If you’ve had enough of crowded Beijing alleyways or overpriced Shanghai skyscraper views, let us tell you—Anshun is where Guizhou shows off its real personality. This isn’t some polished tourist trap with fake traditions; it’s a place where waterfalls roar so loud they’ll drown out your phone notifications, villagers will hand you sweet rice wine before you even say nihao, and every turn reveals a new surprise from ancient cave temples to terraced fields that glow at sunset. Let’s dive into how to do Anshun right, with the hidden bits most guides skip.
Let’s get the boring but crucial part out of the way first. Anshun sits in southwest Guizhou, so it enjoys a mild spring-like climate year-round—no sweltering summers or freezing winters. But here’s the tea: avoid July and August like you avoid soggy French fries. That’s when domestic tourists flood in, and Huangguoshu Waterfall’s viewing platforms turn into a human maze.
Our sweet spot? Late March to May, when cherry blossoms line the Baishui River and wild azaleas paint the mountains pink. Or September to early November—crisp air, zero rain, and locals harvesting rice in the terraces. Offer to help for five minutes, and you’ll leave with a bag of fresh rice cakes.
Pro move: Visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival in September or October. Villages hang lanterns, and you can join mooncake-making parties with families. Another little-known window is early March, right before the cherry blossoms peak. There are fewer tourists, and the plum blossoms in the countryside are still in full bloom, adding a soft white hue to the green mountains.
Yes, it’s China’s largest waterfall—81 meters wide, 77 meters tall, and so powerful the mist can soak you 100 meters away. But forget the crowded main platform—here’s how we recommend experiencing it like a local. First, wake up at 6:30 AM and take the first bus from Anshun. It departs 7 AM sharp. Head straight to the Upper Reach Viewpoint first—hardly anyone goes there, and you’ll get a full frontal shot of the falls without crowds. Then hike down to the Water Curtain Cave, the path behind the falls where you’ll stand inches from the rushing water. Wear a waterproof phone case—trust us.
After that, skip the tourist shuttle and walk to the Silver Chain Waterfall nearby. It’s smaller, but the water cascades like a silver chain, and you can sit on the rocks and listen to it for hours. Bonus: If you’re there in April, the surrounding hills are covered in wisteria, and the falls smell like flowers. Also, don’t miss the Bamboo Sea area adjacent to the falls. Tall bamboo sways in the wind, and it’s a perfect spot for a quiet picnic if you brought snacks.
Huangguoshu is the extrovert; Dragon Palace is the quiet storyteller. This UNESCO site isn’t just one cave—it’s a network of nine caves, eight lakes, and two waterfalls linked by underground rivers. Start with the Underground Dragon River Cruise. You’ll glide through dark caves lit by soft orange lights, and your boatman will point out rock formations that look like dragons, tigers, and even a fairy’s bedroom. Use your imagination—it’s half the fun.
The real hidden gem here is the Zhuhai Cave Temple, a 600-year-old temple built into the cave wall. It’s accessible only by a narrow stone staircase. The monks there make their own herbal tea—ask for a cup. It’s bitter but calming, and the view from the temple’s balcony over the cave lake is worth the climb.
Fun fact: Locals believe if you toss a coin into the cave lake and it floats, you’ll have good luck. The water is that clear. We’ve seen kids spend 20 yuan just trying to get a coin to float. After the temple, take a short hike to the Heavenly Ladder, a steep set of stone steps that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the entire cave complex.
These villages are Anshun’s soul—founded in the Ming Dynasty when the emperor sent 300,000 soldiers to guard the southwest border. 600 years later, their descendants still wear Ming-style clothes, speak a dialect that’s a mix of old Mandarin and local languages, and practice traditions no other place in China has. Skip the crowded Tianlong Tunpu—head to Baojing Tunpu instead. It’s perched on a hill, surrounded by stone walls, and the only tourists are usually our tour groups.
Walk through the Ancient Street—stone houses with wooden balconies, shops selling hand-woven cloth, and old men playing xiangqi outside teahouses. Don’t miss the Ground Opera performance at 2 PM daily. Actors wear colorful masks and perform martial arts moves while singing old battle stories.
After the show, chat with the performers. Grandpa Li, 78 years old, has been doing it since he was 12, and he’ll show you how to wear the masks. They’re heavier than they look. And yes, Mrs. Wang at the village entrance makes the best spicy tofu pudding—silken tofu topped with chili oil, peanuts, and pickles. She’ll even pack you a container to go if you’re heading to the next village.
Guizhou food is spicy—like, your lips might tingle for an hour spicy—but it’s not just heat; it’s layers of flavor. Here’s our must-eat list, with tips on where to find the best versions. Start with Spicy Chicken Hot Pot at Lao Wang Hot Pot on Xinhua Road in Anshun city. Ask for xiao la if you’re new—they’ll laugh but oblige.
The chicken is marinated in rice wine overnight, so it’s tender, and the pot comes with wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Add a side of taro slices—they soak up the broth and taste like heaven.
Another standout is the Mung Bean Jelly from street stalls near Huangguoshu’s entrance. Look for the old ladies with metal buckets—their jelly is made fresh daily, cold and slippery, tossed with vinegar, garlic, chili oil, and a sprinkle of cilantro. It’s 5 yuan a bowl, the perfect way to cool down after the falls.
For breakfast, hit Ma’s Breakfast Stall near Anshun West Railway Station for Rice Cake with Fermented Tofu. Try Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots at Uncle Zhang’s Restaurant in Baojing Tunpu—pork braised for three hours, falling off the bone, served with cornmeal buns.
Let’s break this down into getting to Anshun first. The easiest way is by high-speed train. Anshun West Railway Station connects to Guiyang, Kunming, and Guangzhou. If you’re flying in, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport is the closest major airport. Take the high-speed train from Guiyang North Station to Anshun West or hire a car. Avoid flying to Anshun Huangguoshu Airport—it’s small, has few flights, and is actually farther from the city than Guiyang’s airport.
Now for getting around Anshun. For major spots like Huangguoshu and Dragon Palace, take the tourist buses from Anshun Bus Station. Not the regular buses—they stop too often. They run every 30 mins from 7 AM to 5 PM, cost 20-30 yuan, and drop you right at the attraction entrance. Buy round-trip tickets—they’re cheaper, and you won’t have to line up again.
For Tunpu villages: Baojing and Tianlong have shared vans from Anshun Bus Station. They leave when full, cost 50 yuan per person, and take 40 mins. If you want flexibility, hire a local driver for a day. We recommend Mr. Zhao—he’s our go-to guy, knowing all the hidden trails in Tianhe Pool and stopping at family farms for fresh fruit.
Skip the big chain hotels—Anshun’s best stays are small, family-run places with character. For a taste of ancient town life, go for Old Town Inn. Tucked in Anshun’s ancient town, it’s housed in a 200-year-old stone house. Rooms have wooden beds and windows overlooking a courtyard with a fish pond. The owner, Auntie Li, whips up breakfast daily—steamed buns, porridge, and her famous spicy pickles. At 150 yuan a night, it’s a steal, and she’ll help book attraction tickets for free.
If waking up to waterfall views is a must, book Huangguoshu Waterfall View Hotel. It’s a 10-minute walk from the falls entrance, and some rooms have balconies with unobstructed views. Book these two weeks in advance. The restaurant serves waterfall fish, fresh from the Baishui River cooked in ginger and scallions.
It’s pricier at 400 yuan a night, but the sunrise over the falls is priceless. For a Tunpu immersion, stay at Baojing Tunpu Homestay with the Zhang family. Their three guest rooms have Ming-style furniture, you’ll dine with the family, and they’ll teach you weaving or mask-making. At 120 yuan a night, you’ll leave feeling like family.
Anshun isn’t about checking off spots—it’s about slowing down and connecting with people. The little girl in Baojing Tunpu who’ll give you a handmade cloth doll. The waiter at Lao Wang Hot Pot who’ll bring you a free bowl of ice cream after your spicy meal. He says it’s to save your tongue. These moments are what make Anshun unforgettable, and we’ve all experienced them firsthand with our groups.
One last thing: Bring comfortable shoes. Anshun is hilly, and you’ll be walking more than you think. Pack a lightweight rain jacket too—sudden drizzles are common in the mountains, and it’ll come in handy at Huangguoshu’s misty viewpoints. And leave your hurry at home—this is a place where a 10-minute walk can turn into an hour because you stopped to chat with a villager or admire a waterfall.
If you see any of us there—look for the folks with the China Expedition Tours hats and cameras around our necks—come say hi. We’ll even buy you a bowl of Mrs. Wang’s spicy tofu pudding. Cheers to your Anshun adventure!
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