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Prefecture-level city in Guizhou, China
Photo: Guywoodland, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Guiyang (贵阳; Guìyáng) is the capital of Guizhou province, China. While not the most spectacular of Chinese cities, it has much to offer as an introduction to the history, culture and natural splendor of Guizhou and China's southwest. Moreover, it is drastically cheaper than the more touristed and developed provinces. It makes an excellent base for exploring mountains, caves, rivers, and minority cultures of the province.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
甲秀楼
This renowned historic pavilion sits atop Wan'ao Stone in the Nanming River — a rock said to resemble a legendary giant turtle.
观山湖公园
Guanshanhu Park is a forested park that lies 12 km from Guiyang’s city center. It lies around a pair of lakes, Guanshan North and South Lakes, and has a main paved path around them.There are also smaller paths that lead to scenic spots. In the center of the park, you can find an 18-meter-tall golden pheasant drum statue, representing luck and happiness. On the opposite side of the lake, there is a 30-meter statue of a trio of hot peppers, or lajiao, an integral ingredient in Guizhou cuisine. Other attractions within the park include Hunan Garden, home to several original buildings from a 1950s Soviet-style farm; and the National Culture Promenade, a 330-meter-long corridor of paintings and wishing pools dedicated to the 56 ethnic groups of China. The park is home to over 700 types of plant life, including purple myrtle and osmanthus trees. If you make your visit in the spring or summer, you are likely to spot a sizeable colony of wild herons on a central island.
贵州美术馆
Incorporates the Guizhou Painting Institute (贵州画院).
贵州省民族博物馆
A museum focused on the history and culture of Guizhou's various ethnic groups.
贵州省博物馆
Guizhou's main museum.
贵州科技馆，贵州省科学技术官
Notable exhibitions include one on lunar exploration and one on computer databases. The museum also features a children's science and technology park and a 4D movie theatre.
河滨公园
This park is by the side of the Nanming River. There is an Egyptian feel to the square in the park, which has towering pillars lit by yellow light at night, and a gigantic UFO-shaped restaurant in the centre, help up by both bamboo and metal pillars--an apt symbol of the fusion of Chinese culture and modernity. Near the restaurant, there is a bridge across the river, shaped like a Helix, and lighted up a brilliant red. Take a romantic stroll through this peaceful square at night.
弘福寺
The temple, built as a monastery in the early Qing Dynasty, is comparable in extent to the Lama Temple in Beijing. Surrounded by woods, the buildings have elaborate ornaments (roof corners and eaves, etc.). There are several large deity figures, a pond with carp, water well for coins for good luck, incense burning pits, a large bell you ring, some shops, and a restaurant there.
黔灵山公园, 黔灵公园 Qianling Park
This large city park is well worth an afternoon. Sample local food and crafts from vendors, see curious and very brave wild monkeys (accustomed to people), as well as take in the view from the hilltops near Hongfu Temple. Qianling Park also includes a zoo and small amusement park as well as tea gardens.
A skyscraper notable due to a 108-m-high artificial waterfall cascade coming out of its side. The waterfall is only active intermittently due to high operating costs.
花溪公园
Another popular day trip south of Guiyang in Huaxi township, Huaxi Park is an excellent escape from the heat and bustle of the city. The park with its streams, pavilions and tea gardens is popular for Guiyang residents who enjoy setting up their own barbeques and enjoying a picnic. Of historical note, former Premier Zhou Enlai and his wife visited Huaxi Park in the 1950s. A billboard sized photograph of the couple enjoying a boat ride graces the main entrance to the park.
青岩古镇
Tianhe Pool, 天河潭
An easy day trip from Guiyang, Tianhe Lake Park is a pleasant cave, canal and waterfall park in Huaxi township. The park includes flooded caves which guides take you through in boats, canals which weave through minority farm areas and a spectacular cascade through a narrow opening in the mountain. Following the trail into the mountain leads to a massive sinkhole and the starting point for the cave and canal boat trips. If you are feeling adventurous, rent bikes for the day from Huaxi Park, and then cycle 11 km to Tianhe Lake on the country roads. It takes about 2 hours to get there, but the biking journey would be rewarding for backpackers who enjoy roughing it through and appreciate rural scenery. You can rent a motorcycle to take your bicycles back for ¥10 each, while getting on a rented ven to get back to Huaxi Park, at the same price.
镇山民族文化村
Zhenshan Village is a Bouyei minority village 20 km outside of Guiyang. Visit the Ming Dynasty village to observe and try Bouyei traditions, food, rice wine and architecture. The village’s houses are almost entirely built of shale dug from local mountains; walls and floors, roofs and selected items of furniture are all built with it. The main festival celebrated in the village falls on the 10th day of the first lunar month, so the dates change every year. During that time, the main square of the village will be full of people dancing and singing to the music of the lusheng, a traditional instrument. The festival celebrates the bond between the Miao and Bouyei people in the area, and as such brings out people from both minorities in their best traditional embroidered clothing. At any time of year, visitors can enjoy the local rice wine, or try the smoked tofu, pickled vegetables and sour fish prepared by their hosts. Guesthouses are available for those who wish to spend the night.
南江大峡谷
Canyon with karst scenery and several waterfalls of varying sizes. The canyon spans more than 40 km and has a depth of 398 m.
贵阳欢乐世界
A popular amusement park in the city's northwest.
茅台冰淇淋体验店
This ice cream contains 2% Maotai liquor, the most famous Feitian 53 degree liquor. There are no seats in this shop.
心有客酸汤牛肉(朝阳店)
Sour beef soup is one of the staples of the Miao minority's diet. The shop offers a free green leafy vegetable buffet.
高原咖啡 Gaoyuan Kafei
Features espresso based beverages, tea, smoothies, chai, as well as cheesecake and other American pastries, and paninis. Customer service is bilingual (Mandarin and English) and WiFi is also available.
On the airport bus route, 2 bars, 2 restaurants, good staff, comfortable rooms, free in-room broadband, basic business facilities, rooms usually heavily discounted. 125 rooms.
A fine hotel with high service, large rooms, and a breakfast buffet. 260 rooms.
They have seasonal outdoor pool, hot tubs, barbecue and children's playground. 218 rooms, suites and pool villas. Offers Thai, Chinese and international food in their 6 restaurants.
贵州黔五福
Qianwufu, a local specialty food company, packages techan (特产), foodstuffs particular to a region, into presentable gift items. Most products are varieties of dried pork or beef sealed in boxes or big pouches. A noteworthy item is the canister of tartary buckwheat tea, an intriguing beverage of nutty and chocolaty flavor. The company has a few dedicated stores in Guiyang. One location is a store along the vendor filled entrance path to the gate of Qianlingshan Park. Another store is in the underground food court directly connected to the Shanxi Road subway station.
By train
Guiyang straddles the trunk rail line linking Chongqing (2 hours, ¥212) with Kunming (3 hours, ¥220) and points south. Train tickets to Chengdu are also readily available (3 hours, ¥290).
By bus
The long-distance bus station (金阳汽车站) is in the new Jinyang development area. Buses to Jinyang leave from the train station and pass by peoples square, opposite the school.
By car
The highway infrastructure in Guizhou is undergoing continual upgrading as part of China's Western Development Effort.
By bus
Guiyang has a well-developed bus system, although it is entirely in Chinese and takes some getting used to. A local can help you if you know where you are going. All bus fares cost ¥2.
By taxi
Guiyang taxis charge ¥10 at flagfall. Short trips within the city should cost ¥10. This is an excellent way to get around, as taxis are everywhere.
By motorcycle
As elsewhere in China, motorcycle and scooter taxi services are available. Large intersections or areas with concentrations of bars or restaurants will attract a crowd of motorcyclists.
By foot
Although not the smallest town in China, many of Guiyang's neighborhoods and sights can be seen with a little patience and footwork.
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Guiyang (Nanming) · International · KWE
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