Ming Yang
Quick Navigation
- Fastest Way to Get to Anshun from Guiyang
- What's the Cheapest Way to Get to Anshun from Guiyang?
- How Long Does the Bus Take from Guiyang to Anshun?
- Should You Drive from Guiyang to Anshun Yourself?
- Comparing All Options: A Quick Reference Table
- Insider Tips for Foreign Travelers
- FAQ: Common Questions About Guiyang to Anshun
Let me be straight with you: the journey from Guiyang to Anshun is 100 kilometers of beautiful mountains, but it's also a logistical puzzle for first-timers. I've escorted dozens of foreign friends on this route, and the biggest hurdle is never the distance — it's figuring out which station, which ticket, and which payment method won't fail you at the last minute.
Here's the deal: the high-speed train from Guiyang North Station to Anshun West Station is your best bet. It takes just 35 minutes, costs around 36 RMB, and there's a train every half hour. But if you don't book ahead, you might end up with a 2-hour bus ride instead — not the end of the world, but you'd be missing out on extra time to explore the Huangguoshu Waterfall.
Now, let me walk you through every option so you can pick what fits your travel style.
Fastest Way to Get to Anshun from Guiyang: The High-Speed Train
The high-speed train is my top pick for solo travelers and families alike. It combines speed, comfort, and punctuality that's hard to beat.
How to Book Your Train Ticket
Use Trip.com or the official 12306 app (with an English interface). You'll need your passport number. I always book the evening before to secure a seat. Avoid the automated ticketing machines at the station — they rarely accept foreign cards. Instead, head to the manual ticket window if you haven't booked online.
Pro tip: Choose a seat on the left side of the train for epic karst mountain views during the short journey.
Getting to Guiyang North Station
If you're starting from Guiyang city center, take Metro Line 1 to 'Guiyang North Railway Station' stop. The ride takes about 30 minutes from the city core. From Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, a taxi will cost around 60-70 RMB and take 40 minutes, or you can take the airport bus directly to the North Station.
Arriving at Anshun West Station
Anshun West is outside the city center. To reach Huangguoshu Waterfall, you have two options: take a local bus (only a few daily) or grab a taxi/DiDi for about 150-180 RMB for a 40-minute ride. I'd suggest sharing a taxi to cut costs.
What's the Cheapest Way to Get to Anshun from Guiyang?
If you're on a tight budget, the regular train or intercity bus are your friends. But remember: you get what you pay for.
Regular Train (Slow Train)
From Guiyang Railway Station (not the North) to Anshun Railway Station, a hard-seat ticket is only about 15.5 RMB. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. You'll see some interesting countryside, but the train can be dated and crowded. The biggest catch? The stations are less convenient — Guiyang Station is in the south, and Anshun Station is actually closer to the city center than the West Station, which is a bonus.
Intercity Bus
Long-distance buses leave from Guiyang's Jinyang Bus Station (金阳客车站). The fare is around 45 RMB and takes roughly 2 hours. Buses run every 30-40 minutes. However, traffic on the expressway can be unpredictable, so the train is more reliable. If you decide to take the bus, be prepared for a bumpier ride.
My honest opinion: I'd pay the extra 20 RMB for the high-speed train. The time saved is worth more than the money, especially if you only have a day trip in mind.
How Long Does the Bus Take from Guiyang to Anshun?
The bus ride from Guiyang to Anshun typically takes 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. I once got stuck for an extra 45 minutes due to a minor accident on the G60 Expressway. The bus also makes a couple of stops, which adds to the total time.
If you're dead-set on the bus, opt for an early morning departure to avoid afternoon traffic. Also, buy a ticket at the bus station directly — some online platforms don't cover this route well. Bring small change for the ticketing machine, or use WeChat Pay if you have it set up.
Pro tip: The bus drops you off at Anshun's main bus station (安顺客运站), which is conveniently located near the city center. From there, you can easily hop on a local minibus to Huangguoshu for about 20 RMB.
Should You Drive from Guiyang to Anshun Yourself?
Renting a car gives you flexibility, but it's not for the faint-hearted. The drive is about 100 kilometers on the G60 Expressway, taking around 1.5 hours without traffic. Toll costs are about 45 RMB one way, plus fuel.
The catch: Chinese roads have aggressive drivers, and the signage is almost entirely in Chinese. If you're not used to driving on the right side (actually, China drives on the right, so that's fine if you're from the US), but the real challenge is navigating the toll booths and understanding lane rules. I've seen tourists panic at the toll collector because they couldn't reach the machine from the left side of the car.
Parking in Anshun: If you do drive, most hotels have free parking. But near Huangguoshu, parking can cost 20-30 RMB per day, and it's crowded on weekends.
My advice: Unless you're on a road trip across Guizhou, skip renting a car just for this leg. Trains and buses are more reliable, and you can always hire a private driver for the day.
Comparing All Options: A Quick Reference Table
Here's a snapshot of what you can expect:
| Mode | Duration | Cost (RMB) | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Speed Train | 35-40 min | ~36.5 | High - reliable, clean | First-timers, families |
| Regular Train | 1.5 h | ~15.5 | Medium - old trains, but central stations | Budget travelers |
| Bus | 2-2.5 h | ~45 | Low - traffic issues | Budget travelers without luggage |
| Car / Taxi | 1.5 h | ~150-200 (taxi) | High - door-to-door | Groups, those with mobility issues |
Insider Tips for Foreign Travelers
These are the lessons I've learned after years of shuttling tourists between these two cities.
- Book train tickets on Trip.com: It's the most foreigner-friendly platform. The 12306 app has an English version, but it's hit-or-miss. Trip.com supports passport numbers and international cards, and you'll get a mobile ticket to scan at the gate.
- Don't rely on Google Maps: It's often inaccurate in China. Use Apple Maps (if you have an iPhone) or download the AMap (高德地图) app with its English mode. I always type the Chinese address for my drivers: 安顺西站.
- Carry cash as a backup: While Alipay and WeChat Pay are everywhere, some small vendors at the bus station only accept cash. I've seen tourists stuck when their international cards didn't work.
- Mind the last train: The last high-speed train from Anshun back to Guiyang usually departs around 21:00. Check the schedule beforehand, especially if you're doing a day trip to Huangguoshu. Missing it means a 2-hour taxi ride that'll cost you easily over 300 RMB.
- Download a VPN: Google services are blocked, so Instagram, Facebook, and Google Maps won't work without one. Set it up before you land.
- Use the 'DiDi' app: DiDi is China's Uber. It's available in English, and you can link your foreign card. It's safer than hailing a random taxi.
- Beware of touts: As soon as you exit Anshun West Station, you'll likely be approached by drivers offering special deals. Politely decline, and use the official taxi stand or DiDi instead. I've seen too many tourists overcharged by these touts.
- Keep your passport handy: You'll need it for booking tickets and entering attractions. I always keep a photocopy on my phone as backup.
If you're on a real budget, the bus from Guiyang's Jinyang station to Anshun is unbeatable. It cost me 35 RMB and took about 2 hours, with a quick stop to stretch my legs. The bus wasn't fancy and a couple of the seats were well worn, but the windows were huge and I got to watch the scenery slowly change from city blocks to rice fields to limestone peaks. It dropped me right near the center of Anshun, so I just walked to my guesthouse. For the price, it's a fantastic deal and honestly a more local experience than sitting on a train.
We decided to rent a car and drive from Guiyang to Anshun on the expressway — took about an hour and a half, and it was one of the nicest drives I've had in a while. The road cuts through all these beautiful limestone mountains and the tunnels are surprisingly well-lit. Tolls were maybe 65 RMB, which felt fair. The article warned about Guiyang's rush hour and they were absolutely right — leave before 8am and you'll be smooth the whole way. Gave us total freedom to stop for photos and grab a quick lunch in town before hitting the falls. Would definitely choose this again.
This article got me to just book the high-speed train, and wow, it's the obvious choice. From Guiyang North to Anshun I paid about 46 RMB and was there in roughly 30 minutes. The air conditioning was perfect, seats were comfy, and for a little while I just stared out the window at the crazy green hills and tunnels. Even the station signs were bilingual enough for me to find my way. Incredible value and definitely the fastest way — recommended without hesitation.
Took the high-speed train from Guiyang North to Anshun West and it was super easy — around 30 minutes and under 50 RMB. The train was spotless and the views of the karst hills were gorgeous. The only small downside is that Anshun West station is a little outside the center, so you still need to grab a taxi or bus to the actual sights. Still, way better than sitting on a long-distance bus. I'd do it again.
The train itself is great, but the whole station experience was a bit more stressful than I expected. The ticket machines wouldn't take my foreign card, so I had to queue at the counter. Then the English signage to the Anshun platforms was almost nonexistent and I ended up missing the earlier train by a few minutes. Once I got on, it was smooth and quick, but I'd say give yourself an extra hour at Guiyang North if you're not familiar with the place.