How to Plan a Guizhou Tour | Ultimate Guizhou Itineraries & Trip Planning Guide

Guizhou Weather & Best Time to Visit

Guizhou is located in subtropical zone with a humid monsoon climate, with an average temperature around 15°C for all year round. July is the hottest month of the year and the average temperature is around 22°C-25°C. While, January is the coldest month with an average temperature around 3°C-6°C. Compared with the same latitude of the Northern Hemisphere, Guizhou is warmer and more comfortable. The average annual rainfall is around 1100mm-1300mm and mostly concentrate on Summer. The South Guizhou has more rainfall than the North, while the East Guizhou has more rainfall than the West. The best time to visit Guizhou is from March to November.

There are several highly recommended destinations scattered around Guizhou in different directions that you can go there directly or you need to make a transfer from the gateway cities/counties. (1) Most travelers would like to reach Guiyang - the capital of Guizhou Province first and then get from Guiyang to other destinations. (2) For travelers who go from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (such as Guilin, Yangshuo or Longsheng Rice Terraces) to Guizhou, the best gateway is Congjiang County which lies at the border of Guizhou and Guangxi. Along this route, you can go like this: Congjiang - Zhaoxing - Rongjiang - Kaili - Guiyang - Other Destinations. (3) If you plan to go one or two destinations separately, it is a good idea to travel directly there. Usually, part of travelers would like to visit Mount Fanjing for one trip, you can fly to or take high speed train to Tongren City and make a transfer to Fanjingshan. As well, some travelers may link Zhangjiajie with Fanjingshan in one go, that’s to say, there is no need to transfer from other destinations in Guizhou.

If you have your own ideas about your Guizhou tour and itineraries, please feel free to let us know.

At present, there are 11 airports in Guizhou, including Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, Kaili Huangping Airport, Tongren Fenghuang Airport, Liping Airport, Libo Airport, Anshun Huangguoshu Airport, Xingyi Wanfenglin Airport, Liupanshui Yuezhao Airport, Bijie Feixiong Airport, Zunyi Xinzhao Airport, Zunyi Maotai Airport. Among all the airports, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport and Tongren Fenghuang Airport are the most frequented used ones.

Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (贵阳龙洞堡国际机场)

Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (IATA: KWE; ICAO: ZUGY) is the largest airport in Guizhou, having 110 international and domestic airlines, linking with over 60 domestic cities and 7 countries/regions. You can get to Guiyang by air from Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Lijiang, Lhasa, Sanya and more cities; Or you can go by air to travel from Liping, Kaili, Xingyi in Guizhou Province to Guiyang. This airport is located in the southeast of Guiyang, about 11 kilometers from the downtown area, which needs about 0.5 hour’s driving.

Tongren Fenghuang Airport (铜仁凤凰机场)

Tongren Fenghuang Airport (IATA: TEN; ICAO: ZUTR) is the nearest airport for travelers who want to make a visit to Mount Fanjing. Tongren Fenghuang Airport serves only domestic flights with about 30 major cities including Beijing (2.5h), Shanghai (2.5h), Guiyang (1h), Guilin (1h), Kunming (2h), Hangzhou (2.5h), Guangzhou (1.5h), Shenzhen (1.5h), Xiamen (2h), etc. The airport is about 53 km from Fangjingshan and usually needs about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. Besides, some direct buses are available from the airport to Fanjingshan every day.

High Speed Trains to Guizhou

Travelers can take high speed trains from other main destinations to Guizhou, as well they can travel within Guizhou by high speed train. At present, Guiyang, Kaili, Congjiang, Rongjiang, Tongren, Anshun, Duyun, Bijie and more cities have high speed train connecting.

High Speed Trains to/from Guiyang

Many G trains and D trains would reach Guiyang from the nearby Kaili (about 40 mins), Anshun (about 30 mins), Rongjiang (about 1.5 hrs), Congjiang (1.5-2 hrs), Tongren (1.5-2 hrs), and other cities like Beijing (8.5-10.5 hrs), Shanghai (8.5-9.5 hrs), Guangzhou (4.5-5.5 hrs), Kunming (2-2.5 hrs), Guilin (2.5-3 hrs), Wuhan (4.5-5.5 hrs), Changsha (3-3.5 hrs), and Hangzhou (7.5-8.5 hours), etc. There are three train stations in Guiyang - Guiyang Railway Station, Guiyang North Railway Station, Guiyang East Railway Station. Among them, Guiyang East and Guizhou North are used for high speed trains. Guiyang East is about 14 km from Guiyang downtown, taking 0.5 hour by driving; and Guiyang North is 8.5 km from downtown area, which needs about 20 minutes by driving. Learn more about Guiyang High Speed Train >>

Getting around Guizhou

Since the recommended destinations are in different locations in Guizhou. Many travelers would start from Guiyang and they may travel to Anshun to see Huangguoshu Waterfalls, or reach Southeast Guizhou to see Miao and Dong ethnic villages along the route in Kaili, Leishan, Rongjiang, Congjiang and Zhaoxing. Some would like to add Zhenyuan Ancient Town or Mount Fanjing into Guizhou trip which make the transportation complicated. The best way to travel around Guizhou is by our private car. With private guide and driver along the way, you can enjoy worry-free vacation during the whole journey.

Kaili (凯里), about 125 km from Guiyang in Southeast Guizhou Province, is the center of Miao culture, hosting more than 120 festivals every year. Hence, it is known as the “Hometown of Hundred Festivals”. For centuries, the wisdom and hard work of people of all ethnic backgrounds who have lived in this land have created a splendid ethnic minority culture. If your time is limited within 2 to 3 days in Guizhou, Kaili is a not-to-be-missed destination.

There are many Miao villages scattered in and around Kaili City that you can have great experience in each village. The famous Xijiang Miao Village which is also the largest Miao village in the world is located around Kaili, offering amazing panoramic view both in daytime and at night. Langde Upper Miao Village, more primitive and peaceful than Xijiang, is an open-air museum with rich cultural heritage. More featured Miao villages are waiting for you to explore!

▶ Learn more about: Best Kaili Tours | Kaili Travel Guide | Things to Do in Kaili

Anshun (安顺) is located in the middle west of Guizhou Province, about 95 km from Guiyang. Reputed as “the Hometown of Waterfalls”, Anshun has the world famous Huangguoshu Waterfall which is the largest waterfall in Asia and the third largest one in the world. Anshun is the concentrate area for Karst landscape, owning breathtaking typical karst land formation and natural sceneries from waterfalls to rivers, canyons, mountains, forests and caves. The top attractions in Anshun include Huangguoshu Waterfall, Longgong Cave (or Dragon Palace), Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town , Yunfeng Tunpu Ancient Village, Getu River Scenic Area, etc. It is a good idea to spend 1 or 2 days traveling from Guiyang and exploring in and around Anshun City.

▶ Learn more about: Best Anshun Huangguoshu Tours | Anshun Travel Guide

Tongren (铜仁), known for Mount Fanjing, is located in the northeast of Guizhou Province, about 250 km from Guiyang. For nature and mountain lovers, it is a good idea to spend one or two days visiting Mount Fanjing. Travelers can take flights or high speed trains to Tongren First and then make a short transfer from Tongren City to Fanjingshan. Fanjingshan is about 43 km northwest of Tongren City, about 87 km from Tongren Fenghuang Airport and 117 km from Tongren South Railway Station. Since Tongren City is situated at the border of Guizhou and Hunan Province, that many travelers would link Fanjingshan with Zhangjiajie for best mountain exploration in the Wulingyuan Area.

▶ Learn more about: Best Fanjingshan Tours | Fanjingshan Travel Guide | How to Get from Tongren to Mount Fanjing | How to Get from Guiyang to Mount Fanjing

Guiyang (贵阳), located in the center of Guizhou Province, is the capital city of Guizhou Province. Most travelers who want to make a visit in Guizhou would like to first arrive in Guiyang since Guiyang is the most important gateway city with numerous flights and high speed trains connecting. To its southwest, travelers can take one or two days to view Huangguoshu Waterfall and along the way, explore Longgong Cave and Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Village. To its southeast, travelers can easily reach Kaili and the counties in Qiandongnan to visit as many Miao and Dong ethnic villages as possible. If you arrive in Guiyang early or have one more day, there are some attractions in Guiyang worth your time, such as Qingyan Ancient Town, Jiaxiu Tower, Qianling Park, Huaxi Scenic Resort.

▶ Learn more about: Best Guiyang Tours | Guiyang Travel Guide | Top 10 Guiyang Attractions | Things to Do in Guiyang

Congjiang (从江) is an impressive county sitting in the core area of Guizhou ethnic minority groups, about 450 km from Guiyang and 250 km from Kaili City. It is located at the border of Guizhou and Guangxi, and it is usually served as the first destination if you come from Guangxi (Guilin, Yangshuo or Longsheng) or the last destination in Qiandongnan if you travel from Guiyang. Congjiang preserves unique and outstanding treasures of nature and ethnic culture. It is recommended to travel to Biasha Miao Village which is “the Last Gunslinger Village in China” and men is Biasha are permitted to carry and use guns to protect their traditions. Xiaohuang Dong Village is the Hometown of Grand Song of Dong People where you may have a chance to view the impressive scene of a thousand members with simulation of natural sounds. As well, Zengchong Drum Tower, Zhanli Dong Village, Jiabang Rice Terraces, Yintan Dong Village are located in Congjiang County. Almost no travelers would travel Congjiang alone, and they usually combine Kaili - Rongjiang - Congjiang - Zhaoxing into one trip, which takes about 3 to 5 days.

▶ Learn more about: Best Congjiang Tours | Congjiang Travel Guide

Libo (荔波) is a beautiful county in Southern Guizhou in Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. It is in the southeast of Guiyang City, about 247 km away (about 3-3.5 hours’ driving); and in the south of Kaili City, about 161 km away (about 2 hours’ driving). With breathtaking Karst landscape, Libo is reputed as “An Emerald on Earth’s Waistband” where you can appreciate the similar awe-inspiring scenery in Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou. The Libo Karst landscape was inscribed into a part of South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The cone and tower karsts of Libo, also considered the world reference site for these types, form a distinctive and beautiful landscape. Besides, as home to a concentration of minority groups (Bouyei, Shui, Yao and Miao), Libo is steeped in rich ethnic customs and traditions. The main attractions here include Xiaoqikong, Daqikong (Big Small Arches) Scenic Area, Zhangjiang Scenic Area and Shuichun River. Xiaoqikong (Seven Small Arches) is the not-to-be-missed attraction in Libo. It got the name from the old bridge with small seven holes built in 1836. It is located 28 kilometers southwest of Libo County, offering caves, original forests, lakes, waterfalls, strange stones and Yao ethnic villages to visitors to explore. Travelers who like to spend one day starting from Guiyang to Libo for the amazing scenery and then go to Kaili for further exploration.

▶ Learn more about: Libo Travel Guide

Xingyi (兴义) is located in the southwest of Guizhou, bordering with Yunnan Province, about 303 kilometers from Guiyang (about 4 hours’ driving). Xingyi is now the capital city of Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. What attracts visitors to come to Xingyi is the Wanfenglin Scenic Area - Ten Thousand Peaks (万峰林). It is the important component of Maling River Canyon, consisting of thousands of hills - grand and magnificent with peculiar style. The short rolling Karst formations of this area seemingly go on forever. Besides the Ten Thousand Peaks, visitors can explore Maling Gorge (马岭河峡谷), Wanfenghu Scenic Area (万峰湖景区), Minorities Marriage Customs Museum (民族婚俗博物馆), etc. Travelers can extend your Guiyang - Anshun tour to Xingyi, or go from Yunnan Luoping County to Xingyi for the rape flowers appreciation. The best time to go to Xingyi is during spring time from late February to middle April.

Top 1: Miao Villages (in and around Kaili)

Among the 17 ethnic groups in Guizhou, Miao minority has the largest population which are widely scattered with complicated branches. China has over 9 million Miao people and about half of them live in Guizhou Province. Qiandongnan is the most concentrate area for Miao people and while some are live in Qiannan, Qianxinan and other places. Miao people have very distinctive features in costumes, food, music, batik and festivals in different areas. “San Yue San” Festival, Miao New Year Festival, sour soup and stilted buildings (Diaojiaolou) are the common symbol of Miao. To have a full exploration about Miao cultures, you’d better to go to Kaili and its surroundings.

Dong people (also known as Kam) are another large ethnic minority in China. About 55 percent of them live in Guizhou Province, with a population about 1.6 million. The Dong are living mainly in Yuping and Tongren, the north part of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Qiannan, etc. Dong people have their own language and featured architectures. Exquisite drum towers and beautiful village gate become the most important symbol of Dong. Traveling from Kaili through Miao villages, you will reach the concentrated place for Dong people along Rongjiang - Congjiang - Zhaoxing line. Numerous Dong villages are scattered in the remote mountains in those counties. Of course, you can experience the festivals, Grand Song of Dong People, and see Wind and Rain Bridges, Drum Towers in the villages.

Huangguoshu Waterfall (黄果树瀑布), or called Huangguoshu Falls, is the largest waterfall in Asia and the third largest one in the world. Located in Anshun City, Huangguoshu is no doubt to be Guizhou’s No.1 natural attraction. There are altogether 18 waterfalls with varied sizes, some precipitous and majestic and other picturesque and fantastic. The total width of the combined waterfalls is 101 meters. All the waterfalls form a great family which is ranked as the largest waterfall cluster in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records. Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park is a vast scenic area, mainly composed of three parts - Doupotang Waterfall Scenic Area (the widest waterfall and known for the scene in “Journey to the West”), Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxingqiao Scenic Area (Yintan Zhuilian Waterfall and Stone Forest in Water). Most travelers would spend half day or one day for a full visiting in the Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park and taking as many photos as possible.

>> 3 Days Guiyang City Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall (Guiyang / Anshun / Guiyang)

▶ Learn more about: Huangguoshu Waterfalls | How to Get from Guiyang to Huangguoshu Waterfall

Fanjingshan, or Mount Fanjing (梵净山), was listed into World Heritage Site in July, 2018, being the 53rd World Heritage Site in China. Located in the northeast of Guizhou in Tongren City, Mount Fanjing is the Fifth Buddhist Mountain of China, considered to be the bodhimaṇḍa of the Maitreya Buddha. The influence of Buddhism reached Fanjingshan by the Tang Dynasty in 639 AD. More temples were built during the ensuing Song and Yuan dynasties. Now the two temples sitting atop of the New Golden Summit are the significant pilgrimage site for Buddhist worshipers around the world. To reach the top, travelers have to walk up more than 8,000 steps or take a cable car ride up from the road below. Most travelers would like to spend one full day exploring this extraordinary holy mountain. The attractions include Red Cloud Golden Peak, Old Golden Summit, Ten-Thousand Sleeping Buddha, Mushroom Stone, Jiulong Pond, Fenghuang Mountain, Numerous Rolls of Books and so on.

>> 3 Days Classic Fanjingshan Tour (Tongren / Fanjingshan / Tongren)

▶ Learn more about: Mount Fanjing (Fanjingshan) | Miraculous Buddhist Temples on Mount Fanjing

With a history over 2,200 years, Zhenyuan Ancient Town (镇远古镇) is a time-honored town in Guizhou which was first built in Han Dynasty (202BC). Compared with Yangshuo, Lijiang and Fenghuang Ancient Town, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is much quieter with less crowds. Known as “Mountain Cliff Architectures Museum”, Zhenyuan is surrounded by emerald river, with ancient lanes and paths winding in the city. It is a “traditional culture maze” which is completely integrated by places of interests and historical sites. Traveling from Kaili City about 97 km away, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is suitable for one day’s visiting. Part of travelers would like to spend the night here. The highlighting attractions include Qinglong Cave (青龙洞), Zhusheng Bridge & Kuixing Pavilion (祝圣桥 / 魁星阁), Shiping Mountain (石屏山), Wuyang River (舞阳河), and more.

>> 6 Days Guizhou In-depth Ethnic Tour with Jiabang Rice Terraces  (Kaili / Zhenyuan / Rongjiang / Congjiang / Zhaoxing)

▶ Learn more about: Zhenyuan Ancient Town

Longgong Cave, also called Dragon Palace Cave, is a national AAAAA typical karst cave, located in Anshun City, about 38 km northeast of Huangguoshu Waterfall and 120 km in the southwest of Guiyang City.

Longgong Cave is home to the longest underground river and the largest underground waterfall in China. The attraction is separated into four main parts: the Rapeseed Lake, the Whirlpool, the Leech Pass, and the Dragon Palace. This magnificent underground cave system covers a colossal 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and is made up of lakes, waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. The underground river stretches 5,000 meters in length and flows beneath 20 hills, connecting over 90 limestone caves. Taking a boat to sail into the cave and experience the stalagmites and stalactites of the karst formation is the best way. There is also a waterfall - the largest underground waterfall in China called the Dragon Gate Fall, by the foot of the cave.

>> 3 Days Guiyang City Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall

There is no need to worry your accommodation choices in Guizhou. Travelers may spend 1 night in Guiyang City, 1-2 nights in Kaili City, 1 night in Rongjiang County, 1 night in Congjiang County, 1 night in Tongren/Fanjingshan, 1 night in Anshun... In most of the destinations, you can choose from 3 star hotels to 5 star luxury hotels in good locations which are mostly close to downtown area or scenic spots. Please check detailed information about where to stay and recommended hotels in Guiyang, Kaili, Rongjiang, Congjiang, Fanjingshan and Anshun for planning a Guizhou tour.

>> Where to Stay in Guiyang & Recommended Hotels

>> Where to Stay in Kaili & Recommended Hotels

>> Recommended Hotels in Rongjiang, Congjiang & Zhaoxing

>> Where to Stay in Fanjingshan & Recommended Hotels

>> Where to Stay in Anshun & Recommended Hotels

Guizhou is large and for most visitors, they prefer to plan a long trip covering 2-4 destinations in this province to explore the best natural wonders and proud diverse ethnic minority culture there. For such types, they usually travel from Guiyang and plan an itinerary like Guiyang - Anshun - Qiandongnan (Kaili, Rongjiang, Congjiang or Zhaoxing), or Guiyang - Anshun - Fanjingshan - Qiandongnan, which usually needs 5-7 days

1-2 days in Guiyang:

For easy arrival by flights or bullet train. And take the rest time discovering Qingyan Old Town, Jiaxiu Tower and 1 or 2 top city parks to know the cool and pleasant Guiyang capital city;

1 days in Anshun:

Absolutely admiring the provincial symbolic Huangguoshu Waterfall with various types of beauty. Drop by the dazzling Dragon Palace, or Tianlong Tunpu Military Village if you have 1 more day there;

2-3 days in Qiandongnan (Southeast Guizhou):

Spend 1 day visiting the No.1 Xijiang Miao Village and Qingman Miao Village with Miao girls dressing mini-skirt in Kaili and transfer along to Rongjiang to see the large Zengchong Dong Village. Spend more wonderful time in Congjiang visiting Biasha Miao Village and enjoying the show of Biasha men holding guns, and transfer to Zhaoxing to explore the largest Zhaoxing Dong Village. explore deep to Zhanli Dong Village, Xiaohuang Dong Village in Congjiang or go north to Zhenyuan Old Town if you have another 1-2 days.

1 day in Fangjingshan

If you are fond of the incredible natural formation, plan 1-2 days for the transfer and full discovery of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage mountain resort.

Recommended Guizhou Tour Packages:

>> 3 Days Guiyang City Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall

>> 6 Days Diverse Guizhou Tour (Guiyang - Fanjingshan - Kaili)

>> 6 Days Classic Guizhou Tour to Huangguoshu & Southeast Guizhou

>> 6 Days Guizhou In-depth Ethnic Tour with Jiabang Rice Terraces

To make your travel more interesting and memorable, it is a good idea to extend your Guizhou tour to more destinations in China. Guizhou is usually served as the second trip to China that you can focus tour visiting on the hot regions. Many travelers would like to put Guilin, Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terrace trip before the Guizhou tour that you can enjoy fancy karst landscape of mountains and water as well as amazing rice terraces in China. Other parts of travelers who want to visit Mount Fanjing would like put it into the Zhangjiajie extension trip. This kind of travelers would make 3-4 days visit in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge experience, Tianmen Mountain, and then transfer to Fenghuang Ancient Town for a marvel at the most beautiful town in China before heading to Fanjingshan. Besides, you can add Yunnan, a colorful province with pleasant scenery and wonderful ethnic culture of Naxi, Bai, Tibetan, Hani and other ethnic groups into your China Guizhou trip. Sichuan with adorable giant pandas and world largest Buddha statue, Chongqing where the starting or ending point of relaxing Yangtze River cruise... are worth your time for one trip. If you have your own ideas and requirements, please feel free to let us know. The China Guizhou tours can be customized based on your needs.

>> 7 Days Zhangjiajie to Fanjingshan Unbelievable Nature Tour (Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang / Fanjingshan)

>> 8 Days Guilin Guizhou In-depth Highlights Tour (Start from Guilin)

>> 10 Days Yunnan & Guizhou Amazing Minorities Tour (Lijiang / Dali / Kunming / Kaili / Guiyang)

>> 14 Days Wild China Tours from Shanghai to Yunnan on Expresses (Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Kaili / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-la / Kunming)