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Guizhou Travel

Guizhou Travel Guide

Guizhou, Short for Gui or Qian, is located in the hinterland of Southwest China. It boarders Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipal to the north, Hunan Province to the east, Guangxi Province to the south and Yunnan Province to the West. Guizhou Province is one of the most famous mountain travel destination, which has been listed as No.6 in “Top 10 Region to Visit in 2020” by Lonely Planet and has been highly recommended by CNN as a new big travel destination. As the only province without plains in China, Guizhou proudly boasts its special shape of Karst landform in idyllic, peculiar and amazing charm. Moreover, as the harmonious wonderland hometown for 17 ethnic minorities living there for centuries, Guizhou is your top best destination to admire the beautiful costumes, outstanding artistic songs and dances, joyous festivals and peaceful villages of Miao, Dong, Buyi, Yao, Shui and other ethnic groups! What ethnic is what worldwide! And the ethnic Guizhou through the effort of local people has been excellently developed to boast the national first big data base, world record-breaking bridge projects, unbelievable valuable FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope), and more advanced science and technologies fruits to walk closer to the world! Just for your expecting exploration of the diverse Guizhou of cool, warmness, peace, prosperity, and more possible points you are thinking of!

Why Visit Guizhou Province, China:

  • UNESCO Natural & Cultural Heritages of China: Guizhou boasts abundant World Natural Heritage Sites including peculiar Mount Fanjing in Tongren, glowing and refreshing Chishui Danxia as a part of China Danxia, Xiaoqikong fabulous water landscape in Libo and Yuntai Mountain in Southwest Guizhou. Besides, Guizhou boassts Hailongtun Tusi Site in Zunyi City as the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site for your understanding of Tusi system with military fortress background.
  • Authentic Harmonious Life of 56 Ethnic Minorities: As a multiracial province with 56 ethnic compositions, Guizhou has plentiful ethnic cultural treasures for the closest appreciation, especially the 17 ethnic groups living there for hundreds and thousands of years. Visiting the authentic villages of tilted houses on mountains or along the rivers, appreciating their distinct fancy dresses with beautiful designs and decorations, enjoy the world famous Grand Songs, closely see their daily life style, etc. to feel the harmony of various groups living in Guizhou!
  • Exquisite Ethnic Arts and Crafts: ethnic minority people in Guizhou are really skillful craftspeople, who always succeed to attract your eyes on their gorgeous costumes of various colors, silver accessories from head to toe, etc. Also, the famous Miao embroidery, papermaking, wax printing etc. make Guizhou a great place to admire the national proud intangible cultural heritages.
  • Jubilant Festivals Celebration Every Day: nearly one thousand national and ethnic festivals make the nearly 365 days in Guizhou a special gala! New year of Miao people, Lusheng Festival with melodious tunes, amazing Han Tian Festival for rain praying, jubilant Sisters’ Festivals, Romantic Swinging Festival as a local romantic Valentine’s Day, etc. will treat visitors with the grand scene of their festival feast and the fantastic festive jollification!
  • Proud Special Karst Landscape & Natural Treasures: diverse shapes of millions of Karst mountains gives Guizhou the world special shape. World well-known second largest Huangguoshu Waterfall, photographers favored Wanfenglin with layers of hump hills, especially unique pillar mountains at Fanjingshan, dazzling underground mist of stalactites and stalagmites and other rich continuous praisable Karst landscapes are the best gift to Guizhou from nature! Besides, mind purifying Jiabang Rice Terraces, mysterious Getu River and the cave, vast Wumeng Prairie, romantic purple sea of flowers at Jiucaiping Plateau, peceful Caohai Lake at Weining, hundred mile of azalea blossoms, lovely full islands of cherry flowers, well preserved Maolan Nature Reserve, etc. also have changed Guizhou a quite popular destination to discover the hidden gems of nature!
  • Cool Weather and pleasant landscape: with 92.5% coverage being mountains and hills covered by plentiful of plantations and an annual average temperature between 15℃, Guizhou is the top pleasant and cool destination to enjoy vacations.
  • ......

Top Travel Destinations in Guizhou, China

Traveling to Guizhou is very different from other destinations in China. In this pleasant and refreshing wonderland, you will encounter with a series of beautiful places, such as Guiyang as the best gateway city with cool weather and famous old town and forest parks, Anshun with most famous Huangguoshu Waterfall and other highlights of Karst cave and Tunpu villages, Southeast Guizhou (Kaili, Congjiang, Rongjiang...) with best ethnic villages of Miao and Dong people, Fanjingshan with world treasured peculiar mountain pillars and Buddhist culture, Libo with UNESCO heritage landscape of water, Chishui with first-class sightseeing of Danxia landform, etc. All will let you know a large and diverse Guizhou! Best Places to Visit in Guizhou >>

Liping Liping
Xingyi Xingyi
Chishui Chishui
Bijie Bijie
Liupanshui Liupanshui

Top Attractions in Guizhou, China

To enjoy best highlights in Guizhou, you shall not miss the No.1 Huanguoshu Waterfall, a series of distinct beautiful ethnic villages of local Miao and Dong groups, UNESCO bestowed Mount Fanjing and top recommended ancient town. However, Guizhou also has more excellent Karst caverns, national top rice terraces scenery, appealing forest parks, charming rivers, world largest radio telescope, and more natural and cultural wonders for your discover! Go and explore! Top Attractions in Guizhou >> | Top Things to Do in Guizhou >>

Huangguoshu Waterfall
Huangguoshu Waterfall

This waterfall wonder on Karst landform is Guizhou No.1 attraction listed as Asia’s largest waterfall and world most magnificent one can be admired from different angles.

Mount Fanjing
Mount Fanjing

UNESCO World Natural Heritage super famous globally to admire incredible mushroom mountain, peaks with temples on the narrow summits, and peaceful Buddhist temple!

Xijiang Miao Village
Xijiang Miao Village

World largest Miao ethnic village to admire the typical Miao dwelling with fabulous view in day and night and enjoy the typical ethnic culture and performance of Miao people!

Qingyan Old Town
Qingyan Old Town

One of the 4 best ancient towns in Guizhou over 600 years old with military fortress architectures and legendary story of outstanding scholars in past imperial examination!

Xiaoqikong
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Small Seven Holes Scenic Area, part of the South China Karst listed as World Natural Heritage, to appreciate the forest and water fairyland favored for photography!

Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan Ancient Town

The former key way to Southeast Asia is now over 2,200 years old and ranks into the 4 best Guizhou old towns to enjoy historic houses along the emerald river in peace!

Zhaoxing Dong Village
Zhaoxing Dong Village

China largest Dong ethnic village with over 6,000 Dong people. Most popular village to admire Dong culture and the rare 5 drum towers dotted among beautiful tilted houses!

Biasha Miao Village
Biasha Miao Village

Or Basha Miao Village, which is a top famous Miao village to have a close look at the men of “last gun-toting tribe in China” with special bun hair style and their unique lifestyle!

Dragon Palace
Dragon Palace

Longgong Palace is a Guizhou top popular Karst cave to get close to amazing colorful underground limestone palace with interesting exploration by taking a little boat.

Huanggang Dong Village
Huanggang Dong Village

Top idyllic beautiful Dong village with 5 drum towers, to see women with green head cloth like a fish mouth and enjoy Han Tian Festival, Tai Guan Ren Festival...

Wanfenglin Scenic Area
Wanfenglin Scenic Area

One of the 5 best forests of peaks in China to see layers of adorable hump hills with peaceful countryside scenery of Buyi village houses, bright blossoms, field patches, etc.

Zhijin Cave
Zhijin Cave

No.1 of “Most Beautiful Tourist Caves” to marvel at the 5 million cubic meters Karst wonders of stalagmites and stalactites in rich styles originated 500,000 years ago!

Jiabang Rice Terraces
Jiabang Rice Terraces

One of the 6 best rice terraces in China to admire the grand agricultural sightseeing in golden yellow, emerald green and fabulous mirror reflections beside the wooden houses!

Qianling Park
Qianling Park

Top favored forest mountain park for visual and mental refreshing with lakes, streams, temples, etc., adorable wild macaques encountering and Guiyang new skyline catching!

FAST
FAST

Short for Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope is the world largest filled-aperture radio telescope to explore mysteries of the universe with scientific interactions!

Chishui Danxia Landscape
Chishui Danxia Landscape

Listed as UNESCO World Natural Heritage, it is the largest and most beautiful China Danxia site for special fiery red rocks and cliffs, large waterfall, inspiring forests, etc.

Langde Upper Miao Village
Langde Upper Miao Village

Reputed as “hometown of Chinese Folk Song and Dance Art”, it is the must-see to admire songs and dances of “Long Skirt Miao” and Lusheng instrument performance.

Xinqiao Miao Village
Xinqiao Miao Village

The “First Village with Short Skirt Miao” to see Miao girls wearing pleated skirt about 6 inches long and the 47 wooden water granaries of hundreds of years.

Zhanli Dong Village
Zhanli Dong Village

The primitive village has idyllic peaceful life and nice scenery of golden harvest crops in October and is mysterious with the therapy for keeping the tender of every family there!

Xiaohuang Dong Village
Xiaohuang Dong Village

The “Hometown of Grand Songs” and “Village of Chinese Fold Art” is world famous for its large scaled Kam Grand Songs of Dong ethnic people from children to elders.

 

Weather & Best Season to Visit Guizhou, China

Guizhou belongs to the subtropical humid monsoon climate zone. With an average temperature around 15℃ in most areas, Guizhou has cool summer and warm winter and pleasant to visit throughout the year. The hottest month is usually July, however, the average temperature is usually between 22℃-25℃. Average temperature in the coldest month of January is even around 3℃-6℃ for a not cold winter. There are usually rich rainfalls in Guizhou, with more cloudy days and less sunny days, you are recommended to take rain gears during your trip.

For most places, March to November is the best time to travel in Guizhou. And it rains most in June when is not so suggested with more frequent natural disasters.

What to Expect in March to May, July to November: Guiyang (Qingyan Old Town, Qianling Park...), Fanjingshan, Anshun (Huangguoshu Waterfall...), Kaili (Xijiang Miao Village...), Congjiang (Biasha Miao Village, Xiaohuang Dong Village, Jiabang Rice Terraces...), Rongjiang (Zengchong Drum Tower, Kongshen Miao Village, Dali Dong Village...), Zhaoxing (Zhaoxing Dong Village...), Libo (Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, Maolan Nature Reserve...), Chishui (Chishui Waterfall...), Liupanshui (Tuole Village ginkgo trees, Wumeng Prairie...), Zhijin Cave, Zhenyuan Old Town, etc.

What to Expect in January, February: ethnic villages for festivals, etc.

What to Expect in December: Weining Caohai Lake, etc.

Check more about Guizhou Weather & Best Time to Visit >>

 

Transportation to & Around Guizhou, China

Get to Guizhou

By Flight: Guizhou has 11 airports scattered in Guiyang, Tongren, Anshun, Kaili, Libo, Xingyi, Zunyi, etc. Among all, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport and Tongren Fenghuang Airport are more frequently used for travelers. Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (IATA: KWE) is the largest provincial airport and also the best gateway for flying to Guizhou with daily flights to more than 70 domestic destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Xiamen, Lijiang, Tianjin, Lhasa, Sanya, etc. and some international countries (regions) Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, etc. Besides, Tongren Fenghuang Airport (IATA: TEN) is the closer one to directly visit Fanjingshan and has a few flights with Beijing, Guangzhou, Xian, Guilin, Kunming, Xiamen, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Jinan, etc. Each week.

By Train: Taking a train is another very convenient way for visitors. Apart from Guiyang, the provincial capital city, Kaili, Congjiang, Rongjiang, Tongren, Anshun, Duyun, Bijie, etc. are also well connected by railway (most high speed railways) with other destinations in China. People from Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Lijiang, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan, etc. can now take the bullet train to reach Guizhou.

Travel Around Guizhou

At present, most destinations including Guiyang, Anshun, Kaili, Tongren, Congjiang, Rongjiang, Zhaoxing, Zunyi, Duyun, Liupanshui, etc. are well conveniently linked by the high speed railway system. Besides, highways and bridges link most major destinations with lesser driving duration. For travelers, Guiyang is the most chosen start to extend to the rest places, such as Huangguoshu Waterfall, ethnic villages in Qiandongnan, Mount Fanjing, and so forth.

To help you enjoy a worry free trip in Guizhou with not so convenient transportation in more prosperous Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc., we highly recommend you travel around Guizhou by our local private car service. Our local English speaking guide and professional driver will accompany you to each scenic spots by the licensed private vehicle of China Discovery with speed and safety! Please contact us if you need any help!

From - ToDriving TimeDriving Distance
Guiyang - Anshun2-2.5 hours130-160 km
Guiyang - Kaili2.5-3 hours170-180 km
Guiayang - Fanjingshan3.5-4 hours290 km
Anshun - Kaili3.5 hours370 km
Anshun - Fanjingshan4.5-5 hours380 km
Kaili to Fanjingshan3.5 hours230-260 km
Kaili - Rongjiang2 hours150-160 km
Kaili - Congjiang3 hours210 km
Rongjiang - Congjiang1.5 hour 80 km

Check more about:

Ultimate Guizhou Transportation Guide: Get to & Around Guizhou >>

How to Get to Guiyang & Travel Around Guiyang >>

How to Get to Kaili & Travel Around Kaili >>

How to Get to Tongren (Fanjingshan) & Travel Around Tongren (Fanjingshan) >>

How to Get from Guiyang to Huangguoshu Waterfall >>

How to Get from Guiyang to Kaili >>

How to Get from Guiyang to Fanjingshan >>

How to Get from Kaili to Fanjingshan >>

 

Guizhou Travel Maps

For your better understanding of the location and transportation of Guizhou Province and help you plan your Guizhou trip, here we collect some useful Guizhou travel maps including Guizhou China Map, Guizhou Province Map, Guizhou Attractions Map and maps of Guiyang, Kaili, Anshun, Fanjingshan, Congjiang, etc. All Guizhou Maps 2023 >>!

Guizhou Province Map

Guizhou Province Map

Guizhou Attractions Map

Guizhou Attractions Map

Guiyang to Kaili Map

Guiyang to Kaili Map

Kaili Tourist Map

Kaili Tourist Map

 

2023 Speical Theme Tours for Guizhou Travel

1
5 Days Miao’s New Year Festival Tour in Guizhou
(enjoy the authentic atmosphere of New Year Festival of Miao People in November)
2
6 Days Autumn Lusheng Festival Tour in Guizhou
(Artistic trip to enjoy Miao people’s songs and dances on Lusheng Festival in lunar September)
3
5 Days Miao Sisters’ Meal Festival Tour
(Romantic carnival of oldest oriental Valentine’s Day in April to see Miao girls dressed up with shining silver accessories)
4
5 Days Southeast Guizhou Ethnic Tour with Amazing Cultural & Hiking Experience
(Get off the beaten path and deep into the primitive villages with pleasant hiking experience among Dong villages with rice terraces landscape!)
5
6 Days Guizhou Ethnic Minorities & Villages Photography Tour
(Guiyang / Kaili / Xijiang / Rongjiang / Congjiang)

 

Other Scenic Destinations in China

Besides Guizhou, China offers you with many other scenic destinations with ethnic minority highlights, such as Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan and Sichuan. Check the following for detailed information.

Other Popular Destinations in China

China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destinations among more than 70 tourist destination and regions, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Yangtze River, etc. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China

Guizhou China Map

Chinese Name: 贵州

Chinese Pinyin: guì zhōu

English IPA: /'ɡweɪ'dʒəʊ/

Capital: Guiyang

Population: 3.62 million

Language: Mandarin, Guizhou Dialect, Miao, Dong, etc.

Climate: Subtropical Monsoon Climate

Area: 17616700 Hectare

Rivers: Yangtze River, Pearl River

Mountains: Mount Fanjing, Leigong Mountain, Wumeng Mountain, Dalou Mountain, Miaoling Mountains...

Highest Point: Jiucaiping Plateau (2900.6m)

Time Zone: (UTC+8)

Plan your Guizhou Tour

Guizhou is a vast and diverse natural and cultural destinations worth your visiting for many days. For most travelers there, they usually plan 5-7 days to catch the best highlights there. If you have 4-5 days, you can enter from Guiyang and spend a fun time discovering Huangguoshu Waterfall, Dragon Palace, etc. in Anshun and the top best Miao and Dong ethnic villages in Qiandongnan destinations like Kaili, Congjiang, Rongjiang. And if you have 6-7 days, you can add Mount Fanjing in Tongren, Qingyan Old Town in Guiyang or Zhenyuan Old Town near Kaili, and discover 2-3 more villages in Southeast Guizhou for a diverse Guizhou admiration! Or you can omit the old towns and 1-2 less villages to extend to Libo for Xiaoqikong Scenic Area discovery!

For lots of visitors planning to Guizhou, they also prefer to travel with other hot destinations including Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan, Sichuan, etc. for more essences of nature and ethnic culture! Besides, you can also travel further with top China destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc. Together for wonderful China discovery! All our tours can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interests, budget and any other special need! Please contact us to help you plan your Guizhou tour or customize a Guizhou tour if you are interested!

Top Guizhou Tours

Matang Gejia Village People
5 Days Guizhou Miao & Dong Minority Essence Tour

Guiyang / Kaili / Rongjiang / Congjiang / Zhaoxing / Congjiang

Haircut Ritual at Biasha Miao Village - a Live Shave with a Sickle
6 Days Classic Guizhou Tour to Huangguoshu & Southeast Guizhou

Guiyang / Anshun / Kaili / Rongjiang / Zhaoxing / Congjiang

Upper Langde Miao Village Performance
6 Days Diverse Guizhou Tour (Guiyang / Kaili / Fanjingshan)

Guiyang / Anshun / Kaili / Fanjingshan

Red Clouds Golden Summit in Spring
5 Days Guiyang Fanjingshan Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall

Guiyang / Anshun / Tongren / Fanjingshan / Tongren

Jiabang Rice Terraces
6 Days Guizhou In-depth Ethnic Tour with Jiabang Rice Terraces

Congjiang / Zhaoxing / Jiabang / Rongjiang / Kaili / Zhenyuan / Kaili / Guiyang

Song and Dance at Zhaoxing Dong Village
7 Days Best of Guizhou Tour with Nature & Culture Highlights

Guiyang / Anshun / Libo / Kaili / Congjiang / Zhaoxing

Fantastic Aerial View  of Fanjingshan
7 Days Zhangjiajie to Fanjingshan Unbelievable Nature Tour

Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang / Fanjingshan

Longji Terraces Jinkeng Rice Terraces in Early Autumn
9 Days Guilin Guizhou Minority Culture and Landscape Exploration by High Speed Train

Guangzhou / Guilin / Yangshuo / Longji / Zhaoxing / Rongjiang / Kaili

Lijiang Old Town Full View from Wangu Tower
14 Days Wild China Tours from Shanghai to Yunnan on Expresses

Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Kaili / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-la / Kunming

Bizarre Fanjingshan Mushroom Stone with Sea of Clouds
8 Days Guilin Guizhou In-depth Highlights Tour (Start from Guilin)

Guilin / Longsheng / Yangshuo / Zhaoxing / Kaili / Fanjingshan

Kaili Miao Minority People
10 Days Yunnan & Guizhou Amazing Minorities Tour

Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming / Fanjingshan / Kaili / Zhaoxing / Congjiang

Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery
12 Days Amazing Southwest China Tour (Yunnan, Guizhou & Guangxi)

Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Guiyang / Kaili / Congjiang / Zhaoxing / Longji / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin

Wooden Granaries on Water at Xinqiao Miao Village
13 Days Classic China Tour with Diverse Guizhou (Fanjingshan & Ethnic Minorities)

Beijing / Xian / Fanjingshan / Kaili / Congjiang / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin / Shanghai

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