Guizhou
Guizhou is a mountain province in southwest China, known for karst peaks, waterfalls and Miao and Dong villages.
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Guizhou sits in southwest China, with Guiyang as its capital. Much of the land is karst, so limestone peaks, valleys and caves shape both the scenery and the roads. Many ethnic minority people live here, and the Miao and Dong are among the groups whose villages, wooden houses and festivals draw visitors. Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of China's largest, lies in the south of the province.
The trip suits travelers who want landscape and village life more than big-city sights. Expect long drives on winding roads, simple guesthouses outside the main towns, and meals built on local ingredients and sour flavors. Spring and autumn suit hiking and village visits best; summer is hot and wet. Plan at least four or five days for one or two regions, and a week or more to cover both karst scenery and several minority villages.
Guizhou in five
- Get Alipay or WeChat Pay working before you arriveMobile payment is used for taxis, small shops and many bus fares in Guiyang, and foreign cards are often refused. Register Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you travel, and carry some cash for small vendors.Money and costs
- Set up Amap before you landGoogle Maps and WhatsApp do not work in mainland China without a VPN. Download Amap (Gaode) and an offline Guiyang map, and set up a data eSIM first.Phones and eSIM
- Book trains on 12306 with your passport12306 is China's official rail booking app, and foreign passengers buy tickets with a passport. Guiyang North is the main high-speed station, so check which station your train leaves from.Getting around
- Carry your passport at every hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests from their passport when they check in. Carry the passport on day trips too, since you will need it for hotel check-in and rail bookings.Where to stay
- Show your address in Chinese charactersMany taxi drivers and bus staff in Guiyang speak little English. Ask your hotel for a card with its name and address in Chinese, or copy the address from Amap.
Things to do in Guizhou
See all attractions in Guizhou
Need to know
- Currency
- Renminbi, yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check the list before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryCold, grey
- FebruaryCold, grey
- MarchMild, damp
- AprilMild, damp
- MayWarm, green
- JuneWarm, rainy
- JulyHot, rainy
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberMild, easing
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberCool, clear
- DecemberCold, grey
Right now in Guizhou
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 19%
Guiyang
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- 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
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Huangguoshu Waterfallabout 2 hours by roadOne of China's best-known waterfalls, set in a karst valley with paths close to the falls.
- Qingyan Ancient Townabout 1 hour by roadStone-paved streets and old town walls, a short trip from the city for a half day.
- Kaili and Miao villagesabout 1 to 2 hours by high-speed trainMiao villages known for silver jewellery and festival dress, reached by high-speed train.
Before you go to Guizhou
Rules for Guizhou, checked
- Check visa-free and visa rules for your passport on the National Immigration Administration website before you fly.Source
- Declare cash, valuables and goods on your arrival form, and follow the customs rules on the China Customs website.Source
- Hotels register foreign guests from their passport at check-in, so carry the original passport every day.
- China restricts drone flying, so check local rules and get permission before you fly one.
Plan around Guizhou
Old town, parks and day trips from the provincial capital
Read the guideAll of ChinaCities, rail and entry rules across the country
Read the guideGetting around GuizhouTrains, airport transfers and buses from Guiyang
Read the guideMoney and mobile paymentAlipay, WeChat Pay and cash for small shops
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayCentral Yunyan, Nanming and lakeside Guanshanhu
Read the guideGuizhou FAQ
Is Guiyang worth visiting?
Yes, for a few days, especially as a base for Guizhou. It is the provincial capital, with parks, temples and sour-flavored local food, and it is a practical base for waterfall and village trips.
How many days do you need in Guiyang?
Two days covers the city centre, a park and a temple. Add one or two days for Huangguoshu Waterfall or Qingyan Ancient Town.
How do you get from Guiyang to Huangguoshu?
By bus, tour or car, about 2 hours by road. Check the day's schedule with your operator before you go, since timings change.
Do I need a VPN in Guiyang?
For Google Maps, WhatsApp and many foreign sites, yes. Download Amap or Baidu Maps before you arrive, and check the current rules on VPN use before you travel.
Can I pay with a foreign card in Guiyang?
Often not at small shops, markets or taxis. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive, and carry some cash for villages and small vendors.
Do I need Chinese to get around Guiyang?
Not much, but many taxi drivers and bus staff speak only Chinese. Show the address in Chinese characters from your hotel card or from Amap.
When is the best time to visit Guiyang?
April to May and September to November, when temperatures are mild and rain is lighter. Summer is hot and wet, and winter is cold and grey.