Walking Tours of Guiyang’s Most Famous Landmarks

Forget the bullet trains for a moment. Disregard the efficient, humming metro lines. To truly understand Guiyang—the capital of China’s subtropical Guizhou province—you must walk it. This is a city sculpted by karst hills, cooled by perpetual spring, and steeped in the layered histories of myriad ethnic cultures. A walking tour here isn't just sightseeing; it's a sensory journey through misty peaks, spicy alleyways, and a vibe that is both refreshingly laid-back and pulsating with new energy. Lace up your most comfortable shoes, grab an umbrella (the weather is famously changeable), and let’s embark on a walking exploration of Guiyang’s most iconic landmarks and the vibrant life that connects them.

Morning: Ascending into the Clouds at Qianling Mountain Park

Begin your day early at the foot of Qianling Mountain Park, the verdant lung of downtown Guiyang. This isn't just a park; it's a microcosm of the Guizhou landscape. The morning mist often clings to the dense foliage, giving the entire mountain an ethereal, floating quality.

The Path of a Thousand Steps and Mischievous Macaques

Your ascent starts on stone steps worn smooth by decades of pilgrims and morning exercisers. The air is fresh, filled with the scent of damp earth and pine. Soon, you’ll encounter the park’s most famous residents: troops of Tibetan macaques. They are charismatic, clever, and utterly fearless. Observe them from a respectful distance—they are wild animals, not pets, and a key part of the local ecosystem. Watching locals nonchalantly share the path with them offers a charming glimpse into the city’s harmonious relationship with nature.

Hongfu Temple: Serenity Above the City

Nestled halfway up the mountain is Hongfu Temple, one of Guizhou’s most significant Zen Buddhist monasteries. The complex of prayer halls, bell towers, and incense burners feels a world away from the urban buzz below. The quiet chanting of monks, the soft clang of a bell, and the swirling smoke of incense create a profound sense of peace. Take a moment here to look out over the terraced courtyards; the view of Guiyang’s skyline peeking through the trees is a perfect juxtaposition of ancient tranquility and modern progress.

Midday: A Dive into History at Jiaxiu Pavilion and the Culinary Maze of "Si Fang"

Descend the mountain and take a short walk or a quick taxi ride to the very symbol of Guiyang: Jiaxiu Pavilion.

The Floating Pavilion on the Nanming River

Standing proudly on Fuyu Bridge over the Nanming River, this three-story, triple-eaved wooden pavilion dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Its name means "First of the Finest Scholars," reflecting its historical role in celebrating academic excellence. Walk across the bridge, feel the wooden planks underfoot, and examine the intricate dougong brackets holding the roof aloft. The pavilion seems to float on the water, especially beautiful when lit at night. It’s a photographer’s dream and a powerful reminder of the city’s scholarly aspirations.

The Real Adventure: Lunch in "Si Fang" (四方)

Now, for the true travel hotspot: eating. Directly behind Jiaxiu Pavilion lies not a single landmark, but a sprawling, chaotic, and utterly delicious one—the Si Fang (literally "Four Directions") culinary district. This is the epicenter of Guiyang’s foodie revolution. Abandon the map and let your nose guide you.

• Changwang Noodles: Look for a queue. That’s your sign. A bowl of these iconic, chewy wheat noodles in a rich, savory broth, topped with braised pork, red oil, and pickled vegetables, is a non-negotiable Guiyang experience.
• The Sizzle of Si Wa Wa: Don’t be startled by the name ("Silicon Doll"). This is Guiyang’s famous hot pot, but for the brave: a spicy, numbing broth in which you cook a selection of meats and vegetables. The heat is legendary.
• Street Food Galore: Grilled liangfen (cold mung bean jelly) with a spicy sauce, zhua fen (glutinous rice "grabbed" with hand and stuffed with goodies), and the ubiquitous yangrou fen (lamb rice noodles) are everywhere. This is where the city’s Miao and Buyi ethnic culinary influences shine. It’s messy, loud, and unforgettable—a walking tour for your taste buds.

Afternoon: From Ancient Gates to Bohemian Rhythms in Qingyan Ancient Town

For the afternoon, a short 30-minute drive (a necessary break from walking) takes you to Qingyan Ancient Town. While not in the city center, no tour of Guiyang’s landmarks is complete without it. This 600-year-old Ming-era garrison town is a beautifully preserved maze of stone-slab streets, towering city walls, and hidden courtyards.

Walking the Stone Fortress

Enter through the massive, fortified gates and feel time slip away. The main commercial streets are lively, selling everything from rose sugar candy (meigui tang) to intricate silver jewelry from local Miao artisans. But the magic lies in veering off the main drag. Get lost in the narrow alleys where washing hangs overhead and elderly residents play mahjong. Climb the ancient city walls for a panoramic view of grey-tiled roofs against the green karst hills—a scene straight from a classical painting.

The New Pulse in Old Bones: Cafés and Craft Beer

Here’s the modern travel hotspot within the ancient one: Qingyan has become a haven for boutique culture. Tucked into ancient wooden buildings are hip coffee shops roasting local Yunnan beans, craft breweries experimenting with Sichuan peppercorn-infused ales, and designer studios selling modern interpretations of ethnic embroidery. This fusion—sipping a latte in a 400-year-old courtyard—captures the essence of contemporary Guizhou: deeply rooted yet innovating.

Evening: The Liquid Heartbeat at Aha Lake Park

Return to the city as dusk falls. Your final walking destination is Aha Lake National Wetland Park. This isn't the manicured park of the morning; this is an ecological showcase and the favorite evening leisure spot for Guiyang’s residents.

Sunset Strolls and City Reflections

The walking paths here circle the vast, serene lake, with the city’s modern towers providing a stunning backdrop. As the sun sets behind the hills, the water turns to glass, reflecting the pinks and purples of the sky. Couples stroll, families bike, and photographers jostle for the perfect shot of the "Waterfall Building"—a skyscraper designed with cascading vertical gardens. It’s a masterpiece of eco-architecture and a symbol of Guiyang’s "Ecological Civilization" pledge.

Night Market Energies

As true darkness sets in, follow the crowds and the enticing smells to the edges of the park or back towards the city center. Guiyang’s night markets spring to life. The Erqi Road snack street is a spectacle of lights, steam, and sizzling woks. This is your chance to try the late-night specialties: barbecue skewers of everything imaginable, jianbing (savory crepes), and a bowl of sweet, fermented jiuniang to settle the stomach. The energy is contagious, a communal celebration of the day’s end.

Walking Guiyang is to read a living story. Each step takes you from serene Zen peaks to scholarly pavilions, through fiery culinary labyrinths and ancient stone fortresses, finally landing in a futuristic wetland park under a starry sky. The city’s landmarks are not isolated monuments; they are interconnected by the flow of daily life, the kindness of its people, and the ever-present, beautiful mist that reminds you to slow down, breathe deep, and savor every moment of the journey.