Hi there! My name is Lily Summers—a passionate early childhood educator currently living in the vibrant city of Guiyang, China. I'm someone who believes in curiosity, creativity, and slowing down to truly appreciate the beauty of both people and places. My days are split between nurturing the minds of young children and nurturing my own spirit through travel. And let me tell you—Guiyang is the perfect place to do both.
I first came to Guiyang on a short teaching contract after graduating from a university back in New Zealand. I had originally planned to stay for just a year, teach at a local kindergarten, and then move on to another city or even another country. But as the months went by, something began to shift. I fell in love—not with a person, but with a place. Guiyang, with its misty hills, gentle pace, and warm-hearted people, had quietly stolen my heart.
Working in early childhood education here is deeply fulfilling. Children in Guiyang are joyful, open, and endlessly imaginative. I find inspiration in their curiosity every day. Whether it's exploring the colors of nature through art or singing songs in both English and Mandarin, I feel like I’m planting seeds—not just of language, but of empathy and wonder.
But when the school week ends, my second passion begins: travel. Living in Guiyang is a dream for a traveler like me because it's tucked away in one of China’s most underrated but stunning provinces—Guizhou. While tourists often flock to more famous spots like Beijing or Shanghai, I’ve discovered that the real magic lies in the quieter, less-traveled corners. And I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by them.
Weekends often mean escaping to the surrounding mountains, waterfalls, and minority villages. I love visiting Qingyan Ancient Town, where cobblestone streets whisper stories from centuries ago. Or Wanfenglin, the "Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks," where karst mountains rise dramatically from green valleys and the sunsets are nothing short of cinematic. One of my favorite getaways is to the village of Xijiang, home to the Miao ethnic group. The traditional wooden houses, colorful embroidery, and nightly folk dances offer a window into a culture so rich and vibrant it almost feels like another world.
What makes traveling from Guiyang special is the contrast. Within an hour, I can go from sipping espresso in a chic city café to standing on a mist-covered hilltop listening to nothing but birdsong and the wind moving through bamboo forests. It's this juxtaposition that fuels my sense of wonder.
Unlike big-city travelers who race from one photo spot to the next, I prefer what I call “soaking travel.” I spend long afternoons in teahouses with a notebook, walk slowly through markets chatting with vendors, and always try to learn a few words of the local dialect when I visit a new village. I think the most beautiful places reveal themselves only when you give them time.
Another thing I’ve come to cherish is food as a gateway to culture. Guiyang’s cuisine is bold, spicy, and deeply soulful. My local favorites? Sour fish soup (酸汤鱼), sticky rice dumplings, and anything infused with the region’s signature chili oil. Traveling through Guizhou has introduced me to countless family-run eateries hidden in alleyways or perched on mountain roadsides—places you won’t find in guidebooks, but that stay in your heart forever.
My friends sometimes joke that I have “a compass in my soul,” and I like to think that’s true. I’ve begun documenting my journeys through a small travel blog and photo diary, focusing on the unseen sides of Guizhou—its hidden trails, forgotten temples, and the quiet beauty in everyday scenes. I want to show that you don’t need to go far to feel transformed. Sometimes, the most profound adventures are the ones closest to home.
Looking ahead, I plan to stay in Guiyang for the foreseeable future. I’m currently working on integrating more nature-based learning into my classroom, inspired by my weekend travels. I also dream of organizing family-friendly eco-tours for parents and kids—helping others discover the natural and cultural treasures of this region in meaningful, sustainable ways.
Travel, for me, is not about escape. It’s about connection. Whether I’m teaching a child how to tie their shoes or learning how to cook a local dish in a remote village, I’m always seeking ways to understand the world more deeply. Guiyang has become both my home and my launchpad—and I feel endlessly grateful for that.
So if you’re ever wandering through Guizhou and you meet a wide-eyed woman with a backpack full of sketchbooks and herbal tea, chances are, it’s me—Lily Summers—ready for the next gentle adventure.