Guizhou, Ethnic Trails in the Mountains
Guizhou
A land of waterfalls, misty mountains, and ancient villages, Guizhou is China’s hidden gem of nature and culture.
Here, the mighty Huangguoshu Waterfall thunders down cliffs, while the karst caves of Libo and the forests of Maolanreveal untouched wilderness. In the villages of Zhaoxing and Xijiang, wooden drum towers rise above stilted houses, and the songs of the Dong and Miao people carry traditions passed down for centuries. At Fanjing Mountain, sacred temples perch above the clouds, inviting travellers to connect with earth and spirit.
Guizhou is where waterfalls roar, songs endure, and cultures thrive—an unforgettable journey into China’s heartland.
HIGHLIGHTS OF Guizhou
BEST EXPERIENCES
Try your hand at indigo tie-dye, turning local plants into patterns of deep blue cloth guided by Dong artisans.
Join a starlit bonfire night, dancing to bamboo flutes and lusheng under skies filled with sparks and song.
Wander the Tang’an Rice Terraces at sunrise, where golden light spills over fields that blend farming with fish-raising traditions.
Share a Dong long-table banquet stretching over a hundred meters, where sour fish soup and glutinous rice tell stories of hospitality.
Enter the glowing chambers of Libo’s karst caves, where mineral pools sparkle like galaxies in the dark.
Taste coffee in a café perched on a sheer cliff, where every sip carries the thrill of height and the purity of mountain air.
Tours Featuring Guizhou
Travel to Guizhou with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 6), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader or join our self-guided tour with our English driver and local guides.
Group Tour
SIGNATURE TRIP
6-Day Journey Through Guizhou’s Hidden Beauty
This 6-day journey reveals the spirit of Guizhou—stroll through Zhaoxing’s wooden villages, join feasts and dances, and hear the Dong Grand Choir. Meet Basha’s gun-carrying tribe, explore Maolan’s caves, and sip coffee on a cliffside. Wander Xijiang by lantern light, rest in Yunshe, and climb Fanjing Mountain’s Golden Summit above the clouds. Tradition and nature intertwine at every step.
6 days from €1155 euros
Why travel to Guizhou?
What’s the weather like in Guizhou?
Guizhou is often called the “forest province” thanks to its lush greenery and mild subtropical climate. Most areas enjoy comfortable temperatures year-round, averaging between 10–20°C, with Guiyang famously cool in summer, making it a popular retreat from China’s heat. Winters are generally short and not severe, while summers are fresh and pleasant.
However, Guizhou’s varied terrain creates distinct contrasts. In the east, areas like Qiandongnan are characterized by misty mountains and rice terraces, where mornings and evenings can feel cool even in summer. By contrast, Anshun in the west experiences more dramatic karst landscapes with underground caves, where temperatures inside remain around 10–15°C year-round. The province as a whole has a pronounced rainy season from May to September, bringing misty valleys and lush, vibrant scenery.
Travellers should note that highland regions in Guizhou often have large day–night temperature differences, so layered clothing is recommended. During the rainy season, waterproof shoes and light rain gear are essential for exploring mountain trails and villages.
Top five dishes to try
Sour Soup Hotpot - A Guizhou classic, this fiery broth is made with fermented tomatoes, chili, and herbs. Tangy and spicy, it perfectly complements fish or beef, delivering a flavour that is both refreshing and addictive.
Siwawa - A fun street snack where thin rice wrappers are filled with julienned vegetables, pickles, peanuts, and noodles, then drizzled with chili oil and sour sauce. Each bite bursts with texture and flavour.
Luoguo - A traditional iron pan dish where meat and vegetables are slow-cooked over a fire, creating a smoky aroma and rich taste. Best enjoyed with friends around the table.
Bean Rice Hotpot - Unique to Guizhou, this hotpot uses local beans and rice to create a rich, earthy broth. Less fiery than sour soup hotpot, it’s hearty, wholesome, and perfect for cool mountain evenings.
Beef Rice Noodles- Beloved across Guizhou, this dish features chewy rice noodles in a savoury beef broth, topped with tender slices of beef and chili oil. A classic breakfast or late-night comfort food.
Top Places to visit in Guizhou
Guiyang
At the crossroads of mountains and rivers, Guiyang is Guizhou’s lively capital and the gateway to the province. Known as the “City of Forests,” it blends modern energy with natural beauty. Stroll through Qingyan Ancient Town with its stone-paved lanes, taste the fiery flavours of Guizhou sour soup hotpot, and escape to the nearby Huaxi Wetland or Qianling Mountain, where temples and monkeys sit amid lush greenery. Guiyang offers both a warm welcome and a taste of Guizhou’s untamed charm.
Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Region
In the hills of Qiandongnan, a land of Dong drum towers and Miao silver headdresses, time flows to the rhythm of song. Zhaoxing’s wooden stilted homes, Basha’s last gun-carrying tribe, and Xijiang’s lantern-lit terraces reveal a living heritage where music, feasts, and festivals fill village squares. Here, travellers encounter Guizhou’s most vibrant traditions, where every celebration is a harmony of colour, rhythm, and community.
Anshun
Anshun is a land shaped by water and stone. The mighty Huangguoshu Waterfall—the largest in Asia—thunders into mist, while the Dragon Palace caves unfold an underground world of crystal pools and karst formations. Above ground, Tunbao villages preserve the stone houses and fortress walls of ancient Ming settlers, offering a glimpse of history amid Guizhou’s breathtaking landscapes.
Zunyi
Known as the “red city,” Zunyi holds a central place in China’s modern history as the site of the famous Zunyi Conference. Beyond its revolutionary legacy, the region is famed for Maotai, China’s most celebrated spirit, crafted along the banks of the Chishui River. Bamboo forests, waterfalls, and Danxia landforms surround the city, while fiery cuisine and the fragrance of baijiu fill the air, blending heritage and vitality.
