Located in the southwestern part of China, Guizhou is one of the birthplaces of ancient Chinese civilization. There is a rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic groups, and stunning landscapes, and you will fall in love with this place after visiting it. Since it is a place with many attractions, you may wonder where to start.
This guide shares the top 10 things to do in Guizhou, as well as a recommended itinerary and practical travel tips, helping you plan a smooth Guizhou tour.
1. Visit the Huangguoshu Waterfall
- Location: Huangguoshu Town, Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun City
- Opening hours: March – November: 07:00 – 18:30; December – February: 07:30 – 17:00; night tour: 19:00 – 22:30
- Ticket: entrance ticket: March – November: CNY 160/USD 22; December – February: CNY 150/USD 21; sightseeing bus: CNY 50/USD 7; night tour: CNY 200 – 240/USD 28 – 33
As one of the most iconic attractions in Guizhou, Huangguoshu Waterfall is the largest waterfall in China and one of the largest in Asia. This spectacular waterfall is 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, creating a grand view as the water crashes down into the Rhinoceros Pool below. By the way, the best time to visit is during the rainy season when the waterfall is at its most impressive.
Near the waterfall, there are a variety of attractions in the Huangguoshu Scenic Area, including the Tianxingqiao Scenic Area, the Stone Village, and more. You will find beautiful landscapes and karst caves in the nearby attractions.
Tip: June – August is the best time to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall. However, since it is also the rainy season, some scenic spots may be closed temporarily. Please check the latest information in advance.
Recommended Guizhou Tours including Huangguoshu Waterfall
2. Explore the Miao and Dong Villages
Visiting the Miao and Dong villages is also one of the best things to do in Guizhou. There are many Miao and Dong ethnic minority villages in Guizhou. In the villages, you will encounter well-preserved ancient architecture and experience the local customs. By the way, don’t forget to taste the local cuisine and get some intricate handicrafts.
Xijiang Miao Village and Zhaoxing Dong Village are two famous villages in Guizhou, and people there often hold activities to celebrate festivals and events. If you get the opportunity to attend local festivals and events on your tour of Guizhou, don’t hesitate to join. Besides, you can watch folk performances and learn about their handicrafts, like batik and embroidery.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village:
- Location: Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Prefecture
- Opening hours: April – October: 07:00 – 01:00 next day; November – March: 07:30 – 24:00
- Ticket: CNY 90/USD 13
Zhaoxing Dong Village:
- Location: Zhaoxing Town, Liping County, Qiandongnan Prefecture
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- Ticket: CNY 80/USD 11, sightseeing bus: CNY 20/USD 3
Recommended Guizhou Tours including Miao and Dong Villages
- 6 Days Guizhou Tour with Qianhu Miao Village
- 7 Days Guizhou Cave Camping, Terrace Hiking & Culture Tour
3. Experience the Fanjing Mountain
- Location: at the junction of Yinjiang County and Jiangkou County, Tongren City
- Opening hours: East Gate (From Jiangkou): 07:00 – 15:00; West Gate (from Yinjiang County): 07:00 – 13:00
- Ticket: March- November: CNY 100/USD 14; December – February: CNY 90/USD 13
Add this to your list of top things to do in Guizhou. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fanjing Mountain is a holy Buddhist mountain that offers a challenging yet rewarding hike to its two peaks, the Old Golden Summit and the New Golden Summit. Along the way, you’ll see ancient temples and beautiful landscapes
When you hike Fanjing Mountain, you will be amazed by its rich biodiversity. There are a variety of unique plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Take a look at the rare Guizhou golden monkey and the Fanjingshan fir, which are two species native to the area.
Recommended Guizhou Tours including Fanjing Mountain
4. Discover the Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area
- Location: Libo County, Qiannan Prefecture
- Opening hours: March – November: 07:30 – 18:00; December – February: 08:00 – 17:00
- Ticket: March – November: CNY 120/USD 17; December – February: CNY 100/USD 14, valid for 2 days, including Xiaoqikong and Daqikong scenic areas.
The Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is part of the larger South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a must-visit attraction on your Guizhou tours, it features karst landscapes, stunning rivers, spectacular waterfalls, and virgin forests. Besides, you can also find rare birds and wild animals there.
It consists of 4 main sightseeing areas, with Xiaoqikong and Daqikong being the most popular ones for their stunning views of the karst landscape and green waters. Besides, rich landscapes of cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, lush forests, and stone arch bridges can be found. To fully immerse yourself in the scenery, choose from peaceful walks, tranquil hikes, or relaxing boat rides.
5. Wander around Qingyan Ancient Town
- Location: Qingyan Town, Huaxi District, Guiyang City
- Opening hours: town: 24 hours, scenic spots inside the town: 08:30 – 17:30
- Ticket: entrance ticket: free; ticket package of 8 scenic spots inside the town: CNY 60/USD 8
Located in Guiyang City, Qingyan Ancient Town is a well-preserved ancient town with a long history. Taking a walk in the ancient town, you will find narrow cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, through which you can catch a glimpse of the city’s past.
It also boasts many attractions, including the ancient city walls, the Ciyun Temple, and the Longevity Palace. Besides, there are also restaurants in the town where you can try the local cuisines, such as rose candy and roasted tofu.
Recommended Guizhou Tours including Qingyan Ancient Town
6. Observe the Jiaxiu Tower
- Location: 8, Cuiwei Lane, Nanming District, Guiyang City
- Opening hours: Tuesdays- Sundays: 09:00 – 18:00; Mondays: 14:00 – 18:00
- Ticket: free
Visiting Jiaxiu Tower is among the top things to do in Guizhou. Built in the Ming Dynasty, Jiaxiu Tower is now a landmark of Guiyang City. This three-story tower is a great work of architecture with intricate designs and amazing views.
Beyond its architectural design, Jiaxiu Tower is of great historical and cultural significance. Initially constructed to inspire scholars to study hard and achieve academic success, this tower has now become an exhibition house for calligraphy works, valuable paintings, and other historical relics.
Recommended Guizhou Tours including Jiaxiu Tower
7. Marvel at the Karst Caves
Guizhou, home to the world’s densest karst cave systems, is known for its spectacular cave attractions.
Zhijin Cave: Reputed as the “King of Karst Caves”, Zhijin Cave stretches 12 km, covers 700,000 sq. m. and spans 175 meters. Over 40 types of karst formations can be found here. Overlord Helmet, Silver Rain Tree and Curled Stone are the three treasures of the cave.
- Location: Guanzhai Miao Ethnic Township, Zhijin County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province
- Opening Hours: March – November: 08:30 – 17:00; December – February: 09:00 – 16:30
- Ticket: March – November: CNY 110/USD 16; December – February: CNY 100/USD 14
Dragon Palace Cave: It extends for more than 60 kilometers and mainly features clusters of karst peaks and limestone caves with clear water. Besides, it also greets visitors with spectacular waterfalls.
- Location: Longgong Town, Xiu District, Anshun City, about 30 km from Huangguoshu Waterfall
- Opening hours: March – October: 07:30 – 18:30; November – February: 08:00 – 18:00
- Ticket: March – October: CNY 150/USD 21; November – February: CNY 130/USD 19 (including the entrance ticket, boat rides and sightseeing bus)
Tip:
- Huangguoshu Waterfall and Dragon Palace Cave are always combined into a single day trip because of close proximity. It is recommended to visit Dragon Palace Cave first, followed by Huangguoshu Waterfall.
- The cave is cold and the road is slippery, so bring a warm coat and wear non-slip shoes.
Recommended Guizhou Tours including Karst Landscapes
8. Visit the Guizhou Provincial Museum
- Location: 107, Lincheng East Road, Guanshanhu District, Guiyang City
- Opening hours:09:00 – 17:00/18:00, closed on Mondays
- Ticket: entrance ticket: free; special exhibitions: vary from CNY 30 – 50/USD 7 – 9
Since Guizhou is a place with a rich history and culture, visiting the Guizhou Provincial Museum is among the top things to do in Guizhou. It is divided into many exhibition halls and exhibits an extensive collection of cultural relics, natural specimens, and historical artifacts.
Guizhou Provincial Museum is a must-visit place on your trip to Guizhou. It allows you to understand the history and culture of Guizhou better. In addition, there are many displays and exhibitions, and don’t miss the display of Miao and Dong ethnic minority costumes, which is interesting and impressive.
9. Enjoy Guizhou Cuisine
Tasting local cuisine is also on the list of top things to do in Guizhou. The local cuisines are delicious with spicy and sour flavors. Guizhou treats you to a variety of different foods, among which Sour Fish Soup, Siwawa (Silk Dolls), and Lushui Tofu are some must-try dishes.
It’s easy for you to find a place for local cuisine in different parts of Guizhou. In Anshun, Hongpao Restaurant is a good place for formal dining. If you want to try local snacks, you can go to the Huangguoshu Waterfall Night Market. In Guiyang, Shangshansi Restaurant is for you, and it offers traditional Guizhou dishes with an elegant dining atmosphere.
10. Witness the Excellent Cunchao & CunBA
- Location: For Cunchao: The court in the Chengbei New District, Rongjiang County, Qiandongnan Prefecture; For CunBA: Taipan Village, Taijiang County, Qiandongnan Prefecture
- Ticket: free for both competitions, but if you plan to watch Cunchao on “Super Saturdays” and public holidays, it is advised to make a reservation 1 day in advance via the mini-program of “看村超游贵州” or “黔东南一码通”.
- Best time to visit: For Cunchao: from Fridays to Sundays during May – July; For CunBA: weekends, the final of the Taijiang Hundred Villages League: late March
Cunchao (Village Premier League) & CunBA (Village Basketball Association) have gone viral since 2023. Unlike the professional soccer and basketball competitions, Cunchao and CunBA attract tourists with their rugged courts, passionate spirit and perfect combination of ethnic culture. The players are all locals, such as farmers, street vendors and truck drivers, etc. The spectators strike the aluminum basins to cheer for the players.
On Super Saturdays of Cunchao, the halftime show is a spectacular fusion of Dong ethnic choir performances, Miao reed-pipe music, drone light formations, and fireworks, instead of cheerleaders. Another highlight is the Earth Village Competition during the National Day Holiday, when international tourists come to join the fun.
CunBA also draws plenty of tourists. The most famous is the Aunty Games. No refs, no foul calls, and only one rule: don’t hit the men. It brings a lot of fun for every spectator.
Practical Travel Tips for International Travelers for a Guizhou Tour
- Best time to visit: April – May and September to October are the most recommended periods to balance the weather and crowds.
- Visa: Guizhou is included in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. So if your home country is eligible for the policy, no visa is required for a Guizhou trip.
- Payment: In the major tourist cities and attractions, mobile payment is widely used. But if you plan to visit ethnic villages, cash is still needed, so prepare some change.
- Food: Guizhou cuisine features spicy and sour flavors. Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) is widely used as an ingredient, but many travelers find its taste similar to soap and can not accept it. When ordering, tell your server “mildly spicy” and “no fish mint, please.”
How to Plan a Guizhou Tour
For a Guizhou tour, 1 week is an ideal timeframe to perfectly balance between depth and comfort. As the attractions are scattered and relatively far from each other, the key challenge for most travelers is how to plan the itinerary properly. Thanks to the extensive high-speed rail network and convenient direct buses, getting around independently is easier than ever.
Here is a day-by-day itinerary of a 7-day in-depth Guizhou tour for your reference.
Day 1: Guiyang Arrival
Day 2: Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area
Day 3: Qingyan Ancient Town – depart for Libo
Day 4: Xiaoqikong Scenic Area – Kaili Ethnographic Museum
Day 5: Matang Village – Kongbai Miao Village
Day 6: Langde Miao Village
Day 7: departure
Discover Guizhou's minority cultures hands-on — catch fish, try batik dyeing and silver crafting, cook farm-fresh food, and join a long-table banquet in remote mountain villages.
Explore the Nature and Culture in Guizhou with China Xian Tour
These top things to do in Guizhou cover both the natural wonders and unique ethnic cultural experiences. If you are planning to travel to Guizhou but feel daunted by the itinerary and transfers, China Xian Tour is glad to offer help.
Our experienced travel consultants can offer 1-to-1 planning and tailor the trip based on your interests. Also, we will arrange a private driver to ensure smooth and door-to-door transfers between scenic spots. Travelling with us, you can enjoy a worry-free trip. So, do not hesitate to contact us.
