15 Best Things to Do in Guizhou: Attractions You Can't Miss
Guizhou is often called China’s “Park Province,” and honestly, that name makes sense the moment you arrive. On Guizhou tours, you’ll find forests stretch everywhere, the air feels cleaner, and a lot of the scenery still looks untouched.
If you’re wondering what to do in Guizhou, expect exploring deep canyons, massive waterfalls, hidden caves, as well as the Miao villages that don’t feel built for tourists. This Guizhou travel guide pulls together the top 15 things to do in Guizhou, mixing nature, culture, adventure, cities, and food.
Uncover Guizhou’s Natural Scenery
1. Witness the Majesty of Huangguoshu Waterfall
No trip to Guizhou is complete without Huangguoshu Waterfall. Located near Anshun, it’s the largest waterfall in Asia, and once you see it, you understand why everyone talks about it. As you get closer, the water doesn’t just fall; it crashes down with real force, and the sound hits you long before you reach the viewpoints. You can watch it from higher platforms to get the full scale, or walk closer until the mist is in your hair and the ground feels damp under your feet.
2. Admire the Sacred Fanjingshan (Mount Fanjing)
As the highest peak of the Wuling Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fanjingshan is famous for its Mushroom Stone and the jaw-dropping Red Clouds Golden Summit. There, you may find that climbing this mountain is a bit challenging, but once you’re there above the clouds, everything makes sense.
There, ancient temples hide in the mist, while the views stretch endlessly across the Guizhou mountains. So if you’re deciding what to see in Guizhou, this mountain is one of the must-visit spots.
>> Recommended 5 Days Guizhou Huangguoshu Waterfall & Fanjingshan Tour
3. Explore the “Emerald” Libo Xiaoqikong & Karst Forests
Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is often described as southern China’s karst paradise, and it’s one of the best places to visit in Guizhou. Visiting there, you’ll see the old stone bridge sit quietly over clear running water, and from there it’s all easy walks along wooden paths, with waterfalls popping up one after another.
Some of the pools are blue-green, and it’s so beautiful that you may stop more than once just to stare. The water flowing through the forest and the limestone scenery everywhere are perfect for photography.4. Wander Through Guizhou’s Rice Terraces
Guizhou’s rice terraces are like a living artwork carved into the mountains, and wandering through them is one of the most unique things to do in Guizhou. They don’t hit you all at once, but they do attract you step by step as you climb higher. Jiabang Rice Terraces, one of the most beautiful rice terraces in China, is the one where people usually linger longer than planned. In the early morning, it becomes soul-stirring when the mist drifts through the fields, and the wooden Miao houses slowly come into view. Besides, Gaoyao and Yunhai Rice Terraces are also must-visit attractions in Guizhou.>> Recommended 7-day natural wonder of Guizhou discovery tourExperience Guizhou Ethnic Culture & Traditional Villages
5. Step into the Miao Villages in Guizhou
Exploring Miao villages is one of the top things to do in Kaili, Guizhou, and it’s also a must for understanding minority culture in Guizhou. Xijiang Miao Village is the largest Miao settlement in the world, hidden deep in the mountains of southeast Guizhou. When night falls, and thousands of lights turn on, the entire valley glows like a galaxy.
During the day, you can wander stone lanes, walk through wind and rain bridges, or watch folk performances. Food is a big deal here too—sour fish soup, sticky rice, and homemade rice wine are all part of the experience. Besides, there are also lesser-known Miao villages worth visiting, including Langde Miao Village and Basha Miao Village.
6. Discover Dong Culture in Dong Ethnic Villages
You’ll know you’re in a Dong village the moment you see a drum tower rising above the rooftops, usually with a wind and rain bridge nearby. Zhaoxing Dong Village is the most well-known, and walking through it feels like moving between different neighborhoods, each centered around its own Dong drum towers.
You can listen to traditional polyphonic Dong songs, watch drum dances, stroll over covered bridges, or head up to Tang’an terraces for sunset views. By the way, staying overnight allows you to enjoy evening performances and experience the nightlife there like a local.
>> Learn more about the vanishing mountain tribes in Guizhou7. Celebrate Traditional Ethnic Festivals in Guizhou
Guizhou is full of ethnic festivals, and celebrating with the locals is one of the unique things to do in Guizhou. If you are into the festive atmosphere, you can plan a China eco and ethnic tour during these festivals.
Miao New Year and Dong New Year are huge celebrations filled with singing, dancing, and long-table feasts. The Lusheng Festival brings music echoing through valleys, while the Sisters’ Meal Festival is both romantic and playful. Other festivals like the Torch Festival, Flower Mountain Festival, and even muddy, laugh-out-loud local celebrations show Guizhou’s joyful side.
>> Recommended 8-day Guizhou Miao and Dong tribes adventure tour
Try Hands-On Traditional Crafts and Embroidery
8. Create Batik Art with Local Artisans
In Danzhai, a center of intangible heritage, batik is more than just decoration. In fact, it shows the history and culture of the region. The batik process involves waxing, dyeing, boiling, and washing, all done by hand. Here, you can join workshops to design scarves, bags, or wall hangings. Plus, making your own batik piece is one of the best parts of your Guizhou tours, and you can take them home as souvenirs.9. Learn Miao Embroidery Techniques
If you’re looking for what to do in Guizhou beyond scenery, you can spend some time with Miao embroidery, which can be found in small museums, village workshops, and even local markets, where women sit and stitch while chatting.
This isn’t ordinary embroidery. Every pattern has a meaning, and the colors are bold and confident. Trying a few stitches yourself gives you a much deeper understanding of Guizhou’s ethnic culture than just walking past souvenir stalls.
10.Weave Bamboo Crafts in Tongren
Weaving bamboo craft is also one of the top things to do in Guizhou when traveling in Tongren. Tongren bamboo weaving has a long history, and it can turn simple bamboo into baskets, patterns, and decorative art. After exploring Tongren’s attractions, you can try bamboo crafts weaving in local workshops, where artisans happily show their techniques and even let visitors try weaving.
>> Recommended 18-day China textile and handicrafts tour for women travelers
Dive into Outdoor Activities and Wild Landscapes
11. Trek or Hike Through Mountains and Grasslands in Guizhou
Hiking in Guizhou is easily one of the most rewarding experiences to include in your tours to China. Popular routes include Fanjingshan’s surrounding trails, Wumeng Grasslands, and canyon paths near Libo.
If you want something relaxed, go canyon hiking or visit spots like Old Wang Mountain or Monkey Valley, which are great for slow walks under trees, with clouds drifting in and out as you go. Prefer a bit of challenge? Duyun Luosike is for you. It has open grasslands, waterfalls, and beautiful views that make the climb totally worth it.
>> See the best 8 hiking destinations in China
12. Paddle Through Rivers on Rafting Adventures
Rafting in Guizhou isn’t about thrills—it’s about slowing down. In places like Luodian’s Daxiaojing, you sit on a bamboo raft and just float, passing karst cliffs, dark caves, and old waterwheels that look straight out of a painting. Tianhetan is another famous Guizhou attraction for rafting, and it is especially nice after a bit of rain, when the mountains fade into mist, and the water barely makes a sound.
13. Explore the Underground World of Guizhou Caves
Cave exploration is one of the top things to do in Guizhou, as it is one of China’s best regions for this type of activity. Also, it is a must for anyone curious about the Guizhou karst landscape.
Among all the caves in Guizhou, Zhijin Cave is the most famous, filled with massive stalactites and dramatic lighting. Shuanghe Cave near Zunyi is also worth visiting, as it’s one of Asia’s longest cave systems.
Explore Guizhou’s Cities, History, and Local Life
14. Discover Guizhou’s Cities and Ancient Towns
Guizhou isn’t all mountains and minority villages; exploring the cities and old towns is also interesting during your Guizhou travel. Most trips start in Guiyang, where you can stroll past Jiaxiu Tower by the river. Also, ducking into Qianling Park and meeting the cute monkeys are among the best things to do in Guiyang.
Anshun is very different, especially around the Tunpu villages. Among Anshun attractions, places like Tianlong Tunpu and Yunfeng Tunpu are all stone lanes and Ming-era customs, and Jiuzhou Ancient Town is great for a slow wander. Over in Tongren, life moves at an easy pace. Tongren Ancient City lights up beautifully at night, and nearby Zhusha Ancient Town tells the story of the area’s old mining days.
>> Recommended 7-day Guizhou highlights tour
Taste Your Way Through Guizhou Cuisine
15. Sample Sour and Spicy Guizhou Food
From street stalls to family-run restaurants, eating your way through Guizhou is one of the most satisfying things to do in Guizhou—and the best possible ending to any trip. Guizhou cuisine is bold, sour, spicy, and deeply addictive.
Sour fish soup is a popular Chinese food that everyone should try, and other Guizhou food like Changwang noodles, silk-wrapped vegetables, beef noodle soup, and crispy tofu balls are also everyday favorites. Chili paste, fermented sauces, and herbs appear everywhere, giving food a sharp, unforgettable kick.
>> Guizhou gourmet tour: must-have local dishes and snacks
Explore the Best of Guizhou with ETC
Ready to explore Guizhou for real? At Easy Tour China, we run private China tours to Guizhou that allow you to explore at your own pace. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, wandering villages, or a bit of everything, we can customize your tours of Guizhou exactly how you like it. Just tell us what excites you, and we’ll make it happen.You can also join one of our existing tours and enjoy a carefully planned itinerary full of local highlights.