Nothing kills a great trip faster than getting stuck on a random bus or missing a train to your dream waterfall. That’s why we are here to break down Anshun’s transportation like a local who’s been riding its buses and trains since before Huangguoshu became a viral spot. No jargon, no confusion, just straight-up, actionable tips to get you where you need to go—with time left over for extra dumplings. Let’s hit the road!
Anshun isn’t a tiny village in the middle of nowhere—it’s actually pretty easy to reach from major Chinese cities. Here are your three best bets, ranked by my "expedition-pro" convenience scale:
If we had to pick one way to get to Anshun, it’s the high-speed train. Hands down. Why? Because it’s fast, comfortable, and drops you right in the heart of the city. From Guiyang North Railway Station (Guizhou’s capital), it’s just 40-60 minutes—that’s less time than it takes to watch a episode of your favorite show. Tickets cost around 50-70 yuan (about $7-$10), and you can book them super easily on the Ctrip app or 12306.cn (the official Chinese train site—pro tip: use Google Translate if you don’t read Mandarin).
Pro move: Book your ticket a few days in advance during peak season (March-May, September-November) because these trains fill up faster than a dumpling shop at lunchtime. And when you arrive at Anshun West Railway Station, don’t panic—there are clear signs to buses and taxis, and most staff can point you in the right direction if you ask (just say "downtown" with a smile).
Anshun has its own airport: Huangguoshu Airport.It has direct flights from major cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Beijing. Flights from Guangzhou take about 1.5 hours, and from Beijing, around 3 hours.
Heads up, though: Flights can be more expensive than trains (tickets range from 300-800 yuan depending on the season), and the airport is a bit outside the city—about 10 km from downtown. But don’t worry! There’s an airport bus (Line 1) that goes straight to Anshun Railway Station for 10 yuan, or you can grab a taxi for around 30-40 yuan. Just make sure the taxi driver uses the meter—no "fixed price" nonsense. If they insist, walk away and find another one (there are plenty).
If you’re traveling on a shoestring budget or coming from a nearby city in Guizhou, a long-distance bus is a solid option. Anshun’s main bus station is Anshun Passenger Transport Terminal, with buses from Guiyang (2 hours, 30 yuan), Zunyi (3 hours, 60 yuan), and even Kunming (5 hours, 120 yuan).
Word of warning: Buses are slower than trains, and they can get crowded on weekends. But they’re cheap, and the views along the way (karst mountains, green valleys) are pretty great—so bring a book or your camera. Just don’t forget to check the departure time in advance; some buses only run a few times a day.
Anshun’s downtown isn’t large, but its best attractions (like Huangguoshu and Dragon Palace) are outside the city. Here’s how to zip between them without stress:
For getting around downtown—say, from your hotel to a dumpling shop or the local market—you’ve got three easy choices:
Buses: The cheapest option (2 yuan per ride!). Most downtown routes are straightforward, and there’s a bus map at every stop (though it’s in Chinese—take a photo and use Google Translate to read it). Just wave your phone with a digital payment app (WeChat Pay or Alipay) at the driver, or carry small change.
Taxis: Super convenient for short trips. The starting fare is 8 yuan, and most downtown rides won’t cost more than 15 yuan. Again, always ask for the meter—locals never pay fixed prices, and neither should you. If you don’t speak Mandarin, write down your destination (like "Lao Wang Sour Soup Dumplings") and show it to the driver.
Shared E-Bikes: Our favorite! They’re everywhere downtown, cost 2-3 yuan for 30 minutes, and let you zip through small streets. Just download the app (look for "Meituan" or "Eleme"—they have English versions) , scan the QR code, and go. Pro tip: Wear a helmet (most bikes have one attached) and watch out for pedestrians.
The real magics of Anshun are mostly outside downtown, so here’s how to get to its top attractions:
This is the most popular spot, so there are tons of options:
Tourist Shuttle Bus: The best deal! Take Line 1 from Anshun West Railway Station directly to Huangguoshu Scenic Area. It costs 25 yuan round-trip, runs every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and drops you right at the entrance. No stops, no hassle—this is what we recommend to all my expedition groups.
Taxi: Faster but more expensive. A one-way trip costs around 80-100 yuan. If you’re traveling with 2-3 friends, split the cost—it’s worth it for the convenience.
Group Tour: If you hate planning, book a half-day group tour from downtown. Most include transportation and a ticket to the waterfall, and cost around 200 yuan. Just make sure it’s a small group (no more than 15 people) so you don’t get stuck with a huge crowd.
Take the bus from Anshun Passenger Transport Terminal to Dragon Palace. Buses run every hour from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, cost 15 yuan one-way, and take about 40 minutes. When you get off the bus, it’s a 5-minute walk to the scenic area entrance. Easy peasy.
Tianlong Tunpu is the easiest Tunpu Village to reach. Take a bus from Anshun Railway Station to Tianlong Town—buses run every 20 minutes, cost 8 yuan, and take 30 minutes. When you arrive in Tianlong Town, it’s a 10-minute walk to the village. If you want to visit a less crowded village (like Baojing Tunpu), hire a taxi for the day (around 200 yuan)—it’s worth it to avoid waiting for buses.
Anshun’s transportation isn’t perfect—there are no 24-hour trains, and some bus schedules are a bit vague—but it’s totally manageable with a little planning. The key is to keep it simple: take the high-speed train to get there, use the tourist shuttle for Huangguoshu, and rent an e-bike to explore downtown. And remember—locals are your best resource. If you’re lost, ask a street vendor or a grandma sitting on a bench—they’ll point you in the right direction, and maybe even offer you a piece of candy.
Now go forth and explore—your waterfall photos (and dumpling feasts) are waiting. And if you see me at Huangguoshu, wave—we’ll be the one with the camera and a bowl of sour soup dumplings in my hand.
Happy travels!
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