Guizhou is a mountainous province in southwest China, known for the Huangguoshu Waterfall, karst landscapes, and the most diverse ethnic minority culture in the country, including Miao and Dong villages. Its capital Guiyang is a cool, green city and the transport hub for the province.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Guizhou.
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1
Huangguoshu Waterfall
China's largest waterfall by width, the Dapubu falls drop about 74 m and span about 81 m, with the Water Curtain Cave behind the fall.
Tip: Arrive at opening time on a weekday to avoid the heaviest tour-group crowds and holiday queues. · Wear shoes with good grip; steps and walkways near the falls are wet and slippery. · Bring a light rain jacket, as spray soaks the viewing platforms and the cave passage. · Allow four to six hours and use the internal shuttle to save time between sections. · Check opening and last-entry times locally, as winter hours are shorter.
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2
Zhijin Cave
One of China's largest karst caves, a UNESCO Global Geopark site with huge halls, stalagmite forests and a visitor route of several kilometres.
Tip: Bring a light jacket, as the cave stays around 12-15 C even in midsummer. · Wear shoes with grip, since walkways and steps are damp in places. · Go on a weekday morning to avoid group tours that peak at weekends and national holidays. · Allow three to four hours for the full route at a relaxed pace. · Check the current price and opening hours locally or on a booking platform before travelling.
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3
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
The largest Miao village in China, with over a thousand households of stilted wooden houses climbing a valley, and daily song-and-dance performances.
Tip: Stay overnight to see the village at night and in the quiet early morning. · Visit outside Chinese public holidays, when crowds and lodging prices rise sharply. · Climb to the upper viewing platforms in late afternoon for the best light before dusk. · Check performance times at the gate, as shows run on a fixed daily schedule. · Compare prices before buying silver, and ask whether items are handmade or machine-made.
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4
Langde Upper Miao Village
A well-preserved Miao village known for its welcome ceremony with drinking-horn toasts and a traditional gate performance.
Tip: Go in the morning, outside Chinese public holidays, for smaller crowds. · Ask permission before photographing residents, especially older villagers. · Combine the visit with Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, which is roughly 20 km away. · Carry small cash for snacks, crafts and tips at performances. · Arrange taxi return transport in advance, as public transport from the village is limited.
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5
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
An ancient river town laid out along an S-curve of the Wuyang River, with Ming-Qing streets and the cliff-hanging Qinglong Cave temples.
Tip: Stay overnight to see the river lit at night and the quiet morning mist. · Combine the old town with a visit to Qinglong Cave, about a ten-minute walk away. · Avoid Chinese public holidays, when the riverside lanes become very crowded. · Agree the boat fare before boarding, as prices vary by season. · Wear comfortable shoes for stone lanes and steps.
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6
Qinglong Cave
A Ming-dynasty cliffside temple complex of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls, with wooden structures built into the rock face above the river.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for softer light and cooler air. · Avoid weekends and public holidays, when the narrow stairs can bottleneck. · Wear shoes with grip, as stone steps can be slippery after rain. · Take photographs of the whole cliff from the river bridges before entering. · Combine with a walk through Zhenyuan old town, about ten minutes away.
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7
Fanjingshan
A UNESCO World Heritage mountain (2018) known for the Red Clouds Golden Summit and mushroom rock; home to the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey.
Tip: Start early to ascend before afternoon cloud builds and to avoid summit stair queues. · Bring warm and waterproof layers, as weather on the summit changes quickly. · Check cable car and step conditions in winter, when ice can close the upper section. · Wear sturdy shoes, as the climb includes thousands of stone steps. · Consider overnight accommodation near the base to make an unhurried ascent.
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8
Qianlingshan Park and Hongfu Temple
A forested city hill with free-roaming Tibetan macaques, Qianling Lake and Hongfu Temple, a Buddhist temple founded in 1672.
Tip: Go early in the morning, when macaques are active and the paths are quiet. · Do not feed the macaques or carry food openly, as they may grab bags. · Wear comfortable shoes for the climb, which takes 30 to 45 minutes. · Dress modestly and behave quietly inside the temple halls. · Bring small cash for the temple's separate entrance fee.
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9
Jiaxiu Tower
A three-storey Ming dynasty pavilion (1598) rising from a rock in the Nanming River, the symbol of Guiyang, linked to the bank by Fuyu Bridge.
Tip: Visit at dusk for the lit tower and the best reflections. · Use the metro or bus and walk about ten minutes from the stop. · Combine with a stroll along the riverfront and nearby old-city streets. · Check the interior opening hours, as the upper floors close earlier than the grounds. · Avoid public holidays if a quiet visit is preferred.
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10
Qingyan Ancient Town
A Ming fortress town founded in 1378 with stone-paved lanes, temples, a gate tower and local snacks such as pork trotters.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid weekend crowds from Guiyang. · Carry small cash for temple fees of CNY 10-20 and street snacks. · Try the pork trotters, but compare stalls and check prices before ordering. · Stay until evening for the lanterns and a more relaxed atmosphere. · Wear comfortable shoes, as the lanes are stone-paved and uneven.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Huangguoshu Waterfall
China's largest waterfall by width
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
An ancient river town laid out along an S-curve of the Wuyang River
Qinglong Cave
A Ming-dynasty cliffside temple complex of Buddhist
Jiaxiu Tower
A three-storey Ming dynasty pavilion (1598) rising from a rock in the Nanming River
Yuntaishan
A UNESCO-listed Shibing karst area with cliff-top views over the Wuyang River and Taoist temples.
Nature
Zhijin Cave
One of China's largest karst caves
Fanjingshan
A UNESCO World Heritage mountain (2018) known for the Red Clouds Golden Summit and mushroom rock
Qianlingshan Park and Hongfu Temple
A forested city hill with free-roaming Tibetan macaques
Huaxi Park
A riverside park and wetland system with tree-lined paths
Hongfeng Lake
A large reservoir lake with karst islands
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
A cluster of turquoise pools
Caohai Nature Reserve
A high-plateau freshwater lake that is one of China's main wintering grounds for the black-necked crane.
Maling River Gorge
A narrow canyon about 75 km long with over 100 waterfalls
Wanfenglin
A dramatic karst landscape of tens of thousands of cone-shaped peaks
Chishui Great Waterfall
One of the largest waterfalls in Guizhou at about 76 m high
Cultural
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
The largest Miao village in China
Langde Upper Miao Village
A well-preserved Miao village known for its welcome ceremony with drinking-horn toasts and a traditional gate performance.
Qingyan Ancient Town
A Ming fortress town founded in 1378 with stone-paved lanes
Zhaoxing Dong Village
One of China's largest Dong villages
Museums
Zunyi Meeting Site Memorial Hall
Memorial hall and museum at the 1935 Politburo meeting where Mao Zedong gained leadership of the Communist Party.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most paid scenic areas open about 8:00AM-6:00PM and stop selling tickets one to two hours earlier; towns and villages are open at all times
- Fees
- Guiyang city sights are free or under CNY 10 (USD 1.50); large nature parks CNY 60-160 (USD 9-24); budget CNY 300-600 (USD 44-88) per person per day for entrance, shuttle and meals
- Best Times
- April-October for waterfalls (Huangguoshu, Maling, Chishui); October-March for minority villages and fewer crowds; avoid Chinese public holidays (1-7 October, 1-5 May)
- Booking
- Buy tickets via Trip.com, Meituan or WeChat mini programs and carry the passport used to book; most major parks require real-name entry
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Combine Huangguoshu Waterfall with Anshun's Tunpu villages; staying in Anshun costs less than the park hotels
Carry a passport, since real-name entry is checked at nearly all ticket gates
Download Amap or Baidu Maps; Google Maps is unreliable in China
Dress in layers: the Guizhou plateau is wet and cool, with frequent drizzle
Book high-speed trains on 12306 or Trip.com from Guiyang North station to Kaili, Zunyi or Libo; they are faster than buses
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Guizhou's waterfalls?
April to October, with the peak flow in July and August after the heaviest rains.
Can attractions in Guizhou be visited without speaking Chinese?
Yes, with a translation app with an offline Chinese pack, WeChat or Alipay for payments, and the Chinese names of each site saved on the phone.
How many days are needed to see Guizhou?
5-7 days covers Guiyang, Huangguoshu and Kaili with the Miao villages; 10 days adds Libo, Zhaoxing and Fanjingshan.