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 beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Guizhou.
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- relaxed lake day out, boat tours and lakeside picnics
- Boat tours
- Lakeside paths
- Cafes and restaurants
- Toilets
Hongfeng Lake Lakeshore
Large reservoir lake with islands, lakeside beach areas and boat rentals; swimming is generally limited to designated zones.
Editor’s tip. Allow about an hour each way by car from central Guiyang.
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- calm reservoir shore, local weekend picnickers and boaters
- Boat rentals
- Shoreline paths
- Restaurants
Baihua Lake Shore
Reservoir lake northwest of Guiyang with shoreline walks and boating; designated swimming is limited and conditions vary.
Editor’s tip. Take a taxi or Didi from Guiyang; the trip is about 30 km.
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- local park feel, cyclists and weekend picnics
- Cycling paths
- Boating
- Toilets
Aha Lake Wetland Shore
Reservoir on the edge of Guiyang with wetland park paths and boating, popular for cycling and picnics rather than swimming.
Editor’s tip. Combine metro with a short taxi or Didi ride to reach the park.
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- scenic viewing attraction, tour groups and photographers
- Boardwalk
- Toilets
- Rain shelter
Xiaoqikong Blue Pools
Series of turquoise pools and small cascades; swimming is generally not permitted in the scenic area, but the pools are the main water attraction of the region.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early to avoid tour-group crowds and get softer light.
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- busy sightseeing stop, mist and viewing platforms
- Viewing platforms
- Shuttle
- Toilets
Huangguoshu Doupotang Falls Area
Wide, low waterfall in the Huangguoshu area with open pools below; swimming is not permitted but it is a popular place to view the cascade up close.
Editor’s tip. Take the scenic-area shuttle; it is about 10 minutes from the main falls.
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- dramatic landmark waterfall, mist and crowds
- Viewing platform
- Water Curtain Cave
- Toilets
Huangguoshu Waterfall Pool
The pool at the base of the main waterfall; swimming is prohibited but visitors can stand close to the spray from marked platforms.
Editor’s tip. Bring a poncho or rain jacket; spray soaks the nearest platforms.
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- family sightseeing, boat rides through karst and cave
- Boating
- Restaurants
- Toilets
Dragon Palace Lake Waters
Lake and cave waters in the Dragon Palace area; boating rather than swimming.
Editor’s tip. Take a bus or taxi from Anshun; the area is about 25 km away.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Guizhou memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Swimming
Swimming is generally limited to designated zones at lakes; waterfall and karst pools inside scenic areas are viewing-only. Obey signs and staff.
Safety
Water levels and currents change with rain; avoid unsupervised swimming and stay behind barriers.
Payments
Most ticket offices accept Alipay or WeChat Pay; carry some cash as a backup.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Guizhou’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Hongfeng Lake?
Swimming is generally limited to designated zones. Visitors should check locally which areas are open and supervised before entering the water.
From the Hongfeng Lake Lakeshore editorial.
How far is Hongfeng Lake from Guiyang?
The lake is about 30 to 40 km west of central Guiyang, roughly an hour by car. Taxi, Didi or a scenic bus are the usual options.
From the Hongfeng Lake Lakeshore editorial.
Is swimming allowed at Baihua Lake?
Designated swimming is limited and conditions vary. Visitors should check locally which areas are permitted.
From the Baihua Lake Shore editorial.
How do visitors get to Baihua Lake from Guiyang?
Taxi or Didi are the practical options, covering about 30 km west of central Guiyang in under an hour.
From the Baihua Lake Shore editorial.
Is Aha Lake suitable for swimming?
The area is popular for cycling and picnics rather than swimming. Visitors should not expect a bathing beach.
From the Aha Lake Wetland Shore editorial.
How far is Aha Lake from central Guiyang?
It is about 10 to 15 km south of central Guiyang, reached by metro plus a taxi or Didi.
From the Aha Lake Wetland Shore editorial.
Can visitors swim in the Xiaoqikong pools?
Swimming is generally not permitted in the scenic area. The pools are for viewing from the boardwalk.
From the Xiaoqikong Blue Pools editorial.
How do visitors reach Xiaoqikong?
Libo high-speed rail station is the main gateway, followed by a taxi or scenic bus of about 30 minutes.
From the Xiaoqikong Blue Pools editorial.