Explore Danxia's World Heritage, Savor Fine Wines: How Enchanting is a Winter Getaway in Guizhou?

When it comes to traveling in Guizhou, what comes to your mind?

Is it the springtime splendor of Pingba cherry blossoms and Baili azaleas? Or the summer coolness of "Cool City" Liupanshui and "Refreshing" Guiyang? Perhaps the golden autumn festivities in ethnic villages during harvest season? But in fact, Guizhou is also a hidden gem for winter travel—

Celebrate the Drum Festival in Qiandongnan; soak in hot springs at the foot of Fanjingshan; ski freely at the world's lowest-latitude ski resort in Liupanshui; chase rapeseed flowers in "Eternal Spring City" Xingyi... From November to January, Guizhou's winter tourism never slows down!

Left: Winter rapeseed flowers in Wanfenglin;

Right: Snow sports in Liupanshui.

At the start of Guizhou's winter travel season, Fengwu Jun joined the 2023 Guizhou Winter Cultural Tourism Exploration. Faced with six winter themes—"hot spring wellness, southern snow sports, sunny leisure, folk festivals, culinary and wine tours, and red tourism studies"—Fengwu Jun chose northern Guizhou for a "captivating journey" to experience the unique charm of its winter mountains.

This itinerary begins at Guizhou's new landmark, "Red Ribbon," exploring the Jiangnan-style Wujiang Village, strolling through old Zunyi, and visiting ancient towns like Maotai, Tucheng, and Bing'an along the Chishui River. Marvel at Danxia wonders, trace centuries of cultural vibrancy, and savor winter-exclusive delicacies and wines... Discover a different side of Guizhou in winter!

Left: Dipping tofu, Right: Chishui tofu skin hotpot.

Why is northern Guizhou a hidden winter travel gem?

Winter in Guizhou often feels gentle—soaking in 40°C hot springs or basking in southern mountain sunshine. But northern Guizhou's landscapes are heroic and grand. The Wumeng, Dalou, and Wuling Mountains form its backbone, while the Wu and Chishui Rivers carve through, creating majestic vistas.

Chishui Danxia, one of Guizhou's UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites, epitomizes northern Guizhou's natural beauty.

Waterfalls are integral to Chishui Danxia.

If crimson Danxia and endless forests are the land's finery, the waterfalls are its jewels. Over eons, Guizhou's plateau uplift and river erosion made it a waterfall paradise. While Huangguoshu Falls is famed, 400 km north lies the equally stunning Shizhangdong Waterfalls.

Shizhangdong Falls, crown jewel of Chishui Danxia's waterfalls.

Trekking through dense forests, we witnessed the Chishui River plunge down Danxia cliffs, forming the Yangtze's largest waterfall—Shizhangdong. Under clear skies, the 76-meter-high, 80-meter-wide cascade shimmered with rainbows, affirming Chishui Danxia's glory.

In northern Guizhou, nature and culture intertwine. Bing'an Town, nestled in 90% forest cover along the treacherous Chishui River, is a marvel of human-nature harmony.

Cliffside stilt houses cling to rocks like a suspended miniature castle. Built with ingenious techniques, these precarious-looking structures have stood for millennia.

Wandering the ancient town, from gates to docks, the river's murmur evokes poetic lines: "A traveler's heart sways by lamplight, as nightlong rapids shake the loft."

Bing'an Ancient Town, suspension bridge over the Chishui River.

Cliffside dwellings crafted by locals are common. For example, we stayed at Chishui匠庐·Yalugu, a hotel built into ancient caves, revitalizing century-old homes with artisan ingenuity.

When you sit on the viewing platform between cliffs and gaze into the distance, you’ll see vast bamboo forests and endless rolling mountains. On a clear winter day, you might even catch the spectacle of a rainbow arching over the waterfalls cascading down the cliffs...

Chishui匠庐·雅路古 Hotel, built on the steep cliffs.

Such landscapes, where "heaven and earth unite," converge to form new wilderness vistas. Take Wujiang Village in Guizhou, for example, which has gained enduring popularity. Reconstructed from an ancient town, it features a layout nestled between two mountains and embraced by a river. Rows of stilted houses unfold gently along the riverbanks, while terraced fields fade in and out of the mist, blending the elegance of Jiangnan with the grandeur of mountainous terrain.

Stepping into this village, you can immerse yourself in the cultural essence of northern Guizhou. There are dye workshops brimming with heritage, fragrant wine cellars, and the unique Chishui River bamboo drifting—reminiscent of the legend of crossing a river on a single reed. Add to this the ethereal folk songs of the Miao people and the bamboo ball customs of the Gelao people, now widely spread across northern Guizhou, and the ancient town transforms into a vibrant stage of folk traditions, dispelling the winter chill.

Wujiang Village, Zunyi: A demonstration of bamboo drifting skills.

Heading west from Wujiang Village, we’ll venture deep into the Dalou Mountains, starting from the famous liquor town of Maotai and embarking on an intoxicating journey along the Chishui River.

From the "River of Fine Liquor" to the "River of Heroes"

Winter in Northern Guizhou: A blend of intensity and tenderness

Standing on the streets of Maotai Town, the wind blowing from the Chishui River carries a rich "sauce-aroma," tempting you to step into the nearby distilleries for a glass of crisp liquor to ward off the winter cold.

At the China Liquor Culture Museum, it’s as if we’re witnessing a condensed "comprehensive history of liquor." From ancient fermentation techniques to the 18 methods of brewing, and from celebratory drinking customs across regions to an array of exquisite vessels, everything can be explored here.

Northern Guizhou has long been renowned for its tradition of brewing and drinking fine liquor.

Drinking a glass of Maotai liquor is also savoring the historical legacy of Sichuan and Guizhou. In the early Qianlong era, the Chishui River route—spanning Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan—was opened. Salt, abundantly produced in Sichuan, was transported from places like Hejiang in Luzhou today, continuously supplying salt-scarce Guizhou. Alongside the "imperial timber" trade of northern Guizhou, this spurred development along both banks of the Chishui River.

Maotai Town: The art of sauce-aroma liquor brewing.

As one of the four major ports for Sichuan salt entering Guizhou (known as "Ren'an"), Maotai Town became a bustling trade hub. Its fine liquor also traveled far and wide along the salt routes, gaining renown. According to the Daoguang-era "Zunyi Prefecture Records," "The liquor made in Maotai Village, west of Renhuai, is considered the best in Guizhou... There are no fewer than 20 distilleries, consuming over 20,000 dan of grain annually."

The "Origin of Maotai Liquor": Industrial heritage site of Maotai liquor production.

Towns along the Chishui River flourished as a result. During the Daoguang reign, Chen Xijin, a native of Yiwu, served as Tongzhi of Renhuai Subprefecture. He traveled extensively along the Chishui River, documenting local customs and composing 52 poems in "Zhi Xi Zhao Ge." Through his writings, we see how towns like Maotai, Tucheng, and Bing’an evolved from frontier settlements—"a lone city no larger than a dipper, yet growing in population"—into thriving scenes where "homes store liquor for sale, and boats carry salt in abundance."

Fun liquor-themed "bullet comments" on the streets of Maotai Town.

A river of fine liquor, but also a river of heroes!

The Chishui River, flowing through northern Guizhou, is far more than a cultural epic of liquor and trade. It bears another, even more illustrious name—the River of Heroes.

Eighty-eight years ago, 30,000 Red Army soldiers maneuvered through the mountains along the Chishui River, breaking free from an encirclement of 400,000 enemy troops and creating a miracle in military history—the "Four Crossings of the Chishui River."

In the ancient town of Tucheng, we witnessed the prologue of this magnificent epic. On January 27, 1935, after days of fierce battle between the Red Army's Third and Fifth Corps and the pursuing Sichuan forces at Qinggangpo Village, the Red Army Command decided to abandon the original plan of crossing the Yangtze River north of the Chishui area and instead crossed the Chishui River westward from Tucheng into southern Sichuan. The Tucheng Four Crossings of Chishui Museum records this decisive moment.

Taking our visit to Tucheng as a microcosm, this winter journey was also a red tour tracing the footsteps of the revolution.

At the Maotai Ferry, the Red Army crossed the Chishui River for the third time.

At "Red Ribbon," we experienced the panoramic exhibition "Red Ribbon: The Great Journey," depicting the Long March. In the old town of Zunyi, we visited the site of the Zunyi Conference at night, sensing how the great turning point unfolded. In Maotai Town, we passed the ferry where the Red Army crossed the Chishui River for the third time in March 1935. In the ancient town of Bing'an, we gazed at the Bing'an Red Army Ferry, almost feeling the tense atmosphere of the battles from those years.

These heroic epics continue to resonate, inspiring the people of Guizhou to forge ahead, leaving behind the vibrant life now found in the ancient towns along the Chishui River.

How do the charms of northern Guizhou ignite winter warmth?

When you visit northern Guizhou in winter, the one thing you must not miss is the unique seasonal cuisine cooked in the mountainous regions.

Along the banks of the Chishui River, bamboo forests cover the hillsides. Thus, winter bamboo shoots become the star of dining tables in Xishui, Chishui, Renhuai, and other areas. Winter bamboo shoots can be stir-fried, mixed, or stewed into soup, offering endless variations while retaining their fresh, delicate flavor.

Stewed winter bamboo shoots with cured pork, a common winter delicacy in northern Guizhou.

Among the high mountains and forests of northern Guizhou lives a renowned breed of goat called the "Ma goat." These goats graze on wild herbs, drink mineral water, and "exercise" daily by climbing cliffs, resulting in tender, flavorful meat with a satisfying chew. A pot of spicy, aromatic red-broth goat meat is a prized dish for hosting guests in Xishui during this season. After all, from the start of winter, the plump northern Guizhou Ma goats are in high demand across the region, making them hard to come by.

Red-broth goat meat made with Ma goat.

Traveling along the Chishui River, you'll encounter cured meats and sausages rich with the flavors of time, steaming street-side tofu with dipping sauce, and hearty bamboo fungus chicken soup... Each local specialty immerses visitors in the region's vibrant winter life.

Cured meats are a common winter delicacy in northern Guizhou.

What other highlights await when traveling in Guizhou during winter?

Winter experiences in Guizhou go far beyond the "Enchanting Journey" route. The "Sunny Journey" and "Warm Journey" from this winter cultural tour also showcase Guizhou's beauty from different perspectives.

The "Sunny Journey" to southern Guizhou highlights the region's spring-like climate. From Guiyang, you can take a domestic flight to Xingyi, the "City of Eternal Spring," and wander through the sunlit peaks of Xingyi's Wanfenglin. You can also visit Luodian, where the average winter temperature is 11.6°C, and explore the stunning natural landscapes like Luodian's Big and Small Wells in this "City of Sunshine."

Now, traveling from Guiyang to Libo by high-speed rail is very convenient.

The newly opened Gui-Nan (Guiyang-Nanning) high-speed rail allows you to reach Libo in southern Guizhou from Guiyang in just 57 minutes, where you can visit the evergreen UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, Libo-Huanjiang Karst, and experience the vibrant customs of the local Bouyei, Miao, and Shui ethnic minorities.

The dwarf dance of ethnic minorities in Yaogu Village, Libo.

On the "Warm Journey," you can experience 40°C warmth in winter. Thanks to its extensive karst landscape, developed groundwater systems, and shallow geothermal advantages, Guizhou boasts over 300 developed hot springs, making it a major hot spring destination in southwestern China.

From the Tianmu Hot Spring in Xifeng Nanshan, to the Huajianchi Chunshang Hot Spring in Weng'an, Qiannan, and further to the Shiqian Hot Spring at the foot of Fanjing Mountain, the regions of central, eastern, and southern Guizhou are brimming with vibrant life. Take Shiqian, one of the eight prefectures of Guizhou in the early Ming Dynasty, for example. As early as 1606, the 34th year of the Wanli era, the ancient hot spring south of the city was developed on a large scale. As one of China's oldest hot springs, it remains active to this day, shaping the timeless lifestyle of the ancient town and showcasing the charm of Guizhou's hot spring mountain scenery intertwined with cultural heritage.

In Shiqian, don’t forget to enjoy a cup of Guanguan tea and a bowl of mung bean noodles while soaking in the hot springs.

Whether it's the natural scenery, cultural richness, or the down-to-earth warmth of daily life, Guizhou is truly a winter treasure trove of destinations. This winter, under the theme "Mountain Charms, Wellness Guizhou," the province has launched six distinctive offerings: "Hot Spring Wellness, Southern Snowscapes, Sunny Leisure, Folk Festivals, Culinary and Wine Tours, and Red Tourism Studies." Countless wonders await your discovery!

Image Editor | YIRAN

Cover & Header Image | Chen Weihong

Uncredited photos are all by Chen Weihong.