Tucked away in the mysterious province of Guizhou are all kinds of treasures just waiting to be uncovered. Come along on an amazing journey as we through lush countryside, quaint villages, and energetic cities. In this area, history and modernity coexist well, and there are inspiring tales of bravery and reverence for the natural world around every corner. Guizhou offers a diverse range of experiences that will stay with you for a very long time, regardless of whether you’re an explorer looking for difficult routes or a culture enthusiast wanting to get to know the local populations. In this Guizhou travel guide, discover China’s hidden treasures through Guizhou, a place where the past calls and the current talks.
Journey Through Nature’s Wonders: Exploring Guizhou’s Scenic Beauty
Guizhou Province in China’s southeast part is proud of its rich natural wonders and diverse ethnic culture. Asia’s largest waterfall, China’s No. 5 Buddhist Mountain, the largest Karst Cave in China, China’s largest size of Danxia Landscape and so forth can all be found in Guizhou! Plus it is the major home to more than 18 ethnic groups of China’s 56 minority groups. Guizhou is absolutely a perfect place for vacation! Whether you are looking for marvelous natural wonders or profound Chinese culture, you will find something in Guizhou!
Huangguoshu Waterfall – Huangguoshu Waterfall is pretty impressive – it’s the highest waterfall in Asia and the third biggest in the world! It’s a must-see when you’re visiting Guizhou – you won’t regret it!
Mount Fanjing – Mount Fanjing in Tongren City of Guizhou was pretty much unknown to the rest of the world until it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018! There’s a ton of cool stuff to see there, like the twin hills that reach up to the clouds, peculiar-looking mushroom-like stones, and sacred Buddhist temples.
Karst Caves at Dragon Palace – Check out Dragon Palace near Huangguoshu Waterfall – it’s totally worth it! You can go close to these incredible stalactites and stalagmites, which are available in a variety of colors including green, yellow, and red. It also holds two Guinness World Records – for the largest drought and water karst cave cluster and the lowest natural emissivity.
Jiabang Rice Terraces – Jiabang Rice Terraces is one of the six best rice terraces in China! It was kind of unknown because of its location, tucked away in a remote mountain area of Guizhou Province. But with improved roads, more and more people are making the trip to check it out. It’s a place you don’t want to miss out on!
Timeless Beauty: Exploring the Enchanting Old Towns of Guizhou
Step into a world where time seems to stand still, and history whispers through narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets. Guizhou, China, isn’t just an amazing place with stunning scenery; it’s also got loads of stories from long ago. In this corner of the world, old towns with their well-preserved architecture and traditions beckon like portals to another era. It’s like stepping back in time – the past and present blend together, and every corner has a hidden tale waiting to be uncovered.
Qingyan Old Town – Qingyan Old Town has been a part of the city for more than 600 years. It’s really nice to stroll around the narrow streets with quartzite paving and admire the traditional wooden buildings.
Zhenyuan Ancient Town – If you’re in Zhenyuan Old Town, located right by the Wuyang River on the cliffs, you’ll get the chance to experience the fascinating ‘Feng Shui’ – a belief in achieving harmony with your environment. To learn the mysteries of this historic town, be sure to take a cruise along the river.
Bingan Old Town – Unlike Qingyan Old Town, which is mainly known for its military history, the Bingan Old Town in present-day Cishui City of Guizhou was once a key trading stop. Salt traders from Guizhou, who came from Shu (now located in Sichuan), took a rest there.
Longli Old Town – In comparison to the other three old towns in Guizhou, Longli Old Town is chill. It’s more known for its literary vibe. The Tang Dynasty poet Wangchangling even lived there! If you’re going to Zhaoxing Dong Village, make sure to schedule a stop at Longli, since it’s only an hour’s drive away.
Tantalizing Tastes of Guizhou: Culinary Delights and Local Cuisine
If you’re a fan of spicy or strongly-flavored food, Guizhou Province in southwest China has got you covered! Beautiful location with great sights and distinctive traditions. The meal is outstanding; it is delicious and tangy, making it perfect for all food connoisseurs.
Chili Chicken – This dish is a hit across China, but it tastes even better when you try it in Guizhou! The secret there is a special Huaxi chili sauce – it’s spicy but not overwhelming, and it has its own unique flavor. To make it, you fry some chicken and then add the chili sauce and fry it all up in a hot pan. This mix of chicken and chili is sure to tantalize your taste buds!
Glutinous Rice – In Guizhou, glutinous rice is a big deal, especially for ethnic minority folks. When they’re celebrating, they’ll make and eat glutinous rice. During the Sister’s Meal Festival, they make colorful glutinous rice as part of the festivities. If you’re driving around Guizhou, you can find eateries and vendors selling all kinds of glutinous rice with a range of flavors – sweet, salty, sour or spicy – you can take your pick!
Rice Tofu in Chili Oil – Chili oil and rice tofu is a go-to summer dish or late-night snack. Each cook might make their chili oil differently, so the flavor of the dish might vary from place to place. The main ingredients and cooking style, though, stay the same – mix cubes of rice tofu, fried peanuts, fried soybeans, bean sprouts, and pickled radish with chili oil, then add green onions, ginger, soybean sauce, and vinegar on top.
Siwawa – Siwawa, a traditional snack from Guizhou, is pretty easy to whip up. Just grab some wrappers made from flour, throw in some shredded veggies, dunk it in sauce, and voila! This tasty dish is super popular in small restaurants and it’s perfect for veggies.
Guizhou’s Festivals and Traditions: Celebrating with the Locals
In the middle of China’s fascinating Guizhou province, traditions are celebrated in colorful and lively festivals that spread joy and vibrancy. Festivals in Guizhou are more than just a regular party – they’re a reflection of the people’s strong, resilient spirit.
Sisters Meals Festival – In southeast Guizhou province, the Miao people gather each year to celebrate the Sister’s Meal Festival. On this day, Miao girls give four-color rice to the guys they like as a gift, making it the oldest Chinese version of Valentine’s Day.
Lusheng Festival – At Kaili’s Lusheng Festival, you can see the Miao people in all their finery – the girls in their prettiest outfits and silver headdresses, and the boys with their lushengs. You won’t want to miss out on one of the greatest and most well-known celebrations for the Miao tribe!
Dragon Canoe Festival – The Miao people have an awesome festival called the Dragon Canoe Festival. At the event, there’s loads of fun stuff to do, like dragon boat racing and canoe racing.
Miao New Year Festival – Unlike the typical Chinese New Year, the Miao New Year takes place after the harvest and can last anywhere from 5 to 15 days. During the celebration, folks honor their ancestors, play the lusheng (a type of reed instrument), and take trips to neighboring villages.
This province is full of incredible experiences and meaningful connections. We’ve explored old towns with stories from the past, tried out the colourful local food, and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of the indigenous cultures. Along with its breathtaking surroundings, Guizhou is beautiful because of its resilient populace. Every moment there will stay with you forever since it’s a location where the old and the new coexist.
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