Ting Chen
Autumn in Anshun? Honestly, it's the season I never get tired of. The summer crowds vanish, the waterfall still roars, and the ancient towns turn golden. I've led dozens of trips here, and every autumn I discover something new.
Planning an Anshun autumn itinerary? Good call. But here's the catch: most guides online are copy-pasted from Trip.com. They'll tell you to visit Huangguoshu at noon, which is a terrible mistake. You'll battle tour groups and miss the best light.
I've spent years navigating Anshun's tricky booking systems and hidden trailheads. This guide gives you a day-by-day plan, plus the insider tips that save you hours of queuing. Let's dive in.
Why Autumn Is the Best Season for Anshun
Autumn (September to November) is Anshun's sweet spot. The rainy season ends, the air smells of ripe rice, and the Huangguoshu Waterfall runs at full force. You'll find clear skies for photography, but the temperature stays around 15-25°C (59-77°F). Perfect for hiking.
Crucially, the crowds shrink dramatically after the Chinese National Day holiday (October 1-7). I always tell my clients to wait until mid-October if they can. You'll have the boardwalks almost to yourself.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Anshun City
Start in Anshun city, the perfect base for exploring. Most travelers fly into Guiyang Longdongbao Airport (KWE), then take a 30-minute high-speed train to Anshun West Station.
Why start in the city? You can catch your breath, acclimatize, and explore the underrated Anshun Confucius Temple (安顺文庙). It's a quiet gem with intricate stone carvings. Entry is around 20 RMB at the official ticket booth. Bring your passport; they'll need it for registration.
In the evening, walk along Hongshan Lake (虹山湖) for a sunset stroll. The lake promenade is full of locals dancing and exercising. It's free and gives you a taste of everyday Chinese life.
Pro Tip: Skip the touristy snack street on Tuanjie Road. Instead, head to 'Old Xu's Rice Roll' (老徐家裹卷) near the temple, a hole-in-the-wall place famous for its thin, silky rice rolls stuffed with chili and pickled vegetables. It costs about 10 RMB per serving. I always grab two.
Day 2: Huangguoshu Waterfall
This is the main event. Make an early start to beat the midday tour buses.
How to get there: Take a bus from Anshun East Bus Station to Huangguoshu. The ride takes about 45 minutes and costs around 22 RMB. Alternatively, hire a private car for about 300 RMB round-trip if you're lazy like me.
Tickets: The scenic area ticket is around 160 RMB for adults, including the three main sections: the main waterfall, the Tianxing Bridge (天星桥), and the Doushantang (陡坡塘). You can book via Trip.com or the official WeChat mini-program. Foreigners often need to show a passport at the entrance, so keep it handy.
Inside the park: Arrive by 8:30 AM. The main waterfall boardwalk is still quiet. Walk to the Waterfall Viewing Platform first, then take the elevator (30 RMB) down to the waterfall's base. The mist will soak you, so bring a rain poncho—sold by vendors for 5-15 RMB, but bargaining is a must.
Insider Advice: After the main waterfall, skip the Tianxing Bridge if you're tired. It's a 3-hour walk with lots of stairs. Instead, visit Doushantang, the wide waterfall from the opening scene of the TV series 'Journey to the West.' It's an easy 30-minute loop.
Where to eat lunch: Forget the park restaurants. Bring snacks or buy a local lunchbox from the vendors near the exit. There's a small village called Huangguoshu Town at the park gate, with several decent noodle shops. Try the 'Bobo Chicken' (波波鸡), a spicy cold chicken salad.
Day 3: Longgong Cave & Tunpu Culture
Morning: Longgong Cave (龙宫) is a magical karst cave reached by boat. It's about 30 minutes north of Huangguoshu. Take a local bus or taxi from Huangguoshu. Tickets are around 150 RMB, but the boat ride is included.
What to expect: You'll board a small motorboat and drift through a surreal labyrinth of stalactites and underground rivers. The cave has a 'Garden of Dragons' with slippery boardwalks. Wear non-slip shoes. The tour takes about 2 hours.
Afternoon: Tunpu Ancient Town (云峰屯堡) is a hidden treasure 300 years old. These villages were built by Ming Dynasty soldiers and their descendants still wear traditional costumes. The most intact is Benzhai (本寨). Entry is free or around 20 RMB for the museum.
Getting there: Take a taxi from Anshun city (about 30-40 minutes, around 60 RMB) or join a day tour from Trip.com. You'll wander through stone-paved alleys, visit a yangko (秧歌) performance, and see the unique 'Dixi' (地戏) masks.
Dinner: Head back to Anshun and try 'Guizhou Sour Soup Fish' (酸汤鱼). I recommend the restaurant 'Wujiang Lao Ba' (乌江老八) in the city center. The sour-spicy broth is addictive. A meal costs 60-100 RMB per person.
Day 4: Off the Beaten Path
This is where I throw in my personal favorite: Gedu River (格凸河) is a stunning canyon about 2 hours from Anshun. It's not well-known among international tourists, but locals flock there for the 'Swallow Cave' where thousands of swallows spiral at sunset.
Getting there: Take a bus to Purple Cloud County (紫云县), then a local minibus to Gedu River. Total travel time around 2.5 hours. If you're short on time, consider a private driver (400-500 RMB including waiting).
Highlights: The 'Three Wonders' of Gedu - the largest karst cave opening in the world, a cable bridge, and the colorful boat race on the green water. You can also hike to a Miao village perched on the cliff. The whole trip takes a full day.
Alternative: If you'd rather stay closer, visit Jiuzhou Ancient Town (旧州古镇) outside Anshun. It's a peaceful, less commercialized town with old Ming architecture and a beautiful lake. Free to enter.
Day 5: Slow Morning & Departure
Use your last morning to join a 'Tai Chi' class in Anshun's Chenggong Park (成公公园) or simply sip coffee at a local café like 'Let's Coffee' near the old street. Check out of your hotel and grab lunch at 'Sister Zhao's Noodles' (赵家牛肉粉) - a local favorite for beef noodles.
Then catch your train back to Guiyang or direct to the airport. Anshun West Station has high-speed rail connections to many cities, including Chengdu, Chongqing, and Guangzhou.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Trip
Payment: Small vendors and many local restaurants only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay. Bring a little cash as backup, but most places won't accept international credit cards. Set up Alipay with your international card before you arrive.
Navigation: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Download Apple Maps (it works decently) or the English version of Amap (AMap Global). I also recommend saving Chinese names of your destinations to show taxi drivers.
Booking: Many attractions require real-name registration with your passport. Use Trip.com or Klook to book tickets in advance. For the WeChat mini-programs, ask your hotel staff to help you navigate the Chinese interface—they're used to it.
VPN & Language: You'll need a VPN to access Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Download an offline translation app like Apple Translate or Baidu Translate. Not everyone speaks English, but in tourist spots, you'll get by.
Where to Eat in Anshun
| Restaurant | Specialty | Average Price (RMB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Xu's Rice Roll | Rice rolls with chili | 10-15 | Breakfast spot, no English menu |
| Wujiang Lao Ba | Sour soup fish | 60-100 pp | Popular dinner spot, book ahead |
| Sister Zhao's Noodles | Beef noodles | 15-25 | Late breakfast, quick service |
| Guizhou Snacks Stall (near Hongshan Lake) | Potstickers, glutinous rice | 20-40 | Street food, cash only |
Pro Tip: Anshun's dishes are spicy and sour. If you can't handle heat, ask for 'bu la' (not spicy). Always carry wet wipes—the air is humid and food can be messy.
Where to Stay in Anshun
| Hotel | Location | Price Range (RMB/night) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anshun Huangguoshu Grand Hotel | City center | 300-600 | Families, comfort |
| Youngman International Youth Hostel | Near Hongshan Lake | 60-150 | Budget travelers |
| Anshun Hotel (安顺酒店) | Historic quarter | 200-400 | History lovers |
All hotels should have stable Wi-Fi and English-speaking staff at the front desk. Confirm they can arrange taxi pickups and help with train bookings.
Getting to and Around Anshun
- From Guiyang: High-speed train from Guiyang North to Anshun West takes about 30-40 minutes, with tickets around 50 RMB. Book via 12306.cn or Trip.com.
- Local transport: Taxis are plentiful but meters are rarely used. Negotiate the price before getting in—a typical city ride is 10-15 RMB. Didi (Chinese Uber) is cheaper and can be set to English.
- To Huangguoshu: Buses leave from Anshun East Station every 30 minutes from 7 AM to 6 PM. Private cars are also an option.
FAQs About Anshun in Autumn
Final Word
Anshun in autumn is a slice of China that most tourists overlook. The waterfalls are grand, the villages are quiet, and the food will heat your soul. With this itinerary, you'll skip the worst of the crowds and see the region like a local.
One last thing: I've fact-checked every detail in this article, but prices and hours can change. Always confirm on official channels before you go. And if you get lost—just ask a local. They'll probably offer you a bowl of noodles.
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
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