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
Huaxi Park
The oldest park in Guiyang, the Huaxia Wetland Park boasts the longest river course (about 11 kilometers) among all parks in Guiyang. The river meanders through numerous scenic spots within the park, creating a diverse habitat for over 1,500 species of wildlife. Besides the abundant natural beauty, the park is also rich in cultural heritage, housing many stone inscriptions from different dynasties.
Qianling Park
Nestled at the foot of Qianling Mountain, Qianling Park is blessed with stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and animal observation. Though named as a park, it is actually a mosaic of forests, lakes, mountains, springs, caves, ancient temples, and diverse wildlife. Some top features of the park include Hongfu Temple, Qilin Cave, Monkey Observation Area and the zoo.
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.
By Train
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.
Related reading: Guizhou Transportation: How to Get to and Travel around
