Anshun City
City in Guizhou known for its natural scenery
Guizhou’s karst country draws visitors to Huangguoshu Waterfall and Longgong (Dragon Palace) cave; travelers linger over spicy sour-fish soups, Buyi and Miao markets, and cliffside trails dotted with small tea stalls.
PlacesNeighbourhoods and where to base yourself
Neighbourhoods of Anshun#
- Huangguoshu: Spectacular waterfall area with walkways and viewpoints, best for visitors seeking nature spectacle.
Dining: Picnic Nightlife: None Shopping: Souvenirs Stays: Resorts- Huangguoshu Waterfall: One of Asia’s largest waterfalls and the main attraction.
- Viewing terraces & walkways: Platforms and walkways offering multiple perspectives of the falls.
- Nearby souvenir stalls: Small clusters selling local snacks and keepsakes.
- Tunbao & Old Town: Quiet historic district showcasing stone houses and traditional culture, good for cultural travellers.
Dining: Traditional Nightlife: None Shopping: Handicrafts Stays: Guesthouses- Tianlong Tunbao Ancient Town: Well-preserved Ming-Qing era settlement with regular folk performances.
- Local tunbao eateries: Restaurants serving regional Guizhou flavours.
- Cultural performances: Evening shows showcasing traditional music and theatre.
- Longgong & Caves: Karst cave area with underground rivers and boat tours, ideal for day-trippers.
Dining: Simple Nightlife: None Shopping: Limited Stays: Basic- Dragon Palace Cave (Longgong): Dramatic karst cave with boat tours and underground scenery.
- Near-cave trails: Short walks linking cave entrances and river viewpoints.
- Small visitor centre: Basic amenities for day-trippers.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Anshun at a Glance#
Costs: $30-$60/day: very budget-friendly - low-cost accommodation and local meals; tour prices vary.
Safety: Generally safe, tourist-focused - low violent crime; exercise normal caution in crowded tourist spots.
Best Time: Best visited April-October - warmer months showcase waterfalls and caves at peak flow.
Anshun sits amid Guizhou’s dramatic karst landscapes and is best known for the thundering Huangguoshu Waterfall and nearby ethnic Miao and Buyi villages. Visitors come for towering cascades, cave systems and immersive rural culture.
Getting around: No metro; use city buses, frequent intercity trains at Anshun West station or Anshun Huangguoshu Airport, plus Didi taxis and walking in the old town.
Infrastructure & convenience: Basic infrastructure; Xixiu District offers supermarkets, ATMs and reliable mobile signal, but rural karst areas have patchy coverage and fewer English signs.
Local tips: Be respectful visiting Miao and Buyi villages; ask before photographing, bargain politely at Huangguoshu village markets, and bring sturdy shoes for karst trails.
Dining: Try Guizhou sour and spicy flavors: local beef rice noodles, Anshun-style sour fish, roadside cold noodles near Huangguoshu, and Miao-style chili condiments.
Why Visit Anshun?#
Set in Guizhou’s karst country, this city is best known as the gateway to one of China’s largest waterfalls and rich ethnic culture. Visitors come to see Huangguoshu Waterfall and the nearby Dragon Palace (Longgong) cave, experience Miao and Buyi music and festivals, and taste sour fish soups and spicy local specialties. It’s a place where dramatic karst scenery and minority traditions meet.
Who's Anshun For?#
Anshun is best known for Huangguoshu Waterfall-the region’s headline natural attraction-and nearby karst landscapes. Waterfalls, caves and river scenery make it a prime destination for nature-focused visitors.
Cave exploration (Dragon Palace), waterfall trails and river valley hikes offer hands-on outdoor adventure. Guided tours and easy-to-reach attractions make activity planning straightforward for active travellers.
Guizhou’s spicy, sour flavour profile is present in Anshun’s markets and street food-fermented sauces, local noodles and hearty mountain fare. Expect bold, regional dishes at affordable prices.
Hostels and budget hotels are available, and the area’s compact transport links make it convenient for independent travellers exploring Guizhou. Most attractions are affordable and accessible by local buses.
Plan Your Visit to Anshun#
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Anshun#
Anshun Bucket List#
Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area - China’s expansive waterfall system with multiple viewing platforms and a famous water-curtain cave.
Dragon Palace (Longgong) Cave - Karst cave complex reached by boat, with underground rivers and dramatic stalactites.
Tianlong Tunbao (Tunpu Ancient Town) - Ancient Tunpu fortress village where soldiers’ houses, local theatre and folk crafts remain.
Huangguoshu Waterfall Visitor Center - Informative exhibits explaining the area’s geology, ecology, and visitor routes.
Tunpu Opera at Tianlong Tunbao - Nightly performances preserve centuries-old Tunpu singing and military-style costumes; intimate, authentic experience.
Dragon Palace boat trip (early morning) - Short subterranean boat trip through Longgong’s caverns, often uncrowded early mornings.
Local snack stalls near Huangguoshu - Stall cluster offering Guizhou specialties like sour soup noodles and spit-roasted cold dishes.
Small tea houses in Anshun city center - Low-key spots where locals sip tea, play cards, and share neighborhood news.
Guiyang - Guizhou’s provincial capital with museums, Qianling Park and Jiaxiu Tower, about one hour away.
Qingyan Ancient Town - Well-preserved Ming-Qing era walled town with stone streets and local snack stalls.
Anshun to Huangguoshu Surrounding Villages (short excursions) - Small rural villages near Huangguoshu offering local markets, cuisine, and countryside walks.
Longgong (Dragon Palace) scenic area - deeper exploration - Lesser-visited trails and viewpoints around Longgong rewarding hikers with quiet karst scenery.
Nearby Cities #
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit Anshun#
Visit Anshun in autumn (September-November) or late spring for the driest, mildest conditions - perfect for Huangguoshu Waterfall and karst trails. Summers are hot and monsoon-wet; winters are cool, damp and often overcast.
March - May
8-20°C (46-68°F)
Cool mornings, mild afternoons; trails can be wet but waterfalls like Huangguoshu are spectacular. Good for fewer crowds and spring blooms-bring a light rain jacket.
June - August
21-29°C (70-84°F)
Hot, humid and rainy with frequent afternoon storms; waterfalls roar but heavy rain can disrupt travel and visibility. Expect high humidity and mosquitos-plan flexible days.
September - February
2-19°C (36-66°F)
Crisp, drier weather with clear skies; best time for hiking, karst scenery and visiting scenic spots. Cooler nights demand a jacket but travel is easy.
Anshun's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1204 mm/year), wettest in June with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 8° | 3° | 19 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.6h |
| February | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 5° | 22 mm | overcast | 74% | 1.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| March | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 30 mm | overcast | 70% | 2.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 11° - 20° | 16° | 83 mm | overcast | 67% | 2.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.7h |
| May | Good | 15° - 23° | 19° | 167 mm | overcast | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| June | Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 233 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.6h |
| July | Good | 19° - 26° | 23° | 198 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.5h |
| August | Good | 18° - 27° | 22° | 169 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.9h |
| September | Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 118 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.2h |
| October | Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 96 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 48 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.7h |
| December | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 6° | 21 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.4h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to Anshun#
Anshun is most commonly reached via the nearby Anshun Huangguoshu Airport for regional flights or by rail/bus from Guiyang (Longdongbao Airport and Guiyang railway stations). High-speed trains to Anshun West and regular intercity coaches connect the city to other Guizhou destinations.
Anshun Huangguoshu Airport (AVA): The local airport serving Anshun and the Huangguoshu Waterfall area has limited domestic flights. From the airport you can take an airport shuttle or intercity minivan to Anshun city centre and nearby tourist sites (typical shuttle/minivan fares ~CNY 20-40; journey 40-60 minutes); taxis or private transfers are faster but cost more (roughly CNY 80-150, 30-50 minutes depending on traffic).
Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE): Guiyang’s main airport is the most common entry point for international and many domestic visitors. To reach Anshun, take the airport shuttle or a taxi into Guiyang city (shuttle ~CNY 20-30, 30-40 minutes) and then an intercity bus or high-speed train to Anshun (see Train & Bus card). A direct taxi from KWE to Anshun is possible but expensive (roughly CNY 200-350) and takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Train: Anshun West (安顺西) is the main high-speed rail station serving the city on the Guiyang-Kunming corridor. High-speed trains from Guiyang to Anshun typically take around 40-60 minutes; second-class seats are commonly in the range of CNY 15-45 depending on service. There are also slower conventional trains serving Anshun’s older station for regional connections.
Bus: Anshun is well served by intercity coaches from Guiyang and neighbouring Guizhou cities; the main long-distance bus terminals (客运站) operate frequent services. Fares depend on distance - short intercity runs to nearby towns can be CNY 10-40, while longer routes from Guiyang or provincial hubs are commonly CNY 30-80; travel times vary from ~1-2 hours depending on origin and traffic.
How to Get Around Anshun#
Getting around Anshun is straightforward: use the high-speed rail for regional hops and taxis or local buses for city travel. Walking and short bike rides work well inside the centre, while intercity buses fill gaps where trains don’t run.
- Train (Anshun West) (CNY 15-45) - Anshun West (安顺西) is the best option for fast, comfortable regional travel - it sits on the Guiyang-Kunming high-speed line. Trains are frequent from Guiyang and other Guizhou cities; book ahead during holiday periods. Use the station’s taxi rank or a short local bus to reach the city centre.
- Intercity Bus (CNY 10-80) - Long-distance coaches run from Guiyang and neighbouring towns into Anshun’s main bus stations throughout the day. Buses are inexpensive and serve many smaller towns not on the high-speed network, but they can be slower and subject to road conditions. Buy tickets at the terminal or via local apps; keep cash for some smaller operators.
- City buses (CNY 1-3) - Local city buses cover most neighbourhoods and are the cheapest way to move around Anshun. Frequency can be lower than in larger Chinese cities and signage may be in Chinese only, so ask your hotel for route advice or use a mapping app. Expect fares around a few yuan per ride.
- Taxis & Didi (CNY 8-60) - Taxis are widely available and affordable for short hops across town; meters start with a small flag-fall and typical rides inside the city are CNY 10-40. Didi works in the region and can be convenient if you have a local SIM and app configured. At night or in remote areas, agree on availability ahead of time.
- Bicycle / e-bike rental (CNY 1-30) - Short-term bike and e-bike rentals are a handy option for exploring compact neighbourhoods and riverfront areas. Rates are low (hourly or daily options) and apps or rental shops will handle payments; helmets and local traffic rules should be observed. Bikes are ideal for short sightseeing trips but less suited to hilly outskirts.
- Walking - Anshun’s central districts and many scenic spots are compact and pleasant to explore on foot. Walking is often the fastest way to navigate busy market streets and find local eateries; wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven pavements in older areas.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Anshun#
City Centre - $15-50/night
Small budget hotels and domestic chains are common. Rooms are simple and practical, suitable for short stays while exploring local caves and countryside.
Budget hotels and guesthouses (Booking listings) - Local low-cost options available
Jinjiang Inn branches (Anshun listings) - Economy chain presence
City Centre - $40-120/night
Mid-range city hotels offer better bedding, breakfast and location near tourist sites like the Huangguoshu area, making them a practical choice for travellers.
Mid-range hotels (Booking listings) - Comfortable stays near attractions
Local mid-range chains (Agoda) - Good for families and longer stays
Surrounding region - $120-300/night
Luxury options are limited; travellers seeking high-end amenities often stay in larger nearby cities or boutique resorts offering more space and dining options.
Upscale hotels and resorts (Booking) - Limited high-end options in town
Boutique upscale stays (Agoda) - Calmer, higher-comfort properties
City Centre - $30-110/night
Stay central for easy access to tour operators and transport to sites like Huangguoshu Waterfall. Local hotels help arrange guided visits and transfers.
Central hotels (Booking) - Close to transport and local tours
Tour-friendly guesthouses (Agoda) - Helpful for arranging trips
City Centre - $40-140/night
Family rooms and serviced apartments are practical for longer stays. Proximity to parks and tour pickup points simplifies family excursions to natural attractions.
Family-friendly hotels (Booking) - Larger rooms and meal options
Serviced apartments and mid-range hotels - Good for family stays
City Centre - $35-140/night
Internet can be variable; choose mid-range hotels or serviced apartments that advertise Wi‑Fi and workspace. Day trips to nearby scenic spots are easy.
Hotels listing Wi‑Fi (Booking) - Mid-range hotels with internet
Serviced apartments (Agoda) - Better for longer remote work
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Anshun#
Anshun is a gateway to Guizhou’s sour-spicy culinary world. The city is famed for its cold noodle preparations and the punchy, fermented flavours common to the province - you’ll encounter chilli, preserved vegetables and bold seasonings in local snacks and hot pots.
Dining is direct and regional: market stalls, small eateries and hotel restaurants. Vegetarians can rely on Buddhist kitchens and vegetable-forward local dishes if they avoid the ubiquitous meat broths.
Anshun is known across Guizhou for its cold noodles and sour-spicy regional flavours - bold, peppery and fermented notes dominate.
- Anshun Cold Noodles vendors - Famous spicy-cool buckwheat noodle bowls.
- Local Guizhou hot-pot stalls - Sour and spicy regional hot pots.
- County market eateries - Guizhou small plates and snacks.
You’ll find hotel restaurants and Sichuan-style places for wider Chinese tastes; international options are modest and mainly in larger hotels.
- Hotel restaurants - Chinese and some Western-style dishes.
- Neighbourhood Sichuan eateries - Spicy Sichuan mains common nearby.
- Local cafés - Coffee and light snacks for travelers.
Vegetarian food is available via temple kitchens, market produce and simple noodle shops that will serve veg versions of cold noodles.
- Buddhist vegetarian spots - Tofu-based set meals and vegetable dishes.
- Market vegetable stalls - Fresh local greens and pickles.
- Local noodle shops - Cold noodle bowls minus meat upon request.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Anshun’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Anshun#
Anshun is best known for natural sights rather than a wild nightlife. Evenings are calm - local teahouses, small bars and late-night street-food stalls serve the neighborhood crowds. Most social life happens in modest cafés and around the town centre. Practical tip: expect early closing times outside peak tourist periods; if you want livelier nightlife, larger Guizhou cities require travel.
Best Bets
- Local night markets (search) - Evening street-food stalls and snacks in busy periods.
- Town centre restaurants and teahouses - Casual evening dining and tea spots popular with locals.
- KTV lounges (search) - Karaoke is a common group activity into the night.
- Evening around tourist sites - Quiet nights near attractions - best during peak season.
- Trips to Guiyang - Larger-city nightlife and clubs reachable by train or bus.
- Small bars & casual venues - Places for a relaxed drink and conversation.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
Shopping in Anshun#
Anshun is best known for Huangguoshu Waterfall and the surrounding Miao and Buyi minority crafts. Shopping here focuses on regional handicrafts, dried local foods, and simple markets in town. Don’t expect high-end malls; instead, buy embroidered textiles, silver jewelry, and tea from small shops and market stalls. Bargaining is acceptable at souvenir stands near tourist attractions.
Best Bets
- Huangguoshu Scenic Area souvenir stalls - Souvenirs, minority handicrafts, and local snacks near the falls.
- Anshun Old Town shopping streets - Small shops selling textiles, silverwork, and regional specialties.
- Anshun Central Market (西秀区市场) - Local produce, spices, and everyday household items.
- Miao and Buyi craft stalls - Hand-embroidered clothing and traditional silver accessories.
- Local tea and snack shops - Buy Guizhou teas and regional dried delicacies as gifts.
- Evening street stalls and small night markets - Informal stalls selling street food and inexpensive goods.