Ride the rails, take in the views: A metro tour of Guiyang

When you come to Guiyang, don't rush to hail a taxi. Take your time to savor the city through its metro network.

Metro Line 1

Metro Line 1 cuts through Guanshanhu, Nanming, and Yunyan districts, linking the most classic historical sights and food hotspots.

Recommended stations:

West Zhongshan Road Station

Walk about 854 meters to Minsheng Road, a street buzzing with local food stalls. Here you can sample changwangmian (springy alkaline noodles paired with tender blood curds), mashed potato patties, and cooked glutinous rice – all daily staples that Guiyang natives swear by.

Take Exit D and walk roughly 1,400 meters to Jiaxiu Pavilion. As dusk falls, the ancient pavilion glows with warm lights reflected in the Nanming River. The site is free to enter and requires no reservation.

Minsheng Road in Guiyang's Yunyan district is full of lively street‑food stalls. [Photo/WeChat account of Yunyan district]

Hebin Park Station

Take Exit A and walk about 933 meters to Qingyun Market – a cyberpunk-style night bazaar with neon signs and graffiti walls, offering a one-stop taste of Guiyang's iconic street foods.

Exit B leads directly to Hebin Park, an urban green space with shaded tree-lined paths and riverside promenades, ideal for a lazy afternoon rest.

Penshuichi Station

Take Exit G and walk 263 meters to Taiping Road, a trendy strip packed with coffee shops and craft beer bars – the perfect spot to experience Guiyang's slow-living culture.

Guanshanhu Park Station

Take Exit C and walk just 88 meters to Guanshanhu Park. Its nearly 3-kilometer lakeside trail offers a serene walk amid the hills.

Metro Line 2

Metro Line 2 directly serves Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport. A single ticket costs just 6 yuan and gets you downtown in about 30 minutes.

Recommended stations:

Yangming Ancient Temple Station

Take Exit A and walk about 532 meters to the Yangming Ancient Temple, nestled at the foot of Fufeng Mountain, where you can ponder the philosophy of Wang Yangming.

Take Exit B and walk about 808 meters to Dongshan Mountain Park. Climb to the top for a panoramic bird's-eye view of the entire Guiyang cityscape.

Xiaobi Station

From Xiaobi Station on Line 2, you can reach the Colorful Guizhou City Cultural and Creative Block, the 1958 Cultural and Creative Park and the Shanlight Art Museum. This cluster, transformed from old industrial factories, is now a trendy playground for art and photography lovers.

Brightly colored duck decorations stand in front of Shanlight Art Museum in Guiyang. [Photo/WeChat account of Zhizhi Guiyang]

Metro Line 3

Metro Line 3 connects the old city with Huaxi and Wudang districts, passing through forest parks, traditional courtyards, and open green spaces.

Recommended stations:

Qianlingshan Park Station

Exit C takes you directly to Qianlingshan Park, the largest urban mountain park in China. Take the cable car up to Kanzhu Pavilion for a stunning city-view panorama. The park also houses a free panda pavilion where you can meet the resident giant pandas – Haibang and Xingbao.

Huaguoyuan Station

Take Exit D and walk about 512 meters to the Guiyang HGY Art Palace and the Twin Towers. At night, the art palace shimmers with golden lights, and its reflection in the lake creates a dazzling scene.

Huaxi Park Station

Take Exit A and walk straight into the Shilihetan Tourist Resort. Entry is free with no reservation required. The area is ecologically tranquil, perfect for cycling or strolling along the river to soak in Huaxi's picturesque mountain-and-water scenery.

Huaxi Park in Guiyang, with winding rivers and lush mountains. [Photo/WeChat account of Huaxi district]

Tongmuling Station

Take Exit C and a 10-minute taxi ride will bring you to Qingyan Ancient Town. With a history of over 600 years, it is one of Guizhou's four great ancient towns.

Line S1

Line S1 heads straight to lesser-known cultural and scenic spots in the southern suburbs, making offbeat destinations easily accessible.

Recommended stations:

Tianhetan Station

The Line S1 terminates at Tianhetan Scenic Area, a popular summer retreat about 24 km from downtown Guiyang. Known for its cool climate, the area features waterfalls, karst caves, and lake pools.

Dalongjing Station

This station has become famous for its sunset photo spots. As evening falls, the glowing twilight spreads across the tracks, and trains glide through the scene – creating a view that feels straight out of an anime.