Guiyang

Guiyang is relatively easy to get to by air with many flights daily coming in from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and other cities in Southwest China, particularly Kunming and Chengdu.

• 🌍 Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE  ^IATA). An international airport but options are extremely limited. There is weekly service from Hong Kong, Macao, and Bangkok and perhaps Singapore and Malaysia. 

Travelers flying in from abroad will most likely transfer to a domestic flight to Guiyang in Kunming, Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing.

From the airport, taxis (¥60 flat rate) or the airport shuttle bus (¥10, drops off in a few locations around town) take fifteen to twenty minutes to reach downtown. Those interested in saving money may opt to catch a taxi from the bus stops in town rather than directly from the airport. Doing so brings the total for a solo traveler to ¥20 from airport to hotel.

Guiyang straddles the trunk rail line linking Chongqing (12 hours) with Kunming (overnight) and points south. Train tickets to Chengdu are also readily available (17 hours). Train tickets, including for hard sleepers, are relatively easy to acquire, given the size of Guiyang's population and its significance as the commercial hub of the province. Heading in from Hunan, the train passes through Kaili before arriving in Guiyang. Tickets to Zunyi (hard seat only) cost ¥17 for the 3½-hour trip.

The area outside the downtown train station, 🌍 Guiyang railway station (贵阳站) can be a bit chaotic, but taxis are readily available. There is a taxi queue across the street from the station, although some taxis will stop in mid-traffic to pick you up. Guiyang police have tried to crack down on picking up passengers in crowded areas where it will obstruct traffic, so the queue is probably the best (and safest, given Chinese driving standards) option. The train station is also the terminus for many public bus lines.

High speed rail lines have made their way to Guiyang. The journey to Kunming previously took around 7 hours. Now, travelers can pay ¥212 for a 2½-hour trip. To get from Guiyang to Guangzhou, which took 20–24 hours on normal trains, now takes 4–5 hours and ¥267.5. The line that leads from Guiyang to Chongqing, costs ¥129, and has cut a 4-hour trip in half.

Two stations, both built in the last several years, serve high speed rail. The somewhat older train station, 🌍 Guiyang North railway station (贵阳北站, Guiyangbei), is located in Jinyang, one of the newer districts of the city. Most of the high speed trains go through this station. The newest station, 🌍 Guiyang East railway station (贵阳东站, Guiyangdong) in Wudang district also serves some high-speed trains. Make sure you know which station you're traveling through, as the three stations are distant enough that you could miss a connection trying to get between them.

The long-distance bus station (金阳汽车站) is in the new JinYang development area. Buses to Jinyang leave from the train station and pass by peoples square, opposite the school. From here you can get buses to several destinations, including Guilin and Guangzhou.

Long-distance buses arriving in Guiyang will likely stop at a different station near the airport where you can take a taxi into the city. The driver will probably not use the meter and will take as many passengers as he can, bargain for the price.

The long-distance bus stations are also the best location to get buses to Anshun (60–90 minutes), the gateway to Guizhou's signature Huangguoshu Waterfall. Buses north to Zunyi (two hours) depart every 30 to 60 minutes.

The highway infrastructure in Guizhou is undergoing continual upgrading as part of China's Western Development Effort. Once completed, an expressway will link Guiyang to Chongqing, allowing relatively easy travel and an alternative to the train. The highways leading west and east out of Guiyang are modern and well maintained making for easy access to the western reaches of the province or east to Kaili. It is possible (although expensive, so it may be better to take the bus or train) to hire a car and driver between Guiyang, Zunyi, and other cities.

The Guiyang metro system is called Guiyang Urban Rapid Transit, or GYURT. Line 1 is in operation between Xiaomeng Industrial Park in Guanshanhu district and Xiamaixi in Guanshanhu District. It connects to the rail network at Guiyang North and Guiyang railway station. Standard fares are ¥2-6, though each 8 km after the first 24 km will cost an additional ¥1. Line 2 is expected to open at the end of 2020. It starts from Baiyun District, connect the city center to Line 1, and ends at the East Bus Terminal with a stop at the Longdongbao International Airport. A further four lines are under construction, while the long-term plans include a total of nine lines for the city.

Guiyang has a well-developed bus system, although it is entirely in Chinese and takes some getting used to. A local can help you if you know where you are going. All bus fares cost ¥2. Small local buses pick up passengers at various points around town and can take you to Huaxi or more distant districts of the city for ¥3 per person. These buses can get crowded and are forbidden to carry standing passengers. As a result, all of the standing riders are asked to duck when passing the police.

Guiyang taxis charge ¥10 at flagfall. Short trips within the city should cost ¥10. This is an excellent way to get around, as taxis are everywhere. Note that taxis charge extra late at night (¥12 starting rate although for short trips the driver may let you off with the ¥10 flat rate). Taxis heading into or out of the city center may pick up extra passengers.

As elsewhere in China, motorcycle and scooter taxi services are available. Large intersections or areas with concentrations of bars or restaurants will attract a crowd of motorcyclists. Negotiate a price in advance (¥10-15). Unlike in other areas, the driver is unlikely to have a helmet available for you. Hold on tight.

Although not the smallest town in China, many of Guiyang's neighborhoods and sights can be seen with a little patience and footwork. This is also a great way to experience life in a still emerging town. The city abounds with small workshops (often in what would normally be locations for small shops or restaurants), delightful street-side restaurants, and small shops selling everything from local handicrafts to new business cards (next day availability) and sheet metal.

• 🌍 Guanshan Lake Park (观山湖公园), Guanshan Bridge, Lincheng West Road, Guanshanhu District (观山湖区观山大桥南北两侧) (Guanshanhu Park Metro Station (观山湖公园地铁站)), ☏ +86 851 84878411. Summer hours 06:00-00:00, winter hours 06:30-00:00. Guanshanhu Park is a forested park that lies 12 km from Guiyang’s city center. It lies around a pair of lakes, Guanshan North and South Lakes, and has a main paved path around them.There are also smaller paths that lead to scenic spots. In the center of the park, you can find an 18-meter-tall golden pheasant drum statue, representing luck and happiness. On the opposite side of the lake, there is a 30-meter statue of a trio of hot peppers, or lajiao, an integral ingredient in Guizhou cuisine. Other attractions within the park include Hunan Garden, home to several original buildings from a 1950s Soviet-style farm; and the National Culture Promenade, a 330-meter-long corridor of paintings and wishing pools dedicated to the 56 ethnic groups of China. The park is home to over 700 types of plant life, including purple myrtle and osmanthus trees. If you make your visit in the spring or summer, you are likely to spot a sizeable colony of wild herons on a central island. Free, but boat rides and children's rides charge fees. (updated Nov 2018)
• 🌍 Guizhou Art Museum (贵州美术馆), 168 Beijing Road, Yunyan District (云岩区北京路168号) (Take bus no. 2, 15, 101, 214, 311 or Circular Route 1 and get off at the Museum (博物馆) bus stop. Alternatively, catch one of the many buses that stop at the nearby Beijing Road (北京路) bus stop), ☏ +86 851 85891208, info@gzmoa.org.cn. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. Incorporates the Guizhou Painting Institute (贵州画院). Free. (updated Sep 2018)
• 🌍 Guizhou Nationalities Museum (贵州省民族博物馆), 23 Jiandao Street, Nanming District (南明区箭道街23号) (catch bus no. 4, 6, 11, 16, 21, 30, 50, 63, 78, 81, 82, 237 Express, 305, 306, 310, 319 or K50 and get off at the Jiandao Street Intersection (箭道街路口) bus stop), ☏ +86 851 85831710. 09:30-16:30, closed on Mondays. A museum focused on the history and culture of Guizhou's various ethnic groups. Free. (updated Sep 2018)
• 🌍 Guizhou Provincial Museum (贵州省博物馆), 107 Lincheng Road East, Guanshanhu District (观山湖区林城东路107号) (Metro Line 1, International Eco-Conference Center Station, Exit B), ☏ +86 851 84811809, bwg@gzmuseum.com. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. Guizhou's main museum. Free. (updated Sep 2018)
• 🌍 Guizhou Science and Technology Museum (贵州科技馆，贵州省科学技术官), 40 Ruijin Road South, Nanming District (南明区瑞金南路40号) (there is a bus stop just outside the museum called Cinanmen (次南门), which is served by over two dozen bus routes), ☏ +86 851 85832933. 09:40-15:40, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Notable exhibitions include one on lunar exploration and one on computer databases. The museum also features a children's science and technology park and a 4D movie theatre. Free. (updated Sep 2018)
• 🌍 Hebin Park (河滨公园), 31 Ruijin Road South, Nanming District (南明区瑞金南路31号) (there is a public bus stop of the same name on the north side of the park; the bus stop is served by over two dozen bus routes), ☏ +86 851 85956270. 07:00-22:00. This park is by the side of the Nanming River. There is an Egyptian feel to the square in the park, which has towering pillars lit by yellow light at night, and a gigantic UFO-shaped restaurant in the centre, help up by both bamboo and metal pillars--an apt symbol of the fusion of Chinese culture and modernity. Near the restaurant, there is a bridge across the river, shaped like a Helix, and lighted up a brilliant red. Take a romantic stroll through this peaceful square at night. Free. 
• 🌍 Hongfu Temple (弘福寺), Qianlingshan Park, 187 Zaoshan Road, Yunyan District (云岩区枣山路187号黔灵山公园内) (it is a 40-60 minute walk to the temple, but there is also a cable car, which stops at 17:00, and sedan chair rides), ☏ +86 851-86825606. 06:30-18:00. The temple, built as a monastery in the early Qing Dynasty, is comparable in extent to the Lama Temple in Beijing. Surrounded by woods, the buildings have elaborate ornaments (roof corners and eaves, etc.). There are several large deity figures, a pond with carp, water well for coins for good luck, incense burning pits, a large bell you ring, some shops, and a restaurant there. ¥5. 
• 🌍 Qianlingshan Park (黔灵山公园, 黔灵公园 Qianling Park), 187 Zaoshan Road, Yunyan District (云岩区枣山路187号) (the bus stop outside the park is served by more than two dozen bus routes), ☏ +86 851 86826301. 06:30-22:00. This large city park is well worth an afternoon. Sample local food and crafts from vendors, see curious and very brave wild monkeys (accustomed to people), as well as take in the view from the hilltops near Hongfu Temple. Qianling Park also includes a zoo and small amusement park as well as tea gardens. ¥5. 
• 🌍 Liebian International Plaza. A skyscraper notable due to an 108m high artificial waterfall cascade coming out of its side. The waterfall is only active intermittently due to high operating costs. (updated Nov 2022)

• 🌍 Huaxi Park (花溪公园), 3108 Huaxi Avenue South Section, Huaxi District (花溪区花溪大道南段3108号) (take bus no. 8, 404, 888, 888 Route 1, 888 Route 2, or Huaxi 7, or take the Tertiary Institution Express Bus (高校专线车)), ☏ +86 851 83851808. 08:30-18:30. Another popular day trip south of Guiyang in Huaxi township, Huaxi Park is an excellent escape from the heat and bustle of the city. The park with its streams, pavilions and tea gardens is popular for Guiyang residents who enjoy setting up their own barbeques and enjoying a picnic. Of historical note, former Premier Zhou Enlai and his wife visited Huaxi Park in the 1950s. A billboard sized photograph of the couple enjoying a boat ride graces the main entrance to the park. ¥6. 
• 🌍 Qingyan Ancient Town (青岩古镇), Huaxi District, Guiyang (take bus no. 203 from Guiyang Railway Station, Airport Bus No. 5 from the airport, or bus no. 210 from the Huaguoyuan Wetlands Park; you can also catch a minibus from the Huaxi Bus Station northeast of Huaxi Park). ¥20 for basic admission, ¥80 ticket includes admission to all historical buildings. (updated Jan 2018)
• 🌍 Tianhe Lake (Tianhe Pool, 天河潭), Gui'an Avenue, Shiban Town, Huaxi District (花溪区石板镇贵安大道) (take bus no. 211 or 701), toll-free: +86 400 9009995, 1084786610@qq.com. 08:30-18:00. An easy day trip from Guiyang, Tianhe Lake Park is a pleasant cave, canal and waterfall park in Huaxi township. The park includes flooded caves which guides take you through in boats, canals which weave through minority farm areas and a spectacular cascade through a narrow opening in the mountain. Following the trail into the mountain leads to a massive sinkhole and the starting point for the cave and canal boat trips. If you are feeling adventurous, rent bikes for the day from Huaxi Park, and then cycle 11 km to Tianhe Lake on the country roads. It takes about 2 hours to get there, but the biking journey would be rewarding for backpackers who enjoy roughing it through and appreciate rural scenery. You can rent a motorcycle to take your bicycles back for ¥10 each, while getting on a rented ven to get back to Huaxi Park, at the same price. ¥10 to visit the waterfall only, ¥43 to visit the caves only, ¥52 to visit both the caves and the waterfall, and ¥82 for a combo ticket including sightseeing car and insurance. The zip line costs ¥80 per ride. 
• 🌍 Zhenshan Village (镇山民族文化村), 花溪区石板镇镇山村 (take bus 211 from the Huaguoyuan Da Jie bus stop; the bus takes about an hour, and then arrives at Tianhetan Scenic Spot; from there, catch a taxi or motorcycle the remaining 2 km to the village.). Zhenshan Village is a Bouyei minority village 20 km outside of Guiyang. Visit the Ming Dynasty village to observe and try Bouyei traditions, food, rice wine and architecture. The village’s houses are almost entirely built of shale dug from local mountains; walls and floors, roofs and selected items of furniture are all built with it. The main festival celebrated in the village falls on the 10th day of the first lunar month (February 14 in 2019), so the dates change every year. During that time, the main square of the village will be full of people dancing and singing to the music of the lusheng, a traditional instrument. The festival celebrates the bond between the Miao and Bouyei people in the area, and as such brings out people from both minorities in their best traditional embroidered clothing. At any time of year, visitors can enjoy the local rice wine, or try the smoked tofu, pickled vegetables and sour fish prepared by their hosts. Guesthouses are available for those who wish to spend the night. (updated Nov 2018)

• 🌍 South River Grand Canyon (南江大峡谷), Longguang Village, Nanjiang Township, Kaiyang County (开阳县南江乡龙广村) (there is one direct bus daily from the Guiyang Tourist Transportation Centre (贵阳市旅游游客集散中心) at the old bus station, there are also 3 direct buses daily from the Huaguoyuan Sector R1 Tourist Transportation Centre (花果园R1区旅游集散中心)), toll-free: +86 400 8008106. 08:00-17:30. Canyon with karst scenery and several waterfalls of varying sizes. The canyon spans more than 40 km and has a depth of 398 m. ¥88 (including entry ticket and sightseeing car). 

For excellent Guizhou cuisine at very reasonable prices try Siheyuan (四合院). The restaurant enjoys a good bit of local fame and is popular with the (very) small expat community as well. The story goes that the owners were laid off from their factory jobs some years ago. Without work, they opened a street side restaurant with a single table. The food was so good that business boomed. Some 15 or 20 years later they serve a bustling lunch and dinner crowd in a multilevel but still rustic and homey restaurant. Siheyuan doesn't have a sign so finding it without a guide can be a bit of a trick. It is located a few feet down the alley opposite the Protestant Church on Qianling Xilu.

Be sure to try Bean Hotpot (豆米火祸 dōumǐhuǒguō) which is available all around the city. Just as with other hotpot styles, you choose whichever ingredients you want and cook them at your own pace. The difference is in its soup of pinto beans, bacon, and onions. You should get a bowl of spices that you can mix with the soup base for dipping.

Minority cuisines are also readily available throughout Guiyang (look for wait staff in brightly colored outfits clapping, dancing and playing oversized pan-flutes at the door). One of the most common and delicious varieties available is the Miao minority's Suan Tang Yu (酸汤鱼), a hot pot centered around a hot and spicy broth with a large whole fish chopped up inside. Like all hot pot restaurants, veggies, meats and other delicacies are purchased a la carte to be added. The dipping bowls contain the ubiquitous chili paste but also add a cube of fermented tofu (non-stinky) that makes a wonderful compliment to the fish. Be sure to wash it down with mi jiu (米酒), a sweet, dark rice wine.

• Xinyouke Sour Soup Beef (Chaoyang Store) (心有客酸汤牛肉(朝阳店)), No. 39, Ground Floor, Building 12, Chaoyang Village, Qingxi Street（清溪街道朝阳村12栋底层39号）, ☏ +86 15185181822. 09:00-00:30. Sour beef soup is one of the staples of the Miao minority's diet. The shop offers a free green leafy vegetable buffet. ¥60. (updated Oct 2023)

Night markets are popular in Guizhou for midnight munching, particularly in the warmer months although even the winter does not shut them down. Varieties of street foods particularly grilled freshwater fish, crayfish, snails, chicken, pork, mutton, cabbage, garlic greens, onions, eggplants, mutton, chili peppers and just about anything else that can be skewered is available. For the adventurous whole marrow bones can be grilled up, cracked open and served with a straw. Guiyang's street food vendors tend to come out after sunset.

A night food market fills the entrance way to Qianling Park. Another food street is along the side of Shanxi Road on the side of A exit of the subway station. However the street vendors of Shanxi Road have been overtaken mostly in popularity by the very busy underground "Chinatown" food court—decorated curiously after overseas Chinatowns—directly connected to the Shanxi Road subway station.

For a Guizhou snack unavailable elsewhere try Silk Babies (丝娃娃). For a few kuai, you are given a stack of thin rice pancakes and chopsticks. You sit at a low table covered in bowls of raw and pickled vegetables with a small dish for mixing chili sauce and vinegar. Load the pancakes according to taste, spoon in a little sauce and enjoy.

Among Guiyang's street foods, Guiyang Style Beef Noodles (牛肉粉 niuroufen) is a staple. It can be prepared in a hot red broth or a mild beef broth according to your tastes - although not all establishments offer a choice. Fresh whole garlic cloves, crushed dried red pepper, salt, MSG and Sichuan Pepper (花椒 huajiao) can be added to taste. Don't miss this one - it really hits the spot, especially after a night of drinking! Huaxi Wang Jia Niuroufen is the best and operates a chain of franchises throughout the province but for late night munchies, just follow the crowds.

A peculiar local delicacy (given the fact that Guizhou is landlocked) is Fried Chili Squid (鱿鱼: youyu). Chopped squid is skewed and deep fried before being cooked on a separate metal plate in a bath of sizzling chili sauce. This snack is served hot from carts congregating along Zhonghua Zhonglu. The dish is safe to eat despite the distance from the ocean. One stick costs ¥1. The 鱿鱼 carts are often found in close proximity to other snack carts selling grilled tofu, mutton kabobs, spicy pickled radishes and other munchies.