Guiding is truly a "23°C Miao Mountain Slow City overshadowed by the fame of Libo".
Hey everyone! Don't just squeeze into Libo and Huangguoshu Waterfalls in July and August. Head to Guiding (a small Miao town in Qiannan, near Guiyang, with a temperature of 23°C) for three days of pure relaxation – that's true relaxation. The town is at an altitude of just over 1000 meters, with an average summer temperature of 23°C 🔥 (you'll need a light jacket in the mornings and evenings, and it's not even 27°C at noon). It's a 20-40 minute high-speed train ride from Guiyang North (costing 23-30 yuan), and prices are so low that you can eat your fill of noodles for just 10 yuan. This travel guide focuses on "escaping the scorching sun during the day, leisurely strolling through Yinzhai and Ganxi, free forest relaxation, and indulging in beef noodles, Shilin sesame flatbread, and a hot pot feast." No special forces required; let's relax and enjoy the slow pace of life at Dumuhe! 💕🌿
💰 Budget Reference (3 days 2 nights, summer low-cost version)
· Accommodation: Budget hotels in Guiding County (Jinduqiao/Old Town) approximately 100-150 RMB/night (Home Inn/Hanting 130-180 RMB, hostel beds 50-70 RMB, stay within a 10-minute walk of a noodle shop in the Old Town).
· Food: Beef noodles (10-15 RMB) + Shilin sesame flatbread (5 RMB) + small portion of hot pot feast (approximately 30-40 RMB each, split the bill) + sweet rice cake (5 RMB), 35-50 RMB per person/day.
· Transportation: Round-trip high-speed rail from Guiyang North to Guiding North costs approximately 46-60 yuan; city bus fare is 2 yuan + taxi fare (starting price 8 yuan); shared ride to Jinhai Snow Mountain Yinzhai costs approximately 30-50 yuan; direct bus to Ganxi/Yangbaoshan; shared ride to Lali Terraces costs approximately 20 yuan. Budget: 60 yuan (main transportation) + 30 yuan for city transportation + 50 yuan for shared rides.
· Entrance Fees: Jinhai Snow Mountain Yinzhai/Ganxi Forest Park/Yangbaoshan/Lali Terraces/Moon Mountain Park/Jinjiang Bridge River Trail/Old Town West Gate Bridge Snack Street are all free; Swallow Cave exploration costs 398 yuan (free for taking photos of the cave entrance only, not optional); Gelugesang Grand View Garden offers free entry to the outer perimeter (performances are separate); Luobei River rafting will be suspended in 2026, so don't waste your trip; budget: 0 yuan.
· Total: 140-240 yuan (purely free attractions + round-trip high-speed rail from Guiyang) for a very chill trip!
🏔️ Recommended Attractions (All Free, Perfect for Summer Retreat)
1. Jinhai Snow Mountain & Yinzhai Village (Panjiang Town, 0 RMB, 600-year-old Buyi Ancient Village, Dumu River winding through the village + bluestone alleys + stilted houses, green rice paddies instead of spring flowers in July-August, best to visit at 8 am for morning mist or 5 pm for sunset) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlights: 0 RMB! No need to buy the Four Seasons Flower Valley ticket, just sit on the stone pier at the village entrance to watch the white ducks swim, wear light blue cotton and linen with blue tiles for great photos, and watch the old lady at the village entrance sell colorful sticky rice for 5 RMB~🏘️
· How to Visit: Return to town to relax from 12:30-15:30, take photos of the sunset and stilted houses after 5 pm, no private courtyards.
2. Ganxi Forest Park (Opposite National Highway 210, 0 yuan, 91%+ forest coverage, pine resin trail, birdsong, extremely high negative oxygen ion levels, shaded area from 10 AM to 3 PM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlight: Free natural air conditioning! The 3km trail near the county town is gentle and easy to walk on. Even at midday when it's hottest, it feels like you're in air conditioning. Bring a bottle of water and sit in the pavilion to listen to the rustling pines~🌲
· Cost: 0 yuan (direct bus access).
· How to enjoy: Go in the afternoon, without taking the electric cart.
3. Yangbaoshan + Old Town Stroll (Opposite the city center, 0 yuan, low-intensity 20-minute hike to the summit for panoramic city views + ancient temple ruins, sea of clouds at 6 AM or lights on at 7 PM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlight: 0 yuan! Avoid the crowds at Fanjingshan, enjoy a less-traveled panoramic view of Guiding City from Yangbaoshan, and stroll along the Jinjiang Bridge on the way down – locals sit on the bridge railing in the evening, drinking plum juice and enjoying the breeze; the 23°C evening breeze is absolutely amazing! 🏛️
· Cost: 0 yuan.
· How to do it: Go at 6 am or 7 pm, no night hike.
4. Lali Terraces + Feixiji Hostel (Dingnan direction, 0 yuan entry to the terraces, layers of green waves + mountainside cafe for photos of the "Sky City" view, go after 4:30 pm) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlights: 0 yuan! In July and August, the rice leaves reflect light like shattered mirrors. Sit and relax at the hostel above the terraces with a cup of prickly pear tea – ten times quieter than the trendy villages! 🌾
· Cost: 0 yuan (shared ride 20 yuan/person).
· How to do it: After 4:30 pm, the sunlight is low, avoid walking on the paddy field ridges.
5. Liaomi River Broken Bridge (Yunwu Town, 0 RMB, pristine river valley + filming location for the movie "Four Crossings", wading in shallow water + silhouette photos on the broken bridge, cool shade from 10-15 PM) & Ximen Bridge Snack Street (0 RMB to browse, ice sauce + Aunt Zhu's potatoes + Guanwai Street potstickers) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlights: Liaomi River is less crowded and the water is clear; the broken bridge with reeds is perfect for photos; ice sauce at Ximen Bridge is 5 RMB in the evening to cool off~💧
· Cost: 0 RMB.
· How to play: Go along the way, but don't wade too deep; don't go into the water after rain when the river is high.
🗺️ Travel Itinerary (3-day slow travel version, July-August summer retreat)
Day 1: First Impression of the Old Town, River Breeze and Sunset
· Morning: Arrive in Guiding North by high-speed rail from Guiyang → Check into the old town. Go to Wu Ji Beef Noodles (next to ICBC) for beef noodles + spicy sauce + mint (about 15 RMB) for brunch.
· Afternoon: 🔥12:30-15:30 Sleep in during the hottest part/binge-watch TV at the hotel/linger in the shade of Ganxi (visit Yangbaoshan at 9 pm first)!
· Evening: Enjoy the evening breeze at Jinjiang Bridge → Eat Shilin sesame cakes + ice sauce + Aunt Zhu's potatoes at Ximen Bridge Snack Street (approx. 15 yuan) → Rest early.
Day 2: Buyi Countryside · Forest Oxygen Bar
· Morning: 8:00 Share a ride to Yinzhai → Take a 1-hour ride to Dumuheba to photograph the morning mist → 9:30 Walk along the outer edge of Jinhai Snow Mountain → 10:30 Return to the city for lunch break.
· Afternoon: 15:30 Go to the shaded trail of Ganxi Forest Park → Hike up the small hill at Moon Mountain Park along the way.
· Evening: Return to the city and eat a small portion of Manchengxiang Hot Pot (approx. 30-40 yuan each, split the bill) + sweet rice cake → Rest early.
Day 3: Leisurely Stroll Through the Terraced Fields & Return Trip
· Morning: Wake up naturally → Don't go to the Lali Terraced Fields before 4:30 PM, go earlier at 9 AM to photograph the green waves → Buy Yunwu Gongcha/dried prickly pear at the farmers' market along the way.
· Lunch: Eat Zhang Ji's grilled beef skewers + glutinous rice → Buy souvenirs (Shilin sesame seed cake/Miao Girl chili/Liver-nourishing herb) → Take the high-speed train back to Guiyang.
🍜 Food Recommendations (Must-Eat List - Eat in the order of the old streets!)
· Beef Rice Noodles/Lamb Rice Noodles (Wu Ji/Youyi Old Shop - Beef bone broth + large chunks of meat + spicy sauce + mint - 10-15 yuan/bowl - Breakfast staple) & Shilin Sesame Seed Cakes (Jinduqiao/Shijiacheng - Charcoal-grilled and crispy with minced meat and pickled chili - 5 yuan/each) & Guanwai Street Potstickers (Crispy bottom and bursting with juice - 5 yuan/50g) 🥣
· Cost: Rice noodles 10-15 yuan, sesame seed cake 5 yuan.
· **One Pot of Fragrance (Full City Fragrance: Potatoes + Pork Belly + Tofu + Houttuynia cordata Dipping Sauce, Small Portion for 2 (Splitting) 30-40 RMB, a main dish for entertaining guests)** & **Zhang Ji Roasted Beef (Freshly Sliced Yellow Beef, Charcoal Grilled, Skewers 1-2 RMB/skewer)** & **Buyi Eight Bowls (Stewed Pig's Trotters with Beans and Rice/Sticky Rice, Small Portion 30-50 RMB)** 🐂
· **Reminder:** One Pot of Fragrance tastes best with the spicy Houttuynia cordata sauce. Don't order too much if you're only two people.
· **Cost:** One Pot of Fragrance (Splitting) 30-40 RMB (Splitting)
· **Sweet Rice Cake (Glutinous Rice Balls + Sweet Rice Wine, 5 RMB/bowl)** & **Ximenqiao Iced Sauce (Crushed Peanuts + Hawthorn, 5 RMB/cup)** & **Aunt Zhu's Potatoes (Fried Potatoes with Houttuynia cordata, 8 RMB)** 🥢
· **Recommendation:** Sweet Rice Cake is refreshing and helps relieve the spiciness. Iced Sauce is perfect for an afternoon treat.
· **Cost:** Snacks total 15-20 RMB.
· Souvenirs: Yunwu Gongcha (small box NT$40-60) / Shilin Shaobing (vacuum-packed) / Miao Guniang Crispy Spicy Cake / Yigancao (liver-nourishing herb) - go to the Old Town Farmers Market / Jinduqiao Grocery Store. Don't buy the "Fresh Flower Cake" at the high-speed rail station (priced 3 times higher).
💡 Tips
· Weather: July-August, daytime 24-27℃ / evening 18-20℃⛈️☀️, frequent showers! SPF50+ sunscreen + light jacket (cool evening breeze in Yangbaoshan/Ganxi) + folding umbrella + non-slip shoes (slippery cobblestones after rain), bring mosquito repellent for the terraced fields.
· Summer Heat Avoidance Rules: ❄️Strictly adhere to hotel/Ganxi shaded areas from 12:30-15:30. Go to Yinzhai/Yangbaoshan before 8:00 AM or leave for Lali/Ximen Bridge after 4:30 PM! The midday sun reflects off the rice paddies, and the UV rays are still harmful.
· Transportation: ✅ Guiyang North → Guiding North High-Speed Railway: 20-40 minutes, 23-30 RMB; Jinhai Snow Mountain Yinzhai shared ride: 30-50 RMB (please specify "only visit the village, not the flower valley"); Luobei River rafting will be suspended in 2026, so don't go; Swallow Cave: free for outside photos only, cave exploration is 398 RMB, not an option.
· Cultural Respect: In Yinzhai, do not enter private courtyards or step on drying grounds; when taking photos of Buyi grandmothers, smile first; at Yangbaoshan Ancient Temple, do not step on the threshold; at Lali Terraces, do not step on the field ridges; at Jinjiang Bridge, do not climb over the railings.
· Shopping: For sesame cakes, look for the old stalls at Jinduqiao/Shijiacheng; when buying tribute tea at the farmers' market, look for the "Yunwu" origin; the "9.9 RMB for three boxes of chicken cakes" in front of the train station is mostly fake.
Guiding truly lives up to its reputation as a "23°C Miao Mountain Slow Town overshadowed by Libo"—it boasts the evening breeze of Dumuhe, the pine resin of Ganxi, the aroma of Shilin sesame cakes, and the green tiles of Yinzhai. Just an hour from Guiyang, yet with summer temperatures of 23°C and surprisingly affordable prices 💕 Pack a light jacket and relax in Guiding!
Girls! Don't just squeeze into Libo and Huangguoshu Waterfalls in July and August; head to Guiding (a 23°C Miao Mountain town near Guiyang in Qiannan) for three days of true relaxation. The county seat is at an altitude of just over 1000m, with an average summer temperature of 23°C 🔥 (a light jacket is needed in the mornings and evenings, and it doesn't even reach 27°C at midday). It's a 20-40 minute high-speed train ride from Guiyang North (costing 23-30 yuan), and prices are so low that noodles are as cheap as 10 yuan for a filling meal. This travel guide focuses on "escaping the scorching sun during the day, leisurely strolling through Yinzhai and Ganxi, free forest relaxation, and indulging in beef noodles, Shilin sesame flatbread, and a hot pot feast." No special forces required; let's relax and enjoy the slow pace of life at Dumuhe! 💕🌿
💰 Budget Reference (3 days 2 nights, summer low-cost version)
· Accommodation: Budget hotels in Guiding County (Jinduqiao/Old Town) approximately 100-150 RMB/night (Home Inn/Hanting 130-180 RMB, hostel beds 50-70 RMB, stay within a 10-minute walk of a noodle shop in the Old Town).
· Food: Beef noodles (10-15 RMB) + Shilin sesame flatbread (5 RMB) + small portion of hot pot feast (approximately 30-40 RMB each, split the bill) + sweet rice cake (5 RMB), 35-50 RMB per person/day.
· Transportation: Round-trip high-speed rail from Guiyang North to Guiding North costs approximately 46-60 yuan; city bus fare is 2 yuan + taxi fare (starting price 8 yuan); shared ride to Jinhai Snow Mountain Yinzhai costs approximately 30-50 yuan; direct bus to Ganxi/Yangbaoshan; shared ride to Lali Terraces costs approximately 20 yuan. Budget: 60 yuan (main transportation) + 30 yuan for city transportation + 50 yuan for shared rides.
· Entrance Fees: Jinhai Snow Mountain Yinzhai/Ganxi Forest Park/Yangbaoshan/Lali Terraces/Moon Mountain Park/Jinjiang Bridge River Trail/Old Town West Gate Bridge Snack Street are all free; Swallow Cave exploration costs 398 yuan (free for taking photos of the cave entrance only, not optional); Gelugesang Grand View Garden offers free entry to the outer perimeter (performances are separate); Luobei River rafting will be suspended in 2026, so don't waste your trip; budget: 0 yuan.
· Total: 140-240 yuan (purely free attractions + round-trip high-speed rail from Guiyang) for a very chill trip!
🏔️ Recommended Attractions (All Free, Perfect for Summer Retreat)
1. Jinhai Snow Mountain & Yinzhai Village (Panjiang Town, 0 RMB, 600-year-old Buyi Ancient Village, Dumu River winding through the village + bluestone alleys + stilted houses, green rice paddies instead of spring flowers in July-August, best to visit at 8 am for morning mist or 5 pm for sunset) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlights: 0 RMB! No need to buy the Four Seasons Flower Valley ticket, just sit on the stone pier at the village entrance to watch the white ducks swim, wear light blue cotton and linen with blue tiles for great photos, and watch the old lady at the village entrance sell colorful sticky rice for 5 RMB~🏘️
· How to Visit: Return to town to relax from 12:30-15:30, take photos of the sunset and stilted houses after 5 pm, no private courtyards.
2. Ganxi Forest Park (Opposite National Highway 210, 0 yuan, 91%+ forest coverage, pine resin trail, birdsong, extremely high negative oxygen ion levels, shaded area from 10 AM to 3 PM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlight: Free natural air conditioning! The 3km trail near the county town is gentle and easy to walk on. Even at midday when it's hottest, it feels like you're in air conditioning. Bring a bottle of water and sit in the pavilion to listen to the rustling pines~🌲
· Cost: 0 yuan (direct bus access).
· How to enjoy: Go in the afternoon, without taking the electric cart.
3. Yangbaoshan + Old Town Stroll (Opposite the city center, 0 yuan, low-intensity 20-minute hike to the summit for panoramic city views + ancient temple ruins, sea of clouds at 6 AM or lights on at 7 PM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlight: 0 yuan! Avoid the crowds at Fanjingshan, enjoy a less-traveled panoramic view of Guiding City from Yangbaoshan, and stroll along the Jinjiang Bridge on the way down – locals sit on the bridge railing in the evening, drinking plum juice and enjoying the breeze; the 23°C evening breeze is absolutely amazing! 🏛️
· Cost: 0 yuan.
· How to do it: Go at 6 am or 7 pm, no night hike.
4. Lali Terraces + Feixiji Hostel (Dingnan direction, 0 yuan entry to the terraces, layers of green waves + mountainside cafe for photos of the "Sky City" view, go after 4:30 pm) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlights: 0 yuan! In July and August, the rice leaves reflect light like shattered mirrors. Sit and relax at the hostel above the terraces with a cup of prickly pear tea – ten times quieter than the trendy villages! 🌾
· Cost: 0 yuan (shared ride 20 yuan/person).
· How to do it: After 4:30 pm, the sunlight is low, avoid walking on the paddy field ridges.
5. Liaomi River Broken Bridge (Yunwu Town, 0 RMB, pristine river valley + filming location for the movie "Four Crossings", wading in shallow water + silhouette photos on the broken bridge, cool shade from 10-15 PM) & Ximen Bridge Snack Street (0 RMB to browse, ice sauce + Aunt Zhu's potatoes + Guanwai Street potstickers) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
· Highlights: Liaomi River is less crowded and the water is clear; the broken bridge with reeds is perfect for photos; ice sauce at Ximen Bridge is 5 RMB in the evening to cool off~💧
· Cost: 0 RMB.
· How to play: Go along the way, but don't wade too deep; don't go into the water after rain when the river is high.
🗺️ Travel Itinerary (3-day slow travel version, July-August summer retreat)
Day 1: First Impression of the Old Town, River Breeze and Sunset
· Morning: Arrive in Guiding North by high-speed rail from Guiyang → Check into the old town. Go to Wu Ji Beef Noodles (next to ICBC) for beef noodles + spicy sauce + mint (about 15 RMB) for brunch.
· Afternoon: 🔥12:30-15:30 Sleep in during the hottest part/binge-watch TV at the hotel/linger in the shade of Ganxi (visit Yangbaoshan at 9 pm first)!
· Evening: Enjoy the evening breeze at Jinjiang Bridge → Eat Shilin sesame cakes + ice sauce + Aunt Zhu's potatoes at Ximen Bridge Snack Street (approx. 15 yuan) → Rest early.
Day 2: Buyi Countryside · Forest Oxygen Bar
· Morning: 8:00 Share a ride to Yinzhai → Take a 1-hour ride to Dumuheba to photograph the morning mist → 9:30 Walk along the outer edge of Jinhai Snow Mountain → 10:30 Return to the city for lunch break.
· Afternoon: 15:30 Go to the shaded trail of Ganxi Forest Park → Hike up the small hill at Moon Mountain Park along the way.
· Evening: Return to the city and eat a small portion of Manchengxiang Hot Pot (approx. 30-40 yuan each, split the bill) + sweet rice cake → Rest early.
Day 3: Leisurely Stroll Through the Terraced Fields & Return Trip
· Morning: Wake up naturally → Don't go to the Lali Terraced Fields before 4:30 PM, go earlier at 9 AM to photograph the green waves → Buy Yunwu Gongcha/dried prickly pear at the farmers' market along the way.
· Lunch: Eat Zhang Ji's grilled beef skewers + glutinous rice → Buy souvenirs (Shilin sesame seed cake/Miao Girl chili/Liver-nourishing herb) → Take the high-speed train back to Guiyang.
🍜 Food Recommendations (Must-Eat List - Eat in the order of the old streets!)
· Beef Rice Noodles/Lamb Rice Noodles (Wu Ji/Youyi Old Shop - Beef bone broth + large chunks of meat + spicy sauce + mint - 10-15 yuan/bowl - Breakfast staple) & Shilin Sesame Seed Cakes (Jinduqiao/Shijiacheng - Charcoal-grilled and crispy with minced meat and pickled chili - 5 yuan/each) & Guanwai Street Potstickers (Crispy bottom and bursting with juice - 5 yuan/50g) 🥣
· Cost: Rice noodles 10-15 yuan, sesame seed cake 5 yuan.
· **One Pot of Fragrance (Full City Fragrance: Potatoes + Pork Belly + Tofu + Houttuynia cordata Dipping Sauce, Small Portion for 2 (Splitting) 30-40 RMB, a main dish for entertaining guests)** & **Zhang Ji Roasted Beef (Freshly Sliced Yellow Beef, Charcoal Grilled, Skewers 1-2 RMB/skewer)** & **Buyi Eight Bowls (Stewed Pig's Trotters with Beans and Rice/Sticky Rice, Small Portion 30-50 RMB)** 🐂
· **Reminder:** One Pot of Fragrance tastes best with the spicy Houttuynia cordata sauce. Don't overdo it with the small portion for two people!
· **Cost:** One Pot of Fragrance (Splitting) 30-40 RMB (Splitting)
· **Sweet Rice Cake (Glutinous Rice Balls + Sweet Rice Wine, 5 RMB/bowl)** & **Ximenqiao Iced Sauce (Crushed Peanuts + Hawthorn, 5 RMB/cup)** & **Aunt Zhu's Potatoes (Fried Potatoes with Houttuynia cordata, 8 RMB)** 🥢
· **Recommendation:** Sweet Rice Cake is refreshing and helps cut through the spiciness; Iced Sauce is perfect for an afternoon treat!
· **Cost:** Snacks total 15-20 RMB.
· Souvenirs: Yunwu Gongcha (small box NT$40-60) / Shilin Shaobing (vacuum-packed) / Miao Guniang Crispy Spicy Cake / Yigancao (liver-nourishing herb) - go to the Old Town Farmers Market / Jinduqiao Grocery Store. Don't buy the "Fresh Flower Cake" at the high-speed rail station (priced 3 times higher).
💡 Tips
· Weather: July-August, daytime 24-27℃ / evening 18-20℃⛈️☀️, frequent showers! SPF50+ sunscreen + light jacket (cool evening breeze in Yangbaoshan/Ganxi) + folding umbrella + non-slip shoes (slippery cobblestones after rain), bring mosquito repellent for the terraced fields.
· Summer Retreat Rules: ❄️Strictly adhere to hotel/Ganxi shaded areas from 12:30-15:30. Go to Yinzhai/Yangbaoshan before 8:00 AM or leave for Lali/Ximen Bridge after 4:30 PM! The midday sun from the rice paddies and UV rays can still be harmful.
· Transportation: ✅ Guiyang North → Guiding North High-Speed Railway: 20-40 minutes, 23-30 RMB; Jinhai Snow Mountain Yinzhai shared ride: 30-50 RMB (please specify "only visit the village, not the flower valley"); Luobei River rafting will be suspended in 2026, so don't go; Swallow Cave: free for outside photos only, cave exploration is 398 RMB, not an option.
· Cultural Respect: In Yinzhai, do not enter private courtyards or step on drying grounds; when taking photos of Buyi grandmothers, smile first; at Yangbaoshan Ancient Temple, do not step on the threshold; at Lali Terraces, do not step on the field ridges; at Jinjiang Bridge, do not climb over the railings.
· Shopping: For sesame cakes, look for the old stalls at Jinduqiao/Shijiacheng; when buying tribute tea at the farmers' market, look for the "Yunwu" origin; the "9.9 RMB for three boxes of chicken cakes" in front of the train station is mostly fake.
Guiding is truly a "23°C Miao Mountain Slow City overshadowed by Libo"—it has the evening breeze of Dumuhe, the pine scent of Ganxi, the aroma of Shilin sesame cakes, and the green tiles of Yinzhai. It's only 1 hour from Guiyang, but the summer temperature is 23°C and the prices are surprisingly affordable. Bring a light jacket and relax in Guiding!