贵阳
Guiyang
Guiyang is the mountain capital of Guizhou, cool in summer and set among green hills, and the gateway to the Miao and Dong villages, the Huangguoshu falls, and a province most travellers still miss. Two days here, then out.
At a glance
- Stay
- 2–2 days
- Best seasons
- Apr–Oct
- Airports
- Rail or road access
- Region
- Southwest China
China Unhurried editorial team · Owner-authored
Places to begin
Make the city tangible.
黄果树瀑布
Huangguoshu Waterfall
The biggest waterfall in Asia, with a path behind the curtain of water. Two hours west.
甲秀楼
Jiaxiu Tower
A Ming pavilion on a rock in the river, reached by a stone bridge. The city's emblem, lit at night.
黔灵山公园
Qianling Park
A forested hill in the city with a temple at the top and hundreds of bold macaques.
青云路夜市
Qingyun Road night market
The city's evening: skillets, grilled tofu, sour and spicy everything, until very late.
西江千户苗寨
Xijiang Miao Village
A thousand wooden houses stacked up two hillsides. Three hours east; stay the night.
贵州省博物馆
Guizhou Provincial Museum
Guizhou Provincial Museum gives the strongest introduction to the province before a longer journey. Archaeology and historical displays establish a regional timeline, while textiles, silverwork, costume and everyday objects show the skill and diversity of Guizhou's many communities. Paleontology and natural-history material widen the frame beyond picturesque tourism. Treat community names and ceremonial objects as part of living cultures, not as anonymous decoration.
青岩古镇
Qingyan Ancient Town
A Ming garrison town of stone walls, temples and pig's-trotter shops, half an hour south.
天河潭
Tianhetan Scenic Area
Tianhetan combines surface karst, ravines, waterfalls, pools and water-shaped caves within an accessible excursion from Guiyang. The landscape makes underground drainage and limestone erosion visible, but visitor experience depends on water level, weather and operating conditions. Cave lighting and constructed walkways are part of a managed scenic area, so distinguish the natural geology from the visitor infrastructure built around it.
Local snacks
Taste the city, one dish at a time.
These cards describe dishes, not restaurants. Images are added only after their license and attribution are verified.
Spicy, savoury, rich and crisp
Guiyang Changwang Noodles
贵阳肠旺面
Firm egg noodles are served in a vivid chilli broth with pork intestine, blood curd and crisp pork, balancing several textures in one warming bowl.
Eat hot and request less chilli if needed. It contains pork, offal, blood, egg and gluten; choose a busy shop with careful handling and thorough heating.
Fresh, crunchy, sour and spicy
Silk Doll Rolls
丝娃娃
Paper-thin wheat wrappers are filled at the table with shredded vegetables, pickles and herbs, then dressed with a sharp sour-spicy dipping sauce.
Wrap small portions so the wrapper does not tear. It contains gluten; ask about peanuts, sesame and the preparation water used for raw vegetables.
Smoky, tender, spicy and herbal
Guiyang Grilled Tofu Parcels
贵阳恋爱豆腐果
Tofu is grilled until its skin firms and the centre puffs, then opened and filled with chopped radish, zhe'ergen, scallion and chilli seasoning.
Eat freshly grilled and take care with hot filling. It contains soy; sauces may contain gluten, sesame or peanuts, and zhe'ergen has a distinctive flavour.
Soft, tangy, spicy and refreshing
Guiyang Rice Tofu
贵阳米豆腐
A tender savoury gel made from processed rice is cut into cubes or strips and topped with chilli, vinegar, pickled vegetables and aromatic condiments.
Confirm whether the serving is chilled or warm and ask about shared sauces. Plain rice tofu may be gluten-free, but toppings can contain soy, gluten, sesame or peanuts.
City essentials
The practical details, when you need them.
Places and local food come first. Open these notes for context, arrival and neighbourhood advice.
Overview+
HUNANGUANGXICHONGQINGSICHUANYUNNANGuiyang
Guizhou is the wettest, greenest, most mountainous province in the south, and its capital is a compact, friendly city with a river through the middle, macaques in the park, and a night market that runs on sour and spicy. The high-speed lines have made it easy to reach; the villages beyond are why you come.
Qingyan, half an hour south, is a Ming garrison town of stone walls and lanes. Huangguoshu, two hours west, is the biggest waterfall in Asia. Xijiang, three hours east, is the largest Miao village in the country, a hillside of wooden houses that lights up at night. Each is a day, and Xijiang is better with a night.
Summer in Guiyang is mild while the rest of the south bakes. Winter is grey and damp. Bring a raincoat in any month.
Getting there+
**Guiyang North** is the high-speed hub: Chongqing two hours, Kunming two and a half, Changsha two and a half, Chengdu three, Guilin two, Guangzhou four. Metro lines 1 and 2 connect it, the old **Guiyang** station and **Longdongbao (KWE)** airport, which is 10 kilometres from the centre.
**Rail tip.** Your passport is your ticket. Book on 12306 or [Trip.com](/go/trip?to=trains&from=city-rail), then go straight to the gate. See [Getting around](/guides/getting-around). The Trip.com link earns us a small commission at no cost to you ([how that works](/about#affiliate)).
**Stay online.** Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked on Chinese networks; a travel eSIM that roams gets around it. Install one before you fly — [Saily](/go/saily?from=city-esim) takes US$5 off a first plan with the code **CHINA**. See [Staying online](/guides/staying-online). The code earns us the same amount in Saily credits, at no cost to you ([how that works](/about#affiliate)).
Where to stay+
Nanming riverside
南明河
The old centre around the Jiaxiu Tower, with the night market a walk away.
Hotels between Qianling Park and the river. Everything central is within twenty minutes on foot, and metro line 1 runs through.
first visitfoodconvenience
Qingyan
青岩古镇
The stone garrison town south of the city. A night here is the slow option.
Guesthouses inside the walls. Day visitors leave by five; the town is yours after that.
atmospherequiet
**Booking.** Compare hotels in Guiyang on [Trip.com](/go/trip?to=hotels&city=guiyang&from=city-stay), filtered to its China travel essentials list: English-speaking staff, foreign cards, guest rating 8 or higher. See [Where to stay](/guides/where-to-stay). Booking through this link earns us a small commission at no cost to you ([how that works](/about#affiliate)).