Guizhou Travel Guide

Top Travel Destinations in Guizhou

Thanks to its vast expanse and diverse geography, Guizhou is endowed with a variety of natural and cultural wonders. Its immense size encompasses a spectrum of landscapes, ranging from spectacular waterfalls and lush valleys to majestic mountains and cave networks. Amidst these natural wonders is the rich cultural tapestry that is contributed by the diverse ethnic groups inhabiting the region. Below are some of the best places to visit in Guizhou as well as the must-visit attractions in each destination.

Guiyang

The capital as well as the largest city in Guizhou Province, Guiyang is the cultural and transportation center of Guizhou. Its location and well-connected transportation network make it the first gateway city to the Huangguoshu Waterfall, minority villages, etc. Though the city is unpretentious when it comes to tourism, it will impress you with its comfortable climate, stunning historical heritages, and tasty food.

Top Attractions in Guiyang

• Qingyan Ancient Town: Located on the outskirts of Guiyang, Qingyan Ancient Town is a well-preserved ancient town that dates back over 600 years, featuring traditional architecture, stone streets, and temples, making it a popular destination for history and culture enthusiasts.
• Jiaxiu Tower: A landmark of Guiyang, Jiaxiu Tower is a three-story wooden tower built on a rocky island in the middle of the Nanming River, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Visitors can climb the tower and enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the river.
• Guizhou Provincial Museum: A comprehensive museum showcasing the rich cultural and natural heritage of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Provincial Museum houses over 80,000 artifacts, including ancient biological fossils, relics from the Paleolithic Age, bronze weapons and chariots, ethnic costumes and handicrafts, etc. The Chinese Miao Costume Library and the Chinese Miao Silver Ornament Library are two highlights of the museum, providing an insight into local splendid ethnic culture.

Anshun

Located in the mid-western part of Guizhou, Anshun is one of the most visited cities in Guizhou which is about 90 km away from the capital city Guiyang. It is home to some of the province’s star attractions, such as Huangguoshu Waterfall – the largest waterfall in Asia, and the Dragon Palace Cave, where you can take a boat to sail along the underground river to discover various stalactites and stalagmites. It is also the place where you can experience the unique Tunpu culture of ancient Han ethnic people.

Top Attractions in Anshun

• Huangguoshu Waterfall: A symbol of Guizhou’s natural beauty, Huangguoshu Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Asia, is the most important part of Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park which houses 18 other waterfalls of various sizes and shapes, and mysterious karst caves and lush forests. There is a 134-meter-long Water-Curtain Cave behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to appreciate and even touch the waterfall from behind.
• Dragon Palace Scenic Area: Featuring mysterious karst caves, underground rivers, and in-cave waterfalls, the Dragon Palace Scenic Area resembles the palace of the Dragon King in China’s fairy tale. Visitors can take a boat to appreciate the various stalactites, stalagmites, and columns in the karst caves and marvel at the spectacular in-cave waterfalls.
• Tianlong Tunpu: Tianlong Tunpu is a fortified village inhabited by the ancient Han ethnic people whose ancestors were Han soldiers in the Ming Dynasty and settled in this area to guard the frontier region. Nowadays, the local Tunpun people still preserve their unique stone houses, stone walls and watchtowers, distinctive hairstyles and costumes, and ancient theater and opera.
• Getu River Scenic Area: An outstanding karst natural park, the Gutu River Scenic Area is known for its stunning karst landscape, including towering cliffs, majestic caves,  and crystal-clear rivers. Here you can also have a chance to experience the ethnic life and customs of the Miao people and witness local Miao people perform freehand rock climbing without any protective measures.

Xingyi

Xingyi is the capital of the Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, offering unforgettable Buyei and Miao ethnic culture experiences and glimpses into various ancient villages, bridges, and temples. The city is also known for its gorgeous karst landform, housing several stunning natural beauties, such as the Wangfenlin (the Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks) and Maling River Canyon.

Top Attractions in Xingyi

• Maling River Canyon: A deep canyon cut by the Maling River and the underground water, Maling River Canyon features over 100 spectacular waterfalls, karst caves, towering cliffs, and lush forests. It offers a thrilling drift experience along the turbulent Maling River at the bottom of the canyon. Hiking along the plank trail at the canyon bottom is also rewarding thanks to the surrounding breathtaking scenery.
• Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks (Wanfenglin): Wanfenglin is a representative karst peak forest in China, featuring a spectacular scene of nearly 20,000 cone-shaped karst hills. There are also several ethnic villages scattered in this area, offering a chance to enjoy the customs and culture of the Buyei and Miao people.

Kaili

Located in the southeast of Guizhou Province, Kaili is the capital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture which is home to over 30 ethnic groups. It is the place where some of Guizhou’s top ethnic villages are located, making it a cultural hub to look into various ethnic architecture, craft arts, festivals, clothing, and music and dances.

Top Attractions in Kaili

• Xijiang Miao Village: One of the largest Miao villages in China, Xijiang Miao Village is home to over 1,000 wooden stilt houses, winding alleys, and traditional costumes.
• Upper Langde Miao Village: Located along the Danjiang River at the foot of Leigong Mountain, Upper Langde Miao Village is home to the Long Skirt Miao ethnic group, known for their unique Diaojiaolou (wooden stilted houses), hospitable welcoming ceremony and the Lusheng Festival celebrations.
• Matang Gejia Village: This is a village to experience the unique culture and life of Gejia people who are a subgroup of the Miao minority people. Different from the other Miao ethnic groups, the Gejia people preserved their language, costumes, and totems. They are especially known for their Gejia Batik.
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town: An over 2,200-year-old town inhabited by Miao and Dong, and several other ethnic groups, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is a gathering place of diverse architectural styles, including folk houses, temples, bridges, and ancient alleys. Also, you can expect to experience some folk traditional festivals here, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, the March 3^rd Festival, and September 9^th.
• Kaili Ethnic Minority Museum: This is a relatively new museum that was opened to the public in 2010. It has 12 exhibition halls showcasing the distinctive aspects of each ethnic group in southeast Guizhou Province, such as clothing, architecture, folklore, handicrafts, and dragon boat culture.

Tongren

Tongren’s location between Central China and the southwest frontier endowed the city with the title of ‘Gateway of the Guizhou Eastern Area’. Most travelers visit Tongren for its star attraction – Fanjing Mountain, which is one of the five sacred Buddhist mountains in China, featuring rich biodiversity and picturesque scenery. It’s also a culturally rich city of diverse ethnic groups, such as Dong, Miao, Tujia, and Buyi.

Top Attractions in Tongren

• Fanjing Mountain: Fanjing Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the five sacred Buddhist mountains in China which is known for its stunning natural scenery, unique biodiversity, and cultural significance, featuring rare plant and animal species and ancient Buddhist temples.
• Nine-dragon Cave Scenic Spot: Nine-dragon Cave Scenic Spot is a natural karst landform park that stands out for its spectacular cave system. Nine-dragon Cave is the highlight of the park, with 7 mysterious caves housing various sparkling stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes, such as animals, clouds, waterfalls, flowers, and pillars.

Libo

Libo County is the place where you can marvel at some of the most spectacular karst landscapes in China, which has been inscribed as part of the South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Xiaoqikoing Scenic Area is the top reason most travelers visit Libo, while the county also boasts many other scenic spots, ancient architecture, and rich ethnic culture.

Top Attractions in Libo

• Libo Seven Small Arches Scenic Area: The best highlight in this scenic area is the Xiaoqikong Bridge, an ancient stone bridge of seven arches, which was built in 1834, showcasing the harmony between the karst landscape and local ethnic culture. Besides, the scenic area will also delight you with turquoise waters, cascading waterfalls, mysterious caves, and lush forests.
• Daqikong Scenic Area: The name Daqikong (means large seven arches) comes from the ancient bridge at its entrance which is bigger than the bridge in the Xiaoqikong area. In this area, you will enjoy a world of primitive forests, canyons, underground streams, and underground lakes. Both Xiaoqikong and Daqikong Scenic Areas are important parts of the grand Zhangjiang Scenic Area.  
• Libo Ancient Town: Though a newly built town on the original site of Libo Stone City, the Libo Ancient Town is still worth your visit due to the many ancient style architecture, and various intangible cultural heritage performances in this area.