Guiyang Travel Guide
“Within the mountains lies a city, within the city lies mountains, surrounded by greenery, encircled by forests.” Guiyang, a modern city with plateau characteristics, boasts picturesque landscapes, with green belts enveloping its surroundings. Its favorable ecology and pleasant climate stand as the city’s pride.
Guiyang features a blend of highland natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. Attractions like Tianhe Pool, Nanjing Grand Canyon, characterized by mountains, waters, forests, and caves, showcase the beauty of the plateau. Cultural landmarks such as Yangming Temple, Qianling Mountain Park, and the Jiaxiu Pavilion add depth to Guiyang’s cultural offerings. Additionally, the city exudes the ancient charm and vibrant diversity of its ethnic minority cultures.
In spring, Guiyang mesmerizes with its lush greenery and scenic waters; summer invites romantic escapades in places like Huaxi, where tranquil streams and verdant trees create idyllic settings; while autumn beckons visitors to Qingyan Ancient Town to unwind and savor the tranquility of life, washing away the hustle and bustle of the world.
It’s best not to visit Guiyang in winter. Out of thirty-one days in a month, there are thirty gloomy, overcast days, with not a single day of sunshine. It’s damp and cold, really dreary.
Guiyang, the city that can wear you out Walking around, you quickly start going uphill or climbing stairs. There are basically no crosswalks on the roads, and you have to rely entirely on underground passages to cross the street. The problem is that every underground passage has really long stairs. Even coming out of the subway station requires quite a walk to finally get outside. The transfer process feels like a journey that makes you question your life choices. What… Read more »
1️⃣ Xianren Cave Taoist Temple You can take a DiDi ride straight to the entrance of the temple, avoiding a long uphill walk through narrow alleys. Once you enter, you’ll have to climb on steep stone paths at about an 80-90 degree angle, so those with a fear of heights should think twice. On a sunny day, it’s a great spot for photography. 2️⃣ Jiaxiu Tower Continue your journey with another DiDi or taxi down the mountain; it takes just… Read more »
I’ve been here for two days, and all the attractions feel the same. No matter what you do, it’s always crowded with people. I went up the mountain to see monkeys, but there were more people than monkeys. I visited the Catholic Church and the Qingyun Market (青云市集), and they were also packed with crowds, which was quite uncomfortable. On the bright side, the food was pretty good, and the Guizhou Provincial Museum was nice to stroll around!
I spent a total of 5 days in Guizhou and regretted my decision to come almost every minute. There were too many people, too many cars, the accommodation prices were high, and the wait for a meal started at two hours (the same goes for slightly popular restaurants). The tourist attractions were completely packed, and waiting for the cable car and similar rides also took at least two hours. It’s undeniable that the weather was indeed very cool; a gentle… Read more »
Yesterday morning, I started queuing for the cable car at Qianling Mountain Park around 9 AM. It wasn’t until about 11 AM that I finally reached the front of the line.
The descent was equally crowded, with people jostling one another, which was so overwhelming that even the monkeys looked frightened and ran away.
Please be aware of the following when traveling in Guiyang: 1. Most transportation options in Guiyang are limited to public buses and taxis, so be prepared for that. 2. The Guizhou Provincial Museum is free to enter, but it is closed on Mondays, so plan your trip accordingly. 3. There are many underground passages in Guiyang, and it’s easy to get lost at the exits, so make sure to follow the signs. 4. Many scenic spots in Guizhou have mountainous… Read more »
Day 1: ✔️ Jiaxiu Tower-Beitian Catholic Church-Huaxi Yelang Valley-Qingyun Market Note: Jiaxiu Tower is located in the center of Guiyang. It is recommended to visit during the day. After visiting Jiaxiu Tower, you can taste wild mushroom dishes at Junniu Restaurant (right across from Jiaxiu Tower). After lunch, a 30-minute drive to Huaxi Yelang Valley for sightseeing, then return to Qingyun Market in the evening (various restaurants and souvenirs) for an authentic Guizhou sour soup beef hot pot. Day 2:… Read more »
– The White House (白宫) looks beautiful for nighttime photos, lights on at 19:50.
– Jiaxiu Tower (甲秀楼) night lights on from 19:30 to 22:00.
– Every snack in Guiyang has Zhe’er Gen, remember to mention if you don’t want it.
– Guizhou Provincial Museum (贵州省博物馆) closed on Mondays, open on other days.
– Monkeys at Qianling Mountain (黔灵山) may bite, make sure to stay safe.
At the first stop, I went to Qianlingshan Park to see the monkeys. I initially brought some snacks for them but ended up not daring to feed them. I left halfway through the walk as the monkeys staring at people was quite scary. The second stop was at Wenchang Pavilion, a small attraction where many children were playing with skateboards. The third stop was Jiaxiu Tower, which was beautifully lit up similar to Jinan’s Daming Lake Pavilion, both very picturesque.… Read more »