Qingyan Ancient Town
Remarkably well preserved, this fascinating old town from the Qing and Ming Dynasties was founded in 1378. It lies in the southern suburbs of Guiyang, about a 15-minute taxi ride from downtown.
Houses, temples and monasteries are built almost entirely out of the local blue-tinged cyan stone.
The town also boasts atmospheric wide streets, exquisitely carved landmarks and hundreds of relic sites scattered across the easily walkable grounds.
Qingyan Ancient Town is popular with tourists. Image by lin2015 on Pixabay.
Qingyan Ancient Town is unique in that several religious communities lived together in peace during various periods of its history.
You’ll find Buddhist temples, Taoist shrines and Christian churches sitting side-by-side.
Qianling Park
Just a mile from downtown Guiyang is one of southern China’s biggest and most beautiful urban nature parks – Qianling Park.
Spread over 1,000 acres (426 hectares) and surrounded by forested mountains, this park really is the green lungs of the city.
A cable car ride takes you to the highest point the in park, Qianling Hill. At the top stands the Zen Buddhist Hongfu Temple, built in 1667.
Qianling is a haven for hikers, bird life and also the park’s famous resident macaques.
Yes, this is one of the best places to see wild monkeys in China!
A hungry macaque monkey in Qianling Park. Image by YKLiu on Shutterstock.
Extremely bold, the monkeys seem to be constantly scheming new ways to snatch food, bags and hats from unsuspecting tourists.
Please though, be a responsible tourist and don’t feed them. This only encourages aggressive behavior.
At the foot of the hill, picturesque Qianling Lake is another highlight. With numerous hiking trails and hidden shrines, it’s easy to find your own tranquil spot far from the crowds.
This is almost impossible to find in most Chinese cities!
Jiaxiu Tower
With shiny new towers springing up all over town, Guiyang isn’t exactly overflowing with historic architecture.
The 65-foot (20 m) high Jiaxiu Tower is an exception. Atop the Fuyu Bridge, the three-story pavilion (which has gone through several part-reconstructions) dates back 400 years to the Ming Dynasty.
From the top, a clear day will treat you to a panoramic view of the city and the mountain ranges beyond. The pavilion is lit up at night to cast its reflection on the waters of the Nanming River below.
Tianhe Pool Scenic Area
Guiyang is surrounded by incredible mountain landscapes, rivers and waterfalls.
Among the most stunning is Tianhe Pool, 15 miles (24 km) from downtown. The pool itself is a sparkling lake surrounded by a patchwork of karst hills and steep valleys, caves and waterfalls.
Tianhe is normally quite peaceful but does attract group day tours and weekend crowds from time to time. It’s best appreciated early in the morning when you may well have this sanctuary all to yourself.