Guiyang

Guizhou's provincial capital in southwest China, known for spicy food, a wetland park and the Ming-era Qingyan Ancient Town nearby.

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Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou province in southwest China, on the eastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the north bank of the Nanming River. It sits at about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level, surrounded by mountains and forests, which keeps summers cooler than the latitude alone would suggest. Travelers come for the food: Guiyang is best known for spicy dishes such as sour-soup fish, gaoba porridge and Huaxi beef vermicelli, which is often eaten for breakfast. The city is also nicknamed the World Forest City.

Jiaxiu Pavilion stands at the southern tip of the Nanming River, Qianling Park in the northwest holds Hongfu Temple, and Qingyan Ancient Town, south of the city, dates to 1378. Rain is common all year, with most of the roughly 1,149 mm a year falling from May to July. July to September is the sunniest stretch, while winter is cold, damp and often gray. Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport is about 11 km east of the city center, roughly 20 minutes by car, and Guiyang North is the main high-speed rail station.

Guiyang in five

Use high-speed rail for the long legsGuiyang is a rail hub for Guizhou, linking east toward Guilin and west toward Kunming. Use trains between cities and a driver or tour for villages that lack direct service.Guilin and Yangshuo
Visit Libo for the UNESCO karstUNESCO lists the Libo Karst in Guizhou, with high conical karst peaks, deep depressions and sinking streams, as part of the South China Karst. Plan it as a full day with a driver.
Hire a driver for the villagesMiao and Dong villages in southeast Guizhou and the waterfalls near Anshun are spread out. A driver or a small tour saves hours compared with trying to link them by public transport.Compare tours
Use Guiyang as a summer escapeGuiyang's summers are noticeably cooler than the lowland cities to the south. Pack a light waterproof, because rain is frequent and mist covers the hills.
Carry cash for the villagesVillages outside the city may take only mobile payment or cash, so set up a payment app and keep notes handy. The money guide has the UK advice.Money and costs

Things to do in Guiyang

See all attractions in Guiyang

a building with plants and potted plants in front of it

Sight · GuiyangHongfu Temple

Landmark · GuiyangJiaxiu Building

Sight · GuiyangWenchang Pavilion and Jiaxiu Tower

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to GuiyangPut the places you like in Guiyang on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE)
Getting there: High-speed rail from Guilin, Kunming and Changsha; flights
Getting around: Metro and taxis in the city; trains and drivers for Guizhou
Best base: Near the metro and Qianling Park, away from the rail hub noise
Time needed: 2 days; 4 with Libo and a village

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain17 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low3°Cold, damp
FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cool, drizzle
MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, damp
AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, green
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, rain
JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Rainy season
JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low20°Cool escape
AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Cool escape
SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Mild, clearer
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, mist
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Cool, damp
DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cold, damp

Average daily high and low in Guiyang, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Guiyang

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 13°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 19%

Guizhou

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today20°14°19%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 19%.
Wed18°14°92%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 92%.
Thu17°13°86%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 86%.
Fri16°12°85%Friday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 85%.
Sat19°12°73%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 73%.
Sun17°8°100%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 04:12 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Libo Karstlong drive or rail plus transferUNESCO-listed conical karst peaks and river caves in southern Guizhou.
Huangguoshu Waterfall arearoad trip via AnshunA large waterfall area in west Guizhou, usually a long day.
Qingyan ancient townshort drive from GuiyangA walled town with temples and stone lanes south of the city.

Before you go to Guiyang

Guizhou karst and village toursGuided days beyond the rail linesCompare tours

Hotels in central GuiyangMetro-linked bases for rail tripsCheck availability

eSIM for GuizhouMaps for villages without signsRead the guide

Insurance for GuiyangCover for rural road tripsRead the guide

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Rules for Guiyang, checked

Check visa-free entry and transit eligibility on the National Immigration Administration website, since the rules depend on your passport nationality.Source
If your passport needs a visa, apply through the official China Visa Application Service Center site rather than an unofficial agent.Source
Declare cash above the limit and any restricted goods on your customs form. Check the General Administration of Customs website before you fly.Source
Many shops and taxis take mobile payment through WeChat Pay or Alipay. Set up one of these apps before you arrive, and carry some cash as a backup.
Hotels register foreign guests with your passport. Carry it or a copy when you go out, since police may ask for ID.

Plan around Guiyang

All of China

Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities

Read the guide Guilin and Yangshuo

Li River karst, east by rail

Read the guide Kunming

Yunnan's capital and Shilin karst

Read the guide Changsha

Hunan's food city on the rail line

Read the guide China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide Money and costs in China

Cashless payments and backup cash

Read the guide

Guiyang FAQ

Is Guiyang worth visiting?

Yes as a base for Guizhou's karst scenery and minority villages. The city itself is a practical stop, with a few parks, and most of the value lies in day trips and onward routes.

How many days do you need in Guiyang?

Two days for the city and one nearby day trip. Add two more if you plan Libo and a Miao or Dong village. A single night works as a rail stop between Guilin and Kunming.

What is the best time to visit Guiyang?

April to June and September to October. Summer is cool by southern China standards, but rainy, and winter is damp and chilly. Mist is common year-round.

Can I reach Libo without a tour?

Yes by rail and transfer, but a driver or small tour is easier. Libo is part of the UNESCO South China Karst in Guizhou, and local transport to the scenic area can be thin.

Do I need cash in Guizhou villages?

Carry some. Card acceptance thins out beyond the city, so set up a payment app and keep cash for small villages and entry gates.