Guizhou Photography Guide and Itineraries

Photography guide for Guizhou

Guizhou is a stunning destination for photographers, offering a diverse range of natural landscapes, cultural and historical sites, and unique minority villages. Here's a photography travel guide for Guizhou:

Scenic Landscapes - Guizhou is known for its rolling hills, scenic valleys, and towering karst formations. Some popular photography spots include Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces, Huangguoshu Waterfall, and Wuyang River.

Minority Villages - Guizhou is home to many ethnic minority communities, each with its unique culture and traditions. Visitors can capture the rich cultural heritage of these minority villages through their traditional architecture, colorful dress, and local festivals.

Cultural and Historical Sites - Guizhou has a rich history and culture, and some of the most popular cultural and historical sites include the Jiaxiu Lou in Guiyang, the Western Han Terracotta Warriors and Warriors Museum, and the Guiyang Confucius Temple.

Night Photography - Guiyang and other cities in Guizhou offer a stunning cityscape, particularly at night when the city comes to life. Some popular photography spots include the Hongfeng Lake and the Wenchang Pavilion.

Local Markets - Guizhou has many local markets selling traditional handicrafts, food, and other goods. These markets offer a unique photo opportunity and provide a glimpse into the daily life of local residents.

The best time to do a photography tour in Guizhou

The best time to do a photography tour in Guizhou depends on your interests and the type of photos you want to take.

Weather: The weather in Guizhou is mild and humid year-round, with four distinct seasons. The best time to visit Guizhou for photography is in the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is pleasant, and the landscapes are lush and colorful.

Festivals: Guizhou is home to many ethnic minority groups, each with its own unique culture and traditions. If you want to capture colorful and vibrant festival scenes, you should plan your photography tour around the local festivals, such as the Miao New Year (usually in early November), the Sisters' Meal Festival (in April), and the Dragon Boat Festival (in June).

Rice terraces: Guizhou is famous for its rice terraces, which offer stunning landscapes for photography. The best time to capture the beauty of the rice terraces is during the autumn harvest season (September to October), when the fields turn golden and the air is crisp.

Ethnic villages: Guizhou is home to many traditional ethnic villages, where you can capture the unique architecture, customs, and way of life of the local people. The best time to visit these villages is during the spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the landscapes are lush and colorful.

In summary, the best time to do a photography tour in Guizhou is during the spring and autumn, when the weather is mild, and the landscapes are colorful. However, if you want to capture the festivals or the rice terraces, you should plan your trip accordingly.

Photograhpy travel itineraries

A 7-day photography itinerary in Guizhou

Day 1: Arrival in Guiyang, check-in to hotel.

Day 2: Zhenyuan Old Town, an ancient town known for its well-preserved architecture and traditional culture.

Day 3: Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in China, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Day 4: Dragon Palace Cave, a scenic cave system known for its stunning rock formations and crystal-clear water.

Day 5: Kaili Ethnic Minorities Cultural Village, an area inhabited by different ethnic minority groups, showcasing unique culture and lifestyle.

Day 6: Longji Rice Terrace, a scenic terraced field known for its stunning views and traditional agriculture.

Day 7: Departure from Guiyang, back to home.

Throughout the trip, photographers should take advantage of different times of day and lighting conditions to capture the best shots.

10-12 day photography itinerary for Guizhou, China:

Day 1: Arrival in Guiyang and explore the city, Visit Hongfeng Lake and capture its scenic views, Walk around the city center and capture street life and culture

Day 2: Visit Huangguoshu Waterfall, One of the largest waterfalls in Asia, with multiple viewing platforms, Also visit nearby Dragon Palace Cave, a karst cave with a subterranean river

Day 3: Drive to Kaili, Stop at Matang Ethnic Minority Village to observe and photograph local Miao people, Explore the local markets in Kaili

Day 4-5: Visit the Miao villages in Leishan, Visit Langde Miao village and Shuyang Miao village to capture traditional Miao architecture, clothing, and lifestyle

Day 6-7: Visit Zhaoxing Dong Village, The largest Dong minority village in China, with unique drum towers and wooden bridges, Walk around the village and observe and photograph local life

Day 8-9: Visit Congjiang, Explore the local Miao market and capture daily life and culture, Visit the nearby Huaxi village, famous for its long drum towers

Day 10-11: Drive to Anshun, Visit Huangguoshu Grand Canyon to capture its scenic views, Visit the nearby Xixi National Wetland Park for wildlife and nature photography

Day 12: Return to Guiyang or continue traveling.