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.
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