Road (北京路) bus stop ), ☏ +86 851 85891208 , [email protected] . Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays . Incorporates the Guizhou Painting Institute (贵州画院). Free . ( updated Sep 2018 )
• 26.57208 106.70852 3 Guizhou Nationalities Museum ( 贵州省民族博物馆 ), 23 Jiandao Street, Nanming District (南明区箭道街23号) ( catch bus no. 4, 6, 11, 16, 21, 30, 50, 63, 78, 81, 82, 237 Express, 305, 306, 310, 319 or K50 and get off at the Jiandao Street Intersection (箭道街路口) bus stop ), ☏ +86 851 85831710 . 09:30-16:30, closed on Mondays . A museum focused on the history and culture of Guizhou's various ethnic groups. Free . ( updated Sep 2018 )
• 26.57693 106.70173 5 Guizhou Science and Technology Museum ( 贵州科技馆，贵州省科学技术官 ), 40 Ruijin Road South, Nanming District (南明区瑞金南路40号) ( there is a bus stop just outside the museum called Cinanmen (次南门), which is served by over two dozen bus routes ), ☏ +86 851 85832933 . 09:40-15:40, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays . Notable exhibitions include one on lunar exploration and one on computer databases. The museum also features a children's science and technology park and a 4D movie theatre. Free . ( updated Sep 2018 )
• 26.57146 106.702 6 Hebin Park ( 河滨公园 ), 31 Ruijin Road South, Nanming District (南明区瑞金南路31号) ( there is a public bus stop of the same name on the north side of the park; the bus stop is served by over two dozen bus routes ), ☏ +86 851 85956270 . 07:00-22:00 . This park is by the side of the Nanming River. There is an Egyptian feel to the square in the park, which has towering pillars lit by yellow light at night, and a gigantic UFO-shaped restaurant in the centre, help up by both bamboo and metal pillars--an apt symbol of the fusion of Chinese culture and modernity. Near the restaurant, there is a bridge across the river, shaped like a Helix, and lighted up a brilliant red. Take a romantic stroll through this peaceful square at night. Free .  
• 26.60139 106.68886 8 Qianlingshan Park ( 黔灵山公园, 黔灵公园 Qianling Park ), 187 Zaoshan Road, Yunyan District (云岩区枣山路187号) ( the bus stop outside the park is served by more than two dozen bus routes ), ☏ +86 851 86826301 . 06:30-22:00 . This large city park is well worth an afternoon. Sample local food and crafts from vendors, see curious and very brave wild monkeys (accustomed to people), as well as take in the view from the hilltops near Hongfu Temple. Qianling Park also includes a zoo and small amusement park as well as tea gardens. ¥5 .  

Huaxi District

• 26.43639 106.66834 10 Huaxi Park ( 花溪公园 ), 3108 Huaxi Avenue South Section, Huaxi District (花溪区花溪大道南段3108号) ( take bus no. 8, 404, 888, 888 Route 1, 888 Route 2, or Huaxi 7, or take the Tertiary Institution Express Bus (高校专线车) ), ☏ +86 851 83851808 . 08:30-18:30 . Another popular day trip south of Guiyang in Huaxi township, Huaxi Park is an excellent escape from the heat and bustle of the city. The park with its streams, pavilions and tea gardens is popular for Guiyang residents who enjoy setting up their own barbeques and enjoying a picnic. Of historical note, former Premier Zhou Enlai and his wife visited Huaxi Park in the 1950s. A billboard sized photograph of the couple enjoying a boat ride graces the main entrance to the park. ¥6 .  
• 26.33507 106.68269 11 [formerly dead link] Qingyan Ancient Town ( 青岩古镇 ), Huaxi District, Guiyang ( take bus no. 203 from Guiyang Railway Station, Airport Bus No. 5 from the airport, or bus no. 210 from the Huaguoyuan Wetlands Park; you can also catch a minibus from the Huaxi Bus Station northeast of Huaxi Park ). ¥20 for basic admission, ¥80 ticket includes admission to all historical buildings . ( updated Jan 2018 )
• 26.445 106.57666 12 Tianhe Lake ( Tianhe Pool, 天河潭 ), Gui'an Avenue, Shiban Town, Huaxi District (花溪区石板镇贵安大道) ( take bus no. 211 or 701 ), toll-free: +86 400 9009995 , [email protected] . 08:30-18:00 . An easy day trip from Guiyang, Tianhe Lake Park is a pleasant cave, canal and waterfall park in Huaxi township. The park includes flooded caves which guides take you through in boats, canals which weave through minority farm areas and a spectacular cascade through a narrow opening in the mountain. Following the trail into the mountain leads to a massive sinkhole and the starting point for the cave and canal boat trips. If you are feeling adventurous, rent bikes for the day from Huaxi Park, and then cycle 11 km to Tianhe Lake on the country roads. It takes about 2 hours to get there, but the biking journey would be rewarding for backpackers who enjoy roughing it through and appreciate rural scenery. You can rent a motorcycle to take your bicycles back for ¥10 each, while getting on a rented ven to get back to Huaxi Park, at the same price. ¥10 to visit the waterfall only, ¥43 to visit the caves only, ¥52 to visit both the caves and the waterfall, and ¥82 for a combo ticket including sightseeing car and insurance. The zip line costs ¥80 per ride .  
• 26.450212 106.606617 13 Zhenshan Village ( 镇山民族文化村 ), 花溪区石板镇镇山村 ( take bus 211 from the Huaguoyuan Da Jie bus stop; the bus takes about an hour, and then arrives at Tianhetan Scenic Spot; from there, catch a taxi or motorcycle the remaining 2 km to the village. ). Zhenshan Village is a Bouyei minority village 20 km outside of Guiyang. Visit the Ming Dynasty village to observe and try Bouyei traditions, food, rice wine and architecture. The village’s houses are almost entirely built of shale dug from local mountains; walls and floors, roofs and selected items of furniture are all built with it. The main festival celebrated in the village falls on the 10th day of the first lunar month (February 14 in 2019), so the dates change every year. During that time, the main square of the village will be full of people dancing and singing to the music of the lusheng, a traditional instrument. The festival celebrates the bond between the Miao and Bouyei people in the area, and as such brings out people from both minorities in their best traditional embroidered clothing. At any time of year, visitors can enjoy the local rice wine, or try the smoked tofu, pickled vegetables and sour fish prepared by their hosts. Guesthouses are available for those who wish to spend the night. ( updated Nov 2018 )

Outlying areas

• 26.95441 106.9935 14 South River Grand Canyon ( 南江大峡谷 ), Longguang Village, Nanjiang Township, Kaiyang County (开阳县南江乡龙广村) ( there is one direct bus daily from the Guiyang Tourist Transportation Centre (贵阳市旅游游客集散中心) at the old bus station, there are also 3 direct buses daily from the Huaguoyuan Sector R1 Tourist Transportation Centre (花果园R1区旅游集散中心) ), toll-free: +86 400 8008106 . 08:00-17:30 . Canyon with karst scenery and several waterfalls of varying sizes. The canyon spans more than 40 km and has a depth of 398 m. ¥88 (including entry ticket and sightseeing car) .  
• 26.67529 106.63661 1 [dead link] Guiyang Happy World ( 贵阳欢乐世界 ), 483 Baiyun Road South, Baiyun District (白云区白云南路483号) ( Bus routes 5, 60, 71, 230, 231, 232, 233, b236, Baiyun 7, Baiyun 19 ), ☏ +86 851 84862777 . May–October: 09:30-18:30, November–April: 10:00-18:00 . A popular amusement park in the city's northwest. ¥160 for adults and children over 1.4 metres in height, ¥80 for children between 1.2 and 1.39 metres in height, children under 1.2 metres in height enjoy free entry . ( updated Sep 2018 )
• Maotai Liquor (茅台酒) - produced in Maotai Town of Renhuai County in Zunyi Prefecture, Maotai holds itself to be one of the world's three most famous distilled liquors. In 1915, Maotai won global fame at the World's Fair in San Francisco (Panama–Pacific International Exposition). According to Maotai lore, the booth at the fair was largely overlooked by the liquor judges because of the cheap labels and black bottles. In frustration one of the attendants smashed a bottle of Maotai releasing the distinct aroma attracting the judges who later awarded the drink a gold medal. Since 1949, it has won 14 international gold prizes and has been exported to over 100 countries and regions. It is officially known as China's national liquor and served at state banquets. At 106 proof (53% alcohol by volume) or stronger, it is not for the faint of heart. Maotai is clear and offers a lingering mild and mellow fragrance some liken to soy sauce. For foreigners it can be a bit of an acquired taste but no visit to Guizhou would be complete without trying the province's most famous product.
• Anshun Batik (安顺蜡染画) - Batiks are a traditional handicraft of the Buyi people in the Anshun region to the west of Guiyang. Traditional ethnic designs include flowers, birds, fish and insects on indigo-dyed cotton cloth. More recently artisans have produced more colorful silk and wool batiks. There are over 1,000 different types of batik products now produced including whole cloth, bedding, tapestries, caps and purses. Anshun Batiks can be purchased at expensive tourist shops in Guiyang or for more reasonable and negotiable prices in Anshun itself.
• Guiding Yunwu Tea (贵顶云雾茶) - Produced in Yunwu Mountain in Guiding County, this tea was offered as tribute to the early Qing court. The leaves resemble fishhooks, thin and soft, with whitish hairs. This green tea is much favored for its low caffeine and high catechol content.
• Yuping Flutes - These elaborately carved flutes are made of local bamboo and produce a clear and beautiful sound. Yuping flutes are traditional local products that have gone on to win international prizes.
• Ethnic Silver Articles - Two ethnic groups, the Miao and Gejia, are famous for silver smithing. Both groups produce headgear, necklaces and bracelets. Each type has its distinct shapes, patterns and motifs. Miao ornaments mainly use dog, cat, horse, insect, flower or bird motifs. The Gejia prefer sun, stars, dragon, phoenix, bat and certain plant motifs. Both styles give Huangping silver ornaments great artistic value.
• Embroidery and Cross-stitch - Miao embroidery is a traditional local handicraft. Design motifs are typically butterflies, birds and interestingly enough marine animals. Cross-stitch patterns follow the warps and wefts of the cloth and the most popular ones are colorful geometric figures.
• Exotic stones and fossils - Guizhou's limestone hills yield a wealth of valuable stones and fossils. As the province also has impressive and commercially exploitable deposits of gold, silver and other minerals, there are a wide variety of mineral stones and samples available. Fossils of Missippian Crinoids and the Guizhousaurus (贵州龙 - a small semi-aquatic dinosaur) are available in many tourist shops. The Guizhousaurus is a common fossil and often found intact and complete so there is actually a fair chance the fossils are legitimate! The buyer will likely notice, however, that the fossils are painted to show the bones more starkly against a darker background of stone.
• Qianwufu specialty foods ( 贵州黔五福 ). Qianwufu, a local specialty food company, packages techan (特产), foodstuffs particular to a region, into presentable gift items. Most products are varieties of dried pork or beef sealed in boxes or big pouches. A noteworthy item is the canister of tartary buckwheat tea, an intriguing beverage of nutty and chocolaty flavor. The company has a few dedicated stores in Guiyang. One location is a store along the vendor filled entrance path to the gate of Qianlingshan Park. Another store is in the underground food court directly connected to the Shanxi Road subway station. ( updated Feb 2019 )

People in Guiyang like those throughout Southwest China love spicy food. Use of red chilies of various temperatures and salty dried chili powder dips for hot pots is ubiquitous. Food can be prepared mild (不要辣 buyaola) according to your tastes but the best way is to settle in and eat the way the locals do.

With a brave stomach, you could eat something new everyday for a week just by walking along the streets of Guiyang and sampling the street foods of Guizhou's minorities around the night markets. Most of these offerings come heavily spiced by default, but you can ask for a little or no spice.

• Maotai Ice Cream Experience Shop ( 茅台冰淇淋体验店 ), On the first floor of Kempinski Hotel, 82 Huguo Road（护国路82号凯宾斯基大酒店一楼） , ☏ +86 0851-86972888 . 09:00-23:00 . This ice cream contains 2% Maotai liquor, the most famous Feitian 53 degree liquor. There are no seats in this shop. ¥67 . ( updated Oct 2023 )

Guizhou cuisine

For excellent Guizhou cuisine at very reasonable prices try Siheyuan (四合院). The restaurant enjoys a good bit of local fame and is popular with the (very) small expat community as well. The story goes that the owners were laid off from their factory jobs some years ago. Without work, they opened a street side restaurant with a single table. The food was so good that business boomed. Some 15 or 20 years later they serve a bustling lunch and dinner crowd in a multilevel but still rustic and homey restaurant. Siheyuan doesn't have a sign so finding it without a guide can be a bit of a trick. It is located a few feet down the alley opposite the Protestant Church on Qianling Xilu.

Be sure to try Bean Hotpot (豆米火祸 dōumǐhuǒguō) which is available all around the city. Just as with other hotpot styles, you choose whichever ingredients you want and cook them at your own pace. The difference is in its soup of pinto beans, bacon, and onions. You should get a bowl of spices that you can mix with the soup base for dipping.

Minority cuisines

Minority cuisines are also readily available throughout Guiyang (look for wait staff in brightly colored outfits clapping, dancing and playing oversized pan-flutes at the door). One of the most common and delicious varieties available is the Miao minority's Suan Tang Yu (酸汤鱼), a hot pot centered around a hot and spicy broth with a large whole fish chopped up inside. Like all hot pot restaurants, veggies, meats and other delicacies are purchased a la carte to be added. The dipping bowls contain the ubiquitous chili paste but also add a cube of fermented tofu (non-stinky) that makes a wonderful compliment to the fish. Be sure to wash it down with mi jiu (米酒), a sweet, dark rice wine.

• Xinyouke Sour Soup Beef (Chaoyang Store) ( 心有客酸汤牛肉(朝阳店) ), No. 39, Ground Floor, Building 12, Chaoyang Village, Qingxi Street（清溪街道朝阳村12栋底层39号） , ☏ +86 15185181822 . 09:00-00:30 . Sour beef soup is one of the staples of the Miao minority's diet. The shop offers a free green leafy vegetable buffet. ¥60 . ( updated Oct 2023 )

Street food

Night markets are popular in Guizhou for midnight munching, particularly in the warmer months although even the winter does not shut them down. Varieties of street foods particularly grilled freshwater fish, crayfish, snails, chicken, pork, mutton, cabbage, garlic greens, onions, eggplants, mutton, chili peppers and just about anything else that can be skewered is available. For the adventurous whole marrow bones can be grilled up, cracked open and served with a straw. Guiyang's street food vendors tend to come out after sunset.

A night food market fills the entrance way to Qianling Park. Another food street is along the side of Shanxi Road on the side of A exit of the subway station. However the street vendors of Shanxi Road have been overtaken mostly in popularity by the very busy underground "Chinatown" food court—decorated curiously after overseas Chinatowns—directly connected to the Shanxi Road subway station.

For a Guizhou snack unavailable elsewhere try Silk Babies (丝娃娃). For a few kuai, you are given a stack of thin rice pancakes and chopsticks. You sit at a low table covered in bowls of raw and pickled vegetables with a small dish for mixing chili sauce and vinegar. Load the pancakes according to taste, spoon in a little sauce and enjoy.

Among Guiyang's street foods, Guiyang Style Beef Noodles (牛肉粉 niuroufen) is a staple. It can be prepared in a hot red broth or a mild beef broth according to your tastes - although not all establishments offer a choice. Fresh whole garlic cloves, crushed dried red pepper, salt, MSG and Sichuan Pepper (花椒 huajiao) can be added to taste. Don't miss this one - it really hits the spot, especially after a night of drinking! Huaxi Wang Jia Niuroufen is the best and operates a chain of franchises throughout the province but for late night munchies, just follow the crowds.

A peculiar local delicacy (given the fact that Guizhou is landlocked) is Fried Chili Squid (鱿鱼: youyu). Chopped squid is skewed and deep fried before being cooked on a separate metal plate in a bath of sizzling chili sauce. This snack is served hot from carts congregating along Zhonghua Zhonglu. The dish is safe to eat despite the distance from the ocean. One stick costs ¥1. The 鱿鱼 carts are often found in close proximity to other snack carts selling grilled tofu, mutton kabobs, spicy pickled radishes and other munchies.

Mi jiu is between 10-30% alcohol content, depending on the variety, and is the go-to drink for local minority restaurants and festivals. Expect to see it available in villages all over the province, and at every Miao or Dong minority restaurant. The slightly vinegary and very sweet rice wine goes down very easily with a spicy and sour local meal. A row of reasonably priced restaurants specializing in Suan Tang Yu can be found on Shengfu Lu near the intersection with Fushui Lu near the Beijing Hualian supermarket. These restaurants will also perform a traditional Miao drinking ceremony if you purchase a bottle of rice wine and request the ceremony (for an additional charge). The ceremony consists of several women surrounding the table, singing a song, and pouring rice wine from a hollowed out horn into the mouths of the diners. They will also grab pieces of fish with chopsticks and tease the diners, encouraging them to try and catch a bite. It's a playful tradition with female singers and male diners, but anybody at the table can participate.

Although there are hundreds of bars in the city (many of them hidden away in large buildings) the main concentration is on Qianling dong lu (黔灵东路). These bars are very local, generally offering Snow beer and Budweiser as their only beer options.

• 26.574622 106.708812 1 Highlands Coffee (South Location) , 1 Liudong Street, 1 Bo'ai Road, Nanming District (南明区博爱路六洞街1号) ( a 2-minute walk from Walmart at the People's Square. Behind Customs Building ), ☏ +86 0851-85826222 . ( updated Jul 2019 )
• Highlands Coffee (North Location) , You Yi Lu Ping Zi Xiang 6 (友谊路坪子巷6号) , ☏ +86 0851-86768922 . ( updated Jul 2019 )
• Nenghui Jiudian , Ruijin Nan Lu 38 , ☏ +86 851 589 8888 , fax : +86 851 589 8622 . On the airport bus route, 2 bars, 2 restaurants, good staff, comfortable rooms, free in-room broadband, basic business facilities, rooms usually heavily discounted. 125 rooms. ( updated Jul 2019 )
• Shenfeng Jiudian , Shenqi Lu 69 , ☏ +86 851 556 8888 , fax : +86 851 556 9999 . A fine hotel with high service, large rooms, and a breakfast buffet. 260 rooms.  
• Guizhou Karst Hotel Nearby the Peoples Square and face the Nanming River. A 4-star hotel with high quality service.

☏ +86 851 8196888 , at South Ruijin Road 25.

• 26.488973 106.839257 1 Anantara Guiyang Resort , CREC International Eco City, Shuanglong Airport Economic Zone , ☏ +86 851 823 88888 , [email protected] . They have seasonal outdoor pool, hot tubs, barbecue and children's playground. 218 rooms, suites and pool villas. Offers Thai, Chinese and international food in their 6 restaurants. Starting from $ 89 . ( updated Mar 2017 )

Guiyang has four main universities that host foreign teachers and students, as well as a few others. The three universities that have foreign students are Guizhou University (贵州大学), Guizhou Normal University (贵州师范大学), and Guizhou University of Nationalities (贵州民族学院). These three universities all have foreign teachers usually teaching English. Guiyang University (贵阳学院) also employs foreign teachers.

Guizhou, like much of central and western China, lags far behind the dynamic coast in economic, industrial and social development. As a result, the main opportunities for work are teaching English. Several private schools in the area are licensed to hire foreigners: English First, Aston, Tian Tian, and Interlingua being among the most established.

For those not interested in teaching, Guiyang is home to several industrial and high-technology development zones seeking foreign investment, partnerships and experts. These include the industrial and enterprise zone in the south (Xiaohe Qu near Guizhou Normal University) and the Guiyang High-Technology Development Zone in the north. The main industries are aerospace technology and heavy industry.

Huangguoshu Waterfalls - The waterfalls are on the Baishui River, 15 km From the Zhenning county seat, and 137 km from Guiyang. It measures 74 m high and 81 m wide and boasts the biggest of its kind in China and also one of the world's most magnificent. The water billows down into the Xiniu Pool, sending up great spray and creating rainbows. A visit to Huangguoshu Waterfalls is a must for all visitors to Guizhou. It has become a holiday resort where you can forget the outside world and enjoy fabulous scenes and sights, including limestone caves and stone forests. The trip is also tainted with ethnic flavor with a visit to the local Buoyei people. Local legend says that in ancient times the sky suddenly cracked open, causing part of the Milky Way to smash to pieces on the ground. The largest piece hung on the verge of a cliff and became the Huangguoshu Waterfalls, which, in the process of crashing down the cliff, broke into several dozen cascades. When the Milky Way fell, numerous stars came down with it, which were converted into stone forests, crystal-clear pools, bridges and caves. Admission to the park is steep but the scenery is spectacular. The falls can be reached by direct bus from the bus station next to the train station on Zunyi Lu.

Zhijin Cave - As the national scenic spot, the cave is in Guanzhai Township, 14 mi (23 km) northeast of Zhijin and 93 mi (150 km) from Guiyang. It is a gigantic karst cave with the length over 10 km. Although it looks still primitive in appearance, its karst landform is imposing and magnificent. Covering an area over 74 acres, its widest part is 574 feet and its height exceeds 328 feet. The cave consists of 47 halls and 150 scenic spots in its 11 scenic areas.

Longgong Cave (Dragon Palace Cave) - As the national scenic spot, the cave is in Matou Township, 130 km from Guiyang. Longgong refers to over 90 karst caves linked up like a chain of beads that run through 20 hilltops. Within these 4,000-metre-long caves there are also underground karst lakes. Tourists can enter Longgong Caves at Tianchi (Heavenly Pool) by taking a small boat.

Red Maple Lake - As a national scenic resort, Red Maple Lake is located in the suburb of Qingzhen, 33 km from Guiyang. Covering 57.2 km 2 , it is the largest man-made lake on the Guizhou Plateau. The lake consists of the North and South lakes. It's renowned for the 170 isles, the numerous caves, the clear water and the quiet bays. Folklore of the Dong and Miao people is demonstrated in the resort.

Wuyang River - Lying in Zhenyuan and Shibing counties, the national scenic area consists of Zhuwan Gorge in Shibing and the Three Gorges in Zhenyuan and extends 50 km. Wuyang River is famous for it picturesque mountain scenes and crystal-clear water. It flows among mountains in eastern Guizhou, creating secluded caves, gurgling springs, rugged rocks and spectacular waterfalls.

Xijiang - Ethnic Minority (Miao) village which is about an hour and a half journey from kaili. There are beautiful rice terraces on which you can stroll and climb. all the way to a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding paddy fields. Jump across huge drains, admire the rich variety of wild flowers, and take in the smell of cow dung and fertilizer along the way. There will also be daily performances, centred on wedding rituals, conducted in the morning and evening (17:00) which are free to watch. You do have to pay an entrance fee to get into the village though. Stay overnight at one of the hotels on the hill, so that you can open your windows to a vista of fog-shrouded houses on the hills opposite you stretching into the distance.

Museum of Great Leap Forward Relics (大跃进遗存物博物馆) - In the county seat of Sansui County (三穗县), about 270 km from Guiyang, this is the only museum in China dedicated to preserving the memory of Mao Zedong's disastrous Great Leap Forward campaign. Sansui can be reached in just over an hour by high-speed train from Guiyang North Station. The museum is at 13 Xinsui Street (新穗街13号), about 4 km by road from Sansui Station.

FAST (Five hundred meters Aperture Spherical Telescope, 中国天眼) - in Pingtang County (平塘县), about 170 km from Guiyang. You can come here to watch and visit, It is the largest single-aperture spherical radio telescope in the world.

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Guiyang Travel Guide

Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province has been gradually thrust into the tourist limelight as the best city in China to escape the summer heat. Guiyang had the distinction of being chosen as the best summer destination in China. But the result does little justice to the city's pleasant summer weather condition and unique charm.

While the vast majority of China has very hot summers, Guiyang is an enclave of coolness where a thin quilt is even needed during the nighttime. The city is situated on the Yunnan-Guizhou highland with low latitude and the average temperature from June to August is approximately 23 centigrade degrees.

Economic development and urbanization in some cities in China have been widely criticized for being at the cost of the environment. In the large industrial cities of the north, pollution can be quite bad. Fortunately, Guiyang has retained an environmentally friendly atmosphere thanks to the attitude and effort of the local government.

Karst Landscape in Guiyang

Aside from its comfortable weather conditions, Guiyang lays claims to its unique karst landscape and colorful ethnic cultures in the region.

Unlike its neighboring region Guangxi, whose karst terrain is still under development, Guizhou's topography features a myriad of developed karst landscapes, epitomized by the numerous waterfalls, stone forests, caves, ravines, pinnacles, subterranean lakes, and hot springs. The magnificent and thundering Huangguoshu Waterfall, the glittering Hongfeng Lake, outcroppings of the Fanjingshan Mountain are the highlights of the natural scenery.

Guizhou's natural scenery is very impressive but the patent ethnic savor steals the shows. China's west frontiers have nicknamed the corridors of the nation's minority peoples as these regions are inhabited by China's largest ethnic population. Compared with other provinces in Southwest China, ethnic groups in Guizhou are more pristine, simple, and mysterious. The strong exotic flavor is the nub of Guizhou's tourism resources and it’s the various ethnic communities scattered throughout the region that embellish the physical space and add more dynamics and vitality to nature.

Population in Guiyang

Guizhou is home to more than 10 ethnic groups , most of who live in the southeast realm bordering Guangxi and Hunan. Their pristine culture, tradition, and lifestyle are well preserved and displayed. Those ethnic people still live in their aged houses, practice their centuries-old customs and adhere to their simple life.

A trip to Guizhou is inevitably a tour of spiritual neutralization for urban people, a trip to return to nature, and a tour to experience the destinies of the region's ethnic people.

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Guiyang travel guide

Guiyang tourism | guiyang guide, you're going to love guiyang.

The capital of Guizhou province, Guiyang is a smart, youthful city with plenty of historical appeal, spicy local cuisine and easy access to the tourist attractions of southwestern China.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Guiyang

1. it's a great food and drink destination.

Guizhou cuisine features spicy hotpots, rice pancakes with pickles, and bubbling hot beef noodles, and is also the global center for Maotai liquor production.

2. Captivating Ming Dynasty Temples

Historical highlights include the Hongfu Temple, located in the north of Guiyang, and the Jiaxiu Pavilion, built in 1598 and surrounded by markets and rolling gardens.

3. Cruise through the Tianhetan Caves

Just outside Guiyang you'll find Tianhetan, a complex of flooded caves, rivers, and waterfalls. Take a boat ride through some of Guizhou's most stunning scenery.

4. Get Hold of Some Batik Designs

Guiyang is a center for Anshun Batik - featuring gorgeous fabric designs inspired by nature. You'll find them for sale all over the city.

5. Take a Trip to the Huangguoshu Waterfalls

Located 100 miles from Guiyang, these falls are an incredible sight, with their 240-foot plunge and glittering, rainbow-hued pools.

What to do in Guiyang

1. towering magnificence.

The graceful Jiaxiu Tower is made entirely out of wood and stands on an enormous turtle-shaped rock. It was initially constructed between 1368 and 1644 during the Ming Dynasty. Since then, it has undergone various renovations and is now hailed as Guiyang's landmark as well as the town's cultural symbol. The blue sky and scattered clouds above the pointed roof end add a touch of heavenly beauty to the intricate architecture.

2. The Cultural Hub

Within the southern suburb of Guiyang is one of Guizhou Province's most well-known cultural and historical locations, the Qingyan Ancient Town. Built in 1378, it covers approximately 741 acres of land. Qingyan's intense cultural atmosphere has made it a favorite among local and international tourists. Through the years, it has undergone various renovations, but still maintains its cultural heritage. Walk through the town's crowded streets and discover hundreds of relic sites and the perfectly-designed architectural style all around. Make a stop at one of the many tea houses and taste local dishes such as rice tofu and Qingyan tofu.

3. Pure Natural Bliss

Also known as the Huaxi Park, the Flower Stream Park is the central part of the Flower Stream Scenic Area. It uniquely blends natural rivers with hills, and perfect scenery with ethnic features, thus earning it the name 'Black Garden of Guiyang City'. It was developed during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) by local people, who planted flowers on hills and constructed towers and pavilions. The park is elegantly encompassed by the crystal-clear waters of the Flower Stream. Four hills (Lin, Feng, She and Gui) stand tall on either side of the park. Here visitors can experience nature at its loveliest.

4. Feel The Touch Of Mother Nature

Known for its majestic island, the Red Maple Lake stretches approximately 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) from Guiyang and is considered Guizhou Plateau's prized pearl. The lake area is comprised of four parts: North, South and Rear Lakes, and the scattered ethnic villages. The nearby mountain ranges are exuberant with maple trees that add a touch of red to the mostly green environment. Bask in the beauty and serenity of the Red Maple Lake by taking a sightseeing tour of each of the four beautiful areas.

5. The Ultimate Escapade

Famed for its vast landscape and many attractive features, the Tianhe Pool Scenic Area is approximately 24 km from Guiyang. It is blessed with numerous historical sites, stone bridges, and the (really deep) Water Cave, which has a length of 1,000 meters and width of 80 meters. The best thing about this site is, of course, the cultural displays scattered in different places. For couples intending to have a memorable wedding, the Tianhe Pool Scenic Area is just the place. The abundance of nature all around serves as the ideal backdrop for wedding photos.

Where to Eat in Guiyang

The food in Guizhou is usually spicy and based around soups, pancakes, and stews. Some of the best places to try it include the street vendors at Hequn Lu, as well as restaurants like Siheyuan and Huaxi Wangji Beef Noodle. Expect to pay ¥40-60 for a good meal.

When to visit Guiyang

Spring and fall are the best times to visit, when the blossom or leaf fall is at its most beautiful, the weather is mild, and tourist season hasn't really begun.

How to Get to Guiyang

Guiyang Airport (KWE) has good connections to Beijing and Shanghai. The airport bus costs ¥10, while taxis will charge around ¥60.

Trains run into Guiyang from Beijing via Chongqing (although it's a 24-hour journey).

From Chengdu or Chongqing, take the G210. From Shanghai, take the G50, then the G56, before taking the G75 at Zunyi.

Intercity buses run into Guiyang's Jinyang neighborhood from all over southern China.

Airports near Guiyang

Airlines serving guiyang, where to stay in guiyang.

Zhonghua Lu - a bustling shopping street, Zhonghua Lu is lined with department stores, so if you need to pick up anything, it's the place to go.

Popular Neighborhoods in Guiyang

Qingyan - located in southern Guiyang, Qingyan is famous for its Ming-era "ancient town", with its temples, walls, and street markets.

Hequn Lu - Hequn Lu is Guiyang's street food center, with hotpots, beef noodles, and rice pancakes all available, day and night.

Where to stay in popular areas of Guiyang

Most booked hotels in guiyang, how to get around guiyang, public transportation.

Buses run all over the Guiyang area and charge between ¥1 and ¥2.

The first two miles or so will cost ¥8, and after that taxis charge ¥2.50 per mile, so it's not an expensive way to get around.

Car rental businesses in town include Chenghu Automobile Leasing and Hongteng, and prices can dip to ¥60 per day.

The Cost of Living in Guiyang

Shopping streets.

Zhonghua Lu is the main place to visit if you need a standard department store, but the soul of Guiyang's retail scene is Yan'an Lu, where you'll find batik fabrics, liquor, silver jewelry, and traditional masks.

Groceries and Other

Supermarkets in town include Xingye and Sunflower, where 12 eggs will cost around ¥8.

Top things to do in Guiyang China as a first-time tourist | The Ultimate Guide

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Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by London City Calling

The city of Guiyang (贵阳) is the capital of Guizhou province, a true hidden gem in Southwest China. Despite being a huge city with a population of almost 5 million people, Guiyang is a far less popular destination for international tourists than China’s other large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.

Full disclose – I definitely hadn’t heard of Guiyang either before this year and the reason I initially decided to go was to visit my cousin who is teaching English there for a year. 

After having spent 2 months getting to experience this exciting city, I couldn’t wait to share all the amazing things there is to see and do to encourage others to visit too, from giant pandas and wild monkeys to colourful neon-clad skyscrapers dominating the modern skyline.

In my opinion, a trip to Guiyang is an absolute must for anyone wanting to experience a real Chinese city without being surrounded by millions of other tourists.

To help you plan your trip to Guiyang, this article is split into five main parts:

• Top things to do in Guiyang
• Trips in Guizhou province from Guiyang
• Important things to know before visiting (Q&A’s)
• How to get from London to Guiyang
• Where to stay in Guiyang

What you'll find in this post

Top things to do in Guiyang China:

Explore qianling park.

Qianling is a huge park located on the inner-city mountain with the same name. Also known as ‘Monkey Park’, it is the city’s most popular tourist attraction and is definitely one of my favourite things to do in Guiyang.

The park is filled with beautiful forests, lakes, wild monkeys, a Buddhist temple, a zoo and plenty more which could keep you occupied for at least a couple of days.

Entry to Qianling Park is just 5yuan (around 50p) and tickets can be brought at the South Gate entrance. The ticket covers the park and zoo. Entrance to the temple, boat hire and the cable car are extra (but also extremely cheap).

Here are a few of the things you can do in Qianling Park Guiyang…

Take the cable car to the top of Qianling Mountain

If you really love walking, you can walk to the top of Qianling Mountain and take in all of the sights on the way, however, be warned that it’s a pretty long and steep treck, especially in the hot and humid Chinese summer.

Alternatively, you can catch the cable car to the top of the mountain then walk back down – this is the option I’d advise.

Not only are the tiny two people pods fun to ride, but they also give some of the best views back over the city. Once you’re at the top of the mountain the thick forest restricts the views considerably.

Close to the cable car station at the top, you’ll find Hongfu temple and the majority of the monkeys, then you can walk back down the mountain to explore the zoo and other attractions in the park.

Feed the wild monkeys

As is probably obvious from its nickname ‘Monkey Park’, Qianling Park has an absolutely huge wild Macaque population which you’ll find causing chaos all over the park.

The monkeys are very much used to humans and are friendly enough as long as you approach them sensibly, however, these cheeky chappy’s certainly aren’t afraid to take food out of your pocket or bag if they catch a glimpse so just be careful where you keep things.

If you want to feed the monkeys, buy a bag of nuts before you enter the park (it’s cheaper outside of the main gate than in the park itself). Place some nuts in your open palm and let them take it from you. Just remember to hide the bag unless you want to be robbed by a gang of monkeys – I learnt this one the hard way!

Embrace Buddhist traditions at Hongfu temple

Hongfu Temple is a beautiful Buddhist temple at the top of Qianling Mountain. Surprisingly quiet and serene compared to the rest of the park, the large temple has a number of pavilions, altars and small koi ponds to explore.

It’s also an amazing experience to take part in all of the traditional activities happening at the temple alongside the locals.

When first entering the temple you’ll find a woman sat at a small table with handfuls of red ribbons. Pay a few pennies, pick a random ribbon and make a wish. Each wish ribbon has a Chinese word written on it such as ‘happiness’ and ‘health’ which should correspond to your wish.

Despite being apprehensive at first, the ribbon I picked translated to ‘travel safety’… how perfect for someone who travels as a job?

Then you take the ribbon away (wear it or keep it at home) , and once your wish comes true you must bring it back to the temple and hang it somewhere such as on the branch of a tree.

When buying your ticket to enter the temple, make sure to also go to the window next door which you can buy sticks of incense to burn inside.

Incense is thought to purify a space, and in a temple, it is also seen as a sign of respect to offer it to the Buddha.

Go over to the large alters and hold your sticks of incense inside until they start burning then pull them out. If the sticks are on fire, wave them to put the flames out – don’t blow them as this is seen as disrespectful (yes we made this mistake at first) . Take several bows while holding the sticks and finally throw them into the alter.

While exploring Hongfu Temple you might also run into one of the monks who call the temple their home. Just like many people in this region of China, the monk we ran into was just as amazed to see us as we were to see him. He insisted on painting pictures of us (which he gave us as gifts) , then proceeded to get out his smartphone and ask for a photo with us (oh modern technology!) .

There is also a room with a large number of Buddhas which you must count until you reach your age, note the Buddha’s number, get a card at the counter and have a monk tell you about your future – however, the monks don’t speak English so it’s only worth doing this if you’re with a Chinese speaker.

For 10yuan you can also have lunch with the monks. Take a paper bowl and choose from a buffet of vegetarian dishes with plenty of rice and fruit.

See the Giant Pandas

A big reason many people visit China each year is for the endangered giant pandas, and Qianling Park’s zoo is one of the places where you can see them. The two male giant pandas, Haibin and Xingbao, are in Guiyang for 3 years from April 2018 for “scientific education”.

Qianling Park’s small zoo has many animals including tigers, bears, red pandas and many amphibians, but the giant pandas are by far the zoo’s most popular animals.

Want to see more giant pandas in China? Check out this guide to the Chengdu Panda Base.

Hire a boat on Qianling Lake 

At the bottom of Qianling Mountain is a large lake with boats which are available to rent. When the sun’s out, it’s a relaxing way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the park for a little while.

Boat hire is just 15yuan for paddle boats (fits up to 6 people) and 30yuan for the pedal boats (fits up to 4 people). You’ll also need to give a 100yuan as a deposit which you’ll get back when you return. You can take the boat out for as long as you want.

Visit Jiaxiu Tower

Jiaxiu Tower is a grand three-story wooden tower built on a rock on the Nanming River which goes straight through the centre of Guiyang city. It was initially built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) but has been renovated several times since.

Also known as ‘the First Scholar’s Tower’ due to being frequented by a number of famous scholars over the years, Jiaxiu Tower has become a cultural symbol of Guiyang and is now probably the image most associated with the city, making it one not to miss for any visitor.

There are three main things to do at Jiaxiu. Walk across Fuyu Bridge (also the longest bridge in Guiyang) to reach the tower, wander around Cuiwei Garden to the south, and head inside to see the exhibit which is home to historic works such as calligraphy pieces, woodcrafts and stone tablets inscribed with poems.

Entry to the tower is just 5yuan.

See Huaguoyuan by night

Huanguoyuan is an extremely modern, built-up district in the west of Guiyang. Located in an area of the city which used to be an underdeveloped slum, it is currently the largest urban redevelopment project in China. The redevelopment has been going on for quite a few years so the district is already filled with towering skyscrapers which really come into their element at night.

Visiting Huanguoyuan at night is like stepping into a futuristic movie, with the huge buildings and skyscrapers draped in bright neon lights dominating the skyline in all directions.

Keep an eye out for the twin towers, which occasionally flash ‘ I <heart> GY’, and the Huanguoyuan White House, a spectacular government building sat on the edge of the central lake (it’s pretty impossible to miss it!).

There’s plenty to do in Huanguoyuan to fill an evening. Wander around the lake, grab some street food and sit on the grass while watching street performers.

Enjoy a coffee by the river in Future Ark

‘Future Ark Tourism Complex’ is another relatively new district in the east of Guiyang on the Nanming River. Down by the edge of the water you’ll find a number of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and bars with terraces overlooking the river.

Despite being close to the main city centre, Future Ark is less busy than other parts of Guiyang and therefore is a nice spot to sit and enjoy a drink or meal in peace. The views down the river are also rather pretty on a sunny day.

Visit Qingyan Ancient Town

Qingyan Ancient Town is a historical town in the very south of Guiyang. Dating back to 1378 during the Ming Dynasty, it was originally built for military purposes. The charming traditional town has been well preserved over the years and is now an important cultural artefact for remembering the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Visitors can enter the town to marvel at the ancient architecture such as the traditional wooden houses, stone gates and beautiful temples and churches belonging to Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and Christianity. And don’t forget to try the delicious food here, including the local delicacy of pigs trotters!

While in Qingyan Ancient Town, don’t miss Guiyang’s very own version of the Great Wall winding its way up a small hill on the outskirts of the town. The stairs up the wall are steep and will definitely have you a little out of breath, but the views from the top are certainly worth it!

The ancient town is located in a southern suburb of Guiyang and is around a 45 minute-1 hour bus or taxi ride from the very centre of the city.

Spend a day at the mall

Is it just me or does anyone else love going to shopping centres in other countries? I personally feel like they give you a real insight into the local culture and a feel for what it would be like to really live in a city.

But whether this is something you usually do or not, I would still highly recommend visiting a shopping mall in Guiyang. Chinese malls are crazy worlds of neon lights (much like the rest of the city), extreme fashion, freaky mannequins, great food and fun amusements.

Hunter Plaza (Wenchang Nan Road) – a modern complex full of local brands as well as many well-known international shops. The upper floors have a number of Chinese and Western restaurants, whilst the lower floor is home to a fun arcade in which you could easily lose a couple of hours.

Estee (Shi’nan Road) – plenty of fashion, beauty and technology brands, as well as a lower floor full of great restaurants and ‘Olé’ supermarket which is one of the best places in the city for imported Western foods.

A Mall Shopping Center (Jiefang Road) – as well as being a huge shopping centre with plenty of shops and other cool amenities such as a children’s amusement park and turtle pond, the main reason to visit A Mall is for the long street food market which wraps itself around the outside of the building.

Flora Plaza (Zhonghua Middle Road) – a mall mainly aiming at younger people with its large selection of multinational fashion brands.

CC Park (Jingyang) – one of Guiyang’s most unique shopping malls, designed to look like Venice in Italy with a man-made canal flowing through the entire mall, a number of Venetian bridges and real gondola rides (picture the Venetian hotel in Vegas).

Take some Insta-worthy photos at the 5D Star Art Museum

Somehow it took me until my last day in Guiyang to find this amazing museum, considering it’s an Instagrammers dream!

Based on the work of Van Gogh and other impressionist and contemporary artists, all of the art in the museum is completely interactive and every room is filled with fun photo opportunities. There’s even an infinity room (which you don’t have to queue for hours for like elsewhere in the world) and a pastel pink ball pit.

Whatever you do, don’t forget your camera!

Treat yourself to a Chinese Massage

One of my favourite things about Guiyang is how affordable everything is, including many beauty treatments including hair salons, nail parlours and massage houses. So it’s only fair to treat yourself to a little pampering, right?

Head to a massage parlour in Guiyang to experience an authentic Chinese massage. Massage has been a central part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is unlike anything you will experience elsewhere in the world.

Unlike Western massage techniques, Chinese massages aim to promote overall health by easing the flow of energy, or “qi”, around the body. The practitioner’s aim is to release both physical and energetic tension, in order to restore a sense of balance and kickstart the body’s own healing process. This involves kneading, chopping, stretching, pinching and pressing to relieve sore points and blockages in the muscle tissues.

Massages can be a little on the rough side in China and the masseuses don’t hold back with the amount of pressure they apply, however embrace the experience and you’re sure to be feeling refreshed and relaxed the next day.

Note: Massages are more of a social experience in China. It’s unlikely that you’ll be in a private room with low light, candles and relaxing music. But rather, your group will be escorted to a room together where both guests and masseuses will converse during the massage experience (although you’re not obliged and you can always put on your own music and enjoy in silence).

Eat Everything!

It’s difficult to recommend what you should eat in Guiyang because there wasn’t a single thing that I didn’t enjoy during my entire trip. Every street in Guiyang is filled with cafes, restaurants and street food stalls selling amazing food pretty much 24 hours a day

Chinese BBQ is a must, in which you cook your own meats and vegetables on a grill in the centre of the table, while Hot Pot is also extremely popular with the locals and consists of a large pot of soup on a hob in the middle of the table in which you boil a selection of meats and vegetables.

And be sure not to miss the local speciality of sweet sausage – one of my absolute favourite foods in Guiyang!

You’ll also find a number of Western fast-food chains around the city such as McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut, as well as many international restaurants serving everything from Mexican tacos to proper Italian pizza. You certainly won’t be missing any home comforts.

Experience the city’s amazing nightlife

I have to admit, the thing that surprised me the most about Guiyang was the amazing nightlife.

Around almost every corner you’ll find another bar or club open until the early hours of the morning and rammed with people partying 7 nights a week.

Uptown  is about as close to an English pub as you’ll get, with a chilled-out atmosphere, good drinks, pub grub and a pool table. It’s also where you’re likely to run into Guiyang’s expat population most nights of the week. Uptown is the place to start a night out in Guiyang.

South Park is another chilled out pub/bar which hosts regular Latina nights. So if you love a bit of salsa after a few drinks, this is the place for you.

For big night clubs, head to the likes of Playhouse, Excess, CCL and Max . All of the clubs have a very cool and modern vibe, with groups of young locals hanging out sipping cocktails and taking shots while live DJs play house and techno music in large neon light-filled rooms.

Also, be prepared to party until 6-7 in the morning, most places in the city don’t shut until the last person decides to go home!

Hire a KTV for a private karaoke experience

KTV’s are one of the most popular pastimes in Guiyang amongst the locals, and it’s hard to miss the bright neon signs advertising them all across the city.

A KTV is a venue with a large number of rooms, ranging in size, which can be privately hired from the daytime until late into the night (we didn’t leave ours until almost 5am). The rooms always feature screens and microphones for karaoke plus a private bar, while larger rooms can have all sorts of additions including a pool table and mahjong table (a popular Chinese game).

Large rooms are popular for events such as birthdays and can be extravagantly decorated with balloons and flowers, while smaller rooms are often hired for more casual nights out with a small group of friends or family.

Room packages also come with a set amount of beers and food, making them great value for money! You can’t take in your own alcohol, but if you do run out there is a shop within each building where you can purchase more beers, wine and spirits.

Trips within Guizhou province from Guiyang:

Other than the exciting city of Guiyang, wider Guizhou province is predominantly filled with beautiful natural landscapes, including the largest waterfall cluster in the world and extensive cave systems . It is also home to 48 of China’s ethnic groups, the second-highest concentration of any province in China, some of which you can visit in their traditional villages .

Most of the most popular attractions in Guizhou province are accessible as either a day trip or overnight stay from Guiyang city.

For more information on what to do in Guizhou province, check out:

Guizhou Travel Guide | Top things to do in Guizhou Province, China

Important things to know before visiting G uiyang China (Q&A):

A few important things to know before visiting the city as a tourist…

Do people in Guiyang speak English?

No, very rarely.

One of the major difficulties of visiting Guiyang is probably the language barrier.

The majority of locals don’t speak a word of English, while every now and again you’ll come across someone who can say a few sentences. If anything, the people who know most English are usually young children due to the growing recent popularity of English language schools in the city.

In the more modern parts of the city and places such as the malls, many of the signs and menus are now translated into English. However, if you go to the smaller, more local spots, this is highly unlikely so might require some guesswork and a lot of hand gestures.

There are a few ways to make the language barrier easier:

Firstly, have google translate on your phone -this isn’t a perfect solution as Guiyang dialect is slightly different from ‘Chinese’ on the app, however, it is better than nothing.

Secondly, use google maps to point to the location you want to go to when getting taxis – this managed to get me to the right place every time.

Are there other foreign tourists in Guiyang?

Once again, very few.

Although you’ll see a number of tour groups from different regions of China coming to visit Guiyang, you’ll very rarely see another Western face in this part of the country.

So much so that many of the locals do tend to stare (in a curious way, they’re not being rude) and will even come over to say hello and take a photo with you. Being a foreigner in Guiyang is probably the closest most people will come to feeling like a celebrity!

There is a very small expat community in the city, the majority of which work in the few English language schools for children. So if you’re a foreign tourist in Guiyang, people will often assume you’re a teacher – I got asked on a couple of occasions.

Is Guiyang safe to visit as a tourist?

Before visiting China for the first time, I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about how safe I would feel. However, I can honestly say that Guiyang is one of the safest cities I’ve ever visited.

As someone who still gets a little nervous even getting a taxi alone in London, I was jumping in taxis alone late at night without a second thought in Guiyang.

Every person I met in the city was friendly and eager to help me, despite the language barrier. There’s also an extremely low crime rate.

What’s the best way to get around Guiyang?

Guiyang is a large city, so although you can walk around the different districts easily, it’s pretty difficult to get from one place to another quickly by foot.

Public transport is available, with one subway line going through the middle of the city and regular buses.

However, taxis are so cheap and readily available that personally, I don’t see the point of faffing around with anything else.

A 15-minute taxi ride from one place to another within the city centre will probably only cost between £1-2, while I once took a 45-minute journey from one side of the city to another for just £4.50.

Enjoying cycling? Find out more about riding a bike around China here.

How do I pay for things in Guiyang?

In every restaurant, shop, taxi and even market stall, you’ll notice a small plaque with a QR code on it. This is how the majority of the locals pay for things, using WeChat Pay or Ali Pay on their mobiles (yeah, it’s super high-tech!) .

However, it’s only possible to set up mobile payments with a Chinese bank account.

As a tourist, you’ll be completely fine paying for everything in cash. Just make sure to get some out before you arrive in the country in case your card doesn’t work in China.

Do I need a visa to visit Guiyang?

Just like everywhere in China, you’ll need to have the correct visa to enter the country.

Any other important things to know before I go?

In the whole of mainland China, many Western websites and social media are blocked, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, WordPress and several more.

In order to be able to access these while away, make sure to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) before you leave home.

What is a VPN? Find out more here.

How to get from London to Guiyang China:

Unfortunately there are no direct flights from London to Guiyang, however, you can transfer within China to arrive at Guiyang airport, or fly direct to one of the nearby airports then get the train into the city…

London -> Beijing -> Guiyang

Fly from London Heathrow to Beijing Capital (10.5h) followed by an internal flight from Beijing Capital to Guiyang (3.5h).

London -> Guangzhou -> Guiyang

Fly from London Heathrow to Guangzhou (12h) then take a short internal flight to Guiyang (1.5h).

London -> Chongquing -> Guiyang

Fly from London Heathrow to Chongqing (11h) then take a train from Chongquing railway station to Guiyang (2.5h). This is the route I took, flying with Tianjin Airlines, and would definitely recommend.

It’s around a 40minute taxi or bus from Chongqing Airport to the railway station so be sure to factor this in.

London -> Shenzhen -> Guiyang

Fly from London Heathrow to Shenzhen Bao’an International (12h) then a train (5h) to Guiyang.

London -> Hong Kong -> Guiyang

Fly London Heathrow to Hong Kong (12h) then take the train (6h) across the border to Guiyang.

Where to stay in Guiyang China:

Luxury Hotels:

• Atour Hotel Guiyang Future Ark – A modern hotel with large clean rooms, a gym and a restaurant, located in Future Ark. £50-60pn.
• Ramada Plaza Guiyang – Luxury hotel in the north of the city, easily accessible to main attractions. £45-50pm.
• Pullman Guiyang – 5* hotel with swimming pool, located in the south of the city next to ‘A Mall Shopping Centre’ and a great street food street. £85-95pn.

Mid-range Hotels:

• 7Days Inn Qianling Park – Fairly basic but nice, affordable hotel very close to Qianling Park. £15+pn.
• 7Days Inn Guiyang HuaGuoYuan – Same brand as above but in modern Huaguoyuan district. £15+pn.

Cheap Hotels & Hostels:

• Y.T Studio Space Hostel – A chic, modern hostel close to Huaguoyuan. £8pm for a bed in a dorm room, £20pn for a private room.

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for later:

Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.

Find me on: Instagram

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Wonderfully thorough article, Emily! I appreciate the points on what to do in Guiyang and also like how you address the FAQs people have when thinking about visiting a place!

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Guiyang travel guide, culture, attractions, food, hotel, etc

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Guiyang, abbreviated as "Zhu" and also known as Zhu City, is the capital of Guizhou Province and one of the important central cities in southwestern China. It serves as a significant regional innovation center and an important ecological leisure and vacation city in China.

Guiyang is the political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub of Guizhou Province, and it plays a crucial role as a major transportation and communication hub, and commercial tourism service center in the southwest region. Guiyang is the first national forest city in China and is recognized as the country's summer capital, having topped the list of "China's Top Ten Summer Tourism Cities".

Culture of Guiyang

In ancient times, Guiyang was rich in bamboo and renowned for making the musical instrument "Zhu", hence Guiyang also named Zhu city. Located in a mountainous and hilly area, it also enjoys the reputation of "Mountain Capital".

Guiyang is a multi-ethnic city predominantly inhabited by the Han nationality, but it is also home to more than 30 ethnic minorities, including the Miao, Bouyei, Dong, and Hui. This land has a rich heritage of traditional customs and a brilliant ethnic culture. Here, you can see Miao embroidery and listen to Bouyei folk songs and Pangu songs. You can experience the diverse folk festivals throughout the year, such as the Miao's Tiaochang dance, Drum Festival, and Bayueba Festival, and the Bouyei's Sanyuesan Festival. You can also appreciate the ancient and mysterious Penglai Di Opera, Bouyei Red Lantern Opera, and Huadeng Opera.

Visiting Guiyang allows you to immerse yourself in its vibrant cultural activities, experiencing the city's unique cultural traits of "diversity and harmony".

Guizhou culture  »

Must-visit Attractions

Guiyang is a modern city with plateau characteristics, known as a city within the mountains. It enjoys the reputation of summer resort city, boasting numerous attractions, each with its unique charm.

Qianling Mountain - Qianling Mountain combines natural scenery, cultural relics and leisure entertainment, renowned for the "First Mountain in South Guizhou". Known for its magnificent mountain, beautiful water, ancient temples, and lively monkeys, it is often called Guiyang's backyard garden.

Jiaxiu Pavilion - Jiaxiu Pavilion is one of Guiyang's iconic buildings, an ancient pavilion built during the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the best places to enjoy a panoramic view of Guiyang, especially at night when the city's lights create a spectacular scene.

Tianhe Pond - Tianhe Pond is a national scenic spot known for its spectacular waterfalls, emerald lakes, and steep peaks. It offers many outdoor activities such as rafting, hiking, and rock climbing, making it a perfect vacation destination.

Qingyan Ancient Town - Qingyan Ancient Town is a famous historical and cultural town in Guizhou, which has over 600 years of history. The town is famous for its blue stone roads, and the buildings retain the architectural styles and cultural connotations of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Best Places to Visit

Guiyang boasts abundant natural and tourism resources, with each area offering its unique attractions.

Yunyan District - one of Guiyang's central urban areas, featuring Qianling Mountain Park, a 4A scenic spot that combines natural and cultural landscapes. Key attractions include Qianling Lake , Qianling Mountain , Hongfu Temple , and Kylin Cave .

Huaxi District - known as the "Pearl of the Plateau", a renowned scenic area famous for its diverse attractions such as Ten-mile Beach Wetland Park , Huaxi Park , Tianhe Pond , Qingyan Ancient Town , and Gaopo Miao Village .

Nanming District - as the core area of the provincial capital, rich in ecological tourism and cultural resources. The Nanming River flows through the district, with the magnificent and captivating Jiaxiu Pavilion standing proudly on its banks.

Each of these area offers a distinct blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, making Guiyang a city full of diverse and intriguing travel destinations.

Local Food and Snacks

Guiyang, as the capital of Guizhou Province, boasts a rich and diverse culinary culture. This city not only offers picturesque landscapes but also a tantalizing array of local delicacies. While strolling through the streets of Guiyang, make sure not to miss these culinary delights.

Changwang Noodles - one of the most beloved local snacks. Cooked noodles are topped with pork intestines (Chang), pork blood (Wang), and vegetables, then drenched in a savory broth and sprinkled with cilantro and chili powder. This dish is a must-try for its rich and delicious flavors.

Siwawa - also known as vegetable spring rolls, a very popular snack in Guiyang. The chewy dough wrapper is filled with crispy, sweet vegetable strips and dipped in a tangy and spicy sauce, creating an irresistible burst of flavors.

Sour Soup Fish - a traditional delicacy in Guiyang, made with fresh grass carp and various sour soup. This dish is known for its tender and tasty fish, combined with a tangy and appetizing flavor, making it a signature Guizhou cuisine.

Huaxi Beef Noodles - made from high-quality yellow beef and marrow-rich beef bones, simmered with various precious Chinese herbs to create a broth that is both fragrant and nutritious. The dish combines the flavors of fresh, savory, and sour perfectly.

Tofu Balls - a classic Guiyang snack. These golden brown, deep-fried balls are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are best enjoyed when dipped in chili sauce, offering a delightful taste.

There are many other delicious dishes in Guiyang, such as chicken with chilies , glutinous rice , etc., and each one is waiting for you to explore.

Best Things to do in Guiyang

Guiyang offers unparalleled natural beauty and rich ethnic culture, making it an ideal travel destination. Here, you can immerse yourself in the tranquility and harmony of nature while experiencing the unique charm of colorful Guiyang.

You can xplore Guiyang's historical and cultural heritage, such as Jiaxiu Pavilion , Qingyan Ancient Town , and Qianling Mountain Park . These sites offer a glimpse into the city's natural scenery and historical ambiance.

You can stroll through Guiyang's streets and indulge in local delicacies such as Changwang Noodles , Siwawa , and Tofu Balls . A culinary journey here promises top-tier gastronomic delights.

You can also engage in various outdoor activities like rafting in Nanjiang Grand Canyon , rock climbing at Qianling Mountain , cycling through Huaxi Wetland Park , or hiking on Huaxi Ghost-erecting Bridge , connecting with nature and appreciate its beauty.

Activities to Experience in Guiyang

Guiyang, celebrates a rich array of ethnic festivals, each with its unique customs and significance.

Sanyuesan Festival (March 3rd) - Also known as the "Earthworm Festival", this traditional festival of the Bouyei people is dedicated to worshiping earthworms, scatter roasted corn on the hillsides and sing mountain songs, praying for a bountiful harvest.

Siyueba Festival (April 8th) - This festival varies in content across different regions but is mainly related to agricultural activities. On this day, people hold various celebratory ceremonies to express their joy for the harvest.

Liuyueliu Festival (June 6th) - An important traditional festival for the Bouyei people in Guiyang, celebrated with song and dance to entertain the gods, preserving and continuing the Bouyei cultural heritage.

Chixin Festival (Eating New Festival) - Celebrated by the Gelao people during lunar July and August when the rice and fruits ripen. They choose an auspicious day to harvest the new crops and fruits to offer to their ancestors, celebrating a bountiful harvest.

Bullfighting Festival - Observed by the Miao people between the rice transplanting and harvesting seasons, usually from June to August of the lunar calendar.

Fish Killing Festival - Celebrated by the Miao and Bouyei people in Kaiyang around the Qingming Festival. The original activity involved using stones and wooden sticks to catch fish in the streams.

Additionally, Guiyang area also has Di opera, Lusheng dance, lanterns and a series of recreational activities.

Best Time and Season to Visit Guiyang

The best time to visit Guiyang is during around the summer months, specifically from May to September . Guiyang has a subtropical humid and mild climate, with summers free from extreme heat, making it a comfortable summer resort. During this period, the pleasant climate and local tourism promotions make it an ideal travel destination.

- Summer (June to August): The climate is cool and suitable for escaping the heat. This is also the period when Guiyang's tourism resources are at their peak, allowing visitors to experience diverse natural landscapes and ethnic cultures.

- Spring and Autumn (March to May and September to November): These seasons are also good for travel. Visitors can enjoy the unique festivals and cultures of the ethnic minorities.

- Winter (December to February): Although the water in Guiyang is clearer and it is suitable for travel, the climate might be colder compared to the summer and spring-autumn seasons.

Guiyang's peak tourist season generally runs from March to August and the first ten days of October , especially during holidays.

Luxury Hotel in Guiyang

As the capital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang boasts numerous high-quality hotels. Choosing a comfortable hotel is essential for a perfect trip to Guiyang.

Sofitel Guiyang Hunter - Located in a landmark building in the city center, it is close to major shopping and business centers. Guests can easily walk to famous attractions such as Jiaxiu Pavilion , Nanming River , and Wenchang Pavilion . The bustling crowds and vibrant cityscape can be a wonderful view over the hotel.

Sheraton Guiyang Hotel - Situated in the bustling district of Guiyang's central business area, it is adjacent to the Nanming River . A few minutes' walk will take you to scenic spots like Jiaxiu Pavilion . The hotel offers complete facilities and attentive service.

Hyatt Regency Guiyang - Located in the heart of the Jinyang District, it is adjacent to the Jinyang Commercial Center and within close proximity to Guanshanhu Park . The hotel provides convenient transportation and various advanced amenities.

There are also many other hotels in Guiyang to facilitate your visit.

How to Plan a Itinerary in Guiyang

Day 1 : Arrive in Guiyang and check in at a hotel. Explore the city center and visit the Jiaxiu Pavilion , a historic tower overlooking the Nanming River.

Day 2 : Visit the Qingyan Ancient Town , a well-preserved ancient town located near Guiyang. Explore the historic architecture and scenic beauty of the town.

Day 3 : Visit the Guiyang Forest Park , a large park in the heart of Guiyang known for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.

Guizhou travel itineraries  »

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Guiyang Travel Guide

Guiyang (briefly named "Zhu"), 贵阳 in Chinese, located in the eastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in Southwest China, is the capital and center of politics, economy, science, technology and culture of Guizhou Province, as well as one of the inferior open cities in China. This area has been a part of recorded history since the Shang Dynasty, about 3, 000years ago. Because the city lies on the south (south of the mountain is regarded as yang in ancient China) of Guishan Mountain, it was named Guiyang.

Guiyang enjoys a warm and moist subtropical climate, where the average temperature during the year is 14. 7 ℃ to21. 9 ℃ in summer and 6. 6 ℃ in winter. The annual relative humidity, precipitation, sunshine-time and frost-free period are 80%, 1, 200 millimeters,1, 354 hours and 270 days respectively. With 34. 8% of its administrative area covered by some 184, 000 hectares woods, Guiyang is called "The City of Forest."It produces rice, corn, tobacco, cork, raw lacquer, and timber.

At the end of 2002, the population was 3. 4 million. About 1. 6 millions were urban inhabitants who accounted for 47% of the total. There are 37 minority ethnic groups in Guiyang who make up15. 4% of the total. The Buyi and Miao population is 71. 3% of the total minority groups.

The famous scenic spots of Guiyang includes the Qianling Hill, Hongfu Temple, Qilin Cave (Unicorn Cave), Fufeng Hill, Dong Hill (East Hill),Wenchang Pavilion, Jiaxiu Pavilion, Flower Stream, Underground Park, Forest Park, Huangguoshu Falls, etc. among which Huangguoshu Falls is the most famous in all of Guizhou Province, moreover it is the biggest waterfall in China.

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2 Days Classic Guiyang Tour with Qingyan Ancient Town

Best Discovery of Guiyang City Highlights

Guiyang with pleasant cool weather all year round and luxurious vegetation in and around the city is one of the top favorite travel destinations for visual and mind releasing!

This 2 days classic Guiyang tour is the most popular itinerary to discover the best landscape and leisure pace of Guiyang City ! In the 2 days short trip, you will have a refreshing walk at Qianling Park and Huaxi Park with cool air and feast your eyes full with emerald forests, lovely water and those active wild macaques for nature closing up. Besides, you will have the most classic visit to the city symbolic Jiaxiu Pavilion to see contrasting modern and old buildings forming a fabulous city photo of Guiyang. Moreover, you will extend to Qingyan Ancient Town at the southern suburb to discover the hundreds of years old stone fortress and hear and interesting historic stories about local Tunbao culture and excellent scholars during the past imperial examination for Guiyang culture supplement. Let’s go and start your pleasant vacation in Guiyang!

Highlights of this tour

• Walk in the maze of stone at Qingyan Ancient Town to appreciate the majestic old town with stone streets, stone walls, stone pillars... and hear local famous stories and histories!
• Immerse into the refreshing verdant forest of Qianling Park by hiking the steps up with nice encounter with wild macaques, local exercising people and Guiyang City panorama!
• Pay a classic visit to Jiaxiu Pavilion to admire the city symbolic historic tower contrasting the modern buildings with a pleasant leisure stroll along the city’s mother river!
• Roam at romantic Huaxi Park to treat your eyes and mind with the verdant forests, winding river, wooden bridges, etc. for a great relaxing vacation memory!

Basic Trip Information

• 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
• 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.

• Trip Itinerary
• Price Guide
• Guides, Cars, Hotels & Meals
• Make an Enquiry

Full Itinerary Day by day

Welcome to Guiyang , the beautiful “City of Forest” and provincial capital of Guizhou! Upon your arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport or railway station in Guiyang, escort you to your hotel in downtown and help you check in. Have a little bit rest and fresh up!

Then, drive to feel the pleasant refreshing air of Guiyang by first visiting  Qianling Park that is the No.1 Mountain in South Guizhou, the top best place to feel leisure life of Guiyang citizens, and also one of the reason why Guiyang is called “City of Forest”. Watch locals dancing and doing exercise at the park and walk up via the steps at Nine Bending Path with verdant forests to Hong Fu Temple. That is a solemn temple site since 1672 AD and is popular to see grand Buddhist halls along the mountain and groups of believers worshiping there. Enjoy some pleasant moments encountering the groups of cute wild macaques from little to elder, feeling the cool of the emerald forest mountain, hearing the chipping of the birds, admiring the magnificent new skyline of thriving Guiyang City with rich “Green” before taking the cable way down to the exit!

Next, go to visit Jiaxiu Pavilion , the symbol of Guiyang city with a history of more than 400 years. Standing on a rock on Nanming River, with two stone bridges linking, the wooden tower of 3 storeys and 22.9 meters high is a must-see for visiting Guiyang and great to admire the sightseeing of the river. It is particularly appealing at sunset and night when the entire quaint tower is outlined clearly and ignited into orange and golden, against the dazzling night view of the surrounding modern skyscrapers of Guiyang city center! Take a nice walk along the river to enjoy the river wind and cityscape of Guiyang!

After today’s visiting, be escorted back to your hotel and stay overnight in Guiyang!

Arrival Ideas:  Visitors can get to Guiyang by flights from about 14 international destinations including Bangkok, Phuket Island, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, etc. and about 70 domestic cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Changsha, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, etc. Besides, Guiyang has high speed trains from Chongqing (2hrs), Chengdu (3.5hrs), Guilin (2hrs), Guangzhou (4.5hrs), Changsha (3hrs), Wuhan (4.5hrs), Kunming (2hrs), Nanning (5hrs), Shanghai (8.5hrs), Beijing (8.5hrs), Xian (7.5hrs), Zhengzhou (6.5hrs), etc.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and then drive you for about 1 hour to visit  Qingyan Old Town  at the south part of Guiyang City. It is one of the four great old towns in whole Guizhou Province with its legendary history once as a courier station and military fortress. This more than 600 years’ old town keeps the exquisite ancient dwelling houses, temples, city walls, gateways, etc. from Ming and Qing dynasties very well for your historical savory. This traditional old town in south China also surprisingly well keeps a series of religious buildings of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Catholicism to tell the cultural communication of Chinese and Western countries. Walk amongst the worn out paths polished by rains and steps to imagine the old life there. Besides, visit Former Residence of Number One Scholar Zhao Yijiong who was the first Number One Scholar in Guizhou Province during the imperial examination to feel the rich literal atmosphere in the courtyard, take beautiful photos of the symbolic Stone Archway and Dingguang Gateway, etc., roam at the Secluded Street paved with flagstones to travel back to the past centuries, appreciate closely the Guizhou rarely outstanding wood carvings at Shoufo Temple and stone carvings at Ciyun Temple, and feel the simple life with the shopkeepers busy for their lives.

Later, be escorted to Huaxi Park  for about 0.5 hours’ driving. This park built along the pretty and clear Huaxi River and embraced by mountains is one of the best places to have fun with the luxuriant forests with floating water. Enjoy your relaxing stroll at the park with diverse blooming flowers of various colors and grass dancing in the wind, take the new experience walking on the Hundred Steps Bridge with short stones paved on water, roam along the winding paths around the lake with quaint pavilions, etc. Take your time indulging in the nice natural wonderland and forget all the worries from the city life!

After the visiting, our tour guide and driver will send you to airport or train station in Guiyang to catch your flight or train to your next destination or home. Service ends!

Note: if you want to travel further to Huangguoshu Waterfall, ethnic minority villages, Mount Fanjing, etc. in Guizhou, contact us and we’ll arrange the private tour for you.

Recommended Add-on Options

The quotation for this trip is from request per person.

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons. 2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels. 3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025. 4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

• Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
• Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
• Specified tourist attractions (Former Residence of Number One Scholar Zhao Yijiong, Ciyun Temple, Wenchang Pavilion, Zhao Guoshu Shrine, etc.) listed on the tickets of Qingyan Old Town in the itinerary;
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary;
• Necessary transfers as listed in the itinerary;
• Cable way at Qianling Park (down) in the itinerary;
• Hong Fu Temple entrance ticket at Qianling Park in the itinerary;
• All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
• Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

• China visa;
• Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
• Single Room Supplement;
• Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary;
• Recommended optional activities and sites in the itinerary;
• Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary;
• Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc;
• Personal expenses.

How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Guiyang Qianling Park

Jiaxiu Tower in Guiyang

Qingyan Old Town Dingguang Gateway

Qingyan Old Town Stone Archway

Qingyan Old Town Ancient City Wall

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

The tour arrangements were excellent. All connections and meetings with guides went perfectly.

I would recommend your service to others with an interest in China.

Cheers and thanks….and I may book another tour next year!!

We are glad to have chosen to Century Oasis. The ship is new, spacious and clean. Staff were friendly and provided excellent service.

Thank you for checking with us and I'm really pleased to have booked with Yangtze River Cruises and for your prompt service.

Absolutely fantastic, can’t fault. On board food was awesome and me being vegetarian they even made me special meals each day. Staff were wonderful. I also had laundry done, no issues and very good price. Bar was well stocked and well priced. I also got a foot massage and my daughters hair washed and blow dried also value for money.

Concierge did only once on check in to offer an upgraded package for food and cabin. Then never asked again which was perfect.

Porters hired by ship in Chongqing tried to charge me 100rmb for their service but the English speaking concierge told them off very sternly.

Shore excisions included were awesome. I only did 1 optional which was the show on the second night which was absolutely amazing, it felt like I was in the show.

Only complaint is the ships announcements came into cabin speakers.

Apologies for the late reply.

We thoroughly enjoyed the 3 days at Bifengxia. We arrived with an open mind, so I cannot really say that the program met our expectations or not. We learned a lot about the animals, which was great and we spend a lot of time observing them, which was fun. The program itself was more like a 3-day VIP arrangement with backstage passes rather than a volunteering program. Volunteering sounds like you have to make an effort and we were not really put to work, we were treated like guests, which is of course always positive. You prepared us well about the restrictions on interaction with the panda's which was much appreciated, and we did not expect much interaction for starters because we were visiting a research base, not a circus! The panda base itself is a tranquil site and we had a lot of people approaching us for a short conversation, really nice.

If you would ask me if I had any suggestions for improvement, then I do not really have an answer. We enjoyed the hospitality of the hotel, really nice place with a beautiful room, friendly staff and good food. Your team added to the fun and made the visit more memorable when we managed to add a visit to an old village on the last day.

I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in a laid-back panda learning experience in a mountainous area in rural China.

Hope this helps!

Sorry, didn’t respond to you earlier. Since the China trip, we are trying to catch up with everything that we held off for month.

Here is the list of our ranking of each Tour Guides we had in each city.

Guilin - Sharon

Beijing - Linda

Shanghai - Liqi

Zhangjiajie - Nancy

Xi’An - Lily

All the Tour Guides and Drivers provided the service that we needed. Our family really appreciate their hospitality and enjoyed our visit in China. Everyone was an excellent representative of their city and an ambassador to the visitors. They make us proud as a native Chinese, who have excellent command of the English language. The professionalism and knowledge on each city’s history is outstanding. I know our kids have learned a little more about Chinese historical facts and their heritage. For those who speaks Cantonese, Grandpa is very thankful.

Overall, thanks much to you and to the China Discovery team for a very memorable trip.

Check What our customers are saying about us on Tripadvisor.com

We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years

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Guiyang travel guide

Guiyang in brief Guiyang is the capital city of the Province of Guizhou situated in central southwest China. This city is located near to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Nanming River, which is known as a headstream of the Wu River joining the Yangtze River in the nearby Sichuan Province. This central city enjoys a humid subtropical climate and was renowned in ancient times as a place highly surrounded by bamboo groves, producing musical instruments. Cool and humid, the city of Guiyang is for many Chinese people known as the place where summer spends smoothly, but is still unfamiliar to the huge horde of tourist. Like many other Chinese cities, Guiyang flourishes with a lot of ethnic minorities among which the Miao, Dong, Hui and Buyi are the most important ones. This is thanks to these unique folklores that the city is renowned for its ethnic minority culture as well as its lush natural sceneries today. While coming to Guiyang on your tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many scenic sites barely seen anywhere else in China. Between minorities' festivals, scenic spots and luxurious hot spicy food, Guiyang is just the place where to stop for an unusual tour in China. ... More information about Guiyang »

Top Attractions in Guiyang

Hongfu Temple

Huaxi Park (Flower Stream Park)

Jiaxiu Tower

Tianhe Pool Scenic Area

Zhenshan Ethnic Village

Qianling Park

• China tours to Guiyang
• Guiyang Attractions
• Guiyang Cuisine
• Guiyang Weather
• Guiyang Transportation

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Guiyang travel guide

Guiyang tourism | guiyang guide, you're going to love guiyang.

The capital of Guizhou province, Guiyang is a smart, youthful city with plenty of historical appeal, spicy local cuisine and easy access to the tourist attractions of southwestern China.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Guiyang

1. it's a great food and drink destination.

Guizhou cuisine features spicy hotpots, rice pancakes with pickles, and bubbling hot beef noodles, and is also the global center for Maotai liquor production.

2. Captivating Ming Dynasty Temples

Historical highlights include the Hongfu Temple, located in the north of Guiyang, and the Jiaxiu Pavilion, built in 1598 and surrounded by markets and rolling gardens.

3. Cruise through the Tianhetan Caves

Just outside Guiyang you'll find Tianhetan, a complex of flooded caves, rivers, and waterfalls. Take a boat ride through some of Guizhou's most stunning scenery.

4. Get Hold of Some Batik Designs

Guiyang is a center for Anshun Batik - featuring gorgeous fabric designs inspired by nature. You'll find them for sale all over the city.

5. Take a Trip to the Huangguoshu Waterfalls

Located 100 miles from Guiyang, these falls are an incredible sight, with their 240-foot plunge and glittering, rainbow-hued pools.

What to do in Guiyang

1. towering magnificence.

The graceful Jiaxiu Tower is made entirely out of wood and stands on an enormous turtle-shaped rock. It was initially constructed between 1368 and 1644 during the Ming Dynasty. Since then, it has undergone various renovations and is now hailed as Guiyang's landmark as well as the town's cultural symbol. The blue sky and scattered clouds above the pointed roof end add a touch of heavenly beauty to the intricate architecture.

2. The Cultural Hub

Within the southern suburb of Guiyang is one of Guizhou Province's most well-known cultural and historical locations, the Qingyan Ancient Town. Built in 1378, it covers approximately 741 acres of land. Qingyan's intense cultural atmosphere has made it a favorite among local and international tourists. Through the years, it has undergone various renovations, but still maintains its cultural heritage. Walk through the town's crowded streets and discover hundreds of relic sites and the perfectly-designed architectural style all around. Make a stop at one of the many tea houses and taste local dishes such as rice tofu and Qingyan tofu.

3. Pure Natural Bliss

Also known as the Huaxi Park, the Flower Stream Park is the central part of the Flower Stream Scenic Area. It uniquely blends natural rivers with hills, and perfect scenery with ethnic features, thus earning it the name 'Black Garden of Guiyang City'. It was developed during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) by local people, who planted flowers on hills and constructed towers and pavilions. The park is elegantly encompassed by the crystal-clear waters of the Flower Stream. Four hills (Lin, Feng, She and Gui) stand tall on either side of the park. Here visitors can experience nature at its loveliest.

4. Feel The Touch Of Mother Nature

Known for its majestic island, the Red Maple Lake stretches approximately 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) from Guiyang and is considered Guizhou Plateau's prized pearl. The lake area is comprised of four parts: North, South and Rear Lakes, and the scattered ethnic villages. The nearby mountain ranges are exuberant with maple trees that add a touch of red to the mostly green environment. Bask in the beauty and serenity of the Red Maple Lake by taking a sightseeing tour of each of the four beautiful areas.

5. The Ultimate Escapade

Famed for its vast landscape and many attractive features, the Tianhe Pool Scenic Area is approximately 24 km from Guiyang. It is blessed with numerous historical sites, stone bridges, and the (really deep) Water Cave, which has a length of 1,000 meters and width of 80 meters. The best thing about this site is, of course, the cultural displays scattered in different places. For couples intending to have a memorable wedding, the Tianhe Pool Scenic Area is just the place. The abundance of nature all around serves as the ideal backdrop for wedding photos.

Where to Eat in Guiyang

The food in Guizhou is usually spicy and based around soups, pancakes, and stews. Some of the best places to try it include the street vendors at Hequn Lu, as well as restaurants like Siheyuan and Huaxi Wangji Beef Noodle. Expect to pay ¥40-60 for a good meal.

When to visit Guiyang

Spring and fall are the best times to visit, when the blossom or leaf fall is at its most beautiful, the weather is mild, and tourist season hasn't really begun.

How to Get to Guiyang

Guiyang Airport (KWE) has good connections to Beijing and Shanghai. The airport bus costs ¥10, while taxis will charge around ¥60.

Trains run into Guiyang from Beijing via Chongqing (although it's a 24-hour journey).

From Chengdu or Chongqing, take the G210. From Shanghai, take the G50, then the G56, before taking the G75 at Zunyi.

Intercity buses run into Guiyang's Jinyang neighborhood from all over southern China.

Airports near Guiyang

Airlines serving guiyang, where to stay in guiyang.

Some of the finest upscale hotels in Guiyang include the Novotel Guiyang Downtown, the Hotel Pullman, and the Renaissance Guiyang Hotel, which is slightly outside the center.

Popular Neighborhoods in Guiyang

Zhonghua Lu - a bustling shopping street, Zhonghua Lu is lined with department stores, so if you need to pick up anything, it's the place to go.

Qingyan - located in southern Guiyang, Qingyan is famous for its Ming-era "ancient town", with its temples, walls, and street markets.

Hequn Lu - Hequn Lu is Guiyang's street food center, with hotpots, beef noodles, and rice pancakes all available, day and night.

Where to stay in popular areas of Guiyang

Most booked hotels in guiyang, how to get around guiyang, public transportation.

Buses run all over the Guiyang area and charge between ¥1 and ¥2.

The first two miles or so will cost ¥8, and after that taxis charge ¥2.50 per mile, so it's not an expensive way to get around.

Car rental businesses in town include Chenghu Automobile Leasing and Hongteng, and prices can dip to ¥60 per day.

The Cost of Living in Guiyang

Shopping streets.

Zhonghua Lu is the main place to visit if you need a standard department store, but the soul of Guiyang's retail scene is Yan'an Lu, where you'll find batik fabrics, liquor, silver jewelry, and traditional masks.

Groceries and Other

Supermarkets in town include Xingye and Sunflower, where 12 eggs will cost around ¥8.