Location Map: Where is Guizhou Located on a Map
Guizhou Province is located in southwest China, inland and surrounded by mountains.
On the map, Guizhou sits right among some of China's most popular destinations: to the north are Chongqing and Sichuan Province, to the west is Yunnan Province, to the east is Hunan Province (home to Zhangjiajie), and to the south is Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (home to Guilin).
From a broader perspective, the distance from Southeast Asia to Guizhou is roughly similar to that from Shanghai to Guizhou.
Major popular destinations such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh City all have direct flights to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou.
The capital, Guiyang, sits near the center of the province and serves as the main gateway, with excellent connections by high-speed rail and air.
Guizhou Province Map with Cities: Where to Go in Guizhou
Once you've found Guizhou on the map, the next question is simple: where should you actually go?
Guizhou isn't about big cities—it's all about mountains, ethnic culture, and hidden villages. The best way to understand it? Break it down by key cities and areas.
| Region | Cities / Areas | What to See | Travel Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Guizhou | Guiyang, Anshun | Huangguoshu Waterfall | Transport hub + classic highlights |
| East Guizhou | Kaili, Rongjiang County, Congjiang County | Miao & Dong villages, terraces | Ethnic culture, slow travel |
| South Guizhou | Libo County | Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area | Nature, emerald rivers, karst |
| West Guizhou | Xingyi | Wanfenglin (karst peaks) | Dramatic landscapes, less crowded |
| North Guizhou | Zunyi | Historic sites | Culture + history |
| Northeast Guizhou | Tongren | Fanjingshan | Sacred mountains, hiking |
| Northwest Guizhou | Bijie | Grasslands, caves | Off-the-beaten-path |
Guizhou Attractions Map: What to See in Guizhou
Now that you've got a sense of where things are in Guizhou, let's talk about the fun part: what's actually worth seeing?
Guizhou is one of those places that surprises people—in a good way. It's not just classic sights, but also ethnic culture, wild landscapes, caves, and even massive modern engineering projects.
| Type | Highlights | Why It's Interesting |
|---|---|---|
| Water Fun | Huangguoshu Waterfall, Libo Xiaoqikong, Chishui Danxia, Malinghe Canyon | Iconic landscapes, easy to access, great first impression |
| Mountains & Hiking | Fanjingshan, Wanfenglin | Dramatic views, sacred peaks, unique geology |
| Ethnic Villages & Towns | Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Zhaoxing Dong Village; Qingyan Ancient Town, Wujiang Village, Jiabang Rice Terrace | Multi-ethnic culture, festivals, traditional life |
| Engineering (Hidden Wow Factor) | Huajiang Canyon Bridge, China Sky Eye, Beipanjiang Bridge | One of the world's highest bridges—wild scenery + modern China |
| Caves & Karst Exploration | Zhijin Cave, Longgong Caves, Shuanghe Cave | Massive underground worlds, great for adventure lovers |
- Ethnic villages are everywhere – Many were hidden in the mountains for centuries and only recently became accessible. They're the best places to experience local life and minority cultures.
- Karst landscape = adventure – Guizhou's terrain creates waterfalls, caves, and canyons, making it ideal for rafting, caving, and via ferrata.
- "Bridge Museum of China" – Guizhou is famous for its huge canyon bridges, offering incredible views and a unique mix of nature and engineering.
- Guizhou is a summer retreat – Its temperatures during the summer are 5 to 10 degrees lower than those in cities like Shanghai, and it remains relatively cool in the mornings and evenings.
Train Map: Guizhou Map with High Speed Railways
Looking at this map, you might be surprised—so many high-speed rail lines weaving through Guizhou's mountains.
But here's something even more surprising: before December 2014, Guizhou had ZERO high-speed railways.
Today, the network is centered on Guiyang, with major lines spreading out in multiple directions, plus several branch routes reaching deeper into the province. This makes it incredibly easy to travel between cities, scenic areas, and ethnic villages.
The table below shows the main railway corridors to help you plan your journey:
| Direction | Main Route | Open Time |
|---|---|---|
| East | Guiyang – Kaili – (Changsha – Shanghai) Branch: Yuping → Tongren (Fanjingshan) | Jun, 2015 |
| Southwest | Guiyang – Anshun – (Kunming) Branch: Anshun → Liupanshui; Panzhou → Xingyi | Dec, 2016 |
| Southeast | Guiyang – Duyun – Rongjiang – (Guilin – Guangzhou) Branch: Duyun → Libo → Nanning | Dec, 2024 |
| North | Guiyang – Zunyi – (Chongqing) | Jan, 2018 |
| Northwest | Guiyang – Bijie – (Yibin – Chengdu) | Dec, 2019 |
- Most popular tourist destinations (Kaili/Xijiang, Libo, Tongren/Fanjingshan, Anshun/Huangguoshu) are directly accessible by high-speed rail.
- Guiyang is the core transfer hub with 2 bullet train stations: Guiyang North and Guiyang East; you can reach any major scenic area within 1–3 hours.
- Book tickets 2 week in advance during holidays, as routes between scenic spots fill up quickly.
- Many stations are a short bus or taxi ride away from the actual attractions.
Travel Map: 3 Popular Travel Routes in Guizhou
Although Guizhou now has an extensive high-speed rail network, many of its most beautiful places—ethnic villages, waterfalls, and canyon landscapes—are still best explored by road.
This is where travel routes become especially important.
Classic Guizhou Route (6 Days)
Guiyang → Anshun → Kaili → Zhenyuan → Fanjingshan → Guiyang
This is the most popular introduction to Guizhou. It combines natural scenery + one ethnic village experience, making it ideal for first-time visitors.
- Guiyang: entry point and transport hub
- Huangguoshu Waterfall (near Anshun): Guizhou's most iconic waterfall
- Langde Miao Village: Miao ethnic minority Village, wooden stilt villages
- Zhenyuan Ancient Town: riverside ancient town with historic charm
- Fanjingshan: UNESCO World Heritage mountain and must-see highlight
Best for: first-time travelers, classic landscapes, easy loop itinerary
6 Days Popular Guizhou Tour: Huangguoshu, Fanjingshan & Kaili Miao Villages
Guiyang - Anshun - Kaili - Zhenyuan - Fanjingshan - Guiyang
Southeast Extension Route (to Guilin)
Guiyang → Kaili → Rongjiang → Congjiang → Zhaoxing → Guilin
This route goes deeper into ethnic minority regions, especially Miao and Dong villages, before continuing to Guangxi.
- Famous for: wooden stilt villages, drum towers, rice terraces
- Connects naturally to Guilin
Best for: cultural immersion + slow travel
9 Days Guizhou Guilin Tour: Karst Kingdom & Ethnic Villages
Guiyang - Huangguoshu - Kaili - Rongjiang - Zhaoxing - Guilin - Longsheng - Yangshuo - Guilin
Westward Route (to Yunnan)
Guiyang → Anshun → Xingyi → Kunming
This route connects Guizhou with neighboring Yunnan Province, passing through dramatic karst landscapes and quieter natural areas.
- Huangguoshu Waterfall
- Xingyi: famous for Wanfenglin karst peaks
- Final stop: Kunming, gateway to Yunnan
Best for: combining Guizhou + Yunnan in one trip
12 Days Yunnan Guizhou Tour: Panoramic Ethnic Culture
Lijiang - Dali - Kunming - Kaili - Zhaoxing - Congjiang - Rongjiang - Huangguoshu - Guiyang
