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.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Guizhou.
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1
Early settlement
Guizhou's highlands were home to the Yelang kingdom and early Miao, Buyi and Dong peoples.
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2
Ming garrisons
The Ming dynasty settled military colonies, or tunpu, such as Qingyan and the Anshun villages, along the post road from Hunan to Yunnan.
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3
Guizhou province
The Ming court created Guizhou as a province, ending centuries of rule by local chieftains.
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4
Zunyi Meeting
During the Long March, the Politburo met at Zunyi in January and Mao Zedong gained the leadership.
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5
Fanjingshan inscribed
UNESCO inscribed Fanjingshan as a World Heritage Site.
Historical sites
Places where Guizhou's past comes alive.
Zunyi Meeting Site
Former residence of a Guizhou warlord where the Chinese Communist Party Politburo met in January 1935 during the Long March and elevated Mao Zedong to leadership.
Where: Zunyi
Admission: Free with passport or ID
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
A trade and military hub on the Wuyang River along the old route to Yunnan, with Ming-Qing streets, ancient bridges and temples.
Where: Qiandongnan (Zhenyuan County)
Admission: Free; boat ride approx CNY 60-100 (approx USD 9-15)
Qinglong Cave Temple Complex
A cliffside temple complex of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls built into the rock above the Wuyang River.
Where: Qiandongnan (Zhenyuan County)
Admission: Approx CNY 60 (approx USD 9)
Qingyan Ancient Town
A Ming military fortress town with stone-paved lanes, memorial arches, a Catholic church and Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian temples.
Where: Guiyang (Huaxi District)
Admission: Free; some temples CNY 10-20 (USD 1.50-3)
Jiaxiu Tower
A three-storey pavilion built in 1598 on a rock in the Nanming River, rebuilt several times and now Guiyang's symbol.
Where: Guiyang
Admission: Free
Hongfu Temple
A Buddhist monastery founded in 1672 near the top of Qianlingshan, among the most important Buddhist sites in Guizhou.
Where: Guiyang
Admission: Approx CNY 5 (USD 1) park entrance
Zhaoxing Drum Towers
Five drum towers, one for each of the village's main clans, standing among wooden Dong houses and wind-and-rain bridges.
Where: Qiandongnan (Liping County)
Admission: Approx CNY 100 (approx USD 15)
Langde Upper Miao Village
A Miao village of stilted wooden houses and a stone-paved gate road, regarded as a model of Miao cultural preservation.
Where: Qiandongnan (Leishan County)
Admission: Approx CNY 60 (approx USD 9)
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
The largest Miao settlement in China, with over 1,000 households, and a museum of Miao silver, embroidery and festivals.
Where: Qiandongnan (Leishan County)
Admission: Approx CNY 90 (approx USD 13)