Back from Guiyang, I really don’t recommend going in July and August because
it’s just too much~
Dear friends! Honestly speaking, I didn’t have high expectations for Guiyang in July, but I was totally “won over” and even wanted to change my ticket😭 This is not to discourage you, but a sincere reminder—the summer here is so comfortable, I’m afraid once you come, you won’t want to face the heat waves of the city!
🚌【Transportation Guide】
1. Air: Over 80 cities nationwide have direct flights to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, with summer prices mostly between 400–800 RMB including tax; the airport is only 11 km from downtown, and Metro Line 2 takes 25 minutes directly to Shuǐquánchí (Spray Pool).
2. High-speed rail: Guiyang North and Guiyang East are southwestern hubs, 2 hours from Chengdu, 3.5 hours from Guangzhou, 2 hours from Kunming, with frequent trains; it’s recommended to book tickets 14 days in advance during the summer travel season.
3. Within the city: Metro Lines 1 and 2 cover the old city and Guanshanhu District; taxi starting fare is 10 RMB for 3 km, Didi and T3 are readily available; to Qingyan Ancient Town, Huangguoshu, and Xiaoqikong, you can take tourist shuttle buses from Guiyang Station or Guiyang North Station, costing 30–120 RMB one way, departing continuously from 7:00 to 9:00 AM.
🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】
A Old City (Nanming/Yunyan): Orange Hotel, Hunter Sofitel, within walking distance to Jiaxiu Tower and Qingyun Road Night Market, perfect for late-night snacks downstairs.
B Guanshanhu District: Renaissance, Hyatt, with views of Guanshanhu Park outside the window, Metro Line 1 goes directly to Guiyang North Station, ideal for high-speed rail travelers.
C Qingyan Ancient Town: Chengnan Old Story Inn, Wenfan Zhuangyuan Courtyard, Ming and Qing dynasty courtyard houses + swimming pool, free entry to the ancient town at night through the back door of the inn during free admission hours.
D Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: Mid-mountain “One Book One Leaf” homestay, balcony overlooks thousands of lights, stone slab roads with luggage transport by scenic area shuttle available.
🚗【Cool Summer Travel Routes】
D1 CityWalk in Downtown
Morning: Qianling Park (5 RMB to see pandas + wild macaques all over the hills) → 10-minute walk downhill to Jiaxiu Tower for reflections on Nanming River.
Afternoon: Check in at Huaguoyuan White Palace → Guizhou Provincial Museum new building (free, very air-conditioned).
Night: Qingyun Road Night Market, try silk rolls, grilled fish, and ice jelly all at once.
D2 Suburban Nature Line
Morning: Tianhetan 148 RMB all-in ticket, cave + waterfalls + glass bridge in one stop.
Afternoon: Qingyan Ancient Town 58 RMB combo ticket to visit 9 palaces and 8 temples, snack on top scholar’s pig trotters and rose candy.
Evening: Return to city, revive with sour soup beef hotpot on Huguo Road.
D3 Waterfall and Canyon Line
6:30 AM Guiyang Station tourist bus → Huangguoshu Waterfall (2 hours direct), morning at the big waterfall’s water curtain cave, afternoon at the lower half of Tianxingqiao Silver Chain Falls, back to Guiyang by 6 PM.
D4 Miao Village Cultural Line
8:30 AM Guiyang North Station → Kaili South Station by high-speed rail in 38 minutes → direct shuttle to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, photograph terraced fields at noon, watch thousands of lights at night, enjoy a long table feast with mountain stream toasts, then return to Guiyang by high-speed rail.
🔥【Attraction Recommendations】
1. Qianling Park: The city’s “natural air conditioner,” average temperature 24℃, 5 RMB ticket to see pandas and 7,000 wild macaques.
2. Jiaxiu Tower: Guiyang landmark, night view “sky mirror” trending on Xiaohongshu.
3. Qingyan Ancient Town: 600-year-old military town, city walls overlook rapeseed flower terraced fields.
4. Tianhetan: Karst caves + waterfall clusters, boat rides into caves make you feel like you’re in “The Lost Tomb.”
5. Huangguoshu Waterfall: Asia’s largest waterfall group, explosive water volume in summer, water curtain cave offers a “waterfall face wash” experience.
6. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: The world’s largest Miao ethnic settlement, over 1,000 stilted buildings with night views comparable to Hongyadong.
7. Guanshanhu Park: The city’s green lung, 10 km cycling path around the lake, “Little White Palace” lights up at night for a dreamy scene.
🍽️【Food Recommendations】
Breakfast:
• Nanmenkou Intestine Noodles 13 RMB, tender blood sausage and crispy intestines, rich red broth.
• Liuguangmen Aunt Mao’s Glutinous Rice 6 RMB, crispy sausage + fish mint + chili powder burst of flavor in one bite.
Main meals:
• Old Kaili Sour Soup Fish 80 RMB per person, tomato + fermented chili double-fermented broth, clear white soup and spicy sour red soup.
• Chen’s Bean and Rice Hotpot 60 RMB per person, kidney beans cooked into a bean paste texture, soft sausage and crispy meat must add.
• Brother Hu’s Sour Soup Beef Hotpot: freshly sliced yellow cattle beef + secret sour soup, the top appetizer in summer.
Snacks/Late night:
• Silk Love Silk Rolls 15 RMB/set, 20 kinds of vegetarian fillings self-rolled, pouring soup ceremony is very special.
• Garden BBQ: grilled chicken, grilled beef skewers, grilled chicken skin, still queues at midnight.
• Lei’s Tofu Balls 2 RMB each, golden crust dipped in chili water, bursting with juice in one bite.
📌【Travel Tips】
1. Temperature: Guiyang in July–August is 25–28℃ during the day, around 20℃ at night, light jacket + umbrella are must-haves, strong UV so bring sunscreen.
2. Tickets: Huangguoshu and Xiaoqikong require online booking 3 days in advance; Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village offers “ticket + 4 sightseeing buses” combo.
3. Clothing: Miao village stone slab roads are slippery, wear sports shoes; bring mosquito repellent, mountain mosquitoes are fierce.
4. Stomach: Food is sour and spicy, bring stomach medicine; try fish mint in small amounts the first time.
5. Transport card: Scan “Yi Ying Qian Xing” app for metro, 30% off buses; carpool during city peak hours is cheaper.
6. Avoid scams: Ignore touts at airport and train stations; ask clearly if photo costume rentals in scenic spots charge by hour or set.
7. Souvenirs: Dan’s Crispy Duck, Rosa Roxburghii jelly, Guizhou chili powder, supermarkets are 30% cheaper than scenic spots.
Now sitting in the air-conditioned room typing, my mind is full of Guiyang’s sour soup flavor and the evening breeze😭 Honestly, Guiyang in July and August is not just “recommended,” it’s a “must-visit”! Summer here is not torture, it’s enjoyment—be careful, once you come, you might not want to leave~