Guiyang

Guiyang is relatively cool in summer, with more rain than average, so it is best to carry rain gear when going out.

Guiyang combines mountain-and-water scenery with a rich snack culture. The city has a relatively relaxed pace, making it well suited to spending a few days slowly exploring the old town, night markets, and nearby sights.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: First Impressions of Guiyang and Old-Town Local Life
  • Morning: After arriving in Guiyang, head to Qianling Mountain Park. Admission is 5 yuan. You can see giant pandas and macaques there. It is recommended to take the cable car up the mountain, then walk down, with city views along the way.

• Afternoon: Take a walk around the Fountain Pool and Taiping Road area. You can see the giant doll installations and experience the mix of retro charm and artsy atmosphere in the old-town neighborhood.

• Evening: Go to Jiaxiu Tower to enjoy the night view. The lights are on from 19:30 to 22:00. Afterward, you can visit Qingyun Market to try snacks and experience a night-market space converted from old factory buildings.

• Day 2: Culture, History, and City Views
  • Morning: Visit the Guizhou Provincial Museum. Advance booking is required, and it is closed on Mondays. Inside, you can learn about Guizhou’s ethnic cultures and paleontological fossils.

• Afternoon: Explore Wenchang Pavilion and Radio Street on foot to experience the blend of old Guiyang everyday life and an artsy neighborhood. You can also see the graffiti corridor and distinctive cafés along the way.

• Evening: Climb to Dongshan Temple to watch the sunset and take in the city panorama, then head to the White House in Huaguoyuan to see the nighttime light display.

• Day 3: Nearby Excursion or In-Depth Food Wandering
  • Option A (Nearby Excursion): Visit Qingyan Ancient Town to try braised pork trotters, or go to Huaxi Yelang Valley to see its fantastical stone building complex.

• Option B (In-Depth Food Wandering): Keep the morning more relaxed, then head to Minsheng Road, Caijia Street, and Erqi Road Snack Street to try local flavors such as changwang noodles, siwawa, and luoguo.

Must-Try Food List

Guiyang’s food is highly distinctive within Southwest China. Sour soup, rice noodles, wheat noodles, and various carb-heavy snacks are its main specialties.

Recommended Areas to Stay

• Top choice: Fountain Pool / Dashizi commercial area. This area is in central Guiyang, where Metro Lines 1 and 2 meet. Shopping malls and restaurants are concentrated nearby, nightlife is lively, and it is convenient for reaching most attractions and food streets. It suits travelers who value easy transport and an urban atmosphere.

• Second choice: Near Jiaxiu Tower / Nanming District. The surrounding environment is relatively quiet, and you can enjoy night views of the Nanming River. It suits travelers who prefer culture, history, and a peaceful atmosphere, and there are also plenty of local restaurants nearby.

• Choose with caution: Guanshanhu District. Hotel facilities are generally newer, but it is far from the city center, about 30 minutes by taxi. It is more suitable for self-drive travelers or visitors mainly planning to visit the provincial museum and Guanshanhu Park.

• Not highly recommended: Huaguoyuan. The area is lively and hotel prices are relatively low, but there is heavy foot traffic, many shared short-term rental apartments, traffic congestion is common, and public security management is relatively complex. Choose accommodation here carefully.

Things to Note

• Transport: For high-speed rail, prioritize Guiyang North Railway Station, which is closer to the city center and directly connected by metro. Guiyang East Railway Station is farther away. City attractions are fairly concentrated, so take the metro first when possible. Taxi fares start at about 10 yuan, and it is best to avoid rush-hour traffic.
• Food: Guiyang dishes and snacks are generally quite spicy, and many restaurants add fish mint. If you do not eat spicy food or fish mint, tell the staff when ordering. It is also advisable to carry stomach medicine.
• Weather: Guiyang often has overcast and rainy weather, and conditions can change quickly. Although summer is cool, UV levels can still be strong, so bring rain gear and sunscreen. There is a noticeable temperature difference between morning and evening, so a light jacket is useful.
• Attractions: The monkeys in Qianling Mountain Park may snatch food, so do not feed or tease them casually. Venues such as the Guizhou Provincial Museum usually require booking 1–3 days in advance and are closed on Mondays. Jiaxiu Tower’s night view is best seen after dusk.
• Luggage: Guiyang has many underpasses and slopes, so it is best to travel light and wear non-slip flat shoes.