Away from the hustle and bustle of other large cities in China, Guiyang is a city that stands out from the rest. Its pleasant temperatures and a long list of traditional monuments contrast with the green landscape, rushing rivers and skyscrapers that dominate the center of the city. There is certainly a lot to see in and around Guiyang.
Explore its streets steeped in history and enjoy the succession of modern buildings and centuries-old monuments, such as the Jiaxiu Pavilion, the solemn Hongfu Temple or the unique villas of the Qingyan Ancient City. Guiyang is a city of contrasts that leaves no one indifferent and if you continue reading, we will tell you everything you should do and see there.
What are the best places to visit in Guiyang?
1. The Jiaxiu Pavilion
Among the many contrasting nooks and crannies in the streets of Guiyang, there are monuments that are a must-see. Our tour of Guiyang should begin with the iconic Jiaxiu Pavilion. It one of the most impressive monuments on your visit to Guiyang.
It was built more than three centuries ago during the Ming Dynasty and has since crowned the Nanming River. 20 meters high and with its unmistakable façade of different windows with reddish details add even more beauty to the precise architectural work of the main structure.
The pavilion is named after its architect’s belief that the people of Guiyang were unique in their intelligence and insight, hence he chose the concept of Jiaxiu as his name. A visit to the pavilion is highly recommended. It is also a great way to discover more about the cultural heritage of the city of Guiyang.
2. The Hongfu Temple
Our next stop of must-see sites in Guiyang is located in the northwestern part of the city, in the department of Guizhou. This place is none other than the majestic Hongfu Temple.
And it is certainly an understatement to call it majestic, as the complex itself is a work of art. With three different halls adorned with images depicting the Jade Buddha, as well as numerous galleries, this detailed art is perfectly complemented by the springs and natural beauty that is housed within the premises of the complex.
The design of the architectural ensemble is simply marvelous. A sober tone and extreme care, that has made this place maintain the beauty, characterizes it to this day. It is also the largest Buddhist shrine in the entire region and therefore attracts countless visitors throughout the year.
3. The Ancient City of Qingyan
If there is something distinctive about Guiyang, it is the majestic cultural and artistic heritage housed in its streets. This leaves us with beautiful images that we can capture as we go into the heart of the city. The ancient city of Qingyan is one of these places with charm and history that leaves no one indifferent.
Qingyan is unique because of its beauty. But also because this old part of the city houses relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also home to spectacular buildings that have survived the passage of time since ancient times.
The whole area is full of small villages. Time seems to have stopped there and you will feel as if you have been transported to the most traditional China. Walk through the streets of Buyi, the Wind Walkway and the charming Miao. They are hidden gems with a lot of magic. The buildings and the friendly locals definitely make it worth a visit.
4. The Jiaxiu Tower
Last (but not least) we come across another of the unmistakable icons that are part of the Guiyang city skyline. It is the iconic Jiaxiu Tower, the flagship tower of the provincial capital of Guizhou.
The truth is that getting to the Jiaxiu Tower is easy. The route to it is especially well indicated, since it is one of the most visited points of the whole city of Guiyang.
This construction is far from other watchtowers of the style. The details of its roofs, as well as the delicate care of the lines of the facade, make it an architectural delight. In addition to the tower, the surroundings are formed by gardens and a river. It is truly relaxing to visit the complex.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Guiyang
Lake Hongfeng
In the vicinity of Guiyang we can already find places where nature takes center stage. However, about 25 kilometers from the city of Guiyang, you will find one of the most beautiful lakes in Guizhou province.
Hongfeng Lake is located in Ci Qi Kou Village and is divided into four sectors corresponding to the cardinal directions. In addition, all the villages and small hamlets surrounding the peaceful lake are charming corners worth visiting if you want to experience the essence of this area.
What to see in 1 day in Guiyang
Guiyang is not particularly large. And despite hosting different spots with distinctive charm, it can easily be visited in a day. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the must-sees in Guiyang, we’ve prepared some brief recommendations.
The first and most important thing is to visit the Hongfu Temple, followed by the Jiaxiu Pavilion. They are the two enclaves with a lot of history behind them. And they are relatively close to the center of the city of Guiyang. So, it will be more convenient for you to visit them in one sitting.
After visiting them, we recommend that you spend the next few hours visiting the Ancient City of Qingyang. It is a charming place with different villas and spaces that will surprise you. They invite you to get lost among its corners while you immerse yourself in the history of the city. Finally, once back to the center to rest, you can go to the iconic Jiaxiu Tower. It’s a perfect place to stroll and relax after venturing around the city all day.
Where and what to eat in Guiyang?
Recognized in many parts the gastronomy of Guiyang is, without a doubt, one of the main attractions of traveling to this region. That’s why we have prepared a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it:
- Wei Kitchen: A centrally located restaurant, with a varied menu and fantastic seafood that is cooked daily in the Wei Kitchen stoves.
- Tian Chinese Restaurant: If there’s one thing that stands out on the Tian menu, it’s essentially the entire meat offering, as well as the typical hot pot, a very curious way to cook your meal in a hot broth that’s placed in the center of the table to share with all the diners.
- New Dynasty (Renaissance Guiyang Hotel): For those looking for restaurants with vegetarian and vegan options, but without losing quality, New Dynasty is one of the best options in all of Guiyang.
Where to stay in Guiyang?
To make your stay in Guiyang much more enjoyable, we have prepared a list with some accommodations for your days in the city:
- Sheraton Guiyang Hotel: The Sheraton’s imposing tower rises above the skyline of Guiyang, telling us that inside is something truly amazing. And so it is: swimming pool, gym, spa, huge rooms… All for €262 for a weekend for two people.
- Zhongpuxing Hotel: Decorated with a peculiar combination of aesthetic elements that intersperses different colors and design styles, the Zhongpuxing contains the essentials for a great stay in Guiyang. You can stay for about 159€ for a weekend with a companion.
- Novotel Guiyang Downtown: Just a two-minute walk from the Grand Cross Square shopping mall in the heart of Guiyang. The Novotel is a luxurious and spacious hotel where you will have all the essentials for your stay. Weekend rates are around €126 for two people.
How to organise what to see on your trip to Guiyang
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Guiyang in China
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Guiyang
It is best to fly to a city such as Beijing or Guangzhou, from where you can travel to Guiyang. Or you can take public transportation from major (and closest) cities in China.
New Dynasty (Renaissance Guiyang Hotel), Tian Chinese Restaurant and Wei Kitchen.
Sheraton Guiyang Hotel, Zhongpuxing Hotel and Novotel Guiyang Downtown.
You can get around perfectly well on foot to almost all the points we have included in the guide, although you can also get by cab and public transport to the most interesting enclaves in the guide.
The climate in Guiyang is quite mild throughout the year, with no great contrasts in temperature or extreme peaks of cold or heat. This is why many people choose to visit during the summer months.
As the climate is not too extreme, without being especially hot or cold, a good time to travel to Guiyang is during the summer months.
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