How to Plan a Trip to Guizhou

Guizhou was once a little-known place. Now more and more people are visiting. Long loved for its ethnic villages and mighty Huangguoshu Waterfall, it has now emerged as a remarkable representative of New China.

Why is that? When you stand atop the Baling River Bridge (the world's longest span mountain bridge) marveling at how it slashes travel time from one hour to just four minutes; or when you listen to cosmic whispers from 13.7 billion light-years away at China's FAST telescope, you'll understand why Guizhou absolutely deserves at least a week of your travel itinerary.

However, Guizhou's many attractions can make planning a challenge. How to choose among so many ethnic villages? How to connect the scattered scenic spots? When is the best season to visit?

This guide offers practical advice to help you easily plan an in-depth Guizhou journey.

The Best Time to Visit Guizhou

Huangguoshuo waterfall

Guizhou has four distinct seasons, each with unique features. Generally, March to October is the best time to visit. During this period, temperatures are pleasant (14-28°C), waterfalls are at their most powerful, and many ethnic festivals take place (such as the Sister's Meal Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Kaili Lusheng Festival).

Below are the seasonal characteristics:

• Spring (March–May): Mild weather (8–22°C). This is the best season to see rapeseed flowers blooming across the terraces, along with cherry blossoms and azaleas covering the hills.
• Summer (June–August): Cool and humid (18–28°C), making Guizhou a great summer retreat. Although it's the rainy season, showers are usually short. It usually happens in the afternoon or at night, rarely disrupting travel plans. This is when the waterfalls are most spectacular.
• Autumn (September–November): Clear and comfortable (12–24°C), with less rain and plenty of sunshine. The terraced fields turn golden, ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities.
• Winter (December–February): Chilly and damp in the mountains (0–10°C). Some high-altitude areas like Mount Fanjing may close due to ice or snow, but most Miao and Dong villages remain accessible. Read more about Guizhou's monthly weather and climate.

If your visit coincides with ethnic festivals, your experience will be even deeper:

• During the Miao Sisters' Meal Festival (usually mid-April), taste colorful "sisters' rice," watch costume parades, and witness young people singing to make friends.
• At the Dong Sama Festival (often in mid-February), join village-wide sacrificial ceremonies, watch grand Lusheng performances, and feel the Dong people's deep respect for female ancestors.

Unforgettable Travel Experiences in Guizhou

Guizhou offers a journey unlike any other, defined by mainly four kinds of unique experiences:

• Step into living ethnic villages, take part in living traditions, and feel the energy of a passionate Village Football Match.
• Discover spectacular karst landscapes, from the powerful Huangguoshu Waterfall to the serene peaks of Fanjingshan.
• Visit the birthplace of China's national liquor (Maotai Town), to learn the art of crafting the world's finest baijiu.
• Witness the face of New China through groundbreaking engineering and scientific achievements that showcase the nation's progress.

Let me walk you through each of these experiences and how to make the most of them.

1. Experience the Most Authentic Ethnic Minority Traditions

Miao Village's Long Table Banquet

Guizhou is mainly renowned for Miao and Dong village cultures. Faced with hundreds of villages to choose from, how do you decide?

To experience the largest, best-preserved villages, we recommend visiting Xijiang Miao Village and Zhaoxing Dong Village.

In these villages, don't miss these experiences:

• Join a Long Table Banquet and experience the passionate Miao hospitality through the "Flowing Wine from the Mountains" toast ritual.
• Dress in Miao costumes adorned with exquisite silver jewelry and take memorable photos among the terraced stilted buildings.
• Hike through the terraced fields near Zhaoxing (Tang'an Terraces) and observe traditional farming methods.

2. Explore the Wonders of Karst Landscapes

Zhijin Cave

Guizhou is known as the "Karst Kingdom". Among the most representative sites are Huangguoshu Waterfall (Asia's largest waterfall) and Zhijin Cave (a remarkable underground karst cave).

Another highly recommended natural wonder is Mount Fanjing in Tongren, often called the "City in the Sky." Here, you can ride a cable car through the clouds, climb chains by hand to reach the Red Cloud Golden Summit. Learn more about how to plan a trip to Mount Fanjing.

Guizhou also boasts other natural wonders such as Wanfenglin (Forest of Peaks), Getu River, and Libo's Seven Small Arches. If you have ample time (8–10 days) in Guizhou, you can plan a more in-depth exploration.

3. Witness the Awe-Inspiring World's Highest Bridge

Baling River Bridge

Guizhou's landscape is dominated by mountains and deep canyons. Traveling between villages often used to require hours of winding along cliffside roads.

Now, monumental bridges are spanning these chasms. They have saved travel times by more than tenfold. I highly recommend experiencing this marvel of local engineering firsthand.

Of all the bridges, my top recommendation is the Baling River Bridge. It's easily accessible, located near the Huangguoshu Waterfall. And the canyon scenery beneath it is spectacular.

You can even walk to the center of the bridge and feel the structure's pulse high above the ground.

Of course, if you wish to visit the world's highest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge (60 km from Huangguoshu Waterfall), we can arrange that too. Since the experience at both is similar, visiting one is generally sufficient.

4. Watch a Unique Village Football Match for the Pure Passion

Rongjiang Guizhou Village Super League

You may have seen professional football matches, but you've never experienced anything like Guizhou's rural football games - Rongjiang's "Village Super League."

There's no commercial packaging here, only the pure passion of villager-players.

• Join tens of thousands of spectators in celebrating every goal.
• Savor a variety of authentic local snacks around the field.
• Lose yourself in this sports celebration ignited by community spirit. It's your only chance to feel the true charm of village football.

5. Listen to Sounds from 13.7 Billion Light-Years Away in the FAST

the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope

Visit the world's largest and most sensitive single-dish radio telescope - the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST). Marvel at this magnificent feat of engineering and learn how it captures faint signals from billions of light-years across the universe.

At the accompanying astronomy experience center, dive deeper into the cosmos through interactive exhibits.

To protect the telescope's extreme sensitivity, the core area must remain absolutely silent. All electronic devices must be stored beforehand, but this allows you to fully immerse yourself in a silent dialogue between science and nature.

How Many Days to Visit Guizhou

Guizhou's tourism resources are mainly distributed across three regions:

• Guiyang City and the nearby Huangguoshu area, requiring 2–3 days
• Southeastern ethnic villages (Miao and Dong cultures), requiring 3–4 days
• Northern Mount Fanjing for natural exploration, requiring 2 days

We recommend an 8–10 day itinerary to fully experience both the natural wonders and rich cultural traditions. This will make your Guizhou journey truly diverse and memorable.

Here is a sample 10-day Guizhou itinerary for your reference:

Days 1-3: Guiyang & Surroundings (Huangguoshu Waterfall + Balinghe Bridge + Dragon Palace)

Huangguoshuo waterfall

Arrive in Guiyang on Day 1. Explore Qingyan Ancient Town or Qingyun Food Street in the city.

On Day 2, visit Huangguoshu Waterfall in the morning (about 2 hours by car from Guiyang). Stop by Balinghe Bridge in the afternoon.

Day 3 features a boat tour through the stunning underground river of Dragon Palace, known as "China's Most Beautiful Water Cave."

Days 4-6: Zhenyuan Ancient City + Mount Fanjing + Shiqian Ancient Hot Springs

Mount Fanjing

On day 4, you would depart from Guiyang in the morning (approx. 2.5-hour drive) to Zhenyuan Ancient City, a nationally recognized historic and cultural town. In the afternoon, take a boat tour on the Wuyang River flowing through the town. Afterwards, transfer to Tongren Jiangkou (about 3 hours by car). Rest and prepare for the next day's hike.

On day 5, you would spend the full day exploring the Mount Fanjing. Take the cable car up the mountain and challenge yourself to climb the Red Cloud Golden Summit.

On day 6, you could take a 1-hour drive to Shiqian to relax in its ancient hot springs and soothe your muscles after the climb. Then learn traditional papermaking at a local workshop. In the afternoon, travel to Kaili (approx. 3-hour drive).

Tip: Mount Fanjing is relatively close to Fenghuang Ancient Town (about 1.5 hours by car). From Fenghuang, you can take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (approx. 1 hour).

Day 7: Southeast Guizhou (Kaili): Xijiang Miao Village

Xijiang Miao Village

On Day 7, depart from Kaili and drive about 1 hour to Xijiang Miao Village, the world's largest Miao ethnic settlement. Visit the museum, take photos in traditional attire, admire Miao embroidery, and try your hand at silver jewelry making.

Days 8–9: Rongjiang Dali Dong Village + Village Super League

Dong Village

On day 8, travel about 1.5 hours from Xijiang to Rongjiang Dali Dong Village in the morning. Explore the wind-and-rain bridges and drum towers, and experience traditional Dong batik art. In the evening, join a lively Village Super League football match and cheer alongside the locals.

After visiting Rongjiang, you can return to Guiyang or take a high-speed train to your next destination, such as Kunming (4 hours by train) or Guilin (about 1 hour by train).

Rongjiang Guizhou Village Super League

If you're interested in visiting Zhangjiajie, you can optimize travel time by touring Kaili first, then heading to Mount Fanjing in Tongren, and finally traveling via Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie (1 hour's train).

If your time in Guizhou is limited, a 3–5 day itinerary focusing on Guiyang and its nearby attractions is also possible. Discover more Guizhou tours.

What to Eat and Where to Stay in Guizhou

Sour Soup Fish

Guizhou cuisine is known for its sour and spicy flavors, shaped by the local humid climate and rich ethnic culinary traditions. While many dishes feature these bold tastes, numerous restaurants also offer milder options suitable for adults and children alike, such as:

• Qingyan Braised Pork Hock: Tender, aromatic, and flavorful - fun to eat with your hands.
• Potato Cakes: Pan-fried mashed potato patties, crispy outside and soft inside, served with chili powder or sweet sauce.
• Beef or Lamb Rice Noodles: Hearty bowls of steaming rice noodles in savory broth. You can request "no spice" for a mild yet delicious bone-based soup.
• Tofu Balls: Crispy on the outside, soft inside - kids can enjoy them plain or with non-spicy soy sauce.

If you'd like to try local specialties, here are some famous dishes:

• Sour Fish Soup: A signature Guizhou dish. For children, serve the fish and vegetables from the soup without the broth. Red sour soup (fermented tomato) is milder than white (fermented rice) and may be more child-friendly.
• Silk Doll (Si Wa Wa): A fun DIY dish where kids wrap their preferred fillings - like cucumber strips and bean sprouts - in thin pancakes, without the sour-spicy sauce.
• Tofu Pudding: Grilled tofu, crispy outside and tender inside. Your kids may enjoy the plain tofu.
• Sweet Rice Wine: A lightly alcoholic sweet drink - not recommended for children due to its alcohol content.

Guizhou offers diverse accommodation options. In larger cities like Guiyang, Kaili, and Anshun, you'll find international hotel chains with full amenities and standard services.

For a unique experience, stay in ethnic village guesthouses - such as stilted houses in Xijiang Miao Village or near the drum towers in Zhaoxing Dong Village. These lodgings immerse you in local culture, with views of terraced fields or starry skies right from your window.

Explore Guizhou with China Highlights

Whether you want to experience the best of Guizhou in a short time or dive deep into the unique cultures of its ethnic minorities, we can design a personalized itinerary just for you.

Enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle and the expertise of our local guides throughout your journey, ensuring a worry-free and memorable trip. Please see our recommended tours below for inspiration. Alternatively, you can contact us to create a Guizhou tour according to your requirements.

• 6-Day Diverse Minority Adventure
• 6-Day Minority Festival Tour
• 10-Day Guizhou Plus Zhangjiajie
• 15-Day Journey into Yunnan-Guizhou's Ethnic Culture & Scenic Wonders

Discover more Guizhou tours and remember that everything in the itineraries can be customized.