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Guiyang to Kaili (3 Options on Map): Bullet Train, Car or Bus?

Written by Lydia|Updated: 2025-05-23

Guiyang is your gateway to Guizhou's wonders. And Kaili is the vibrant heart of Miao culture. You have three main ways to travel from Guiyang to Kaili!

Driving gets you directly to Xijiang Miao Village in about 2.5 hours, the high speed train is fast (1.5-2 hours, ¥50-¥60) but needs a transfer, and the intercity bus (¥70) takes longer (4 hours with transfer).

For ultimate convenience and direct access to Xijiang, we highly recommend driving!

Stick around, because Asia Odyssey Travel has fantastic itinerary ideas coming up to make your Guiyang to Kaili adventure striking.

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  • triangleGetting from Guiyang to Kaili: Your Transport Options Compared
  • triangleDriving from Guiyang to Kaili & Directly to Xijiang Miao Village
  • triangleTaking the Train from Guiyang to Kaili: Fast but a Transfer to Miao Village
  • triangleIntercity Bus from Guiyang to Kaili: A Longer Ride, Not Direct to the Miao Village
  • triangleYour Local Guide to Planning a Trip from Guiyang to Kaili
  • triangleLet Asia Odyssey Travel Plan Your Guiyang to Kaili Adventure

Getting from Guiyang to Kaili: Your Transport Options Compared

To getting from Guiyang to Kaili, we have 3 main ways to roll: driving, high speed train, and long-distance bus.

Transport Duration (inc. Xijiang Transfer) Cost/Person (¥) Pros & Cons Our Rating
Diving 2.5h Group fee covered Flexible & Direct to Xijiang ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bullet Train 1.5-2h 50-60 (2nd Class) Additional transfer (1h) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intercity Bus 4h 70 Additional transfer(1h)

As you can see in the table, for speed and directness to Xijiang, driving wins! The bullet train is a close second for its speed, just remember the transfer. The bus is there, but it's a longer haul.

Driving is super convenient, taking about 2.5 hours directly to Xijiang Miao Village. It's flexible and great for groups since the cost is usually covered. Definitely our top pick!

The bullet train is fast, just 0.5-1 hours to Kaili, and pretty cheap at ¥50-¥60 for a second-class seat. However, you'll need another hour for a bus or taxi to get to Xijiang. Still a great option!

Lastly, the long-distance bus takes around 3 hours and costs about ¥70. Just like the train, you'll need that extra hour to reach Xijiang. It's the longest option, so maybe not the best if you're short on time.

Driving from Guiyang to Kaili & Directly to Xijiang Miao Village

Our Guests at Maling River Canyon in Guizhou
Our Guests at Maling River Canyon in Guizhou
Papermaking Experience in Guizhou
Papermaking Experience in Guizhou

Let's zoom in on driving from Guiyang to Kaili! It's a super comfy way to go, taking about 2.5 hours to cover the 180 kilometers. The cost is usually a group fee, making it perfect if we're traveling together.

Pick-up & Drop-off Duration Cost/Person (¥)
Hotel 2.5h Included in the group fee

The best part? Driving gives us tons of flexibility and gets us right where we want to be. We can drive directly to the stunning Xijiang Miao Village!

Travel with Asia Odyssey Travel

Asia Odyssey Travel offers a fantastic driving service for your Guiyang to Kaili adventure!

But it's not just about Xijiang Miao Village (西江苗寨), the largest Miao village in the world.

We can also take you to some hidden gems around Kaili, like Shiqiao Miao Village (石桥村) with its traditional papermaking, Matang Gejia Village (麻塘亻革家寨) known for its beautiful batik dyeing, and Langde Miao Village (朗德苗上寨), the home of amazing folk songs and dances.

With Asia Odyssey Travel, you can relax and enjoy the ride. We handle everything: convenient private transfers, a local expert guide, a tailor-made plan just for you, hotel bookings, entrance permits, and so much more.

Taking the Train from Guiyang to Kaili: Fast but a Transfer to Miao Village

Guiyang North Railway Station
Guiyang North Railway Station
Guiyang East Railway Station
Guiyang East Railway Station

Another option to get to Kaili from Guiyang is the high-speed train.

Departure Arrival Duration Cost/Person (¥)
Guiyang North / Guiyang East Kaili South 0.5-1h (train) + 1h (transfer to Xijiang) 50-60 (2nd Class)

It's a super speedy option, getting us to Kaili in just 30 minutes to an hour. The best station to aim for is Kaili South Station. Why? Because it's the closest high-speed rail stop to the famous Xijiang Miao Village (西江苗寨), only about 37 kilometers away.

Once we arrive at Kaili South, there's a convenient shuttle bus that will take us directly to Xijiang Miao Village in about 1 hour.

So, the total travel time from Guiyang to Xijiang by high-speed train and shuttle is around 1.5 to 2 hours, covering about 175 kilometers. Plus, a second-class ticket is quite budget-friendly, usually costing around ¥50-¥60.

Intercity Bus from Guiyang to Kaili: A Longer Ride, Not Direct to the Miao Village

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

For those interested in a different travel style, there's the long-distance bus from Guiyang to Kaili. While it's an option, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Departure Arrival Duration Cost/Person (¥)
Longdongbao Bus Station Kaili South Bus Station / Kaili Bus Station 3h (bus) + 1h (transfer to Xijiang) 70

First off, getting to the long-distance bus station in Guiyang (usually the one near the airport, Longdongbao Bus Station - 龙洞堡汽车客运站) can take about 1 hour by bus or taxi. The bus ride itself to Kaili takes around 3 hours, and it will drop us off at either Kaili South Bus Station or Kaili Bus Station.

Now, here's the thing: from either of those bus stations in Kaili, there's no direct public transport to the Xijiang Miao Village (西江苗寨). We'd need to grab a taxi, which will take another hour.

So, the total travel time ends up being around 4 hours. Plus, the bus fare is about ¥70 per person.

In conclusion, the extra time spent getting to the bus station in Guiyang and then the taxi ride from Kaili to Xijiang makes it a less convenient option compared to driving or even the high-speed train.

Your Local Guide to Planning a Trip from Guiyang to Kaili

Let's map out our adventure from Guiyang to Kaili and beyond!

Guiyang (1 Day)

Jiaxiu Pavilion
Jiaxiu Pavilion
Qianling Park
Qianling Park

Most folks just pass through Guiyang, but if you have a day, it's worth a peek!

Check out the iconic Jiaxiu Pavilion (甲秀楼) by the river, wander through the green oasis of Qianling Mountain Park (黔灵山公园, keep an eye out for the monkeys!), or step back in time at the ancient town of Qingyan (青岩古镇).

One day gives you a good taste.

Transfer to Kaili (Half a Day)

Getting to Kaili is pretty quick. Whether we choose a comfy 2.5-hour drive or the speedy high-speed train (about 2 hours total with the transfer to Xijiang), it's just half a day's travel. Both are good options!

Kaili (2-3 Days)

Papermaking in Shiqiao Miao Village
Papermaking in Shiqiao Miao Village
Langde Miao Village
Langde Miao Village

Now we're talking! Kaili is our base for exploring the unique Miao culture.

We'll definitely spend time in Xijiang Miao Village (西江苗寨), the largest of its kind!

But let's also discover the "Hometown of Ancient Papermaking" in Shiqiao Miao Village (石桥村), try some Batik dyeing in Matang Gejia Village (麻塘亻革家寨), and experience the vibrant folk songs and dances in Langde Miao Village (朗德上寨).

Two to three days here will be amazing.

Combine Guiyang and Kaili (4-5 Days)

So, for a shorter trip hitting the highlights, we can spend a day in Guiyang before heading to Kaili for 2-3 days of Miao culture immersion. A 4-5 day trip gives you a fantastic overview of both areas.

Extend Your Journey to More Destinations in Qiandongnan (7-8 Days)

Gun Culture in Biasha Miao Village
Gun Culture in Biasha Miao Village
Tangan Dong Village
Tangan Dong Village

If you've got more time, get ready for a deeper dive into the Dong culture! A 7-8 day adventure will give you a truly authentic taste of Qiandongnan!

We can head further south to Rongjiang, famous for its unique bridge and courtyard layouts in Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨); Congjiang, home to the 'last gunman tribe' in Biasha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨) and the incredible twin-birth village of Zhanli Dong Village (占里侗寨).

Finally, head to Zhaoxing, known as the 'Number One Dong Village' with the stunning hilltop Tang'an Dong Village (堂安侗寨) nearby.

Let Asia Odyssey Travel Plan Your Guiyang to Kaili Adventure

Get ready to immerse yourselves in Kaili's rich culture following our exploration of Guiyang. Let Asia Odyssey Travel craft your ideal journey!

We'll handle all the details, from arranging comfortable and direct transportation to creating a personalized itinerary filled with authentic experiences. Trust our local expertise for a seamless and memorable Guiyang to Kaili escape.

Contact us today to start planning!

In case you're looking for more ideas for navigating Guizhou, check out these transport guides: Beijing to Guiyang, Shanghai to Guiyang, Guangzhou to Guiyang, Guilin to Guiyang, and Chengdu to Guiyang.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact us by submitting the following form and we'll immediately get back to you.

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