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.
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
Plane
Guiyang Airport (KWE) has good connections to Beijing and Shanghai. The airport bus costs ¥10, while taxis will charge around ¥60.
Train
Trains run into Guiyang from Beijing via Chongqing (although it's a 24-hour journey).
Car
From Chengdu or Chongqing, take the G210. From Shanghai, take the G50, then the G56, before taking the G75 at Zunyi.
Bus
Intercity buses run into Guiyang's Jinyang neighborhood from all over southern China.
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.
Taxi
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
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.