Anshun

Anshun sits at an elevation of approximately 1,100 metres on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southwestern China. The prefecture-level city functions as the central transit hub for Guizhou's western karst landscapes, anchoring access to Huangguoshu Waterfall—China's largest waterfall system—and the subterranean river networks of Longgong Caves. Because of its elevation, summer temperatures average between 21°C and 25°C, making the city a frequent summer retreat for travellers escaping the heat of lowland provinces.

The region has a distinct garrison history. In the late 14th century, the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty dispatched expeditionary armies to secure southwestern frontiers, establishing fortified stone farming villages known as Tunpu (屯堡). The descendants of these Ming soldiers have preserved late-medieval Jiangnan customs, stone architecture, traditional blue robes, and Dixi (ground opera) masked performances across rural Anshun for over six centuries.

Alongside the Tunpu settlements, Anshun is an ancestral homeland for the Bouyi (Buyi) and Miao ethnic groups. The Bouyi, who concentrate in valleys along the Baishui and Getu rivers, are skilled in traditional wax-resist indigo batik dyeing and stilt-house carpentry. Most travellers base themselves in Anshun's urban core for direct bus and rail connections before venturing out to the surrounding national scenic parks and rural stone settlements.

By Air

Anshun Huangguoshu Airport (AVA) is located 6 km south of the city centre. The airport operates limited regional routes, with seasonal domestic flights on carriers such as China Express Airlines and Loong Air connecting to Beijing Daxing (3 hours 10 minutes) and Shanghai Pudong (2 hours 45 minutes). A metered taxi from the airport to downtown Anshun costs ¥30–40 ($4.20–$5.50) and takes 15 minutes.

For comprehensive flight connections, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE) is located 105 km east of Anshun. Guiyang airport connects to major hubs across China and East Asia. From Guiyang airport, take an intercity coach (¥65 / $9, 1.5 hours) or take Guiyang Metro Line 2 to Guiyang North Railway Station to connect with high-speed trains to Anshun.

By Train

Anshun has two active passenger railway stations:

• Anshun West Railway Station (安顺西站): Located 8 km southwest of the city centre, this station handles all high-speed services on the Shanghai–Kunming High-Speed Railway. China Railway operates high-frequency bullet trains daily:
  • Guiyang North (贵阳北): 30–40 minutes; second-class seat ¥46.50 ($6.50), first-class ¥78.50 ($11). Trains depart every 15–20 minutes from 07:00 to 22:00.
  • Kunming South (昆明南): 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes; second-class seat ¥165 ($23), first-class ¥278 ($39). Roughly 40 daily departures.
  • Changsha South (长沙南): 3.5 to 4 hours; second-class seat ¥360 ($50).
• Anshun Railway Station (安顺站): Located on Zhonghua South Road in the downtown area. It serves conventional K-series and slow trains on the Gui-Kun rail line to destinations such as Liupanshui (2 hours, ¥24.50 / $3.40) and Kaili (3.5 hours, ¥43.50 / $6).

By Bus

• Anshun East Bus Station (安顺客运东站): Located along Huangguoshu East Road, 10 km east of downtown. Coaches from Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station arrive every 20 minutes (¥35 / $4.90, 1.5 hours). Direct tourist buses run from here to Huangguoshu Scenic Area (¥22 / $3.10, 45–60 minutes, departing every 20 minutes from 07:20 to 19:00) and Longgong Caves (¥12 / $1.70, 35 minutes, departing every 30 minutes).
• Anshun North Bus Station (安顺客运北站): Located on Beiling Road. Handles regional northern routes, including direct minibuses to Zhijin town for Zhijin Cave (¥35 / $4.90, 2.5 hours, departing every 30 minutes between 07:30 and 17:30).

By Car

The G60 Shanghai–Kunming Expressway runs directly past Anshun, linking the city east to Guiyang (90 km, 1 hour 15 minutes drive) and west to Kunming (450 km, 5 hours drive). The G7611 Duyun–Shangri-La Expressway provides southward links to Ziyun County and Xingyi. Rental cars can be collected at Guiyang Longdongbao Airport or Anshun West Railway Station with a valid Chinese driving licence.

• City Buses: Anshun operates an urban bus network with fares fixed at ¥2 ($0.28) per ride, payable via cash or contactless transit codes in Alipay/WeChat. Key routes include:
  • Bus 1: Connects Anshun Railway Station with Tashan East Road and the downtown commercial strip.
  • Bus 16 & Bus 19: Connect central commercial avenues with Anshun East Bus Station and Anshun West Railway Station.
• Taxis: Metered urban taxis charge a base fare of ¥7 ($1) for the first 2 km, increasing by roughly ¥1.80 per kilometre thereafter. A typical ride within the city core costs ¥10–18 ($1.40–$2.50).
• Ride-Hailing: DiDi operates across Anshun. Standard fares within the central district range from ¥8 to ¥25 ($1.10–$3.50).
• Scenic Area Shuttles: Direct tourist shuttles depart from the transport plazas at Anshun West Railway Station and Anshun East Bus Station directly to the ticket gates of Huangguoshu (¥22 / $3.10) and Longgong (¥12 / $1.70).

• Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area (黄果树大瀑布景区) — Situated 45 km southwest of Anshun on the Baishui River, the main cascade drops 77.8 metres and spans 101 metres wide. A pedestrian path cuts behind the roaring cascade through the Water Curtain Cave (Shuilian Dong), providing views through natural stone windows. The unified admission ticket also covers Tianxingqiao (a limestone landscape of stepping stones, natural bonsai gardens, and the Silver Chain Waterfall) and Doupotang Waterfall (a 105-metre-wide curtain fall). Entry fee: ¥160 ($22.50) peak season (March–November), ¥150 ($21) off-peak; mandatory scenic eco-bus ¥50 ($7); optional round-trip escalator ¥50 ($7).

• Longgong (Dragon Palace) Scenic Area (龙宫风景区) — Located 27 km southwest of central Anshun. This karst hydrological complex contains a 15-kilometre subterranean river system that cuts through cavernous limestone chambers. Guided flat-bottom boats carry passengers past illuminated stalactite formations, ending near the 38-metre-tall Dragon Gate underground waterfall. Entry fee: ¥130–150 ($18–$21), including cave boat passage and scenic shuttle bus; optional cliff elevator ¥35 ($5) one way.

• Tianlong Tunbao (天龙屯堡) — A 600-year-old stone garrison settlement located 30 km east of Anshun in Pingba District. Founded by Ming Dynasty military colonists, the village features thick stone-slab defensive houses, narrow paved alleyways, and the 14th-century Tiantai Mountain Wulong Temple. Local residents regularly perform Dixi (Ground Opera), wearing carved wooden masks to enact historical battle dramas. Entry fee: ¥60 ($8.50).

• Yunfeng Eight Villages (云峰八寨 / 云峰屯堡) — Located 15 km south of Anshun city. A network of eight defensive stone villages, including Benzhai and Yunshantun, built into karst hill passes with stone watchtowers, concealed gun embrasures, and fortress courtyards dating to the Ming era. Entry fee: ¥50 ($7).

• Anshun Confucian Temple (安顺文庙) — Located on Dongshan Road in central Xixiu District. Constructed in 1368 and expanded during the Qing Dynasty, the complex is renowned for its four five-metre-tall openwork stone pillars carved with twisting four-clawed dragons, sculpted from single blocks of local limestone. Entry fee: ¥10 ($1.40).

• Getu River Karst National Park (格凸河穿洞风景名胜区) — Located in Ziyun County, 100 km south of Anshun. The park contains Chuanshang Cave (the Great Arch), an enormous natural limestone opening 70 metres high, and Yanzi Cave, where tens of thousands of swifts nest each spring. Local Miao cliff-climbers demonstrate barehand climbing techniques up sheer 100-metre rock faces without safety ropes. Entry fee: ¥150 ($21) including scenic shuttle and river boat ride.

• Walk the Water Curtain Cave: Follow the cliffside path behind Huangguoshu Waterfall. Bring a waterproof jacket or poncho to navigate the stone path behind the thundering sheet of water.

• Watch a Live Dixi Performance: Attend a ground opera performance at Tianlong Tunpu, where performers strap carved wooden warrior masks to their foreheads, carry spears, and sing ancient military ballads to the rhythm of gongs and drums.

• Learn Bouyi Batik Dyeing: Visit an artisan workshop in Zhenning or Xixiu District to draw patterns on handwoven cotton using heated beeswax pens before submerging the fabric in natural indigo dye vats.

• Rock Climb at Getu River: Climb limestone crags in the Getu Valley, which offers hundreds of bolted sport routes ranging in grade from 5.10 to 5.14c across the Great Arch and surrounding canyons.

• Explore Karst Caverns on Foot: Hike the lower loop of Tianxingqiao through limestone fissures and natural stone bridges where underground rivers emerge and submerge through the rock base.

Guizhou cuisine is characterized by suan la (sour and spicy) profiles, created through fermented tomato bases, pickled vegetables, and roasted chili pastes rather than heavy vinegar.

Signature Dishes

• Sour Soup Fish (酸汤鱼): Fresh river catfish or carp simmered in a hot broth made from wild fermented tomatoes, red chilies, wood oil fruit (litsea cubeba), and garlic, served hotpot-style.
• Siwawa (丝娃娃 / Silk Baby): Thin, cold rice-flour wrappers filled with shredded radish, cucumber, bean sprouts, pickled turnip, and fried soybeans, wrapped tightly and dipped in a bowl of sour chili sauce.
• Anshun Beef Rice Noodles (安顺牛肉粉): Round rice noodles served in a rich bone broth topped with sliced braised beef, fresh mint, coriander, and dried chili flakes.
• Zhenning Bean and Rice Hotpot (镇宁油豆鼓火锅): Thick, savory broth thickened with fermented beans and mashed rice, used to cook pork ribs, crispy pork belly, and seasonal vegetables.

Recommended Restaurants

• Wang Ji Beef Rice Noodle (王记牛肉粉), Zhonghua South Road, Xixiu District — Popular local noodle shop serving spicy beef rice noodles and herbal beef tripe soup. Price: ¥12–22 ($1.70–$3.10) per bowl. Tier: Budget.
• Lu Ji Siwawa (卢记丝娃娃), Tashan East Road, Xixiu District — Longstanding eatery specializing in traditional Anshun siwawa with over a dozen fresh vegetable toppings and spicy-tart dipping sauce. Price: ¥25–40 ($3.50–$5.50) per person. Tier: Budget.
• Qianwei Douhuaji (黔味豆花鸡), Guiyang Road, Xixiu District — Serves bubbling hotpot dishes featuring tender chicken cooked with soft tofu pudding and fermented chili paste. Price: ¥50–80 ($7–$11) per person. Tier: Mid-range.
• Huangguoshu No. 1 Restaurant (黄果树第一楼酒家), Zhenning Scenic Highway near Waterfall Entrance — Full-service restaurant preparing authentic sour soup fish, stir-fried cured pork with garlic scapes, and Bouyi-style tofu dishes. Price: ¥70–120 ($10–$17) per person. Tier: Mid-range.

• Anjiu (安酒): Anshun’s native distilled sorghum spirit (53% ABV), noted for its distinct sauce-aroma profile and dry finish.
• Local Teas: Freshly brewed green teas, such as locally grown Yunfeng tea, are served at tea shops around Hongshan Lake and Dongshan Road.
• Water Safety: Tap water across Anshun is not safe for direct consumption. Drink boiled water or sealed bottled water, which is available in convenience stores for ¥2–4 ($0.28–$0.55).

Budget

• Hanting Hotel (Anshun Railway Station / Tashan Road): Clean, basic chain hotel located 800 metres from the conventional train station, offering air-conditioned rooms and high-speed Wi-Fi. Nightly rates: ¥130–200 ($18–$28).
• Huangguoshu Town Guesthouses (Zhenning County): Family-run guesthouses clustered within walking distance of the Huangguoshu ticket centre, offering simple ensuite rooms. Nightly rates: ¥90–160 ($13–$22).

Mid-Range

• Vienna International Hotel (Anshun West High-Speed Station): Located 5 minutes by taxi from the high-speed rail terminal, providing spacious modern rooms, business facilities, and on-site breakfast. Nightly rates: ¥280–420 ($39–$59).
• Four Points by Sheraton Anshun, Huangguoshu: Situated along the scenic expressway approaching the waterfall area, featuring modern rooms, western and Chinese dining, and fitness facilities. Nightly rates: ¥380–580 ($53–$81).

Upscale

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Anshun: Located on Hongshan South Road in downtown Xixiu District, adjacent to Hongshan Lake. Offers lake-view rooms, an indoor heated swimming pool, a full fitness centre, and multiple on-site restaurants. Nightly rates: ¥600–1,050 ($84–$147).
• Grand New Century Resort Hotel Huangguoshu: Set among karst limestone hills 3 km from the main Huangguoshu Waterfall entrance. Features villa-style suites, landscaped gardens, outdoor terraces, and local dining options. Nightly rates: ¥850–1,500 ($119–$210).

• Bouyi Batik (蜡染): Indigo-dyed textiles featuring traditional geometric patterns, fish, birds, and floral designs. Available as wall hangings, table runners, and clothing in markets along Zhonghua East Road and at workshop cooperatives in Zhenning (¥40–300 / $5.50–$42).
• Anshun Kitchen Knives (安顺菜刀): Forged carbon steel and stainless steel kitchen cleavers manufactured using traditional heat-treatment methods dating back to the Qing Dynasty (¥50–150 / $7–$21).
• Guizhou Green Teas: High-elevation loose-leaf green teas produced in surrounding hills, notably Yunfeng tea and Duyun Maojian (¥60–200 / $8.50–$28 per 250g tin).
• Anjiu (安酒): A traditional 53% ABV grain-distilled baijiu spirit produced in Anshun since the 1930s, packaged in ceramic bottles (¥120–400 / $17–$56).

• Guiyang (贵阳) — 90 km east (30–40 minutes by high-speed train, ¥46.50 / $6.50). The provincial capital features the 400-year-old Jiaxiu Tower, Qianling Park's macaques and historic temples, and extensive street food night markets along Qingyun Road.
• Zhijin Cave (织金洞) — 120 km north (2.5 hours by direct bus from Anshun North Bus Station, ¥35 / $4.90). An immense dry karst cavern featuring massive underground chambers and 50-metre-tall stalagmites, including the Silver Rain Tree formation.
• Xingyi & Wanfenglin (兴义 / 万峰林) — 200 km southwest (2.5 hours by train or 3 hours by coach, ¥60–85 / $8.50–$12). Base for exploring the Ten Thousand Peak Forest, a valley of thousands of conical karst peaks alongside the Maling River Canyon.
• Kaili (凯里) — 220 km east (1.5 hours by high-speed train via Guiyang North, ~¥90 / $12.50). The central cultural base for Miao and Dong ethnic villages in Qiandongnan Prefecture, including Xijiang Thousand Miao Village and Langde.
• Kunming (昆明) — 460 km west (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by high-speed train, ¥165 / $23). Capital of Yunnan Province, offering transport links to the Stone Forest, Dali, and Lijiang.