Guizhou Province: Basic Info, Culture & Food

Written by Anthony
Last update Апрель 25, 2026

Learn key facts about Guizhou Province, including its geography, cities, ethnic culture, food traditions, and intangible cultural heritage.

About Guizhou

Guizhou Province, located in southwestern China, is known for its diverse ethnic culture and stunning natural landscapes.

Covering an area of 176,167 square kilometers, it is home to 6 cities and 3 autonomous regions, with a population of 38.6 million as of 2024.

The province is characterized by mountainous terrain, with 92.5% of its land being hills and mountains.

Guizhou has a subtropical humid monsoon climate and is recognized as a national ecological civilization pilot area.

Rich in natural resources, it is a leading producer of phosphate-related products.

The province also holds two items on the national intangible cultural heritage list, highlighting its unique cultural and historical significance.

If you want help choosing routes, trip length, and the best places to combine on a first visit, see our Guizhou Travel Guide.

Category	Detail	Category	Detail
Nickname	Guizhou (贵), Qian (黔)	Area	176,167 km²
Administrative Code	520000	Population	38.6 million (2024)
Region	People’s Republic of China	Capital	Guiyang
Geographic Location	Southeastern part of Southwest China	Representative Places	Huangguoshu Waterfall, Fanjing Mountain, Zunyi Conference Site, Wanfenglin, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
Climate	Subtropical humid monsoon climate	Transportation	Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, Zunyi Xinzhou Airport, Tongren Fenghuang Airport
GDP	22,667.12 billion yuan (2024)	Railway Stations	Guiyang Station, Guiyang North Station, Zunyi Station, Liupanshui Station
GDP per capita	58,685 yuan (2024)	Languages	Chuanqian dialect, Qiandongnan dialect, Qiannan dialect
Disposable Income per capita	28,561 yuan (2024)	Famous Sites	Guiyang City Government, Guizhou Provincial Government Website
Provincial Flower	Rhododendron	Provincial Bird	Red-bellied Pheasant
Geographic Coordinates	East longitude: 103°36′ – 109°35′, North latitude: 24°37′ – 29°13′	Postal Code	550000 – 564700

Guizhou Administrative Divisions Overview

Guizhou province consists of 6 prefecture-level cities and 3 autonomous prefectures, with a total of 88 county-level divisions.

These include 50 counties, 11 autonomous counties, 10 county-level cities, 16 urban districts, and 1 special district.

The province also has 122 townships, 192 ethnic townships, 831 towns, and 365 streets, totaling 1,510 township-level divisions.

The provincial government is based in Guiyang, located at No. 242, North Zhonghua Road, Yunyan District.

Each city and prefecture has its own distinctive administrative structure, contributing to the province’s diverse cultural and geographical landscape.

The administrative units reflect Guizhou’s rich ethnic and regional diversity, making it a unique area within China.

Cities in Guizhou (Ranked By GDP)

Scenery in Guizhou

Guizhou Province is home to 9 5A-rated scenic spots and 152 4A-rated scenic spots, making it a prominent destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and cultural experiences.

By the end of 2024, there were 81 nationally protected cultural heritage sites and 559 key villages and towns for rural tourism.

The Huangguoshu Waterfall, located in Anshun, is one of Asia’s largest waterfall complexes and a stunning example of karst topography.

Libo Xiaoqikong, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features lush forests, caves, and ancient bridges.

The majestic Fanjing Mountain, famous for its rare plant species and Buddhist significance, offers breathtaking views and a spiritual atmosphere.

These sites, along with the picturesque Zunyi Conference site and unique cultural landscapes, make Guizhou a prime destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

The province also boasts a wide variety of festivals and ethnic traditions that attract visitors year-round.

Food in Guizhou

Guizhou’s culinary culture is known for its distinctive ethnic features, unique geographical environment, and diverse flavors.

The province is famous for its “sour, spicy, and fragrant” style, where sourness and spiciness blend seamlessly.

Influenced by the region’s mountainous terrain, local cuisine utilizes wild mushrooms, herbs, and grains, such as millet and buckwheat.

The food is cooked using both simple and refined techniques, with hot pots being a popular dish, often featuring fermented ingredients.

The province also has a deep cultural connection to food, with wine and food being key social elements, especially during festivals.

Guizhou’s food culture is a reflection of its diverse ethnic groups, bringing together various traditional and modern tastes to create a rich culinary landscape.

Intangible Cultural Heritage in Guizhou Overview

Guizhou, a province rich in intangible cultural heritage, has a strong foundation in preserving and developing its diverse ethnic traditions.

By 2024, the province has three items on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, 99 national-level projects, and over 7000 county-level projects covering music, dance, crafts, and festivals.

Guizhou has implemented effective protection strategies, including legislation, ecological conservation areas, and digital preservation.

The province has also cultivated a robust group of heritage bearers, with over 90 national-level inheritors.

Through workshops, industrialization, and integration with tourism, Guizhou is turning its cultural heritage into an economic asset, showcasing its unique culture globally and helping with rural revitalization.

Attractive ICH in Guizhou

China Province Basic Info

Anhui

Fujian, Home to Mazu Beliefs, Nanyin, and Hakka Tulou

Gansu

Guangdong, the Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road

Guangxi, Ba Gui Culture & Iconic Guilin Mountain Views

Hainan

Hebei

Heilongjiang, Best China’s Ice-Snow Tourism Destination

Henan

Hubei

Hunan, Heart of Chu-Han Culture and Red Culture

Inner Mongolia, Kingdom of Grasslands, Ocean of Songs, Homeland of Wine

Jiangsu, a land of Wu charm and Han elegance

Jiangxi

Jilin, Snow Paradise, Changbai Mountain, and Winter Fishing

Liaoning

Ningxia

Qinghai

Shaanxi, A Birthplace of Chinese Nation & Civilization

Shandong, Land of Qi and Lu, Hometown of Confucius

Shanxi

Sichuan, Land of Shu Civilization, Hotpot, and Pandas

Taiwan, a Cultural Blend of Hakka, Indigenous, and Western Influences

Tianjin

Tibet/Xizang

Xinjiang, Ethnic Customs of the Western Regions

Yunnan, A Cultural and Natural Paradise with Scenic Wonders

Zhejiang, A Timeless Land of Jiangnan Charm

FAQs About Guizhou

What is Guizhou known for?

Guizhou is known for its mountainous landscapes, powerful waterfalls, rich ethnic diversity, sour-spicy cuisine, and strong intangible cultural heritage. For many readers, its best-known highlights include Huangguoshu Waterfall, Fanjingshan, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, and Wanfenglin.

Where is Guizhou in China?

Guizhou is located in Southwest China. It borders Sichuan and Chongqing to the north, Hunan to the east, Guangxi to the south, and Yunnan to the west. Because of this position, it connects several major cultural and landscape regions in inland southern China.

What is the capital of Guizhou?

The capital of Guizhou is Guiyang. It is the province’s political, economic, and transportation center, and it also serves as the best-known gateway city for exploring the rest of Guizhou.

Is Guizhou mountainous?

Yes. Guizhou is one of China’s most mountainous provinces, with terrain dominated by hills, plateaus, karst formations, valleys, and river systems. This landscape is a major reason why the province is known for dramatic scenery, ethnic settlement diversity, and strong regional variation.

What ethnic groups live in Guizhou?

Guizhou is home to many ethnic groups, including the Miao, Dong, Buyi, Shui, Yi, Gelao, and Tujia, alongside the Han majority. This ethnic diversity is one of the province’s most distinctive cultural features and shapes its festivals, architecture, clothing, music, crafts, and food traditions.

What language is spoken in Guizhou?

Mandarin is widely used across Guizhou, but many areas also have strong local dialects and ethnic languages. In daily life, you may hear Southwestern Mandarin varieties as well as languages used by Miao, Dong, Buyi, Shui, and other ethnic communities.

What kind of food is Guizhou famous for?

Guizhou cuisine is especially known for its sour-spicy flavor profile, fermented ingredients, and strong regional character. Representative foods include sour soup fish, Changwang noodles, Huaxi beef noodles, Siwawa, and many dishes built around chili, preserved flavors, and local herbs.

Why is Guizhou important for cultural heritage?

Guizhou is important for cultural heritage because it preserves a wide range of traditional village life, ethnic crafts, music, festivals, architecture, embroidery, silverwork, paper-making, batik, and oral traditions. Its cultural richness is one of the main reasons the province stands out within China.

Anthony

I’m Anthony, the founder and editor of The China Journey. I create practical, experience-based guides covering travel, food, and culture across China, with a focus on helping international travelers make clear planning decisions.