Just got back from Guiyang, here are some blunt truths

Guiyang in September is like nature secretly turning on the air conditioning! With an average temperature of 23°C, a faint osmanthus fragrance in the air, karst landscapes, and spicy and sour cuisine all at once—this city really has something special!

🌸 Super detailed 3-day itinerary
🏔 Day 1: City mountains and waters · Ancient charm meets everyday life

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Morning: Head straight to Qianling Park (free!), watch macaques playing in the forest (hide your snacks!), take the cable car to the top for a panoramic view of Guiyang, and feel the temperature drop 5°C with the mountain breeze～
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Noon: Must-eat Chongwang Noodles at the foot of the mountain! Red oil soup base with crispy sausage, spicy and refreshing! If you can’t handle spice, choose beef noodles or sour noodles
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Afternoon: Check in at Jiaxiu Tower (free reservation), a Ming Dynasty ancient tower + the clear waves of Nanming River, wearing Hanfu for photos is amazing! The nearby Wenchang Pavilion and Confucian Temple alley are full of charm
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Evening: Qingyun Market night market kicks off! Challenge yourself with fish mint milk tea, love tofu balls bursting with filling, silk rolls wrapped with wild vegetables… eat to your heart’s content for about 30 yuan per person!
🏯 Day 2: Thousand-year stone charm · Enter the magical border town

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Morning: Qingyan Ancient Town (ticket ¥10), a 600-year-old stone fortress! Enter from the north gate and start with braised pig’s feet and rose jelly, rent Miao ethnic costumes for instant time travel photos
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Noon: Eat rice cake porridge or Qingyan pig’s trotters inside the ancient town, sticky and fragrant
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Afternoon: Rush to Yelang Valley! An exotic planet created by an artist over 26 years, with totem stone carvings + valley light and shadow, bright-colored long skirts make for stunning photos
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Evening: The night view of Huaguoyuan White Palace is stunning! Golden lights with European architecture, many say on Trip.com it looks like a fairy tale castle, nearby food recommendations include sour soup beef and baked pot

💦 Day 3: Secret realm crossing · Ultimate coolness of waterfalls and caves

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Morning: Take a boat tour of the caves at Tianhetan! Stalactites + underground river wonders, walking on the Hundred-Step Bridge is said to grant longevity (believe it!)
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Noon: Eat farmhouse dishes near the scenic area, try freshly caught river seafood
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Afternoon: Stroll through Huaxi Park (free!), with phoenix tree avenue + wetland boardwalk, breathe in the natural oxygen bar to your fill
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Evening: End with the night view of Jiaxiu Tower! The lights reflecting on the river look like a starry river, the nearby "Baozheng" restaurant has great scenic seats
📸 Local must-visit checklist
✅ Attractions

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Qianling Park: Free! Macaques + pandas + lake views, Guiyang locals’ backyard (open 7:00-20:00)
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Qingyan Ancient Town: ¥10! Ming and Qing stone fortress, must try braised pig’s feet and Miao costume photos
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Yelang Valley: Magical stone carving kingdom, best light and shadow at 4 PM
✅ Food streets

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Qingyun Market: Fish mint milk tea + barbecue + silk rolls, night market full of lively atmosphere
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Minsheng Road/Zhengxin Street: Gathering place for famous old brands of Chongwang noodles, tofu balls, and crispy duck
✅ Restaurant recommendations

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Guichu Sour Soup Beef: Sour soup hotpot with fresh beef, free vegetable refills! Very popular at Huaguoyuan branch
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Lei’s Tofu Balls: Crispy outside, tender and bursting inside, dipping in fish mint sauce is addictive
🏨 Accommodation recommendations
👉 Water Fountain Area (convenient transportation)

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Atour Light Stay Guiyang Water Fountain Hotel: Instagram style + free coffee bar, Trip.com rating 4.7, super convenient walking distance to Jiaxiu Tower
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A Forest Youth Hostel: ¥40/bed! 30 meters from the subway entrance, best value for money
🚌 【Transportation tips】

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Use the "Yiying Qianxing" mini program to scan QR codes on buses
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Qianling Park: Metro Line 1, Bageyan Station Exit C
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Qingyan Ancient Town: Direct bus 210/203
🍜 5 must-try foods

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Sour Soup Fish: The fermented sour and spicy soup base is refreshing, fish meat so tender it melts in your mouth!
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Silk Rolls: Thin pancakes wrapped with a dozen kinds of vegetables, drizzled with sour and spicy sauce, crispy crunch
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Tofu Balls: Lei’s signature! Golden crispy skin with bursting filling, the dipping sauce is the soul
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Chongwang Noodles: Alkaline noodles + pig’s blood + crispy sausage, red oil so fragrant you’ll lick the bowl
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Rice Cake Porridge: Qingyan Ancient Town exclusive! Glutinous rice flour + rose sugar + nutty aroma, a sweet tooth’s delight
💸 3-day expense summary
Tickets: Qianling free + Qingyan ¥10 + Yelang Valley ¥20 ≈ ¥30
Food: Average ¥120/day (snacks + meals) × 3 days ≈ ¥360
Accommodation: Hostel bed ¥40/night × 2 nights ≈ ¥80
Transportation: Bus + taxi ≈ ¥100
Total ≈ ¥570 — Feels like trading the price of a bottle of perfume for a magical trip!

😭 Hardship: Fish mint attacks are unavoidable! One bite tastes like a lifetime of fish mint, if you can’t eat it, be sure to say so in advance

✨ Tips: Friendly reminders

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Lots of mountain roads! Be sure to wear non-slip shoes
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Student discounts at attractions! Bring your ID
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Guiyang East Station is far from downtown, buy tickets for Guiyang North Station

This trip felt like a filter was applied—healed by mountains and waters during the day, captured by food at night, even getting caught in the rain became a funny memory! The only regret is my stomach was too small to hold all the snacks😭 Any experts have hidden tips? Please share in the comments!