Things to do in Guiyang

Five-star review! A visit to Huaguo Mountain isn't complete without checking out the Water Curtain Cave Waterfall! The roar of the water is immediately apparent as you approach. The water cascades down the cliff, transforming into a pristine white curtain, perfectly recreating the Water Curtain Cave from *Journey to the West*. Lush forests surround the waterfall, and the mist is refreshing and invigorating. You can walk to the entrance of the Water Curtain Cave to experience the spray up close, feeling as if you've stepped into the Monkey King's celestial abode. The scenic trails are well-maintained with clear signage, allowing you to admire the mountain streams, unique rock formations, and lush trees as you stroll. The blend of natural beauty and *Journey to the West* culture is delightful for both adults and children. Seeing the cascading waterfall with your own eyes fulfills a childhood dream of watching *Journey to the West*, making it well worth a special trip!

When I went in November, the temperature had dropped, and the weather was a bit chilly, but the water was crystal clear and the color was absolutely gorgeous—almost the same as the lakes in Jiuzhaigou. I also want to commend the bus driver operating the scenic area. The night before, I left my camera's memory card on the bus after our tour. I called customer service that evening, and they immediately sent the information to the drivers' group. They found it for me the next morning. Although the item was small, the service from the scenic area deserves praise.

This attraction is a bit far from the subway station. Take Guiyang Metro Line 3 to Tongmuling (Provincial Party School) Station, then take a taxi or a shuttle bus for 5 yuan per person. The entire scenic area isn't large; two hours is enough to explore it. There are many stalls selling trinkets near the entrance, worth browsing. Further in, the main scenic area is filled with stone figures arranged along both banks of a stream. These are masterpieces created by local artist Song Peilun and the villagers over more than twenty years; you can learn about the story behind them. There are scheduled Nuo opera performances near the stage below, at 12:00 and 15:30 in summer and 12:30 and 15:30 in winter. It's worth checking out; they're quite unique.

Not far from Guiyang, this ancient town offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The "Defend Qingyan" activity immerses you in the atmosphere of the revolutionary war. While the main street is teeming with tourists, a stroll into the side alleys allows for a quieter appreciation of the century-old buildings. The pig's trotters in the food street are a specialty and definitely worth trying.

Tianhetan is definitely worth a visit, especially the boat ride through the water-eroded cave – the experience is fantastic. For those who don't have enough time in Guiyang but still want to see some natural scenery, this is a great choice. It's like a miniature version of Guizhou, combining waterfalls and karst caves. While it may not be the most spectacular or breathtaking, the experience is just as good.

Located at No. 187 Zaoshan Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang City, only 1.5 kilometers from the city center, the park was established in 1957 and is a national 4A-level scenic spot. Admission is free (reservations required), Hongfu Temple incense and flower tickets cost 2 yuan, and cable car/zoo services are charged separately. It integrates mountains, forests, springs, lakes, caves, temples, and monkeys, and is known for its "premium location in the city, beautiful in nature." 🌟Highlights & Must-Visit Spots 1. Wild Macaque Troops: A rare semi-wild urban macaque troop (over a thousand individuals) concentrated around the Jiuqu Path and Hongfu Temple. Great for photos, but please do not feed them and keep an eye on your belongings. 2. Hongfu Temple + Jiuqu Path: Guizhou's first temple (during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty). Climb the 383 stone steps of the Jiuqu Path, accompanied by cliff carvings and ancient pavilions; the temple features ancient Buddha caves and Buddhist scriptures, and is a popular place of worship. 3. Qilin Cave: A karst cave where Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng were once under house arrest; it combines natural scenery with revolutionary history. 4. Qianling Lake + Kanzhu Pavilion: The lake is wide enough for boating; Kanzhu Pavilion on Daluo Ridge offers panoramic views of Guiyang city, with stunning sunsets. Visitors can hike or take a cable car up the mountain. 5. Zoo/Panda House: A long-established city zoo with a South China tiger breeding base, suitable for family-friendly educational activities; high vegetation coverage and abundant negative oxygen ions.

I arrived 5 minutes early, and the lecturer, Keju, immediately started and continued until 3:05 PM without a break. He covered everything from ancient Guizhou to Qing Dynasty Guizhou, and the lecture was quite comprehensive. It seemed that Keju really enjoys reading and has a rich knowledge base. He was also quite experienced in interacting with children, and the kids listened with great interest. It was very good.

Jiaxiu Tower, located at No. 8 Cuiwei Lane, Nanming District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, sits on the Nanming River. Originally built in 1598 (the 26th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty), it was constructed on a large rock in the river. It underwent numerous repairs throughout history, with the current structure dating back to 1909 (the first year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty). Jiaxiu Tower was initiated in 1598 by Jiang Dongzhi, then Governor of Guizhou, and Ying Chaoqing, the Imperial Inspector. The initial intention was for Governor Jiang Dongzhi to hope that Guizhou would produce outstanding scholars, and to provide a place for young students to study, thus addressing the shortage of talent in Guizhou. In 1776 (the 41st year of the Qianlong reign), Governor Pei Zongxi renovated the tower, inscribed its name, and added the Hanbi Pavilion to the Fuyu Bridge. Destroyed by war in 1909, it was rebuilt by Governor Pang Shuhong. The current structure was renovated by the Guiyang Municipal People's Government in 1982, with a platform added to the east of the tower. The building covers an area of ​​365 square meters and is a three-story, three-eaved, four-cornered pyramidal roof structure made of wood and stone. Several pairs of couplets from the Qing Dynasty hang at the main entrance, the most famous being the long couplet by Liu Yunliang, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the Xinwei year of the Tongzhi reign (1871). To the south of the building is Cuiwei Garden, originally built in the Ming Dynasty (approved to be incorporated into Jiaxiu Tower by the Guizhou Provincial People's Government in 1999), which includes ancient buildings such as Gongnan Pavilion, Cuiwei Pavilion, study rooms, and Longmen Academy. Jiaxiu Tower has three stories, all with white stone railings, each story receding inwards, reaching a height of approximately 20 meters from the bridge surface to the top. The Nanming River flows in front of the tower, forming Hanbi Pool. A stone arch bridge, "Fuyu Bridge," connects the two banks to the tower, with a small pavilion called "Hanbi Pavilion" on the bridge. The entire structure features vermilion beams and green tiles, a three-story, three-eaved, four-cornered pyramidal roof. Jiaxiu Tower is a witness to Guiyang's history and a landmark in its cultural development. In 1982, Jiaxiu Tower was listed as one of the first batch of cultural relics protection units in Guizhou Province. On March 28, 2008, Jiaxiu Tower, as part of the "Wenchang Pavilion and Jiaxiu Tower", was designated by the State Council as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units.

📍Guiyang Huaguoyuan White House｜Sanxingdui·Tongtian Sacred Tree XR Space Unlock the ancient Shu civilization within a magnificent European-style building! There's an immersive XR exhibition and a whole room full of cultural and creative products. Panda plush toys, Journey to the West figurines, and adorable dolls—you'll be spoiled for choice! The retro bar creates a fantastic atmosphere, perfect for both exploring the exhibition and taking photos. Don't miss this hidden gem when you're in Guiyang! #GuiyangVisits #HuaguoyuanWhiteHouse #SanxingduiXRExhibition #GuiyangTravel

The park is quite large, with a wide variety of attractions. I guess not many people know about it, so there are relatively few visitors. There's no queue for each attraction; the staff will help anyone who wants to try it, whether it's just one or two people, start it. This is a great touch. The staff were friendly and patient with reminders, even with relatively few people. A great place to take the kids out, highly recommended.