Guizhou
Less famous than Yunnan, Guizhou is a region that exudes authenticity with its multiple natural landscapes and 18 ethnic groups, most of which still live to the rhythm of their ancestral traditions.
From the Huangguoshu waterfalls to the rice terraces of Jiabang, the picturesque villages of Zhenyuan and Rongjiang or Fanjing Mountain, Guizhou provide many options for tourists to look for uniqueness.
By visiting this region, you will have the opportunity of an authentic immersion in the local life, particularly, while strolling in the many ethnic villages.
Useful information
Area: 176,167 km²
Average annual temperature: 15 degrees
Geography: Mixed relief in hill and mountain
Population: 38,562,100 inhabitants. (In 2021)
Altitude: 1100m
Ethnic minorities: Miao, Dong, Hui, Yi, Bouyi, Yao
Economy: Agriculture, biological and mineral resources
What to Visit in Guizhou?
Colorful Guizhou is the slogan of Guizhou Province. It is a vast region rather famous for its authenticity and natural landscapes. The encounter with nature and the local ethnic groups is the real treasure here.
Guiyang: a discreet capital
Guizhou has always been unknown, but in recent years, due to its extremely rapid economic development, it has gradually become famous. As the Big Data Trading Center, Industrial Base, and one of the national comprehensive railway hubs, Guiyang might look more like most Chinese provincial capitals: forests of tall buildings, construction cranes, and endless shops.
But behind these, the hided small winding streets reveal the old Guiyang. These tiny alleys meander through more modern streets and accommodate the converted coffee shops, art galleries, and bars. A walk-in Guiyang can surprise you at any corner. You are likely to come across a traditional street food stall with plastic stools on which to eat bowls of rice noodles or sour fish soup.
Miao Festivals in Guizhou
Guizhou is a region rich with traditional festivals, and the following are the two very famous festivals in Guizhou province:
Miao Sisters Meal Festival
Called the oldest Asian Valentine’s Day, the Miao Sisters Meal Festival is celebrated in April and is one of the most important annual events of the Miao ethnic group. During the festival, the young Miao girls wear their most beautiful colorful outfits, jewelry, and silver headdresses.
Young people come together to dance and sing love songs to attract the attention of the coveted partner. The bullfighting, horse racing, drum dancing, boating competitions, Lusheng music, and other activities are dedicated to seniors who already have a partner.
Lusheng Festival
The Lusheng is an emblematic wind musical instrument of the Miao culture. It is made of bamboo and can measure from 30 cm to 3 meters in length.
The Miao Minority Lusheng Festival is usually celebrated between late February and March, and then in the fall between late October and early November. On this occasion, hundreds of thousands of Miao in traditional dress gather.
During the Lusheng Festival, the Miao villages organize competitions and performances of music and dance. Incidentally, you can also attend impressive buffalo fights and religious ceremonies.
Miao and Dong ethnic villages
Southeast Guizhou is home to the largest concentration of Miao and Dong. Kaili is the main town and is often used as a starting point for visiting the region. Danzhai Wanda Village also makes a good base for travelers to explore the many local villages in the area.
Some villages have developed rapidly and have chaotic urbanization. But many small surrounding villages remain very modest and authentic. Zhaoxing village is a great place to spend the night, as the presence of small boutique inns, cafes and a museum of local arts and crafts makes Dong culture accessible.
In this area, Shiqiao is a traditional papermaking village. Not far from it, the village of Paimo is known for its beautiful blue batiks. Finally, the picturesque Miao village of Langde is an ideal place for understanding the crafts and traditional ways of life of these groups.
Guizhou Natural Wonders
Guizhou is home to the largest unsupported cave in the world (Zhijin Cave), one of the largest waterfalls in China (Huangguoshu Falls), and the longest cave in Asia (Shuanghe Cave), etc.
The giant Huangguoshu Falls are the first stop for many visitors and leave an unforgettable sight. Numerous cave systems connect beneath the province’s iconic mountains, like Chinese fairy landscapes, with their mystical karst peaks, often shrouded in mist.
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