Guiyang in southwestern China is home to a great diversity of ethnic cultures. Over 30 ethnic groups inhabit the city and contribute to its colorful festivals and unique traditions which should be required to see as part of any China tour. Festival celebrations and souvenirs for travelers on a China tour are abundant in Guiyang. The City of Guiyang is also famous for its production of the Zhu, a musical instrument.
The climate is mild, experiencing neither hot nor cold temperatures to the extreme, so it is very pleasant to those on a China tour. Many popular attractions can be found in Guiyang including Hongfeng Lake, Jiaxiu Tower, and Qingyan Ancient Town, just to name a few. As with all other Chinese towns, they each have their own story to tell of past adventures and are waiting to share it with the next visitor on a China tour.
Hongfeng Lake
This lake is also known as Red Maple Lake because many red maple trees line the surrounding mountain ranges and they are brilliant with color in the fall. It is the most fascinating lake for a visit on a China tour in this Province of Guizhou. It is considered the “pearl of the Guizhou Plateau.” It is the largest artificial lake and covers 57.2 square kilometers. It is said to be 12 times the size of Beijing’s Ming Tombs Reservoir and 6 times as big as Hangzhou’s well-known West Lake.
The Hongfeng Lake Scenic Area includes four sections: South Lake, North Lake, Rear Lake, and the section ringed with minority ethnic villages. South Lake is known for its caves, while North Lake is the smallest and is noted for the number of islands it contains. The ethnic villages have a custom of making visitors on a China tour feel so welcome that they don’t want to leave. These villages are unique and have very fine illustrations of ancient architecture to share with travelers on a China tour.
Jiaxiu Tower
Jiaxiu Tower is a landmark for Guiyang and it is located on Fuyu Bridge, rising over the Nanming River. It was originally built in 1598 during the Ming Dynasty and is of major cultural importance to the city. It is also called the “First Scholar’s Tower” because in days long past, many intelligent and studious pupils tried very diligently for a scholarly honor in feudal China, as this could also lead to an official rank. The Tower was built to encourage students and the name, Jiaxiu, means “getting the very best in imperial examinations.” The Tower is three stories tall and makes a striking appearance with red pillars, green tiles, white stone fortifications, and engraved windows. At the top of the Tower, you will have a splendid view of the city. Visitors on a China tour can get the most impressive view of the Tower at night. It is decorated with colorful lanterns that cause beautiful reflections in the water. The Tower contains paintings and ancient works in calligraphy for the visitor on a China tour to view.
Quingyan Ancient Town
This famous and historical site lies in the southern part of Guiyang and was originally built in 1378, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It was initially constructed for military reasons. It is completely built of stone and now houses hundreds of ancient artifacts. It is a very popular China tour stop. The architecture and religious culture within the walls of Quingyan Ancient Town are spectacular and amazing.
Guiyang is a perfect China tour choice to relax and take it easy for a while. Life is much more easy-going in Guiyang than many other cities as the people enjoy a laid back lifestyle. No one gets in a hurry; they stay up late and generally don’t rise until later in the mornings. This will put you at a leisurely pace for your sightseeing in Guiyang on your China tour.