Qianling Mountain Park
A large forested mountain park with wild macaques, Qilin Cave, Hongfu Temple, a lake and tea gardens in the middle of the city.
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About Guiyang
Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou Province in south-west China, a cool, green city at about 1,100 m on the Nanming River. Highlights are Qianling Mountain Park with its macaques, Jiaxiu Pavilion, the provincial museums and the sour-and-spicy Guizhou cuisine; it is the gateway to Huangguoshu Waterfall and the Miao and Dong villages.
- Capital
- Guiyang
- Largest city
- Guiyang
- Population
- Approximately 6 million in the municipality
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese (Southwestern Mandarin, Guiyang dialect); Miao and Buyi in the countryside
- Currency
- Renminbi (Yuan)
- Time zone
- China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8, no daylight saving)
Explore Guiyang by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Guiyang
The 15 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Hongfu Temple
The largest Buddhist temple in Guizhou, founded in 1672 on the summit of Qianling Mountain.
Jiaxiu Pavilion
A three-storey Ming-dynasty pavilion built in 1598, the city symbol, on a stone in the Nanming River and lit at night.
Guizhou Provincial Museum
Guizhou's main museum, covering karst geology, ethnic minority costume and silver, archaeology and Long March history.
Guizhou Nationalities Museum
Museum of Guizhou's minority peoples with Miao, Dong and Buyi costumes, silver, batik and festival displays.
Guizhou Art Museum
Provincial art museum with rotating exhibitions of Guizhou painting and ethnic art.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Guiyang Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Guiyang, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Guiyang
- Days 1-2Guiyang city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Guiyang
- Days 1-3Guiyang comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Guiyang, departure
Where to stay in Guiyang
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget CNY 250-380 (~$35-54)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range CNY 600-1,000 (~$85-140)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury CNY 1,800-3,500+ (~$250-495+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Kempinski Hotel Guiyang
Five-star Kempinski tower, the tallest building in Guizhou, with several restaurants and a Maotai ice-cream shop in the lobby; rooms about CNY 900-1,500 (~$125-210). Phone +86 851 8599 9999.
Check rates on Booking.comSheraton Guiyang Hotel
Five-star Marriott Bonvoy hotel on Zhonghua South Road near Jiaxiu Pavilion and the Nanming River; rooms about CNY 600-1,000 (~$85-140).
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Guiyang
Five-star Hyatt with 366 rooms in the Guanshanhu business district, an indoor heated pool, spa and a 15-metre-high lobby lounge (Cha Yuan); about CNY 650-1,000 (~$90-140).
Check rates on Booking.comRenaissance Guiyang Hotel
Marriott Renaissance hotel in Guanshanhu a short walk from the Guizhou Provincial Museum and the International Eco-Conference Center metro stop; about CNY 550-900 (~$78-127).
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Guiyang
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Old Kaili Sour Fish Restaurant (老凯俚酸汤鱼)
Xinyouke Sour Soup Beef (心有客酸汤牛肉朝阳店)
Zhangji Si Wa Wa (张记丝娃娃)
Siheyuan (四合院)
Maotai Ice Cream Experience Shop (茅台冰淇淋体验店)
Huaxi Wang Jia Beef Noodles (花溪王记牛肉粉)
Book a food tour in Guiyang We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Guiyang
Guiyang has Longdongbao International Airport (KWE), three railway stations (Guiyang, Guiyang North, Guiyang East), a four-line metro, buses and Didi taxis.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in CNY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CNY 100-200 (~$14-28) | CNY 300-550 (~$42-77) | CNY 900-1,800 (~$127-253) |
| Food (per day) | CNY 60-100 (~$8-14) | CNY 150-260 (~$21-37) | CNY 400-800 (~$56-113) |
| Transportation | CNY 10-30 (~$1.40-4) | CNY 40-90 (~$6-13) | CNY 150-350 (~$21-49) |
| Activities | CNY 0-50 (~$0-7) | CNY 100-200 (~$14-28) | CNY 250-500 (~$35-70) |
| Daily total | CNY 250-380 (~$35-54) | CNY 600-1,000 (~$85-140) | CNY 1,800-3,500+ (~$250-495+) |
Best time to visit Guiyang
Weather through the year in Guizhou
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Guizhou.
Spring and early autumn
Guiyang's altitude keeps summers mild; the 'no three sunny days' proverb applies, so carry a rain jacket year-round.
Essential travel tips
- Install Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card.
- Carry your passport everywhere.
- Learn the Chinese names of sights for taxi drivers.
- Reserve museum slots via WeChat mini-programs.
Safety information
Keep your passport with you.
Use Didi or metered taxis.
Do not feed or hold bags near macaques at Qianling Park.
Carry a rain jacket; the weather changes quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How many days in Guiyang?
Two to three days cover the main sights; add a day each for Qingyan Ancient Town and Huangguoshu Waterfall.