Must-see attractions in Guizhou

  • Shiping Mountain Scenic Area

    Guizhou

    A strenuous 30-minute climb up this mountain above town takes you through quiet forest to the remains of the Miaojiang Great Wall and the Four Officials…

  • Zhusheng Bridge

    Guizhou

    The most photographed sight in town, Zhenyuan’s old bridge is a gorgeous and robust span of arches topped with a three-storey pavilion, leading visitors…

  • Qingyan City Walls

    Guizhou

    Built right on the cliffs that surround the town, the city walls were a key part of ancient Qingyan's defences. Nowadays a walk on the, at times,…

  • Huangguoshu Falls

    Guizhou

    Hugely popular among domestic travellers for good reason, the 77.8m-tall, 81m-wide dàpùbù (大瀑布, great waterfall) is China's largest waterfall and…

  • Zhijin Cave

    Guizhou

    This monstrously long (10km) cave is the biggest in the country – a visit will satisfy everyone from hardcore spelunkers to wide-eyed tourists with a…

  • Qīnglóng Dòng

    Guizhou

    Across the river from the old town, the epic vertical warren of temples, grottoes, corridors and caves of Qīnglóng Dòng rises up against Zhonghe Mountain …

  • Sifangjing Xiang

    Guizhou

    Four old and well-preserved alleys lead north away from the river: Sifangjing Xiang, Fuxing Xiang, Renshou Xiang and Chongzikou Xiang. Wander along…

  • Yunshan

    Guizhou

    One of eight Ming-era fortified villages in the area, Yunshan is a gem. Protected by a wall and a main gate, and overlooked by the Yunjiu Mountain (云鹫山,…

  • Chishui Great Waterfall

    Guizhou

    The under-visited understudy to the famous Huangguoshu Falls in the south is a 76m-high beauty pummelling into the pools below. Even standing 100m away,…

  • Tiantai Mountain

    Guizhou

    This forested mountain (1138m) has the astonishing Wulong Temple at its summit. A refreshing hike through the trees takes you to the summit, where you can…

  • Wudong

    Guizhou

    Sleepy Wudong doesn't get many visitors, due mostly to its remote location in a valley in Leigong Mountain rather than any lack of appeal – it's actually…

  • Longgong Cave

    Guizhou

    Even though the feeling is overwhelmingly tacky – think coloured lights, awkward commentary and boats full of tourists – there is something sublime about…

  • Hongfu Temple

    Guiyang

    Guiyang's best attraction is a temple complex hidden inside Qianling Mountain Park to the north of the city. Near the top of 1300m Qianling Mountain (黔灵山,…

  • Dazhai Gate

    Guizhou

    The colossal Dazhai Gate is Zhaoxing's most spectacular example of a wind and rain bridge, an architectural feature unique to Dong villages. These…

  • Miaojiang Great Wall

    Guizhou

    Accessed with your ticket to the Shiping Mountain Scenic Area, the remains of this 16th-century wall, built to protect Zhenyuan, are quite remarkable. You…

  • Tiexi Gorge

    Guizhou

    A trip to the pleasant Tiexi Gorge offers the chance to plunge along rocky trails shaded by overhanging trees. Don't miss the Dragon Pool (龙潭, Lóngtán)…

  • Zhaoxing Viewing Platform

    Guizhou

    The views of Zhaoxing stretching up the valley are wonderful, particularly at sunset when the lights on Dazhai Gate begin to come on.

  • a forest river at Sidonggou Nature Reserve near Chushui Guizhou Province China (NR)

    Sidonggou Gully

    Guizhou

    This 4.5km-long valley is forested with ancient ferns and dotted with gushing cataracts. Paths follow both sides of a river; gushing minifalls lead to…

  • Fanjing Mountain

    Guizhou

    Guizhou's northeastern flanks are home to some of southern China's most densely populated wildlife. The 2572m Fanjing Mountain is a sacred Buddhist site…

  • Aerial photo of chishui bamboo sea national forest park in zunyi, guizhou province, China, Aug. 2, 2019.- PHOTOGRAPH BY Costfoto / Barcroft Media (Photo credit should read Costfoto / Barcroft Media / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Bamboo Sea

    Guizhou

    Nestled in the Suoluo Nature Reserve, the sea barely parts for trekkers whose slippery soles pad along wooden pathways through towering green-bamboo…

  • Longbiao Academy

    Guizhou

    After serving under the Ming emperors, who paid their army wages, the residents of Longli were largely abandoned by Qing dynasty rulers who had other…

  • Suoluo Nature Reserve

    Guizhou

    This reserve was established to protect the Alsophila ferns that grow in abundance here. Today, the prehistoric plants still dwarf visitors. It's also the…

  • Wulong Temple

    Guizhou

    This combined hilltop fortress and temple emerges surreally from the summit of Tiantai Mountain like something out of a fairy tale. If it's closed, ask…

  • Qianling Mountain Park

    Guiyang

    Qianling Mountain Park, in the northwest of the city, is more forest than park. It's a great escape from the crowds and city noise and has some lovely…

  • Swallow Rock National Forest Park

    Guizhou

    Swallow Rock is lesser known than Suolou Nature Reserve, mostly because it doesn't have the bamboo, but it's just as stunning if you're after dānxiá (red…

  • Hongshi Yegu Scenic Spot

    Guizhou

    The highlight of this park is the distinct, ochre sandstone rock face that resembles honeycomb. The formation is part of the extensive dānxiá (red…

  • Tianhou Temple

    Guizhou

    This 'Temple of the Queen of Heaven' is a 16th-century temple complex on the north of the river, and the best preserved of a series built by Fujianese…

  • Jiaxiu Pavilion

    Guiyang

    Constructed during the Ming dynasty in 1598, this triple-roofed pavilion perched atop a boulder is Guiyang's most iconic landmark. Built to celebrate the…

  • City Walls

    Guizhou

    The old city walls on the south side of the Wuyang River have been restored and you can walk a considerable way along them towards the train station. In…

  • Dong Culture Exhibition Centre

    Guizhou

    This purpose-built space features interesting exhibitions on various aspects of Dong culture, from music to clothing. Has fairly good explanations in…

  • Wénmiào

    Guizhou

    Check out this charming Confucian temple in the north of town, which was originally built in 1394. It has some stunningly intricate cloud-scrolling…

  • Four Officials Temple

    Guizhou

    Small, attractive temple on Shiping Mountain, with delightful forest views near the edge of the Miaojiang Great Wall.

  • Cuiwei Garden

    Guiyang

    This city park features a restored Ming dynasty temple with some picturesque pavilions. It's a pleasant place to find some respite from the city noise.

  • Donglin Temple

    Guizhou

    The resident Buddhist monks welcome visitors warmly to this temple, which was built in AD 1405 (during the Ming dynasty) and restored in 1668.

  • Hépíng Cūn

    Guizhou

    This compound was a Kuomintang HQ during the war against Japan.

  • Caohai Lake

    Guizhou

    Guizhou’s largest highland lake and southwest China’s most significant wetland, Caohai Lake draws some 180 or so protected bird species, including black…

  • Tán Gōngguǎn

    Guizhou

    Just north of Wuyanghe Bridge, the splendid Tán Gōngguǎn (谭公馆) is, sadly, shut, inaccessible and unrestored. Festooned with Mao-era slogans, the building…

  • Lord Zhao's Ancestral Temple

    Guizhou

    This large temple complex was built to honour Zhao Guoshu, a decorated Qing-era military leader. Inside, there are exhibitions about Qingyan's military…

  • Zhenyuan Museum

    Guizhou

    The Zhenyuan Museum displays items relating to the history of the town, including stacks of old photos – but the cannon out front is the real prize.

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