Stand on the north bank of the Nanming River at dusk and the city shows you its shape: the tiered roofs of Jiaxiu Pavilion rising from a rock in the water, traffic circling the intersection at Penshuichi behind you, and wooded hills closing off the horizon in almost every direction. Guiyang sits at around 1,100 metres on the eastern Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, which keeps its summers moderate and its skies frequently grey.
The city suits travellers who are curious about Miao and Bouyei culture, who eat spicy food with enthusiasm, and who are happy to spend a day in a park or a cave rather than ticking off monuments. Rain falls throughout the year and the city is one of China's least sunny, so plan for wet afternoons and cool evenings.
This guide covers the sights within the city and the day trips south into Huaxi District, plus a single-day itinerary that links the best of them.
Top things to do in Guiyang
1. Jiaxiu Pavilion
This historic pavilion stands on Wan'ao Stone in the Nanming River, a rock said to resemble a legendary giant turtle. It is the landmark at the heart of central Guiyang and the natural place to start a visit.
Come in the evening, when the pavilion is lit and the riverbank is at its liveliest, and pair it with a walk through the centre around Dashizi and Penshuichi.
2. Qianlingshan Park
This large city park is well worth an afternoon. Vendors sell local food and crafts, the hilltops near Hongfu Temple give you a view over the city, and the park also contains a zoo, a small amusement park and tea gardens.
The wild monkeys here are accustomed to people and are bold, so keep food and loose belongings out of reach. The bus stop outside the park is served by more than two dozen routes.
3. Hongfu Temple
Built as a monastery in the early Qing Dynasty and set within Qianlingshan Park, the temple is comparable in extent to the Lama Temple in Beijing. The buildings have elaborate roof corners and eaves, and you will find deity figures, a carp pond, a well for tossing coins, incense pits, a large bell and a restaurant.
Reaching it on foot takes 40 to 60 minutes, or you can take the cable car, which stops at 17:00. Sedan chair rides are also available.
4. Qingyan Ancient Town
An ancient town in Huaxi District and one of the easiest day trips from the city. Basic admission is ¥20, while a ¥80 ticket includes admission to all the historical buildings.
Take bus no. 203 from Guiyang Railway Station, Airport Bus No. 5 from the airport, or bus no. 210 from the Huaguoyuan Wetlands Park.
5. Tianhe Lake
Also known as Tianhe Pool, this park in Huaxi District combines flooded caves that guides take you through by boat, canals weaving between minority farm areas, and a cascade pouring through a narrow opening in the mountain. Following the trail into the mountain leads to a massive sinkhole and the starting point for the boat trips.
Tickets are ¥10 for the waterfall only, ¥43 for the caves only, ¥52 for both, or ¥82 for a combo including sightseeing car and insurance; the zip line costs ¥80 per ride. Take bus no. 211 or 701. If you are feeling adventurous, rent bikes at Huaxi Park and cycle the 11 km of country roads, roughly two hours.
6. Huaxi Park
A popular escape from the heat and bustle of the city, with streams, pavilions and tea gardens. Residents come here to set up their own barbecues and picnic. Former Premier Zhou Enlai and his wife visited in the 1950s, and a billboard-sized photograph of the couple boating graces the main entrance.
Take bus no. 8, 404, 888, 888 Route 1, 888 Route 2 or Huaxi 7, or the Tertiary Institution Express Bus. It is a sensible base if you plan to continue to Tianhe Lake or Zhenshan Village.
7. Zhenshan Village
A Bouyei minority village about 20 km outside Guiyang, with houses almost entirely built of shale dug from the local mountains — walls, floors, roofs and some furniture included. You can observe and try Bouyei traditions, food, rice wine and architecture, and guesthouses are available if you want to stay the night.
The main festival falls on the 10th day of the first lunar month, so the date changes each year; the square fills with dancing and singing to the lusheng. Take bus 211 from the Huaguoyuan Da Jie bus stop to Tianhetan Scenic Spot, then a taxi or motorcycle for the remaining 2 km.
8. Guanshan Lake Park
A forested park around Guanshan North and South Lakes, with a main paved path around the water and smaller paths leading to scenic spots. In the centre stands an 18-metre-tall golden pheasant drum statue, and on the opposite side of the lake a 30-metre statue of a trio of hot peppers. Other features include Hunan Garden, home to original buildings from a 1950s Soviet-style farm, and the National Culture Promenade, a 330-metre corridor of paintings and wishing pools dedicated to the 56 ethnic groups of China.
In spring or summer you are likely to spot a colony of wild herons on a central island. Entry is free, though boat rides and children's rides charge fees. Summer hours are 06:00–00:00 and winter hours 06:30–00:00; the park is reached via Guanshanhu Park Metro Station.
9. Guizhou Provincial Museum
Guiyang's main museum, in Guanshanhu District, and the best single introduction to the province. Entry is free and it is closed on Mondays, with no entry after 16:00.
A reservation in a mini-app is required, which needs a Chinese phone number; explain to the guard that you do not have one and he will let you in. Reach it on Metro Line 1 to International Eco-Conference Center Station, Exit B.
10. Guizhou Nationalities Museum
A museum focused on the history and culture of Guizhou's various ethnic groups, which is useful context given the city's significant Miao and Bouyei population. Entry is free, it is closed on Mondays, and it opens 09:30–16:30.
It sits on Jiandao Street in Nanming District; get off at the Jiandao Street Intersection bus stop, served by routes including 4, 6, 11, 16, 21, 30, 50, 63, 78, 81, 82, 237 Express, 305, 306, 310, 319 and K50.
11. Guizhou Art Museum
On Beijing Road in Yunyan District, the museum incorporates the Guizhou Painting Institute. Entry is free and it is closed on Mondays, opening 09:00–17:00 with no entry after 16:00.
Take bus no. 2, 15, 101, 214, 311 or Circular Route 1 and get off at the Museum bus stop, or catch one of the many buses stopping at the nearby Beijing Road bus stop.
12. Hebin Park
A park beside the Nanming River with an unusual mix of elements: a square with towering pillars lit yellow at night, a gigantic UFO-shaped restaurant held up by bamboo and metal pillars, and a helix-shaped bridge across the river lit a brilliant red. Entry is free and it is open 07:00–22:00.
Come after dark for a stroll through the square. The bus stop of the same name on the north side of the park is served by over two dozen routes.
13. Guizhou Science and Technology Museum
On Ruijin Road South in Nanming District, with notable exhibitions on lunar exploration and on computer databases, plus a children's science and technology park and a 4D movie theatre. Entry is free.
It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and opens 09:40–15:40, so go earlier in the day. A bus stop called Cinanmen sits just outside, served by over two dozen routes.
14. Liebian International Plaza
A skyscraper notable for a 108-metre-high artificial waterfall cascading from its side. The waterfall runs only intermittently because of the high operating costs, so treat it as something you might catch rather than something you can schedule.
If you are in the area anyway, it is worth a look; do not build a day around it.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Jiaxiu Pavilion on the Nanming River while the city is still quiet, then walk through the centre past Dashizi and Penshuichi. Continue to the Guizhou Nationalities Museum on Jiandao Street, which opens at 09:30 and is free.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon in Qianlingshan Park, walking up to Hongfu Temple for the view from the hilltops. Keep an eye on the monkeys and on the time, since the cable car stops at 17:00.
Evening: Return to the river and walk through Hebin Park after dark, when the pillars and the helix bridge are lit, then finish back at Jiaxiu Pavilion to see it illuminated over the water.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Guiyang?
The climate is humid subtropical, tempered by low latitude and high elevation, with cool winters and moderate summers. Rain is common throughout the year and most of the annual precipitation falls from May to July, so pack for wet weather whenever you come.
What should I eat in Guiyang?
The city is known for spicy food. Look for gaoba porridge, a sweet dessert; fish in sour soup, a Miao dish with roasted fish and vegetables; huangba, a sweet rice wrap that can be steamed or fried; Huaxi Vermicelli, beef vermicelli frequently eaten as breakfast; siwawa, ingredients enclosed in rice wraps; and ice jelly with sesame seeds and peanuts, usually eaten in summer with siwawa or barbecue.
Do I need to book tickets for the museums?
The Guizhou Provincial Museum requires a reservation in a mini-app, which needs a Chinese phone number; if you do not have one, explain to the guard and he will let you in. The Guizhou Nationalities Museum, Guizhou Art Museum and Guizhou Science and Technology Museum are free, and all of these museums close on Mondays.
How do I get to the day trips south of the city?
For Qingyan Ancient Town, take bus no. 203 from Guiyang Railway Station, Airport Bus No. 5 from the airport, or bus no. 210 from the Huaguoyuan Wetlands Park. For Tianhe Lake, take bus no. 211 or 701. For Zhenshan Village, take bus 211 from the Huaguoyuan Da Jie bus stop to Tianhetan Scenic Spot, then a taxi or motorcycle for the last 2 km.
Pick the sights that match your appetite for parks, caves and spicy food, check the museum closing days, and start mapping out your days in Guiyang.