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.
Most Popular Guiyang Attractions
Qianling Mountain Park (黔灵山公园, Qianlingshan Park), located in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, was established in 1957 and spans an area of 4.26 million square...
Qingyan Ancient Town (青岩古镇), situated in the southern suburbs of Guiyang City, is one of the four renowned ancient towns in Guizhou, alongside Zhenyuan,...
Tianhe Pool Scenic Area (天河潭景区, Tianhe Pond), situated in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, is a picturesque tourist and leisure destination renowned for...
Jiaxiu Pavilion (甲秀楼, Jiaxiu Tower), situated on the Nanming River in Guiyang, was initially constructed in the 26th year of the Wanli era in the Ming...
The Guizhou Provincial Museum (贵州省博物馆), spanning an area of 70,860 square meters with a total construction area of 46,450 square meters, stands as a testament...
Gaopo Miao Ethnic Township (高坡苗乡) is nestled in the southeastern part of Huaxi District, Guiyang, covering a total area of 120 square kilometers with 87...
Other Attractions in Guiyang
The Guizhou Ethnic and folk Customs Museum (贵州民族民俗博物馆) is an elegant replica of ancient architecture, painted in white, serving as a venue to showcase...
Guizhou Forest Wildlife Zoo (贵州森林野生动物园), spanning 5800 acres, is situated in the picturesque town of Zhazuo, on the northern outskirts of Guiyang, surrounded...
Guiyang Grand Theater (贵阳大剧院), located in the heart of Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province, China, stands as a remarkable symbol of architectural...
The former site of Dade School in Guiyang (贵阳达德学校旧址) holds a rich history, tracing its origins back to the Yuan Dynasty when it was known as the Nan Jiyun...
Guiyang Forest Park (贵阳森林公园), located in the Nanming District of Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, is a sprawling natural oasis spanning fertile land for...
The Confucius Academy of Guiyang (贵阳孔学堂), nestled against the majestic Dajiang Mountain and overlooking the picturesque Huaxi River, stands as a cultural...
Located in Kaiyang County, Guizhou Province, the Hou’er Sinkhole (猴耳天坑) is a captivating natural wonder that seamlessly blends elements of sinkholes,...
Guiyang Lover Valley (贵阳情人谷), located in the Wudang District of Guiyang City, is a picturesque and enchanting destination. The entrance to the valley leads...
Guizhou Nationalities Museum (贵州民族博物馆), located within the iconic building of the Ethnic Culture Palace in Guiyang, spans an impressive area of 13,175...
Zhenshan Ethnic Village (镇山村), nestled on a peninsula in the heart of Huaxi Reservoir in Guiyang City, spans an area of 3.8 square kilometers. Adjacent...
Baihua Lake (百花湖), nestled in the northwestern outskirts of Guiyang City, covers a total area of 83 square kilometers, with 14.5 square kilometers dedicated...
Yangming Temple (阳明祠, Yangming Shrine) is situated on the eastern side of Guiyang City and has a rich history, dating back to the 19th year of the Qing...
Wenchang Pavilion (文昌阁) stands proudly on the site of the old East Gate in the heart of Guiyang, China. This three-story pagoda-style structure, constructed...
Zhucheng Square (筑城广场), located in Guiyang, covers a total area of 87,433 square meters. Nestled like a peninsula along the picturesque Nanming River,...
Xifeng Hot Spring (息烽温泉), situated at the foothills of Mount Tiantai, 40 kilometers northeast of Xifeng City, is renowned as one of the eight famous hot...
Guanshanhu Park, or Guanshan Lake Park, (观山湖公园) is nestled in the northwest of Guiyang City, covering an expansive area of over 5,500 acres, with approximately...
Hongfu Temple (弘福寺) is situated atop the Qianling Mountain in Guiyang, founded by Monk Chisong in 1672 and often referred to as the “First Monastery...
Hebin Park, also known as Riverside Park (河滨公园), is situated along the banks of the Nanming River in Guiyang, covering an expansive 255 acres. Established...
Yunding Grass Field (云顶草场), located in Gaopo Township, Huaxi District, Guiyang City, spans approximately 2000 acres and is situated 32 kilometers away...
Hongfeng Lake (红枫湖), also known as Red Maple Lake, is a scenic area located in the western suburbs of Guiyang City, covering an expansive area of 200 square...
Nanjiang Grand Canyon (南江大峡谷) is situated in Kaiyang County, in the central part of the Guizhou Plateau. It is distinguished by its remarkable Karst canyon...
Huaguoyuan Wetland Park (花果园湿地公园), nestled in the heart of Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province, unfolds its natural charm amidst the lush surroundings...
Huaxi Yelang Valley (花溪夜郎谷), nestled in the heart of Gui’an New District in Guiyang, is an enchanting ecological park dominated by karst landscapes....
Huaxi National Urban Wetland Park (花溪国家城市湿地公园), located in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, is the first national urban wetland park in the province. Situated...
Huaxi Park (花溪公园), also known as Flower Creek Park, is nestled in the southern outskirts of Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province, China. Spanning...
Cuiwei Garden (翠微园), located in Guiyang, is a vast complex of ancient buildings adjacent to the Jiaxiu Pavilion in the southern part of the city. Covering...
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 appears to be a straightforward 400 or 500 meters on the map may actually consist entirely of uphill climbs.
Fortunately, I booked a hotel right next to the subway station.
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 ten minutes to reach. The lighting at Jiaxiu Tower around 4:30 PM is excellent for taking photos. 3️⃣ Yantang Street There are a variety of small shops with colorful storefronts, but it seems like everyone is there just for the photo opportunities, as the rate of actually entering the shops is quite low. 4️⃣ Yuantong Street This area has vintage shops and plenty of snacks, including the famous tofu stand… 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 breeze felt quite pleasant. If you’re looking for a place to escape the heat, I suggest finding a more remote area for some simple accommodations. However, the attractions… it’s best to skip them.
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 roads that require a lot of walking, so wear comfortable sports shoes. 5. There are few places to buy food inside Huaxi Yelang Valley, so it’s recommended to bring some snacks and water with you, although there are vendors at the entrance with relatively normal prices. 7. Avoid buying tickets to Guiyang East Station when visiting Guiyang, as it is far from the city center and not very convenient for… 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:
High-speed train (Kaili Station)- Bus or Taxi- Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
High-speed train stations: Guiyang North or Guiyang East
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Tips: There are West Gate and North Gate entrances. It is recommended for first-time visitors to enter from the West Gate, where there are more commercial areas.
– 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. The fourth stop was at the White House and the Twin Towers. The privately-owned residential building costing 2.7 billion was indeed impressive. The Twin Towers had too many screen advertisements, and I had to wait quite a while to take a picture with the “I Love Guiyang” sign. After trying out some street food like Guojuan and roasted potatoes, I chatted with a local who recommended us to visit the… Read more »