Guiyang Three-Day Travel Photography Journal

Upon arriving in Guiyang, the warm, humid breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees. Taking a taxi straight from the high-speed rail station to Huan Zhu Hotel at No. 31 Huguo Road, I was immediately impressed by the “quiet amidst the bustle” location—the Jiaxiu Tower is just a 5-minute walk away, and opposite is Minsheng Road Food Street, making it perfect for a travel photography plan focused on “shooting while strolling”. When checking in, the warm water handed over by the front desk relieved my travel fatigue. The cinematic bathtub design and high-definition projector in the room were eye-catching, and with a gentle press of the smart control system, the lights dimmed, as if setting the perfect mood for rest after the shoot.

Day 1: Ancient Tower Nightscape and Old Town Life

After dropping off my luggage, I headed straight to Jiaxiu Tower, where the setting sun cast a warm golden outline on this Ming Dynasty wooden pavilion. Walking along the Nanming River toward Xihu Road, I set up my camera on the stone bridge behind Cuiwei Garden. The stone railing served as the foreground, the flying eaves as the background, and the shimmering reflections of the pavilion in the water appeared faint and mysterious. There was no need to deliberately avoid crowds; this lesser-known spot always captures the unique tranquility of the ancient tower. At 7:30 PM, when the lights came on, the warm yellow glow outlined the exquisite lines of the pavilion. Then I moved to a low angle by the riverside railing on Xihu Road to capture the symmetrical composition of the “Twin Towers Reflecting the Moon.” The river water fragmented the lights, making every frame look like a classic ancient-style masterpiece.

As night deepened, I followed the aroma and turned into Minsheng Road opposite the hotel. Jiang’s spicy pork intestine noodles glistened under the lights, the crispy sausage and blood curd collided with rich flavors in the bowl, paired with a bowl of icy sweet rose jelly, creating a wonderful balance of spicy and sweet on the tongue. Back at the hotel, warm silver ear soup was already prepared by the bedside. Soaking in the bathtub while reviewing the day’s photos, the light and shadow from the projector blended with the night outside the window, washing away all the day’s fatigue.

Day 2: Canyon Wonders and Pastoral Poetry

Woken by the lively morning atmosphere downstairs at the hotel, I walked to Huguo Road to buy a portion of Aunt Mao’s glutinous rice. The fragrant oil and soft glutinous rice melted in my mouth, making me understand why old Guiyang locals line up early for it. Then I drove to Huaxi Yelang Valley, where the stone buildings on the karst landscape exuded mystery. The blue-gray stones entwined with vines, sunlight filtering through the gaps cast mottled shadows. Whether shooting the entire stone fortress from below or close-ups of the carvings, everything had a vintage filter feel, as if traveling back to ancient Yelang times.

In the afternoon, I moved to Tianhetan. The calcified waterfall flowed slowly along the rock layers, and the mist formed rainbows in the sunlight. Taking a boat into the cave, the stalactites changed colors under the lights. The ripples stirred by the boat’s bow broke the water’s reflection, and the moment the shutter clicked, light and shadow froze into poetry through the lens. On the way back at dusk, I deliberately stopped by Huaxi Park. The weeping willows by the river and the pristine pastoral scenery slowed my pace. I casually took a series of backlit silhouettes; the evening breeze was filled with the freshness of grass and trees.

Day 3: Mountain City Overlook and Cloudscape Night View

The last day was reserved for Qianling Mountain Park, where the morning forest was full of birdsong. Climbing the stone steps to the top pavilion, I looked out over Guiyang city nestled among the mountains. Red tiles and green trees intertwined, the Nanming River flowed through the city like a ribbon. A telephoto lens could capture the distant Twin Towers and the nearby temple eaves in one frame. On the way down, I encountered a troop of macaques. Unafraid of visitors, their poses perched on branches added a lively touch to the photos.

In the afternoon, I rested at a café on Taiping Road. The vintage storefront complemented the artistic neighborhood perfectly, and a cup of coffee was enough time to shoot a lazy citywalk masterpiece. As night fell, I went to Huaguoyuan to wait for the 9:00 PM light show under the Twin Towers. The dazzling lights flowed among the skyscrapers, echoing the “White House” night view in the distance. Using long exposure, I recorded the modern vitality of this mountain city.

On the day I left Guiyang, I bought several bags of Guizhou’s specialty chili powder at the convenience store downstairs as souvenirs. Looking back at this city embraced by mountains and rivers, the night shadows of Jiaxiu Tower, the stone fortress of Yelang Valley, the morning mist of Qianling Mountain, and the just-right warmth of Huan Zhu Hotel were all stored in my camera’s memory card. The scenery here is never about dazzling spectacle but about poetic moments woven into everyday life, making you cherish the gentle charm of this mountain city no matter how far you go.

Post by Roberts Anthony Tony | Oct 25, 2025