Guiyang Travel Guide - Brief Information on Guiyang

Guiyang, also known as the "City of Forest", is the capital of Guizhou Province. Guiyang is located in the east of Yungui Plateau and just north of Nanming River and has an average elevation of about 1,100 meters. Guiyang city was first founded in the late thirteenth century during the Yuan Dynasty, when its original name was Shunyuan, which meant ‘obeying the Mongol rulers’. At that time it was surrounded by many bamboo groves which led to the production of Zhu, a kind of musical instrument.

Like many other cities in China, Guiyang has a subtropical monsoon climate in which severe winds and rain are in effect for months at a time. However, the seasons are rather different: Winter here is much milder than the average and summer is fairly cool.

There are a great number of attractions in Guiyang. One of the most popular places is Qingyan Ancient Town. The Ming and Qing architecture in this town is quite a sight. The majority of the town was built for military reasons but there is also Hongfeng Lake and many historical sites such as Wenchang Pavilion, Yangming Cave, and Jiaxiu Tower. Many local restaurants dot the area and feature Guiyang cuisine, which is famous for its spicy taste and great quality.

Guiyang is far more laid back than other cities. Locals stay up late into the night and sleep late in the morning. Due to the calm vibe of the city, the crime rate is much lower here than in other areas. With all of these attractions and its laid back environment, Guiyang is a perfect place to live and visit.