Embark on a "Fire and Ice" Mountain Adventure: Why Guizhou Reigns as the Ultimate Winter Wonderland

At the beginning of the new year, a wave of travel enthusiasm is about to begin. With comprehensive winter travel discounts in Guizhou, we embark on another winter journey to explore the mountainous treasures of the province!

In our last cultural journey, we visited the red cliffs of Chishui, ascended the sacred Fanjingshan, explored the ancient town of Longli with its "misty Jiangnan charm," and listened to the ethereal songs of Dong villages in Zhaoxing... In Guizhou, this "ocean of mountains," we discovered a multitude of colorful "cultural islands."

How does magical Guizhou kick off its winter travel mode?

How many mountain wonders are hidden in this treasure-filled province?

All the excitement awaits in the special winter travel video series on Guizhou's cultural landscapes!

This time, we stroll through central and western Guizhou, experiencing the vibrant winter energy of its mountains and waters—

In Shiqian, Guizhou's hot spring paradise, we marveled at the grand scale of an entire "hot spring mountain" and savored the simple joy of soaking in warm pools from dawn to dusk.

Fig. 1-3: Shiqian Hot Springs. Photo by Chen Qingquan.

In Liupanshui, where mountains and cityscape intertwine, we raced across the surreal karst landscapes of a "snowy forest sea" and felt the winter warmth of the "Cool Capital of China" amid the steam rising from the "World's Largest Pot."

Fig. 1-2: Meihua Mountain International Ski Resort.

Fig. 3: Powder snow at Yushe Mountain Ski Resort.

Even in midwinter, beneath the "Southwest Wonder" of Wanfenglin, golden rapeseed flowers bloom in their prime, while in Anshun, the "Key to Yunnan and Guizhou," the echoes of Dixi opera soar through the clouds, singing the 600-year cultural epic of Guizhou...

Fig. 1-3: Anshun Dixi Opera. Photo by Chen Qingquan.

Along the journey, bridges crisscross the mountainous terrain—Beipanjiang, Balinghe, Yachihe... Each is a gallery in Guizhou's "World-Class Bridge Museum," connecting the rise of this mountainous province.

Fig. 1-2: Balinghe Bridge; Beipanjiang Bridge.

This time, in Guizhou—China's world-class mountain park—we embarked on a "mountain adventure" blending ice and fire!

The warmth of hot springs in Guizhou, the province of thermal bliss.

Nothing beats soaking in hot springs for winter relaxation, and no southern province does it more understatedly than Guizhou. This trip took us to Tongren's Shiqian, a cultural hot spring haven in the southwest, where we experienced Guizhou's geothermal charm.

Shiqian, a small town whose founding, growth, and prosperity have all been witnessed by its abundant hot springs. Here, the springs have evolved far beyond the ancient pools south of the city centuries ago. In Shiqian, you’ll find communal baths as ordinary as public bathhouses, wild springs nestled in picturesque ravines, and even over 50 soaking pools clustered together, turning a small hill into a misty, dreamlike spectacle.

Fig. 1: Shichang Mountain Wild Hot Springs in Shiqian.

Figure 2: A public hot spring bathhouse in the urban area.

In 1606, the 34th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, Jiang Dakun from Yunnan became the prefect of Shiqian. He upgraded the ancient hot spring south of the city from a natural bathing pool known as "Hot Spring Bathing Under the Sun" to benefit the people, marking the initial development of Shiqian's hot springs. Interestingly, this led to legends, such as a fire dragon from Yunnan bringing hot springs to Shiqian for people to bathe in.

From the Ming to the Qing Dynasty, successive prefects of Shiqian continued to develop the hot springs while building the city. Cliffside stone tablets bear witness to the rising fame of Shiqian's hot springs and their natural elegance, described as "washing away dust and grime, perfect for reclining and rinsing."

Thus, the hot springs evolved from a mere scenic feature to an integral part of daily life in Shiqian. Locals start their day by soaking in the "Wen Tang" (warm pool) and enjoying a bowl of Shiqian's signature breakfast—mung bean noodles. In the evening, after another soak, they gather around heated tables to brew potted tea. Shiqian's hot springs offer a uniquely relaxing winter experience.

In Shiqian, every aspect of life intertwined with hot springs carries a cultural story. For example, Shiqian's potted tea, brewed with hot spring water, traveled along the ancient Tea-Horse Road, connecting with the tradition of morning tea brewing in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu.

After soaking in the hot springs, a visit to the Wan Shou Gong (Longevity Palace), a cultural landmark of Shiqian, reveals an early tale of "Guizhou goods going global." Shiqian's moss tea attracted merchants from Jiangxi, who traveled upstream to gather here. The thriving trade led to the construction of Guizhou's largest Jiangxi Guild Hall, the Wan Shou Gong. Nearby, the Yu Wang Gong (Yu Emperor Palace), built by merchants from Hubei and Hunan, further highlights Shiqian's historical role as a commercial hub.

Indeed, soaking in Shiqian's hot springs is about more than just the springs—it’s an opportunity to embark on a fascinating cultural journey.

Shiqian's hot springs are just a microcosm of Guizhou's hot spring culture. Today, over 300 hot springs bubble across the province, dispelling the chill of the highland mountains and showcasing diverse cultural charm.

Figures 1-2: Spring Festival customs at Shiqian's Confucian Temple.

Why does Guizhou have so many hot springs?

As China's karst province, Guizhou boasts a developed underground water system with numerous subterranean rivers, laying the foundation for hot springs. The advantage of shallow geothermal heat ensures abundant water flow and widespread spring outlets.

A wild hot spring in Xinmin Town, Panzhou City.

Due to the distribution of underground fault zones, the western side of Fanjing Mountain is home to half of Guizhou's hot springs. Places like Shiqian, Yanhe, Tongzi, Fengxiang, and Xifeng thrive as hot spring towns nestled in the mountains.

After experiencing Guizhou's hot springs, heading west into the Wumeng Mountains of Liupanshui, we encountered the world's lowest-latitude ski resort, unfolding a winter tale of "ice and fire" in Guizhou.

The world's lowest-latitude ski resort.

Why in the "Cool City of China"?

Skiing, once a mountain sport exclusive to northern snowfields, is now accessible in Guizhou. Here, people strap on skis and glide through snowy landscapes, experiencing the thrill of this ancient sport—"twin skis stirring pines, poles swiftly passing peaks."

Liupanshui, known as the "Cool City of China," is famed for its rugged mountains, which provide a natural arena for extreme sports. Now, it has gained another unique identity—the "Snow City of the South."

Panoramic view of Meihua Mountain International Ski Resort.

Yushe Snow Mountain Ski Resort, Wumeng Ski Resort, and Meihua Mountain International Ski Resort are Liupanshui's three major ski destinations. At peak times, over 10,000 people can be seen challenging themselves on these snowfields, brimming with southern warmth.

Beyond skiing, these three major ski resorts allow you to experience the grandeur and vastness of the "Mountain Park Province" between heaven and earth.

Fig. 1-2: Skiing experiences at Wumeng Ski Resort and Meihua Mountain International Ski Resort.

Fig. 3: The sightseeing train by the Yueshe Snow Mountain Ski Resort.

Amidst the karst mountains and valleys, Meihua Mountain International Ski Resort stands proudly, its sweeping slopes painting elegant arcs across the land. At Yueshe Snow Mountain Ski Resort, located on the southern edge of Yueshe National Forest Park, endless forests stretch as far as the eye can see. Even on Wumeng Grassland, the largest contiguous grassland in Guizhou, lies a "snowfield above the clouds." On clear, temperate days, you can witness the convergence of sea of clouds, grasslands, and wind turbines, creating a dreamlike scene.

Guizhou's ski resorts themselves are masterstrokes of nature, offering a uniquely majestic skiing experience.

Fig. 1-2: Influencers @Miaomiao Sees the World and @Huang Kuaikua, invited by the "Journey of Scenery" team, experience skiing.

Beyond skiing, the mountains shape the vibrant life of Liupanshui.

Liupanshui, where mountains and city blend seamlessly, flourished due to the "Third Front Construction." Its youthfulness infuses the city with energy, while its mountainous terrain grants abundant resources, earning it the title "Coal Capital of the South" and making it a leader in Guizhou's energy industry. The people of Liupanshui have even bridged the impossible, creating the "world's highest bridge" over the Beipan River. The vast Wumeng Grassland and the unique mountain climate of "China's Cool City" have also nurtured local specialties like black goat, kiwifruit, and prickly pear.

Fig. 1-2: Liupanshui's specialty Shuicheng mutton rice noodles.

After skiing and other mountain sports, we also savor Shuicheng mutton rice noodles, renowned in Guizhou's rice noodle scene for their spicy, savory richness. Then there’s the "World's Largest Pot," brimming with diverse ingredients and a bold spirit that embraces mountains and rivers.

The "Journey of Scenery" team experiences the "World's Largest Pot."

These authentic mountain flavors ignite the winter life of "China's Cool City"!

In the winter "Spring City" of southwestern Guizhou

Riding the exhilaration of skiing, we head south to Xingyi, the capital of Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Though it's winter, spring’s brilliance is already on display—

At the foot of Wanfenglin, praised by Xu Xiake as "majestic for thousands of miles, a wonder of the southwest," blooming rapeseed flowers herald the grand "northern march" of 2023’s rapeseed blossom season. Xingyi’s reputation as the "Eternal Spring City" is well-deserved.

Such springlike winter scenery is commonplace in Xingyi.

Hundreds of millions of years of geological movement have turned Xingyi into a museum of karst landscapes. The "ink-wash painting" of Wanfenglin, composed of over 20,000 peaks, is just one glimpse of Xingyi’s natural wonders.

Beside Wanfenglin, the Nanpan River, which flows through Xingyi, was dammed for hydropower, creating the breathtaking "high gorge yielding a flat lake." The vast waters merge with the karst peaks, forming over 80 peninsulas and islands, collectively known as Wanfeng Lake, transforming Xingyi into a "land of fish and rice" on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.

As a representative karst canyon, Malinghe Gorge boasts over 100 waterfalls along its 80-kilometer stretch, with jagged rocks lining its cliffs—a testament to nature’s artistry, truly "where water and clouds meet, dragons soar."

Fig. 1-2: Malinghe Gorge in Xingyi.

Photo by Chen Qingquan

In this southwestern wonderland where three provinces converge, there is far more than just the natural marvels shaped by the forces of heaven and earth.

Here lies the prehistoric human legacy such as the "Cat Cave" site and the mysterious legends of the ancient Yelang culture. The exquisite artifacts unearthed from numerous Han Dynasty tombs have made Xingyi the central hub of Han Dynasty history and culture in Guizhou. The Eastern Han bronze horse-drawn carriage, a prized treasure of the Guizhou Provincial Museum, was excavated in Xingyi, embodying millennia of history.

Figures 1-3: Selected artifacts from the Qianxinan Prefecture Museum,

namely the Eastern Han bronze horse-drawn carriage, the Eastern Han figurine playing the qin, and the pottery plate depicting rice-fish-duck farming.

During the late Qing and early Republican era, Xingyi thrived as a commercial and cultural hub at the junction of three provinces, nurturing generations of extraordinary talents. For instance, the Liu Family Manor in Xingyi, a unique "tunpu" (garrison village) architectural complex, blends the elegance of Jiangnan-style buildings with Sino-Western fusion. Beneath the solemn limestone cliffs lies a century of tumultuous history, epitomized by the saying, "Three generations of Xingyi people, half the history of the Republic."

Photo by Chen Qingquan

Xingyi is a gem that encapsulates Guizhou's natural and cultural splendors. If you visit Guizhou in winter, don’t miss this treasure of a town where spring lingers year-round!

Hiding Guizhou’s 600-Year "Jiangnan Story"

Stepping away from Xingyi’s rich cultural journey, we arrive at Anshun, a strategic stronghold in central Guizhou. Anshun is renowned for its unique "tunpu culture"—a land of heroic battles six centuries ago and a gentle haven brimming with Jiangnan charm.

To grasp the cultural essence of this city, one must start with the grand national strategy of unifying the country during the early Ming Dynasty.

To the north, Ming armies marched into the deserts, reopening the Hexi Corridor, the vital passage to the Western Regions. Along the northern frontiers, they built the Great Wall and established military garrisons, leaving behind remnants of the Ming Great Wall as far as the Greater Khingan Range and the northern slopes of the Yin and Helan Mountains.

To the south, the Ming armies expanded into the southwest, advancing the historical process of unifying China. In the 14th year of the Hongwu era (1381), Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Fu Youde to lead hundreds of thousands of troops to conquer Yunnan in the "Expedition to the South." Guizhou, bordering the "Land of Abundance" to the north, connecting to Jingchu in the east, and extending to Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and even the vast South China Sea, was a natural strategic hub.

Thus, swept up in the tides of the era, Guizhou became China’s 13th province in the 11th year of the Yongle era (1413) due to its role as the "gateway to the southwest."

By the Ming Dynasty, Guizhou had already become the southwestern nexus.

After the "Expedition to the South" came the massive "Migration to Fill the South," where countless military garrisons linked the empire’s frontiers to its heartland. Guizhou flourished with bustling trade routes, transforming military outposts into commercial hubs and eventually into settled communities.

Anshun, known as the "Key to Yunnan and Guizhou," was a critical military garrison. According to the "Anshun Prefecture Records," the early Ming "Expedition to the South" armies established three garrisons and two battalion-level offices in Anshun, and these soldiers became the first "tunpu people." The many surviving tunpu sites in Anshun today chronicle this epic chapter of Guizhou’s rise.

Figure 1: A woman from Bao Family Village wearing traditional Fengyang Han attire. Photo by Chen Qingquan

Figure 2: "Bao Family Fist" in Bao Family Village. Photo by Chen Weihong

Figure 3: Children living in Benzhai Tunpu. Photo by Chen Qingquan

Benzhai Tunpu is a fortress built of limestone, with seven watchtowers guarding its four sides. The military garrison's imposing and orderly presence from the past is still evident today. Behind Benzhai lies Yunshan Tun, which evolved from an impregnable stronghold into a bustling trade hub where "caravans with jingling bells traverse the mountains." The earliest Tunpu village, Baojia Tun, was established by the Bao family who migrated here from Tangdi, Anhui. Now, it has grown into a thriving community of a thousand households, celebrating the New Year with Dixi performances and practicing "Baojia Quan," embodying the vibrant Tunpu way of life.

The shooting ports and nose-shaped fortifications on the watchtower of Baojia Tun.

There are also Tianlong Tunpu, a key relay station, and Jiuxi Tun, hidden in the mountains... This 600-year-old cultural lineage of Tunpu is embedded in the history of Anshun, the "Key to Yunnan and Guizhou," and reflects the cultural and geographical ties between Guizhou and the Central Plains and Jiangnan regions.

The original "Tunpu people" mostly came from provinces like Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang—areas historically within the broader "Jiangnan cultural sphere." The majestic mountains and gentle waterlands converged in this epic encounter, preserving the Jiangnan charm of six centuries ago and shaping Anshun's unique blend of resilience and grace.

@Cloud Heartless, @Yellow Chunk, @Old Pig's Ramblings

On-site experience of making silk-waisted belts.

The softness is seen in the "Fengyang Han attire" still worn by Tunpu people today—indigo-blue robes with wide sleeves and diagonal buttons, exuding Ming Dynasty elegance. Even people from Fengyang, Anhui, come here to learn from this tradition.

The toughness is heard in the centuries-old chants recounting ancestral journeys and heroic tales. The rugged and vigorous Anshun Dixi, as early as 1986, crossed oceans to perform on world-class stages.

The deeper connection between Guizhou and the Central Plains or Jiangnan is subtly woven into Anshun's culinary customs. During weddings or funerals, locals serve the Jiangnan-style "Eight Great Bowls." The preserved vegetables in the steamed pork dish echo the soul-stirring "meigan cai" of distant Zhejiang. Even side dishes like fried arrowhead or pickled water celery resonate with the autumn-winter flavors of Jiangnan's "Water Eight Delicacies," creating a timeless harmony. Every bite evokes the Jiangnan tenderness in this land of heroes.

Anshun's signature "Eight Great Bowls," featuring braised pork knuckle, preserved vegetable pork, pickled water celery, and more.

A blend of Jiangnan flavors and local characteristics.

Photo by Chen Qingquan

Exploring Guizhou: How will the "Highway Plain Province" leap into the future?

If Tunpu embodies Guizhou's historical and cultural legacy, bridges and roads connect its future.

The most awe-inspiring sights from these two journeys are the bridge and highway networks spanning the towering mountains. They document Guizhou's transformation from a land where "peaks touch the sky, and birds cannot pass" to a "highway plain" and a southwestern hub. They also chronicle generations of Guizhou people—from carrying loads on their backs to pioneering "super projects" with technology.

The Wujiang Hundred-Mile Gallery and Yachi River Bridge in the distance from Huawu Village.

Huawu Village in Qianxi, Bijie, epitomizes how roads and bridges have reshaped Guizhou's destiny.

Nestled in the Yachi River Gorge and on the north bank of Dongfeng Lake, this village lies at the confluence of two mountains and the Wujiang River, making it a perilous yet spectacular place, once trapped by the surrounding peaks.

In the past, locals had to scale cliffs barehanded or travel downstream along the Wujiang to leave, living in isolation and hardship. Only with the construction of roads did their fortunes change. In 2019, the entire village relocated from the cliffs to flatland by the Wujiang's source. The once-dangerous terrain became stunning scenery, and Huawu Village now thrives on homestay tourism and Miao embroidery, its life as vibrant as the Wujiang Hundred-Mile Gallery.

Huawu Village's distinctive Miao embroidery.

Photo by Chen Qingquan

Road and bridge construction epitomizes the astonishing "Guizhou Speed." In 1959, Guizhou built the Huaxi Songbai Mountain Bridge, the largest open-spandrel stone arch bridge in China at the time, pioneering mountain bridge engineering. Since 2009, with the emergence of the Baling River Bridge on the G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, a succession of bridges—ranking first in the world, Asia, or domestically—have appeared over the next decade, transforming Guizhou from a land "without three miles of flat ground" into a "Museum of Bridges."

These bridges are new landmarks amid the mountains and can also serve as modern leisure destinations. For example, the Baling River Bridge in Anshun marks the beginning of Guizhou's "bridge tourism integration," featuring the "world's highest bungee jump" from a height of 370 meters, attracting adventurers from all over to challenge themselves.

The Baling River Bridge is a flagship of Guizhou's "bridge tourism integration,"

and the only super bridge in Guizhou where visitors can enter and explore its interior.

Pictured are the bungee jumping experience and interior views of the Baling River Bridge.

Photo by Chen Qingquan

These bridges also serve as links between Guizhou's past and present. From ancient trails to modern bridges, we traverse the paths that have shaped Guizhou through the ages, gradually discovering and understanding the province:

In ancient times, the Yelang Post Road connected the southwest, while today, an expressway network links all directions. Here lies Xingyi, a vibrant city at the convergence of three southwestern provinces.

Figures 1-2: Featured influencers @LaoZhu's Ramblings and @CloudHeartless from the "Journey of Scenery" experiencing the Buyi ethnic group's Bayin Zuochang instruments.

Experiencing the Buyi ethnic group's Bayin Zuochang instruments.

Figures 3-4: Featured influencer @HuangKuaikuai and headline travel guests from the "Journey of Scenery."

Photo by Chen Qingquan

Along the Yunnan-Guizhou Road, centered around Anshun, ancient military settlements once connected Guizhou with the cultures of the Central Plains and Jiangnan. Meanwhile, the future "world's highest bridge" is taking shape over the Huajiang Gorge in Anshun.

Over five hundred years ago, Wang Yangming traversed the Longchang Nine Post Roads linking northwestern Guizhou and penned "The Record of the Elephant Shrine," promoting education in Guizhou with the belief that "no person is beyond redemption." Today, bridges and roads enable the eagle-shaped Huawu Village to soar beyond the perilous Wujiang River, reaching new heights.

Thus, we "seek the paths of Guizhou" on this journey of scenery, while gazing upon the more than 20,000 bridges spanning mountains and rivers, collectively lifting Guizhou's future!

Winter Travel Tips for Guizhou

Warm discounts add a touch of spring to winter travels in Guizhou.

From December 16, 2022, to February 28, 2023,

tourists in Guizhou enjoy "one free and three half-price" benefits.

Make a free reservation on the "One Code Travel Guizhou" platform to enjoy waived admission fees for the first entrance at 377 A-level scenic spots across the province.

150 star-rated hotels and 104 graded homestays in Guizhou offer a 50% discount on listed prices.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, non-local private Type-1 vehicles traveling to Guizhou can enjoy a 50% discount on highway tolls when exiting any toll station in Guizhou using ETC electronic payment.

The "One Code Travel Guizhou" platform collaborates with 10 Guizhou tourism product enterprises to launch the first batch of 10 discounted specialty travel goods at 50% off.

Fig. 1-3: Group photo of the "Fengwu Journey" travel team.

2022.11-2023.1, explore with "Authentic Fengwu"

Discover the winter treasure province—Guizhou

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This article is original content from [Authentic Fengwu].