Northern Guizhou travel guide
贵州北线
Northern Guizhou travel guide with a day by day itinerary, 10 places with tickets and opening hours, where to eat and stay, and how to get there.
10 places · In the guidebook: pages 508–518
Northern Guizhou, Guizhou Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Northern Guizhou in 3 days
- Day 1
- Loushan Pass→
- Zunyi Conference Site→
- Chishui
- Day 2
- Chishui→
- Yanzi Cliff→
- Shizhangdong Waterfall→
- Foguang Rock→
- Chishui
- Day 3
- Chishui→
- Hongshi Wild Valley→
- Sidonggou Waterfalls→
- Bing'an Ancient Town→
- Chishui
The feel of the place
The Zunyi Conference and the Four Crossings of the Chishui River, together with the Xifeng Concentration Camp, make this route a red-tourism journey through revolutionary history. Meanwhile, the world-famous Moutai liquor has earned Zunyi the title of “Home of Liquor.” Chishui, with its thousands of cascading waterfalls, magnificent Danxia landforms, and ancient tree ferns (sisi) that have thrived since the Jurassic, means far more than a single river.
Preparation & Information
Language
Perhaps because of their close geographical proximity, the dialects of Zunyi and Chishui are quite similar to Sichuanese and Chongqing dialects. They are fairly easy to understand, with very few difficult words or expressions.
Chishui River
The Chishui River, formerly known as the Anle River, rises in Zhenxiong County, Yunnan Province, flows through Chishui City in Guizhou Province and joins the Yangtze at Hejiang County in Sichuan Province, stretching 500 km. Its narrowest and most perilous stretch is the Shili Changtan (Ten-Li Long Shoal) at Wugong Rock, where visitors can go rock climbing, rafting and exploring. The river has nurtured Maotai, Langjiu and many other famous liquors, earning it the nickname "River of Fine Liquor." During the Long March in 1935, the Red Army crossed the Chishui River four times, and the Four Crossings of the Chishui River Memorial Tower stands in Maotai Town on the riverbank.
Climate and Best Travel Season
Zunyi has a mild, humid climate, with no severe winters or scorching summers. Zunyi city can be visited year-round, with convenient food, lodging and transport, and its sights have no particular seasonal requirements. For the Chishui scenic area, May to October is best, as spring and winter are too cold.
Things to see
Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area
Shizhangdong Waterfall stands 76 meters tall and 80 meters wide, making it the second-largest waterfall in China after Huangguoshu Waterfall. Unlike Huangguoshu, however, it comes with the wonders of Danxia landforms. Waterfall and Danxia terrain go hand in hand, making this site truly one of a kind. The 'Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Umbrella', 10 meters high and 7 meters in diameter and exposed on all four sides, seems made especially to shelter visitors from the flying spray. Climb the 'Heaven-Supporting Stone Pillar' not far from the stone umbrella, and a sea of primeval forest stretching for miles unfolds before your eyes.
2–3 hours · ¥80; sightseeing shuttle bus round trip ¥20
Suoluo National Nature Reserve
This is China's first national-level Suoluo (tree fern) nature reserve. Covering 133 square kilometers with a total of 40,000 trees, its dense growth makes it hard to believe that these beautiful fern-like plants, which resemble giant umbrellas, lived alongside the dinosaurs. They are living fossils, nearly extinct on Earth. The Suoluo trees are ancient, and the water here looks deep and mysterious. The tranquil setting has a feel of primeval forest and is well worth a visit.
2–3 hours · ¥35
Sidonggou Waterfalls
Dainty and graceful, the Sidonggou Waterfalls are scattered through the mountain gorges and bamboo seas of Sidonggou. Each fall has its own charm, and they often appear unexpectedly before your eyes.
2–3 hours · ¥75
Zhuhai National Forest Park
The park has 170,000 mu of nan bamboo blanketing its mountains. Climb the Guanhai Tower (Sea-Viewing Tower), lean on the railing and gaze out over an endless expanse of green. The park also features unusual natural wonders such as the 'Heavenly Gong', the 'Earth Waterfall', the 'Eight Immortals Tree' and the 'Couple Tree'.
3–4 hours · ¥45
Wujiangzhai International Tourist Resort
Reportedly designed by the same team behind Wuzhen, the resort is surrounded by mountains, and visitors will be impressed by how perfectly the ancient village and modern architecture blend together. The scenic area is generally quiet and spacious, with little commercialization, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll. Evenings here are especially lively, with musical fountains, light shows, ethnic dance performances and drone shows that leave a strong impression.
1–2 days · ¥80
Foguang Rock
Foguang Rock Scenic Area is known as the 'Number One Danxia Park' and the 'Unique Wonder of Chishui Scenery', among other titles. The area contains more than 30 landscapes, including Danxia landforms, peculiar peaks and rocks, sheer cliffs and caves, the Five-Pillar Peak, the White Dragon Waterfall and camellia groves. It has more than 2,000 plant species, including over 20 rare species, and over 400 wild animal species, including more than 10 rare ones. The strata exposed in Foguang Rock Scenic Area are all Jurassic and Cretaceous red sedimentary rocks of river and lake origin. It is considered one of the scenic areas in Chishui, and indeed in China, where Jurassic and Cretaceous Danxia landforms are best developed, most completely exposed and most distinctive.
¥80
Bing'an Ancient Town
The town exudes old-world charm and is rich in red culture. It lies on the route of the Red Army's four crossings of the Chishui River, and the ancient town houses the First Red Army Corps Exhibition Hall. Surrounded on three sides by the Chishui River, its riverbanks are lined with stilt houses supported by hundreds of round timber posts, a truly spectacular sight.
1–2 hours · ¥10
Getting there & around
Getting In and Out
There are two ways to enter and leave northern Guizhou: Guiyang → Zunyi → Chishui, or Luzhou → Chishui → Zunyi.
By Air
Zunyi Xinzhou Airport is now open. Alternatively, fly into Guiyang Airport, take the airport shuttle into central Guiyang, then transfer to a dedicated Guiyang → Zunyi bus (about 2 hours' drive). Guiyang also has an off-site Zunyi check-in terminal at Shiziqiao, Honghuagang District, offering off-site ticketing, flight information, check-in and waiting services. Dedicated airport shuttle buses are also available.
The nearest airport to Chishui is Luzhou Airport in southern Sichuan, about 78 km away. From Luzhou, it is about 2 hours by road to Chishui.
By Train
Trains running between Guiyang, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Beihai, Chengdu and Chongqing all stop at Zunyi. There are also short-distance trains Guiyang → Zunyi → Tongzi and Zunyi → Ganshui. Alternatively, take a train to Chongqing and then a bus to Chishui.
By Road
Long-distance coaches run to Shanghai, Chongqing, Guiyang, Chishui, Bijie, Renhuai, Dongguan and other destinations. Guiyang and Zunyi are linked by an expressway. Chishui is about 50 km north of Luding in Sichuan Province, about 200 km from Zunyi, over 70 km from Luzhou, 250 km from Chongqing and 460 km from Guiyang. Several coaches leave daily for Guiyang and other destinations.
Long-Distance Bus Stations
By Waterway
Chishui is accessible by both waterway and road. You can take a passenger ferry directly to Chishui from Caiyuanba Wharf in Chongqing.
Getting Around Town
Zunyi's city transport is well developed, with plenty of buses and minibuses as well as taxis, so you need not worry about getting around.
Getting around Chishui is convenient, with dedicated shuttle buses running to all the scenic spots.
Zunyi Chili Peppers
Zunyi is one of China's major chili-producing regions. Suiyang Chaotian chili is one of the country's seven famous chili varieties; it was already being exported to Southeast Asian countries in the 1950s and now also ships to Japan, the United States and other countries. Chili foods are also very diverse. A particularly local specialty is chili paste made from fresh small millet chilies and Chaotian chilies, ground on a stone mill with fresh ginger and fresh fennel leaves, seasoned with a little fine salt, packed into jars and topped up with brine, which is changed frequently. It keeps for a long time and only improves with age.
Local Transport Fares
In Zunyi, minibus fares are ¥1, and taxis cost ¥7 per 5 km by day and ¥9 per 5 km after 22:00. Sightseeing within the Chishui scenic areas is mostly on foot.
tip: 1. Nearby sights: The Huishui Temple grottoes beside the Xihe Power Station feature eight Buddhist cliff carvings in varied styles and are well worth a visit.
2. Local farmhouse dishes: Specialties include tongtong rice, tongtong bamboo shoots, cured bacon and tofu pudding.
Zunyi Civil Aviation Ticket Office
Zunyi Civil Aviation Ticket Office- Address:
- No. 36 Beijing Road, Honghuagang District
Railway Station Inquiry Office
Railway Station Inquiry Office- Address:
- No. 1 Beijing Road, Honghuagang District
- Phone:
- 0851-95105105
Zunyi Long-Distance Bus Station
Zunyi Long-Distance Bus Station- Address:
- Beijing Road
Maocaopu Bus Station
Maocaopu Bus Station- Address:
- Shenzhen Road
Zhongzhuang Bus Station
Zhongzhuang Bus Station- Address:
- Haier Avenue
Eat & drink
Zunyi's food is similar to Guiyang's; see the Eating in Guiyang section of this chapter for details.
Chishui is most famous for its "Full Bamboo Banquet," and also offers distinctive bamboo shoot hotpot, Chishui tofu pudding and pickled chili dishes.
The snack street in Honghuagang District, Zunyi, is large and offers a complete range of snacks. Be sure to try the grilled fish, which is especially delicious.
Zunyi Snacks
Recommended EateriesLamb noodles, tofu-pudding noodles, huang gaoba, Sanxiang steamed buns, big meat noodles, Tongzi beef jerky, square bamboo shoots, Bozhou liangfen, stinky tofu, hollow noodles, mung bean noodles, lily powder, etc.
Where to stay
Food and Local Specialties
Chishui's Renmin North Road is a food street lined with restaurants serving tasty, affordable hotpots. Chishui's night markets are liveliest around Dongmen Wharf, the Roundabout and the city center. Chishui's Yanan Middle Road bamboo-craft street has everything from bamboo fans and bamboo-and-tea boxes to bamboo carvings. Shangjiawan Market, Lotus Pond and Kangjia Market are all hubs for local specialties.
Miao Embroidery
Pedestrian Street
Zunyi's pedestrian street is near the Zunyi Conference Venue; one end is close to Gongyuan Road and the other leads out to Hongqi Road. The area has many small shops selling trinkets and local specialties at reasonable prices.
Zunyi
The city has many starred hotels, so finding accommodation is no problem.
Shopping
Recommended Shopping
Zunyi
Recommended ShoppingMaotai, Dong liquor, Zhen liquor, Yaxi cellar liquor, Xishui Daqu, egg cake, bamboo wares, tangerines, longan, lychees, bamboo shoots, dried chilies, gallnut and lily powder.
Chishui
Recommended ShoppingChishui produces abundant moso bamboo, and bamboo handicrafts such as Chishui fans, bamboo fungus and bamboo shoots are local specialties. Sun-dried vinegar is one of China's four famous vinegars. Chishui lychees have thin skins, thick flesh and small seeds, with a fresh, sweet flavor, and are excellent. Traditional yulan pian (dried bamboo shoot slices) is also a local specialty.
Day trips & beyond
Maotai Town
Maotai Town has long been a famous town in northern Guizhou, described in the saying 'Sichuan salt flows into Guizhou, and Shaanxi merchants gather at Maotai.' In 1915, Maotai liquor won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and the town became known around the world from then on. In 1935, the Red Army's Long March crossed the Chishui River four times, writing a glorious chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution. With its rich ancient salt culture and its mysterious liquor culture, Maotai Town is hailed as 'China's No. 1 Liquor Town.'
2–4 hours
Xifeng Hot Springs
Located 41 km north of Xifeng County seat, more than 110 km from Guiyang and over 70 km from Zunyi, the area enjoys a pleasant climate. Its hot springs never run dry, with water temperatures of around 55°C, making them ideal for bathing. The surrounding natural scenery is beautiful, and it is a popular destination for holidays and recuperation.
3–5 hours
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 508–518. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version