Yan Zhou
📌 What's Inside This Guide
You just arrived at Huangguoshu Waterfall, the giant mist soaking your face, and you're thinking, "Wow, this is amazing!" But then you realize you're standing in the worst possible spot for photos, and the crowds are crushing in. Trust me, I've taken hundreds of groups here – that moment happens way too often. I'm a local guide with over a decade in Guizhou, and I've seen every rookie mistake. This Anshun itinerary for first-timers will save you from that misery.
Most guides tell you to hit the big spots but leave out the tiny details that make a trip smooth. I'm going to give you the real deal: exact times, ticket hacks, which bathroom to use (seriously), and the best local food that doesn't break the bank. Let's dive in.
Day 1: Huangguoshu Waterfall – The Main Event
Getting There from Guiyang
You'll most likely base yourself in Guiyang first. Take a bullet train from Guiyang North to Anshun West station – it's only 30 minutes and costs about ¥45. Then grab a taxi from Anshun West to your hotel (around ¥25, 15 minutes). Or you can go straight to the waterfall: from Anshun West to Huangguoshu Scenic Area by taxi costs ¥150-180 and takes an hour. Cheaper option: bus from Anshun East Bus Station (¥22, every 30 minutes).
🐛 Pro tip: Book your train tickets in advance on 12306 or Trip.com (search for Guiyang North → Anshun West). Don't buy from scalpers outside the station – they'll overcharge you.
Inside Huangguoshu Waterfall
Ticket price: Adult ¥160 (peak season March–November), ¥150 (off-peak). Children under 1.2m free; students with valid ID ¥80. Seniors over 70 get free entry (show passport).
Reservation: You must book in advance through the WeChat mini-program 黄果树景区 (search for it – it has an English interface too). At least 3 days ahead in summer. Without a booking, you won't get in.
Opening hours: 7:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00).
Time needed: 4–5 hours minimum.
Transport within: You have to take the scenic shuttle bus (¥50 round trip, mandatory). It drops you at different stops: the main waterfall, Steep Slope Pool, and Heavenly Star Bridge.
📸 Best photo time: 9–11 am. The light hits the falls perfectly, and crowds are thinner. After 2 pm, the sun is behind the waterfall, so you'll get backlit shots and face the tour groups. I once had a couple cry because they came at 3 pm and couldn't get a single good picture. Don't be that couple.
Don't miss: Water Curtain Cave – you walk behind the falls. Prepare to get wet! Buy a cheap raincoat from the stalls outside (¥5) – inside the park they'll charge ¥20. The path can be slippery; wear non-slip shoes.
Bathroom break? The public restroom near the entrance is often packed. Use the one at the shuttle bus stop before you board – much cleaner.
Evening: Drive to Anshun City
After the falls, catch a taxi back to Anshun (about ¥150). Check into your hotel and have dinner. I recommend Niu Ba Ba beef rice noodles at 4 Zhonghua North Road – a local chain with English menu pictures. A huge bowl costs ¥18 and it's spicy beef broth with tender slices. Peak hour around 7 pm, expect a 10-minute wait. They take Alipay and WeChat Pay, but not foreign cards.
Day 2: Dragon Palace & Tunpu Ancient Village
Morning: Dragon Palace (Longgong)
Address: Longgong Town, Xixiu District, Anshun. Search "Dragon Palace scenic area" in Didi or Gaode maps.
Ticket: ¥150 (includes boat ride). Students half price. Also book via WeChat mini-program 龙宫景区.
Opening hours: 8:00–17:30.
Getting there: 30-minute taxi from Anshun city center, about ¥60.
What to expect: You'll ride a boat through a limestone cave with colorful lights – it's like a natural underground palace. The cave is cool (around 18°C); bring a light jacket even in summer. The boat tour takes 40 minutes, plus walking paths. Total time: 2–3 hours.
⚠️ Warning: The walkways can be wet and slippery. I once had a tourist twist her ankle because she wore sandals. Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip. Also, the cave lighting is dim – watch your head on low stalactites!
Afternoon: Tunpu Ancient Village
Why go? Tunpu villages are settlements built by Ming dynasty soldiers and their families. You'll see stone houses, watchtowers, and women still wearing traditional Ming clothing. It's like stepping back 600 years.
Ticket: ¥60 (Tianlong Tunpu). Some villages free if you walk around.
Getting there: 40-minute taxi from Dragon Palace, about ¥80. Or take a bus from Anshun East Station to the village (¥10, 1 hour).
Time: 2–3 hours.
Don't miss: The local opera performance (Dixi) with wooden masks. Showtimes usually at 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm – ask a local at the entrance to confirm.
📸 Photo tip: The best photo spot is from the watchtower at the village entrance. Go around 3 pm when the golden light hits the stone roofs. Avoid noon – flat light and harsh shadows.
Evening: Return to Anshun
Take a taxi back to Anshun (¥80). For dinner, try Old Chang's Intestine Noodles at 32 Minzhu Road. The signature dish is chewy egg noodles with pig blood cubes and tripe – sounds weird but it's a local treasure. A bowl costs ¥12. They have a picture menu, so just point. They close at 8 pm, so don't come too late. Cash only – bring small bills.
Day 3: Anshun City & Departure
Morning: Confucius Temple & Hongshan Lake
Confucius Temple (Anshun Wenmiao): Address: 76 Confucius Temple Road. Ticket ¥10. It's a quiet 20-minute walk through old halls and stone carvings. Nice for a relaxing start.
Hongshan Lake Park: Right next to the temple. Free. A huge lake with walking paths. Locals practice tai chi here. Great for a morning stroll.
Lunch: Market Street Snacks
Head to Anshun Old Street (near the temple). Try Bobobo Tang – a crispy peanut candy, perfect as a gift. Also grab Siwawa – rice pancakes filled with shredded veggies and drizzled with sour peanut sauce. A stall at the corner of Zhonghua Road sells 8 pieces for ¥10.
Afternoon: Departure
Take a taxi to Anshun West station (¥25) and hop a train back to Guiyang. Or if you're heading to Kunming or elsewhere, Anshun West connects to many cities.
Where to Stay in Anshun
| Hotel | Address | Price Range (per night) | Best For | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pullman Anshun | 66 Huangguoshu Avenue | ¥400–600 | Couples, business | Good Wi-Fi, English-speaking front desk, elevator, gym |
| Hilton Garden Inn Anshun | 28 East Longtan Road | ¥300–500 | Families, comfort | Breakfast buffet, quiet rooms, free shuttle to train station |
| Anshun Old Street Inn | 12 Minzhu Road | ¥200–350 | Backpackers, solo | Close to food, luggage storage, no elevator (3 floors) – ask for ground floor |
⚠️ Note: The Old Street Inn has thin walls – bring earplugs. Also, they don't take foreign credit cards, so pay with Alipay or cash.
Where to Eat – My Picks
| Restaurant | Address | Must-Try Dish | Price per Person | Wait Time | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niu Ba Ba | 4 Zhonghua North Road | Beef rice noodles (spicy) | ¥18 | 10 min (evening peak) | Alipay, WeChat |
| Old Chang's Intestine Noodles | 32 Minzhu Road | Pig blood & tripe noodles | ¥12 | 5 min | Cash only |
| Gong Ding Cha Tea House | 15 Hongshan Lake Road | Milk tea with taro pearls | ¥15 | 5 min | Alipay, WeChat |
🍜 Personal favorite: I always grab a bowl of Niu Ba Ba after a long hike. The broth is rich with star anise, and they'll give you extra pickled vegetables if you ask nicely (say "duo yi dian pao cai"). I've never been let down.
No comments yet.