Experience Guizhou’s Beauty in 3-Day: Guiyang Highlights and the Iconic Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour

Summary

Day1 Guiyang Arrival:Qianling Park, Jiaxiu Pavilion
Day2 Guiyang-Huangguoshu-Anshun: Huangguoshu Waterfall, Doupotang Scenic Area, Tianxingqiao Scenic Area, Huangguoshu Waterfall
Day3 Anshun & Guiyang Departure: Dragon Palace Scenic Area, Tianlong Tunpu Village

Day1 Guiyang Arrival

Upon your arrival in Guiyang, the vibrant capital of Guizhou and a city affectionately called the City of Forests, your friendly local guide and professional driver will be waiting to greet you at the airport or train station. Holding a clearly marked "Your Way Holiday" sign, they’ll give you a warm welcome before escorting you in a comfortable private vehicle to your centrally located hotel. Along the way, your guide will point out notable city landmarks, share a few interesting local tips, and introduce you to Guiyang’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. After assisting with check-in, they’ll offer a personalized briefing on the area, helping you get oriented for the days ahead. This thoughtful arrival experience not only eases you into your journey but also sets the tone for a deeper connection with the region’s culture, nature, and people.

Once you’ve had time to settle in, your guide will take you to Qianling Park, a lush retreat right in the city, where locals come daily to walk, socialize, and enjoy the fresh air. Nicknamed the “No.1 Mountain in southern Guizhou,” this park blends natural beauty with cultural heritage. You’ll walk the serene Nine Bending Path, where thick groves of bamboo and pine line the way to Hongfu Temple, a historic Buddhist site founded in 1672. As you climb gently through the forest, your guide will point out native plants, share temple legends, and explain the symbolism behind the statues and halls. Along the way, you may spot wild macaques playing in the trees or hear monks chanting softly in the distance. The experience is both meditative and energizing, offering a glimpse into local life and spiritual practice. To end the visit, hop on a cable car for a smooth and scenic descent, enjoying sweeping views over Guiyang’s green, misty skyline.

Your final stop today is the elegant Jiaxiu Pavilion, a striking wooden tower perched on a rocky islet in the Nanming River, connected to both banks by beautiful arched stone bridges. Built over four centuries ago during the Ming Dynasty, this three-story structure is not only a cultural landmark but also a symbol of Guiyang’s intellectual heritage. As you cross the bridges and admire the reflection of the pavilion in the water, your guide will share the story behind its poetic name — “First Scholar Pavilion” — and how it came to represent scholarly ambition and literary excellence. Step inside to see intricate calligraphy, carved wooden panels, and historical relics that bring Guiyang’s cultural legacy to life. As the sun begins to set, the riverside promenade glows with soft golden lights, and the gentle ripple of the water provides a tranquil soundtrack. It’s a perfect blend of old-world grace and modern rhythm, wrapping up your first day with calm and inspiration.

After today’s exploration, your driver will take you back to your hotel. Your guide will be happy to recommend local places for dinner or an evening walk if you wish to continue soaking in the atmosphere. This first day in Guiyang offers a perfect balance of nature, history, and cultural discovery to ease you into your journey.

Day2 Guiyang-Huangguoshu Waterfall-Anshun

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Anshun, cruising past lush countryside and rolling hills dotted with traditional villages and rice terraces. As the car winds through Guizhou’s landscape, your local guide will share stories of the region’s hidden gems, folk legends, and the deep cultural layers behind its natural beauty. Your first stop is the Doupotang Scenic Area, a lesser-known but striking site featured in the classic Chinese TV adaptation of Journey to the West. This expansive waterfall stretches 105 meters across and plunges 21 meters into a massive natural pool over 15,000 square meters wide. Especially during the flood season, its thunderous roar earns it the local nickname “Roaring Waterfall.” Your guide will explain how ancient limestone terraces shape its flow and create a natural echo chamber, adding drama and mystery to the experience. The area’s relative quietness compared to other tourist spots makes it ideal for thoughtful wandering and photography.

From there, hop aboard an eco-shuttle that takes you deeper into Tianxingqiao Scenic Area, a microcosm of Guizhou’s famed Karst landscape. Here, nature has woven together water, forest, and stone into a seamless masterpiece that feels untouched and eternal. Trails lead you through dense groves where dappled sunlight filters through leaves, casting shifting patterns onto moss-covered rocks. You’ll hear birdsong mingling with the gentle splash of underground springs. The stone forest seems to emerge directly from the water, creating dreamlike reflections that shift with every step. Cactus, ferns, and undershrubs grow in harmony, forming a patchwork of green shades and textures. One standout is the Beauty Banyan Tree — its flowing form said to resemble a dancing woman — a favorite among photographers and poets alike. Your guide will share how the area’s delicate ecological balance supports this diversity and why it remains one of the most treasured conservation zones in Guizhou.

The day builds toward a dramatic crescendo at Huangguoshu Waterfall, the most iconic natural landmark in the region and the largest waterfall in Asia. Standing 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, it roars into a 17-meter-deep shoal below, sending up clouds of mist and rainbows when the sun hits just right. The entire landscape trembles with the sound and power of the falls. Your guide will take you along a thoughtfully designed loop path, where each turn reveals a new perspective — from panoramic views to a rare behind-the-falls moment inside the famous Water Curtain Cave, a 134-meter-long corridor tunneled into the cliff. Here, you can stand between sheets of falling water and feel the earth hum around you. Nearby lies a peaceful contrast: a serene bonsai garden showcasing over 3,000 miniature trees, shaped over decades with quiet dedication. This tranquil space reflects the region’s deep artistic sensibilities and offers a moment of calm before your guide and driver escort you to your hotel in Anshun for the evening.

After the visit, your guide and driver will take you to your hotel in Anshun. You’ll receive assistance with check-in and can ask your guide for recommendations on local dishes or quiet evening walks. Rest well in Anshun. Today you didn’t just visit iconic sites, you experienced them like a local.

Day3 Anshun & Guiyang Departure

After breakfast, your journey begins with a short drive to the extraordinary Dragon Palace Scenic Area. This natural wonder is often hailed as a complete display of Karst geology, showcasing every feature from underground rivers and caves to sinkholes and stone forests. You’ll first reach Dragon Gate Waterfall, an impressive 50-meter drop inside a Karst cave, the largest of its kind in China. The path continues upward via a glass elevator that lifts you to Tianchi Lake, a serene body of water formed by a collapsed cave roof. Known for having the lowest radiation dose rate on Earth and rich in negative oxygen ions, this spot offers a rejuvenating moment in nature. Your guide will explain how local geology and climate shape this rare ecosystem.

You’ll then glide through the heart of the Dragon Palace by boat, entering a majestic underground river system that has carved its way through the Karst landscape over millions of years. The atmosphere is ethereal, with towering stalactites shimmering in the soft cave lighting and casting reflections across the still water. As you drift along the cavern’s winding passages, you’ll encounter chambers so vast they feel like nature’s cathedrals. Your guide will point out fascinating rock formations resembling dragons, lions, pagodas, and flowing curtains, each with a local legend attached. The journey is quiet and contemplative, broken only by the rhythmic splash of the paddle and the occasional drip of mineral-rich water from above. It’s a surreal, sensory-rich moment that invites you to slow down and simply absorb the beauty and silence of this ancient underworld.

After re-emerging into the daylight, you’ll travel to Tianlong Tunpu Village, a preserved military settlement with over six centuries of history. Constructed entirely of stone, this village feels like a living time capsule from the Ming Dynasty. The grey stone buildings, winding alleys, and sturdy walls were originally designed for both habitation and defense, reflecting the strategic role the village once played as a frontier garrison. Your guide will take you through highlights like the Tianlong School, a remarkably well-preserved stone academy that showcases the deep-rooted emphasis on Confucian education among the early settlers. The streets here are lined with local women dressed in hand-embroidered indigo garments, a tradition passed down through generations. Their intricate patterns and silver accessories reflect a vibrant heritage shaped by both military discipline and folk artistry.

As you explore further, you’ll delve into the rich traditions of the Tunbao people, a unique cultural group descended from Han Chinese soldiers. One of the most striking aspects of their heritage is the Dixi Opera, a ritual performance once used to boost morale and intimidate enemies on the battlefield. Now performed during local festivals, this masked drama features elaborate wooden masks, embroidered battle flags, and colorful long robes. Your guide will help decode the symbolic meanings behind each role and movement, offering insight into how history, mythology, and community pride come together in this living art form. Wandering through the stone lanes with the sound of distant opera echoes or the rhythmic tapping of embroidery needles, you’ll experience a world where time slows down and tradition is part of everyday life.

After a rich day of discovery, your guide and driver will escort you to the Guiyang airport or train station for your journey onward. Whether you're headed home or to your next destination, you leave with not just memories but a deeper connection to the land, culture, and people of Guizhou.

Price Per Person in US Dollars