1. Northern Guizhou Route: Ink-wash Wujiang and Earth's Core Secret Realm
📍 Wujiang Village International Tourism Resort (Fig. 2/3/4)
Hidden in the mountains of northern Guizhou, this "Little Jiangnan of Guizhou" features traditional northern Guizhou dwellings built along the mountains and water. At night, the lights reflect on the clear river, creating a scene like a fantasy world.
· Core experience: Climb Huilong Tower in the evening for a 360° view of the village at night; stroll along the riverside path to enjoy the water light show; experience traditional crafts like batik and bamboo weaving at the intangible cultural heritage workshops.
· Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Wujiangzhai Station; there is a free shuttle bus from the station to the scenic area, taking about 20 minutes.
· Admission: About CNY 80–120; packages including the night view are slightly more expensive.
· Accommodation: Mid-range stilt houses in the village are about CNY 400–700; hillside view rooms are CNY 700–1,200+.
· Tips: Snacks at the riverside food street in the village are CNY 5–15 per serving; a meal of sour soup fish costs about CNY 60–90 per person. Staying in the village is recommended to enjoy the ink-wash fairyland in the early morning.
📍 Twelve Behind · Shuanghe Cave (Fig. 5)
The longest cave system in Asia, with a constant temperature of 18℃ year-round, making it an excellent summer retreat. The narrowest part of the underground fissure is only 0.8 meters, requiring you to turn sideways to pass through. The stalactites and underground river scenery are extremely photogenic.
· Transportation: Located in Suiyang, Zunyi. Self-driving or chartering a car from Zunyi city center is recommended.
· Admission: Underground Fissure is about CNY 108–120; a combined ticket for Shuanghe Valley and the Underground Fissure is more cost-effective.
· Opening hours: Last entry at 4:00 PM; visiting in the morning is recommended to avoid crowds.
· Tips: The temperature inside the cave is very low, so be sure to bring a light jacket. The ground is wet and slippery, so wear non-slip shoes. Buying a combined ticket for the cave and the underground fissure is not recommended, as you will have already exhausted a lot of energy after walking through the cave.
📍 Yelang Valley (Fig. 6)
The "Mysterious Stone Kingdom" in Huaxi, Guiyang, is a fantasy castle built by artist Song Peilun over 20 years using stacked stones. The stone face totems are full of primitive tension.
· Transportation: Located in Huaxi District, Guiyang; about a 40-minute taxi ride from the city center.
· Admission: About CNY 20.
· Opening hours: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM.
· Tips: Very suitable for photography. Wearing solid-colored or ethnic-style clothing is recommended. Avoid the strong light during midday.
2. Southeastern Guizhou Route: Terraced Fields, Sea of Clouds, and Dong Village Drum Towers
📍 Jiabang Terraced Fields
A severely underrated terraced field secret realm, with fewer people and more beautiful scenery than Yuanyang or Longji. The scenic area has 6 viewing platforms, covering a total distance of 22 kilometers.
· Best time: April 20–May 20 for the irrigation period, featuring mirror-like terraces and morning mist/sea of clouds—perfect for photography. September 20–October 5 is the autumn harvest period.
· Transportation: High-speed rail to Congjiang Station; self-driving into the mountains takes about 2.5 hours. Drive carefully as there are many curves.
· Admission: No general admission fee; sightseeing bus is CNY 40/person, valid for 48 hours (a must-buy, as the attractions are far apart).
· Must-visit viewing platforms: No. 1 Dongpeng Terraces, No. 3 Shanhu Family Terraces, and No. 5 Wurui Terraces.
· Accommodation: Staying in a stilt house homestay in Jiache Village is recommended for views right outside your window.
· Tips: Depart from the homestay at 6:00 AM to see the sunrise and sea of clouds, explore the Miao village and walk the field ridges in the morning, and head down the mountain around noon.
📍 Zhaoxing Dong Village (Fig. 8)
The largest Dong ethnic village in the country, known as the "Number One Dong Village." The five drum towers (Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Faith) represent five clans and make it the place with the highest density of drum towers among all Dong villages in China.
· Transportation: High-speed rail to Congjiang Station; there is a shuttle bus from the station directly to the village.
· Admission: CNY 80/person, including sightseeing bus and unlimited entry for 3 days; free for students/seniors over 65.
· Itinerary: Day 1: Take the sightseeing bus from the visitor center to the village → visit the five drum towers in order → stroll along the stream to the Wind and Rain Bridge → climb the viewing platform in the evening to watch the sunset and the lights turn on; Day 2: Morning photography in the village → head to Tang'an Dong Village to see the terraced fields → overlook the panoramic view of Zhaoxing.
· Tips: There is a Dong Grand Choir performance in the evening, which is worth seeing. The village is still a living community with schools and post offices, so please respect the lives of the local residents. The average cost for a 3-day, 2-night trip is about CNY 900–1,500 per person.
3. Southwestern Guizhou Route: Peak Forests, Lakes, and Fairy Tale Castles
📍 Wanfenglin (Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks) (Fig. 7)
Known as "China's most beautiful peak forest," it consists of 20,000 karst peaks, with mountains, Buyi villages, and pastoral fields interwoven like a painting.
· Transportation: About a 20-minute taxi ride from Xingyi city center.
· Admission: CNY 70 + CNY 50 for the sightseeing bus (CNY 120 for the package; admission ticket is valid for 5 days).
· Best season: September–October, when the rice waves are golden, is the most beautiful time.
· How to play: Take the sightseeing bus up the mountain in the morning for a panoramic view (about 1.5 hours); rent an electric scooter in Nahui Village in the afternoon to ride through the fields, and watch the sunset in the evening.
· Food: Buyi farmhouse dishes in Nahui Village; the five-colored rice and the "Eight Great Bowls of Buyi" are worth a try.
· Accommodation: Staying in a homestay in Nahui Village is recommended, where you can see the peak forest right outside your window.
📍 Jilongbao Resort (Fig. 1)
A Gothic castle built on an island in the middle of Wanfeng Lake, known as the "Chinese version of Neuschwanstein Castle."
· Transportation: About a 40-minute drive from Xingyi city center and about 20 minutes from Wanfenglin.
· Admission: About CNY 60 for adults; CNY 110 for the boat package.
· Opening hours: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM; the night view lights up after 6:30 PM. If you don't stay until sunset, it's a wasted trip.
· Tips: Staying at the resort may waive the castle admission fee; be sure to confirm when booking. The UV rays by the lake are strong, so prepare sunscreen and a sun hat. The best time for photography is early morning or evening.
4. General Travel Tips for Guizhou
① Reservations and tickets: Guizhou's A-level scenic spots implement a real-name reservation system. It is recommended to book in advance via the "Yi Ma You Guizhou" (One Code Travel Guizhou) mini-program. The Water Curtain Cave at Huangguoshu Waterfall requires a separate advance reservation, and queues can start at two hours during peak season.
② Weather and clothing: Guizhou is known for having "no 3 consecutive days of clear weather," so carrying a raincoat is more practical than an umbrella. The temperature difference between day and night in mountainous areas is significant, so bring a light jacket even in summer. The temperature inside caves is a constant 15–18℃, so be sure to bring warm clothing. Non-slip shoes are essential.
③ Transportation advice: Attractions in Guizhou are scattered, and mountain roads have many curves, so long-distance self-driving is not recommended for beginners. The high-speed rail network is well-developed, and stations like Congjiang, Wujiangzhai, and Anshun West can connect major scenic spots. Direct scenic area shuttle buses are a cost-effective choice.
④ Avoiding tourist traps: Be wary of low-priced Guizhou tours online for CNY 599 or 699, as these are basically shopping tours. Be cautious when purchasing jade, silver jewelry, etc., in scenic areas; some tourists have bought jade ornaments priced at CNY 7,000 that were appraised at less than CNY 100. Only walk on official scenic trails and do not visit undeveloped wild caves.
⑤ Mosquito protection and sun protection: There are many mosquitoes in the mountainous areas of Guizhou, so carry mosquito repellent with you. The plateau UV rays should not be underestimated; sunscreen and a sun hat are essential.
⑥ Budget reference: Overall consumption in Guizhou is moderate. A meal in a scenic area costs about CNY 60–90 per person, and homestays range from CNY 180–700. A 3-day, 2-night trip costs about CNY 900–1,500 per person. Prices rise significantly during peak seasons (July–August, National Day), so booking in advance is recommended.
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