Discover Guizhou: China’s Hidden Gem

In a hidden corner of southwest China, a mountainous province remains secreted away from the travel trail. Little-known Guizhou is sandwiched between more popular neighbours Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guangxi, and rarely gets any attention. However, Guizhou is rich in all of the elements that draw travellers to China: mythic scroll-painting mountains, diverse cultures, and truly remarkable food.

Over the past few years, Guizhou – traditionally one of China’s poorest provinces – has begun to see an uptick in visitors. This change began when the province was chosen as a technological destination-of-choice; companies like Apple, Huawei, and Tencent began moving in to take advantage of Guizhou’s cool year-round climate for big data storage.

Then, in 2016, the world’s largest filled-aperture radio telescope, FAST, began receiving transmissions here in hopes of discovering life on other planets. Consequently, through these developments, Chinese travellers-in-the-know began making their way to Guizhou in search of a now-rare draw in China: nature and fresh air.

A visit to this beautiful province offers experiences difficult to find in other parts of China: genuinely old villages, unspoilt mountains, and an opportunity to understand a number of China’s recognised minority cultures, including the Miao and Dong people. Below is our guide to the best things to see and do in Guizhou, China’s most unsung province.

Guiyang – A New Capital of Cool

On the surface, Guiyang may resemble many Chinese provincial capitals: surprisingly large for a city that many people have never heard of (it’s more populous than Rome, Berlin, and Los Angeles), with congested traffic amidst forests of tall buildings, construction cranes, and endless shops.

Nonetheless, hidden behind these façades are small, winding laneways revealing Guiyang’s age; it was a Sui and Tang army outpost in the 7th century and has remnants dating as far back as the Spring and Autumn Period (771-479 BC). These tiny laneways snake off modern streets, concealing low-rise buildings being converted into boutique cafes, art galleries, and bars. A wander down any Guiyang lane may lead you to a secret microbrewery or a traditional street food stall offering heaping bowls of rice noodles or sour fish soup.

Miao and Dong Villages

Most visitors come to Guizhou to immerse themselves in the minority cultures of the area. China recognizes 56 minority groups, many of which are from the regions around Guizhou and further west into Yunnan.

Qiandongnan is an autonomous prefecture in eastern Guizhou that boasts the largest concentration of Miao and Dong people. Kaili serves as its main city and a good starting point for visiting the area, while the newly developed Danzhai Wanda Village makes a suitable base for exploring various local villages. Nevertheless, some villages have developed quickly and are experiencing a surge in visitors (Xijiang, though beautiful, is a prime example). Fortunately, many small villages remain semi- or completely undeveloped. Riverside Zhaoxing is an excellent spot for an overnight stay, as the availability of small boutique inns, cafes, and a museum about local arts and crafts enhances the accessibility of the Dong culture with a comfortable stay.

Moreover, venture out to Shiqiao (a traditional paper-making village), the almost-untouched Paimo (known for its stunning blue batik), picturesque Miao village Langde, and beyond to comprehend these groups’ crafts and traditional ways of life.

Danzhai

As one of China’s poorest provinces, Guizhou has always been an off-the-beaten-track travel destination where the comforts of larger cities were lacking. Nevertheless, recent developments have paved the way for the province to welcome conscientious visitors with sustainable travel offerings. Built in 2017, Danzhai Wanda Village is a social responsibility and poverty alleviation initiative founded by Chinese corporation Wanda. The aims here are praiseworthy: to create a space for the Miao and other minority groups to engage with visitors through their businesses, promoting and selling traditional arts and crafts while showcasing their rich cultural heritage.

Importantly, this is not a historic village, but it has been built in the traditional architectural style of the Miao, providing the kind of atmosphere you hope to experience in China, while still offering modern conveniences, including the beautifully designed Wanda Jin Hotel. This makes Danzhai an excellent base for exploring the nearby rural villages of Qiandongnan by day.

Furthermore, step beyond the tourist resort village into Danzhai town, where you will find a completely untouristed small Chinese town with wide, clean streets and some nice (albeit meat-heavy) street food options.

Natural Wonders of Guizhou

Guizhou is rich in natural superlatives, with the world’s largest unsupported cavern (Zhijin Cave), one of China’s biggest waterfalls (Huangguoshu Falls), and the longest cave in Asia (Shuanghe Cave). The cascading beauty of Huangguoshu Falls is many visitors’ first stop, especially in spring when the waterfalls are at their grandest. Additionally, there are numerous cave systems connecting beneath the province’s striking mountains, characterized by mystical karst peaks often shrouded in fog.

The villages around Qiandongnan serve as excellent bases for exploring the wilderness; many offer intriguing day hikes or walks through the mountains or rice paddies that feel worlds away from modern China. Even in the capital city, nature is readily accessible. Qianlingshan Park encompasses over 1,000 acres of forest, mountains, walking paths, caves, ponds, and a Buddhist temple, situated less than two kilometres from the city’s center. Visitors are almost guaranteed to encounter wild macaques in the woods, many of whom gather near Hongfu Temple – however, it’s wise to exercise caution, as these creatures can be aggressive in their pursuit of treats from visitors.

Tea-Horse Road

The ancient Tea-Horse Road established various trading routes that crossed through southwest China up over the Tibetan plateau, dating back to the 6th century. Similar to the Silk Road in Central Asia, the Tea-Horse Road facilitated traders who exchanged tea for horses. Han Chinese would travel towards Tibet, trading tea for horses in return.

The city of Zhenyuan was a pivotal stop along this route, serving as a county seat as early as 202 BC. Over time, it attracted officials who constructed courtyard homes up the mountainsides alongside the Wuyang River, which divides Zhenyuan in half. While Zhenyuan remains a popular travel spot, it remains relatively unknown to international visitors. It has a selection of boutique hotels, many of which are located within old courtyard homes accessed through steep alleyways. With a couple of days in Zhenyuan, you can enjoy a city boat trip or explore further into Tiexi Gorge, which rivals the Three Gorges. In the evenings, the southern riverbank comes alive with small bars and bustling restaurants, many featuring open-air karaoke and a festive Chinese atmosphere.

Megan travelled with support from Danzhai Wanda Village. GoTravelDaily contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.