Peng Gao
📌 What You'll Find Here
I've been leading small groups through Guizhou for over 8 years, and Anshun is always a favorite. But most online itineraries copy-paste the same generic spots, ignoring the mess – the long queues, the overpriced restaurants, the hidden shortcuts. This 5-day plan is based on what I've learned the hard way, taking dozens of travelers through Anshun. No fluff, just the stuff that works.
Day 1: Arrival & Anshun City Stroll
Don't rush out of the city on day one – you'll arrive tired. I always recommend landing at Anshun Huangguoshu Airport (AVA) or taking the high-speed train to Anshun West Station (about 1.5h from Guiyang). Drop your bags at the Anshun Xijiang Miao Hotel (address: 123 Huangguoshu Ave, near the train station, easy taxi or bus 8). Rooms from ¥250-400/night, decent Wi-Fi, and the front desk speaks basic English.
Afternoon: walk to the Confucius Temple (free entry, 9am-5pm). It's quiet on weekdays. I love the old banyan tree in the courtyard – great photo spot. Then head to Tuo Baoshan Night Market (opens around 6pm) for dinner. Try Huaxi Beef Noodles (spicy, sour broth – my go-to) and Liang Fen (cold rice noodles). Watch out: vendors often double the price for foreigners. Point at what locals order and say “same same.”
Day 2: Huangguoshu Waterfall – Beat the Crowds
The main attraction, but it can be a nightmare. Leave your hotel by 7:30am (I know, early). Take bus 3 from Anshun East Bus Station (¥22, 40min). Or if you're three people, a taxi costs ¥100 total – worth it.
Arrive at the main gate before 8:30am. Buy tickets in advance on the official WeChat mini-program (search “黄果树景区” – ask your hotel to help). Adult ticket ¥160 (peak season Mar-Nov), ¥150 off-season. Senior (65+) and kids under 1.2m free.
The three zones: Waterfall itself, Tianxingqiao, and Doupotang. My recommended order: Start with the main waterfall (huge, you'll get wet – bring a poncho or buy one for ¥5 outside the gate, not inside for ¥20). Then take the shuttle (¥50 round trip) to Tianxingqiao – the “stone forest” with a natural bridge. Skip Doupotang if you're tired; it's a smaller waterfall similar to the first.
Eat lunch at the Huangguoshu Village inside the park. Avoid the “buffet” places – the food is lukewarm. Instead, go to a small family-run noodle shop near the Dongpo parking lot. I always order the Dried Tofu Noodles (¥15, spicy but not lethal).
Return to Anshun around 5pm. Dinner: Xiao Xiang Restaurant (address: 78 Hongqi East Road). Try the Suantang Fish (sour soup fish) – it's not like the stuff in Guiyang; here they add wild pepper, very fragrant. Average ¥60 per person.
Day 3: Dragon Palace & Local Flavors
Dragon Palace (Longgong) is an underground cave system with a river you can boat through. It's 30km from Anshun. Take bus 8 to the scenic area bus station (¥10, 1h). Entry ¥150 (includes boat ride). Arrive by 9am to avoid the midday rush.
The boat tour takes about 40 minutes inside the cave – stunning stalactites and a huge hall. Key warning: The stairs are slippery and the air is damp. Wear non-slip shoes. I once had a client fall and twist an ankle – not fun.
After Dragon Palace, at 1pm, head to the nearby Longgong Miao Village (free, small but authentic). Buy local Miao embroidery – bargaining is expected. A small pouch should be ¥30-50, not ¥200 as they first ask.
Lunch: Niang Jia Chaoshi (a Hunan-style restaurant just outside Dragon Palace). Their Spicy Chicken with Chili is a hit – very oily, very tasty. Many locals eat here.
Back in Anshun by 5pm. Evening free – I suggest wandering Xixiu Night Market (near the old town). Try the grilled skewers (¥2 each, lamb is good) and the sticky rice stuffed with sweet bean paste – a local snack you won't find elsewhere.
Day 4: Tianlong Tunpu – Ming Dynasty Relics
Tianlong Tunpu is a fortress village built by Ming dynasty soldiers. It's about 1h northeast of Anshun. Take bus 11 from Anshun North Bus Station (¥15, every 30 min). Entry ¥60 (includes a short guided tour in Chinese).
The village is small – explore the stone houses, watchtowers, and the old theater. The unique thing is the Di Xi (ground opera) performance – masked actors reenacting historic battles. Shows at 10am and 2pm. It's raw and fascinating.
Lunch: Eat at Yuan Shi Jia inside the village – they serve Tunpu Sour Fish (fermented rice and fish stew) – intense flavor. If you don't like strong smells, stick to the fried rice.
Return to Anshun around 3pm. If you have energy, visit the Anshun Museum (free, closed Mondays) – it has a good collection of local batik and fossils.
Dinner: I always take guests to Laolong Tou (address: 56 Zhonghua South Road). Their Three-Cup Chicken is the best in town. Cash only (many places in Anshun still don't take international cards).
Day 5: Snack Hunt & Departure
Last morning: hit the Anshun Morning Market (Deming Road, 6am-10am). It's a working market, not touristy. Buy dried chili, local tea, and er kuai (rice cake). Then grab a Changwang Noodle from a street cart – thin noodles in a pork bone broth with fried intestines (crispy, not scary). Best one is at the corner of Qixing Street – look for the old lady with a red hat.
From there, pack up and head to the airport or train station. If your flight/train is after 2pm, consider a quick visit to Yelang Cave (just 15min from the city, ¥80, 1h loop). It's less grand than Dragon Palace but has cool colored lights and fewer tourists.
We traveled with a 5 and 7-year-old on this itinerary and it worked wonderfully. The article warned us about the midday heat and suggested visiting the underground river in the afternoon — that saved us from cranky kids. My son loved the tiny caves we found off the main path. The budget breakfast options (fresh rice noodles for ¥6!) were a lifesaver. We did skip the last day’s market because the kids were tired, but the rest was perfectly paced for a family if you’re not rushing. The only downside was that a few restaurants were closed on Monday, but we improvised. Absolutely worth every penny — or rather, every saved penny!
Best decision I made last month! This itinerary turned my Anshun trip from a potential headache into a smooth, affordable adventure. I’m a solo budget traveler and every single tip worked: the local bus instead of the overpriced tourist shuttle, the hidden noodle shop near the train station, and the free lookout point over the karst hills. By Day 3 I was the only foreigner at a quiet temple — felt like I had the whole valley to myself. The Google Maps pins in the article were accurate too. If you want to stretch your money and escape the tour groups, this is it. 5 stars, no hesitation.
I was really excited to try this 'avoid crowds' itinerary, but honestly it fell short. We followed the early-morning advice, but by 9 AM every spot was already packed — maybe because it was a holiday week? The money-saving recommendations were mostly common sense (drink tap water? Seriously?). And the suggested local restaurant on Day 2 had dirty tables and slow service. On the plus side, the hiking route in Longgong Cave was indeed less touristy and beautiful. But overall, I left feeling like I could have planned better myself. 3 stars — it’s not terrible, but don’t expect miracles.
A solid plan overall, but I’d say it’s better for solo travelers or couples than families. The money-saving strategies (like buying street food instead of sit-down meals) worked great, and we avoided the worst queues at Tianlong Tun堡. However, the pace on Day 4 felt too rushed — we barely had time to enjoy the Bat Caves before being pushed to the next spot. Also, the directions to the ‘secret viewpoint’ in the itinerary were a bit vague; I ended up asking three locals. Still, for the price of a cheap hostel, this guide gave me memories I wouldn’t trade. 4 stars because it could use a bit more breathing room.
Honestly, this itinerary saved my trip to Anshun. I followed it almost to the letter and managed to hit all the highlights without the usual tourist crush. Huangguoshu Waterfall at 7:30 AM was practically deserted — I could actually hear the water without a hundred selfie sticks around. The budget tips were spot on too; we saved nearly 40% on tickets by skipping the overpriced combo deals. Only minor complaint: the suggested lunch spot on Day 3 was cash-only and didn’t have English menus, but that’s part of the adventure. Highly recommend if you want real local flavor without the crowds.