How to Get to Anshun: Trains, Flights, and Buses Compared

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard first-time visitors to China say, “I want to see the Huangguoshu Waterfall, but I have no idea how to get to Anshun.” It’s not as simple as hopping on one train. But honestly, it’s also not as hard as most blogs make it sound. So let me break it down — no fluff, just the exact steps.

Here’s the short answer: the high-speed train from Guiyang to Anshun takes just 30–40 minutes and costs around ¥41.5. That’s your best bet. But there are other ways too — and I’ll walk you through each one, including my personal tips for avoiding the pitfalls I see tourists fall into all the time.

Why Is Getting to Anshun So Confusing?

Anshun is a prefecture-level city in Guizhou province, but it’s not a major transportation hub. Most international and domestic visitors fly into Guiyang Longdongbao Airport (KWE), which is about 100 kilometers away. The real confusion comes from the fact that Anshun has its own small airport, multiple rail stations, and bus services that are poorly documented in English. Add to that the common misunderstanding that Huangguoshu Waterfall is inside the city — it’s actually 45 kilometers away.

I’ve personally guided many tourists who arrived at the wrong station or wasted money on taxis because they followed outdated forum posts. This guide will fix that.

The Fastest Way: High-Speed Trains to Anshun

From Guiyang North Station (贵阳北站) — The Most Common Route

The Guiyang North Railway Station is the main high-speed rail hub, directly accessible via Metro Line 1 from the airport. Trains to Anshun West (安顺西) run every 20–30 minutes from about 6:30 am to 9:00 pm. The ride takes 30–40 minutes. Second-class tickets cost around ¥41.5; first-class are about ¥66. You can buy tickets on the official 12306.cn app (Chinese only), or much easier, on Trip.com which has an English interface and accepts foreign credit cards. Remember to use your passport number when booking.

From Other Cities: Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu

Anshun West sits on the Shanghai–Kunming high-speed rail corridor, so you can get direct trains from many cities without changing at Guiyang. For example:

• Kunming to Anshun: about 1.5 hours, second-class ¥100–120.
• Guangzhou to Anshun: about 4.5 hours, second-class ¥250–300.
• Chengdu to Anshun: about 4 hours, second-class ¥220–260.

Check Trip.com or 12306.cn for exact schedules and prices, as they change seasonally. If you can’t find a direct train, simply transfer at Guiyang North — it’s a major interchange and the wait is usually short.

Flying to Anshun: Which Airport Should You Use?

Anshun Huangguoshu Airport (AXA) — The Small Option

This tiny airport is about 15 km from Anshun city center. It only has a handful of domestic flights, mainly from Beijing, Shanghai, and a few other cities. Flights are often delayed and tickets are pricey compared to the train. Unless you’re coming from one of those direct cities, skip it. If you do arrive, a taxi to the city center costs ¥40–50 and takes 20 minutes. There are no metro or reliable buses.

Guiyang Longdongbao Airport (KWE) — The International Gateway

This is where you’ll land if you fly internationally. From here, you have two solid options to reach Anshun:

1. Metro + High-Speed Rail (Recommended): Take Metro Line 1 from the airport to Guiyang North Station, then catch an Anshun-bound train. Total door-to-door time is about 1 hour, and the cost is around ¥63.5.
2. Direct Long-Distance Bus: There is a bus shuttle from the airport to Anshun, but it runs only 3–4 times a day and takes 2 hours. Fare is about ¥80. Not worth the wait unless you miss the train.

A taxi from Guiyang Airport to Anshun city costs ¥250–300 and takes 1.5–2 hours. Only recommend if there are 3–4 people sharing.

By Bus: The Budget-Friendly Option

From Guiyang City

If you’re already in Guiyang’s downtown, you can take a long-distance bus to Anshun from Jinyang Bus Station (金阳客运站) or Guiyang East Bus Station. Buses run from early morning to evening, roughly every 30 minutes. The journey takes 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. Tickets cost ¥70–80. The bus drops you at Anshun Long-Distance Bus Station, which is about a 10-minute taxi ride from the city center. Honestly, the bus is slower and less comfortable than the train, but it might be convenient if your hotel is near the bus station.

From Other Nearby Cities

Buses from cities like Anshun’s own scenic spots are useful too. For instance, from Huangguoshu Waterfall, there are frequent buses to Anshun city (about 1 hour, ¥20–30). From Kaili or Zunyi, the train is much better. For long distances, always choose the train.

Driving Yourself: Is It a Good Idea?

In theory, a rental car gives you flexibility to explore rural villages like Tianlong Tunpu. But as a foreign tourist, it’s a pain. First, rental companies usually require a Chinese driver’s license, which is hard to obtain for a short visit. Second, Google Maps is blocked and even with Apple Maps, you might get confused in the mountains. If you have an international driving permit, it’s still not accepted without a Chinese license translation. My honest advice: skip self-driving and combine public transport with local Didi cars.

For those who insist, the expressway from Guiyang to Anshun takes 1.5 hours and costs about ¥50 in tolls. Parking in the city is cheap, but at Huangguoshu it’s a nightmare on weekends and holidays.

What Are the Best Ways to Get Around Anshun Once You Arrive?

Anshun city itself is compact, and you can walk between many sights. For longer trips, here’s what I use:

• Public buses: Cheap (¥1–2) but routes are only in Chinese. Use Apple Maps or AMap to locate stops.
• Didi ride-hailing: The app has an English version and is reliable. It’s safer and cheaper than flagging a taxi on the street.
• Taxis: Metered, but expect ¥10–20 within the city. Better to use Didi.

To reach the big attractions:

• Huangguoshu Waterfall: Take the tourist bus from Anshun East Bus Station (¥22, 1 hour). Or use Didi, which costs ¥150–200. I recommend the bus because it drops you directly at the scenic area entrance.
• Longgong Cave (Dragon Palace): 27 km away. Take bus #9 from Anshun to Longgong (¥6, about 40 minutes).
• Tunbu Ancient Town: 20 km southwest. Take a local bus from Anshun West Bus Station or Didi (¥60–80).

My favorite way is to book a day tour on Klook or Trip.com — they handle all transfers and tickets, which saves you from haggling with drivers and deciphering Chinese bus signs.

Insider Tips for Foreign Travelers

• Payment: Most places accept Alipay and WeChat Pay, but not foreign credit cards or cash. Set up Alipay with your international card before you go. Carry ¥200–300 cash for emergencies like village vendors or old toll booths.
• Navigation: Download Apple Maps (it works offline) or AMap (English version is “AMap Global”). Do not rely on Google Maps — it’s inaccurate and linked.
• Booking: Attractions like Huangguoshu require timed entry reservations. Use Trip.com to book tickets in advance; you’ll need your passport number. Print or save the QR code.
• Internet: Install a reliable VPN before landing. Many Chinese Wi-Fi networks block Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.
• Language: English is rarely spoken. Keep a translation app like Apple Translate or Baidu Translate handy. I often save screenshots of Chinese phrases for taxi drivers.

Quick Comparison Table: Which Way Is Best?

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting to Anshun

Final Thoughts: Getting to Anshun Is Easier Than You Think

Once you know the exact steps, reaching Anshun is a piece of cake. Start with the high-speed train from Guiyang North — it’s fast, cheap, and reliable. If you’re coming from further away, use direct trains from Kunming, Guangzhou, or Chengdu. Skip the tiny airport and long buses unless you have a specific reason.

I’ve been guiding travelers through Guizhou for years, and I can tell you that when you stop worrying about logistics and start watching the karst mountains roll by from the train window, you’ll already feel the adventure.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision.