5 Days 4 Nights Family Trip to Guizhou

Where to go with kids during National Day that’s fun and not crowded? I highly recommend Guizhou! Five days and four nights of picturesque mountains and rivers, cool climate, simple folk customs, and most importantly—perfect for family trips. I just finished this itinerary with my parents and 5-year-old son. It was easy and not tiring, the kids had a blast, and the total cost stayed under 10,000 RMB. This guide is specially designed for families with kids, with no rushing, minimal walking, and lots of experiences. All accommodations, meals, and transportation have been personally tested and reliable. Day 1: Arrive in Guiyang, visit Qingyan Ancient Town, experience local life We took an early high-speed train from Guangzhou, arriving at Guiyang North Station in 4 hours. Tickets were 500 RMB per person, so round trip for three was only 3,000 RMB, much cheaper than flying. After getting off the train, we pre-booked a driver with a 7-seat business van for 600 RMB all day. Our first stop was Qingyan Ancient Town, about an hour’s drive. Unlike the commercialized Lijiang, this place feels more authentic with stone-paved streets, old city walls, and small vendors. The kids kept snacking as we walked and didn’t want to stop. Must-try foods: Qingyan pig’s trotters (soft and flavorful, kids loved licking their fingers) Rose sugar cake (pink and sweet, like little sweethearts) Tofu balls (crispy outside, tender inside, bursting with juice) At dusk, the lights come on and the whole town glows warmly, like a fairy tale. We casually took some family photos and got tons of compliments on social media for the “authentic vibe.” We stayed overnight in Guiyang city, choosing a family-friendly hotel in Guanshanhu District. The room was spacious, quiet, included breakfast, and cost less than 400 RMB per night. We kept the first day light to help the kids adjust. Day 2: Huangguoshu Waterfall, be a little monkey in the “Water Curtain Cave” We left early for Huangguoshu, about 2.5 hours by car. I recommend arriving early; we got there by 8:30 AM to avoid crowds. Huangguoshu is not just about viewing the waterfall but “walking into it.” We bought escalator tickets (50 RMB round trip) to save energy and time. The highlights: Main Waterfall + Water Curtain Cave: Wearing raincoats, the kids screamed with excitement, saying, “Mom, I’m Sun Wukong now!” Doupotang Waterfall: Flat and easy to walk, it was a filming location for the end of Journey to the West. Kids could run freely here. Tianxingqiao: We only walked the first half, which is the best part. The rest is too winding and tiring, so skip it with kids. For lunch, we ate at a farmhouse restaurant outside the park. The sour fish soup was appetizingly spicy, and the smoked meat fried rice was so good we licked the plates clean. We stayed at Bailian Hotel in Huangguoshu Town. Though a bit pricey (around 700 RMB), it was quiet, had attentive service, and provided kids’ slippers and toothbrushes. Our child fell asleep right after the bath. Day 3: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, dress up as a “little princess” We set off in the morning for Xijiang Miao Village, a 3-hour drive through karst mountains covered in greenery. The kids kept saying “Wow!” the whole way. In the afternoon, we checked into a boutique guesthouse halfway up the mountain. The window overlooked thousands of terraced fields, and we could see stars at night. The highlight—renting Miao ethnic costumes for photos! For 50 RMB a set, including headwear and silver necklaces, the kids instantly transformed into “Miao little princesses.” We took many photos in front of the Wind and Rain Bridge and stilted houses. Even dad couldn’t resist putting on traditional clothes for a family photo. Don’t miss the batik workshop, 68 RMB per person, where you can make a scarf or bag by hand. The kids felt very proud. At dusk, we climbed the viewing platform to watch thousands of lights turn on. It was truly breathtaking. The child hugged me and said, “Mom, this place looks like a city in the sky.” Dinner in the village featured sour soup beef hotpot and sticky rice, authentic and affordable. Day 4: Libo Xiaoqikong, the greenest gem on Earth’s belt On day four, we drove 3.5 hours to Libo. It was a bit long, but the scenery along the way was healing. I strongly recommend entering Xiaoqikong Scenic Area from the east gate and exiting from the west gate. Walking in reverse means fewer people, no lines, and mostly downhill, making it easier with kids. It’s like a natural oxygen bar inside: The Laya Waterfall cascades down 68 levels, the ancient Xiaoqikong bridge spans clear water, and you can row boats on Mandarin Duck Lake! We rented a small boat, and the kids paddled themselves, happily refusing to get off. The whole route is less than 3 kilometers with smooth paths, stroller-friendly. Bring a light jacket as it’s cool by the lake. We stayed overnight in Libo County, choosing a clean and comfortable standard hotel for just over 300 RMB a night. It had a pool, and the kids enjoyed a relaxing soak. Day 5: Return home, full of memories On the last morning, we visited the local farmers’ market and bought specialties: bubble candy, chili powder, dried bayberry, sour soup noodles… all kid favorites. At noon, we took a car back to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, about 2.5 hours. I recommend booking flights after 3 PM for a relaxed schedule. Cost breakdown (family of three) Round-trip high-speed train tickets: 500 RMB × 3 × 2 = 3,000 RMB Local car rental for 5 days: 600 RMB/day × 5 = 3,000 RMB Accommodation for 4 nights: Guiyang 400 + Huangguoshu 700 + Miao Village 800 + Libo 350 = 2,250 RMB Tickets + shuttle + experiences: Huangguoshu 220×2=440, Miao Village 110×2+20×2=260, Xiaoqikong 170×2=340, batik 68×2=136, total about 1,176 RMB Food and snacks: 300 RMB/day × 5 = 1,500 RMB Other expenses (snacks, souvenirs, etc.): about 300 RMB ✅ Total: about 9,926 RMB, just within the 10,000 RMB budget! Tips for parents Clothing: Guizhou has big temperature differences between morning and night during National Day. Wear short sleeves and sun protection during the day, add a jacket at night. Bring a raincoat—essential for Huangguoshu. Food: When ordering, say “no chili” or “mildly spicy” as many dishes are spicy by default. Save energy: Buy electric carts and escalator tickets in scenic spots when available; don’t push yourself. Avoid crowds: Try to enter scenic areas before 8:30 AM to avoid tour groups. Safety: Watch kids carefully on slippery stone paths in Miao Village; keep them away from water edges at Xiaoqikong. This trip taught me that the best education isn’t in tutoring classes but on the road. The kids saw the grandeur of waterfalls, felt the warmth of batik, heard the songs of the Miao people, and learned to respect different cultures. If you’re wondering where to take your kids during National Day, consider Guizhou. Spending less than 10,000 RMB brought our family lively and warm memories—totally worth it. For more Guizhou travel guides, comment “Guizhou Guide” and I’ll send you a private message!