Guizhou

Guizhou is an inland province in Southwestern China. Its capital and largest city is Guiyang, in the center of the province. Guizhou borders the autonomous region of Guangxi to the south, Yunnan to the west, Sichuan to the northwest, the municipality of Chongqing to the north, and Hunan to the east. Guizhou has a humid subtropical climate. It covers a total area of 176,200 square kilometers and consists of six prefecture-level cities and three autonomous prefectures. The population of Guizhou stands at 38.5 million, ranking 18th among the provinces in China. The Dian Kingdom, which inhabited the present-day area of Guizhou, was annexed by the Han dynasty in 106 BC. Guizhou was formally made a province in 1413 during the Ming dynasty. After the overthrow of the Qing in 1911 and following the Chinese Civil War, the Chinese Communist Party took refuge in Guizhou during the Long March between 1934 and 1935. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong promoted the relocation of heavy industry into inland provinces such as Guizhou, to better protect them from potential foreign attacks. Located in the hinterland of the southwestern inland region, Guizhou is a transportation hub in the southwest area and an important part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It is the country's first national-level comprehensive pilot zone for big data, a mountain tourism destination and a major mountain tourism province, a national ecological civilization pilot zone, and an inland open economic pilot zone. The representative historical culture is "Qian Gui culture"(黔贵文化). In addition, Guizhou is also one of the birthplaces of ancient Chinese humans and ancient Chinese culture, with ancient humans living on this land since about half a million years ago. Guizhou is rich in natural, cultural and environmental resources. Its natural industry includes timber and forestry, and the energy and mining industries constitute an important part of its economy. Notwithstanding, Guizhou is considered a relatively undeveloped province, with the fourth-lowest GDP per capita in China as of 2020. However, it is also one of China's fastest-growing economies. The Chinese government is looking to develop Guizhou as a data hub. Guizhou is a mountainous province, with its higher altitudes in the west and centre. It lies at the eastern end of the Yungui Plateau. Demographically, it is one of China's most diverse provinces. Minority groups account for more than 37% of the population, including sizable populations of the Miao, Bouyei, Dong, Tujia and Yi peoples, all of whom speak languages distinct from Chinese. The main language spoken in Guizhou is Southwestern Mandarin, a variety of Mandarin.

One-Day Guizhou Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Mountain Wonders + Ethnic Culture + Sour-Spicy Flavors

Suitable for:

Short trips to Guiyang/Qiandongnan/Anshun, optimal with high-speed rail + scenic shuttle

Practical Tips

Tickets:

Miao Village ¥110 (includes shuttle) | Huangguoshu ¥160 (peak season) | Museum free

Ethnic Experiences:

12-course "Block-the-Gate" wine (optional) | Buyi "Eight-Tone" folk music

Transport Notes:

Guiyang metro covers downtown | Organized tours recommended for villages/waterfalls

Optimization Tips:

Guiyang alternative: Mysterious Stone Castle at Yelang Valley

Overnight in Miao Village for crowd-free mornings

Huangguoshu best May-Oct (bring non-slip shoes)

(Note: Attractions are scattered—focus on 2-3 spots per day!)

Option 1:

Guiyang Cultural Discovery

Best for:

History lovers, foodies

Transport:

Metro Line 1 + bus

07:30-09:30 Qianling Mountain Park

¥2.5 wild macaque viewing | Hongfu Temple vegetarian meal | City views from Kanzhu Pavilion

10:00-12:00 Jiaxiu Pavilion + Wenchang Pavilion

Ming Dynasty architecture | Calligraphy at Cuiwei Garden

12:30-14:00 Old Guiyang Lunch

Recommended: Silian Sour Soup Rolls + Lei Family Tofu Balls

14:30-17:00 Guizhou Provincial Museum

Miao silver ornaments + paleontological fossils | 4D "Colorful Guizhou" film

18:00 Qingyun Road Night Market

Liuyishou grilled fish + rose ice jelly | Try Houttuynia cordata dipping sauce

Option 2:

Xijiang Miao Village Experience

Best for:

Photographers, culture seekers

Transport:

High-speed rail to Kaili South + shuttle

07:00-09:00 Arrive at Kaili South Station

09:30-12:00 Thousand Household Miao Village

Morning mist over stilt houses | Try embroidery/batik

12:30-14:00 Long Table Banquet

Sour fish soup + glutinous rice wine | "Flowing Mountain Water" toast ritual

14:30-17:00 Terrace Fields

Hiking + Lusheng performances at Wind-Rain Bridge

18:00 Night Illuminations

Rent Miao costumes | "Beautiful Xijiang" ethnic dance show

Option 3:

Huangguoshu Waterfall Adventure

Best for:

Nature enthusiasts

Transport:

High-speed rail to Anshun West + shuttle

07:00-08:30 Arrive at Anshun West Station

09:00-12:00 Huangguoshu Waterfall

Walk behind curtain (raincoat needed) | 360° viewing platforms

12:30-14:00 Buyi Ethnic Lunch

Duoduofen noodles + rice rolls

14:30-17:00 Doupotang + Tianxing Bridge

"Journey to the West" filming location | Silver Chain Waterfall

18:00 Return to Guiyang

Stop at Qingyan Ancient Town for braised pork knuckles (free night entry)