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 day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Qingyan Ancient Town
A walled Ming-dynasty garrison town of stone streets, temples and archways, famed for local snacks such as pig-trotter and rice tofu.
Highlights: Stone gate towers and Ming-era walls · Dingguang Temple and Wenchang Pavilion · Pig-trotter, rice tofu and rose-sugar snacks · Craft shops selling silver and batik
Hongfeng Lake
A large reservoir lake of islands and karst shoreline popular for boating, cycling and lakeside walks.
Highlights: Boat rides among forested islands · Lakeside cycling and walking paths · Karst hill scenery
Huangguoshu Waterfall
One of Asia's best-known waterfalls, with a walkway passing behind the Water Curtain Cave.
Highlights: Main waterfall viewing platforms · Water Curtain Cave walk behind the falls · Tianxingqiao stone forest · Doupotang Waterfall
Tunpu Ancient Village
A 600-year-old fortified village where descendants of Ming soldiers maintain dixi ground opera and stone-built houses.
Highlights: Stone houses and fortress lanes · Dixi (ground opera) performances · Batik workshops
Longgong Dragon Palace Caves
A large karst water-cave system explored by boat past stalactite halls and an underground waterfall.
Highlights: Boat tour of the underground river · Stalactite halls · Underground waterfall
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
The largest Miao village in China, with terraced wooden stilt houses, silver-crowned dancers and evening performances.
Highlights: Wooden stilt houses on terraced slopes · Miao silver jewellery shops · Evening viewing platforms · Folk dance and lusheng performances
Kaili and Miao Culture
Gateway to Miao and Dong country, with an ethnic museum, night market and access to surrounding villages.
Highlights: Qiandongnan ethnic museum · Kaili night market · Gateway to Miao and Dong villages
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
A river town of temples and stilt houses along a loop of the Wuyang River.
Highlights: Wuyang River loop and stone bridges · Qinglong Cave temple complex · Riverside evening lighting
Zhijin Cave
One of China's largest caves, with towering stalagmite halls beneath a hilltop forest.
Highlights: Large stalagmite halls · Illuminated cavern walkways · Long guided route through main chambers
Zhaoxing Dong Village
A large Dong village with five drum towers, covered wind-and-rain bridges and Kam grand choir performances.
Highlights: Five Dong drum towers · Wind-and-rain bridges · Kam grand choir performances · Rice-terrace walks
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized group day tours from Guiyang to Huangguoshu and Xijiang Miao Village are typically CNY 250-500 per person (approx USD 37-74).
- Private
- Private car with driver is typically CNY 600-1,200 per day (approx USD 88-176), depending on the destination.
- Public
- Guiyang North station serves high-speed rail to Anshun, Kaili and Zhenyuan; coaches depart from Guiyang bus stations.
- Rental
- Self-drive rental is limited for foreign visitors, who need a Chinese driving permit.
Multi-day tours from Guizhou
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from GuizhouWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Book high-speed rail tickets via Trip.com or 12306 and carry the passport used for booking.
Mountain weather in Guizhou changes quickly; carry a light rain jacket year-round.
Pay by Alipay or WeChat Pay where possible; cash is accepted less often in villages.
Combine Anshun trips (Huangguoshu, Longgong, Tunpu) as one rail-line day or an overnight.
Allow an overnight for Zhaoxing and Xijiang to see evening performances.