Name: Guiyang

Chinese Name: 贵阳

Province: Guizhou

Status: Prefecture-level city

Population: 4,324,561

Area: 8,034 km²

The capital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang is an attractive city brimming with diverse tourist appeal. A major political, economic, educational, and cultural hub of Guizhou, Guiyang ranks among China's most dynamic inland cities.

Visitors will discover a pleasant metropolis where sleek skyscrapers stand alongside heritage buildings, punctuated throughout by verdant green spaces.

History

Founded in 1283 under the Yuan Dynasty, the city of Guiyang, then known as Shunyuan, was little more than a modest provincial county seat.

In 1941, following Japanese air raids, Guiyang underwent expansion and rapid development, spurred especially by the construction of numerous transportation networks. Its swift economic growth transformed the city from a quiet backwater into the economic and cultural center of Guizhou Province.

In 2006, Guiyang was honored as China's Best Summer Destination in recognition of its exceptionally pleasant weather.

Today

Nestled among rolling hills, Guiyang sprawls along the gentle Nanming River. Its name, meaning "precious sun," perfectly captures how locals regard their city's humid yet temperate climate.

At first glance, the city appears much like any other major Chinese metropolis. Yet venture into the downtown streets, and Guiyang reveals its true charm through expansive natural parks, distinctive night markets, and several ancient temples.

Despite its ongoing expansion, the city has maintained a human scale that makes exploring on foot or by bus between different shopping streets entirely feasible.

Its sprawling green spaces invite leisurely strolls. The Qianlingshan Park with its charming Hongfu Temple, or Huaxi Park, offer hours of peaceful respite.

To the south, the Huaxi district harbors villages of the Buyi minority and a remarkably well-preserved fortified town.

This green city is especially pleasant to visit in summer. Air pollution here is noticeably lower compared to cities further north.

Climate

Guiyang enjoys consistently pleasant weather year-round, with a climate classified as subtropical monsoon. Summers and winters are both mild—neither excessively hot nor cold.

The average winter temperature (January) stays above 5°C, while the average summer temperature (July) remains below 25°C, yielding an annual average of 15°C.

Although rain falls regularly here, showers are brief and cause no disruption to your travel enjoyment.

Air

Located approximately 10 km east of downtown, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport opened in 1997 and began serving international destinations in 2006.

Longdongbao Airport connects to more than 40 domestic cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Kunming, and Chongqing. International flights also serve Hong Kong, Macau, and Bangkok.

Train

Guiyang has two railway stations.

The Guiyang Railway Station is relatively modern and features a computerized reservation system that is highly convenient for international travelers. It serves nearby cities such as Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, as well as Kaili, Duyun, and Tongzi.

North Station is situated near North Road in the Guanshan district. It primarily operates high-speed train services along the Guiyang–Guangzhou–Guilin corridor.

Long-Distance Bus

Ground transportation in Guiyang is excellent thanks to two national highways and expressways connecting all corners of the city.

The Jinyang Bus Station is primarily used by tour coaches serving Guizhou's major attractions.

The terminal on Yan'an Road (Xi Lu) is served by cities and counties throughout the province, as well as neighboring areas in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and Chongqing. Buses arrive and depart nearly every hour.

The station near the main railway depot offers bus services between Guiyang and Anshun, Huajiang, Xingyi, Anlong, Zunyi, Duyun, Kaili, Liuzhi, Bijie, and other cities beyond Guizhou including Shenzhen, Nanning, Dongguan, Chongqing, and Zhanjiang. Hourly service runs between 8am and 4pm.

The station near Guizhou Provincial Stadium is served by buses running between Guiyang and Zunyi, Anshun, Kaili, and Duyun. Service departs every 30 minutes starting at 7am.

Guiyang was the first city in China to adopt a self-service ticketing system for public transportation. The city operates several public bus lines throughout the metro area.

More than 8,000 taxis operate in the city, with a small portion being eco-friendly vehicles. Fares are reasonable but vary by taxi type. "Eco-friendly" taxis charge slightly more than standard taxis, though the difference is negligible.

Navigating on foot between neighborhoods is entirely straightforward. Bicycle rentals are also readily available.

What to Do in Guiyang?

• Stroll through Qianling Park, exploring the forest and pausing at the Hongfu Temple perched atop Qianling Mountain.
• Wander the downtown shopping streets and discover atmospheric night markets.
• Visit the ancient town of Qingyan after a leisurely walk through Huaxi Park.
• Immerse yourself in regional history at the Guizhou Provincial Museum.