Guizhou
A strenuous 30-minute climb up this mountain above town takes you through quiet forest to the remains of the Miaojiang Great Wall and the Four Officials…
Must-see attractions in Guizhou
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Guizhou
The most photographed sight in town, Zhenyuan’s old bridge is a gorgeous and robust span of arches topped with a three-storey pavilion, leading visitors…
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Guizhou
Built right on the cliffs that surround the town, the city walls were a key part of ancient Qingyan's defences. Nowadays a walk on the, at times,…
Guizhou
Hugely popular among domestic travellers for good reason, the 77.8m-tall, 81m-wide dàpùbù (大瀑布, great waterfall) is China's largest waterfall and…
Guizhou
This monstrously long (10km) cave is the biggest in the country – a visit will satisfy everyone from hardcore spelunkers to wide-eyed tourists with a…
Guizhou
Across the river from the old town, the epic vertical warren of temples, grottoes, corridors and caves of Qīnglóng Dòng rises up against Zhonghe Mountain …
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Guizhou
One of eight Ming-era fortified villages in the area, Yunshan is a gem. Protected by a wall and a main gate, and overlooked by the Yunjiu Mountain (云鹫山,…
Guizhou
This 4.5km-long valley is forested with ancient ferns and dotted with gushing cataracts. Paths follow both sides of a river; gushing minifalls lead to…
Guizhou
The under-visited understudy to the famous Huangguoshu Falls in the south is a 76m-high beauty pummelling into the pools below. Even standing 100m away,…
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Guizhou
Guizhou's northeastern flanks are home to some of southern China's most densely populated wildlife. The 2572m Fanjing Mountain is a sacred Buddhist site…
Guizhou
Four old and well-preserved alleys lead north away from the river: Sifangjing Xiang, Fuxing Xiang, Renshou Xiang and Chongzikou Xiang. Wander along…
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Guizhou
Guizhou’s largest highland lake and southwest China’s most significant wetland, Caohai Lake draws some 180 or so protected bird species, including black…
Guizhou
Nestled in the Suoluo Nature Reserve, the sea barely parts for trekkers whose slippery soles pad along wooden pathways through towering green-bamboo…
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Guizhou
This forested mountain (1138m) has the astonishing Wulong Temple at its summit. A refreshing hike through the trees takes you to the summit, where you can…
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Guizhou
Sleepy Wudong doesn't get many visitors, due mostly to its remote location in a valley in Leigong Mountain rather than any lack of appeal – it's actually…
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Guizhou
Even though the feeling is overwhelmingly tacky – think coloured lights, awkward commentary and boats full of tourists – there is something sublime about…
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Guizhou
After serving under the Ming emperors, who paid their army wages, the residents of Longli were largely abandoned by Qing dynasty rulers who had other…
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Guizhou
This reserve was established to protect the Alsophila ferns that grow in abundance here. Today, the prehistoric plants still dwarf visitors. It's also the…
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Guizhou
This combined hilltop fortress and temple emerges surreally from the summit of Tiantai Mountain like something out of a fairy tale. If it's closed, ask…
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Guiyang
Qianling Mountain Park, in the northwest of the city, is more forest than park. It's a great escape from the crowds and city noise and has some lovely…
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Guiyang
Guiyang's best attraction is a temple complex hidden inside Qianling Mountain Park to the north of the city. Near the top of 1300m Qianling Mountain (黔灵山,…
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Guizhou
The colossal Dazhai Gate is Zhaoxing's most spectacular example of a wind and rain bridge, an architectural feature unique to Dong villages. These…
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Swallow Rock National Forest Park
Guizhou
Swallow Rock is lesser known than Suolou Nature Reserve, mostly because it doesn't have the bamboo, but it's just as stunning if you're after dānxiá (red…
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Guizhou
The highlight of this park is the distinct, ochre sandstone rock face that resembles honeycomb. The formation is part of the extensive dānxiá (red…
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Guizhou
Accessed with your ticket to the Shiping Mountain Scenic Area, the remains of this 16th-century wall, built to protect Zhenyuan, are quite remarkable. You…
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Guizhou
This 'Temple of the Queen of Heaven' is a 16th-century temple complex on the north of the river, and the best preserved of a series built by Fujianese…
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Guizhou
A trip to the pleasant Tiexi Gorge offers the chance to plunge along rocky trails shaded by overhanging trees. Don't miss the Dragon Pool (龙潭, Lóngtán)…
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Guiyang
Constructed during the Ming dynasty in 1598, this triple-roofed pavilion perched atop a boulder is Guiyang's most iconic landmark. Built to celebrate the…
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Guizhou
This large temple complex was built to honour Zhao Guoshu, a decorated Qing-era military leader. Inside, there are exhibitions about Qingyan's military…
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Guizhou
Just north of Wuyanghe Bridge, the splendid Tán Gōngguǎn (谭公馆) is, sadly, shut, inaccessible and unrestored. Festooned with Mao-era slogans, the building…
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Guizhou
The old city walls on the south side of the Wuyang River have been restored and you can walk a considerable way along them towards the train station. In…
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Dong Culture Exhibition Centre
Guizhou
This purpose-built space features interesting exhibitions on various aspects of Dong culture, from music to clothing. Has fairly good explanations in…
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Guizhou
Check out this charming Confucian temple in the north of town, which was originally built in 1394. It has some stunningly intricate cloud-scrolling…
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Guizhou
Small, attractive temple on Shiping Mountain, with delightful forest views near the edge of the Miaojiang Great Wall.
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Guizhou
The views of Zhaoxing stretching up the valley are wonderful, particularly at sunset when the lights on Dazhai Gate begin to come on.
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Guiyang
This city park features a restored Ming dynasty temple with some picturesque pavilions. It's a pleasant place to find some respite from the city noise.
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Guizhou
The Zhenyuan Museum displays items relating to the history of the town, including stacks of old photos – but the cannon out front is the real prize.
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Guizhou
Now pretty much a block of flats from the 1960s, little remains of the Confucius Temple except for its main facade and the Lǐ Mén (Gate of Rites).
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Guiyang
There's not a lot left of this restored pavilion, but its central location makes it popular with locals. Kite flyers gather at the highest landing.
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Guizhou
The resident Buddhist monks welcome visitors warmly to this temple, which was built in AD 1405 (during the Ming dynasty) and restored in 1668.
