With a city of big, leafy parks, a richly diverse cultural makeup and year-round mild weather, it's little wonder that Guiyang's people are reputed among their fellow Chinese to be among China's mellowest. Guiyang people are friendly folks, it seems, who eat well, occasionally sleep in late, and are known to stay out late, too. And thought the reputation often holds true enough, Guiyang's vibrancy and modernity can be quite an eye opener, especially when you consider that it is the capital of one of the poorest and most isolated provinces in China. A big part of Guiyang's current success story is the city's ability to balance nature and commerce--not something that many other parts of development-driven China can boast of. In fact, Guiyang is increasingly recognized nationally for its sustainability and "green" credentials, and does indeed offer visitors a numbe... more >>

Situated among the limestone karst landforms characteristic of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and the watersheds the Pearl and Yangtze rivers, Anshun is an excellent base for visiting some of Guizhou's finest caves and waterfalls, as well as the villages of the Bouyei (Buyei) people, known for their batik fabrics, sturdy and attractive stone-and-slate houses, animistic religion and customary loose-fitting blue-dyed clothing. The town of Anshun itself is pleasant enough, though short on historical attractions of note beyond the impressive Wen Miao (Confucius Temple), it's stunningly ornate statues and lintel stones slightly dischevelled from overgrowths of moss and grass. Quiet and charming, it's a great place to enjoy a cup of local tea. Most travelers visit for the promise of easy access to Huangguoshu Falls—China's largest waterfall—and the... more >>