Xianghuoyan Valley, Guiyang

Travel to Xianghuoyan Valley and Nanjiang Canyon in the north suburbs of Guiyang gives tourists the opportunities to fully enjoy the masterpieces of nature.

Guiyang in the southwest of China is one of the travel hot spots. The city enjoys a continental subtropical mild climate with plenty of rainfall and four distinct seasons. The average temperature is about 15.3℃, which is very pleasant for travel all the year round. The natural landscapes and ethic folk customs are magnets for tourists. For those who want to experience the unique scenes without going far from Guiyang city, you can plan a visit to the Xianghuoyan Valley and the Nanjiang Canyon for two days.

Nanjiang Canyon, Guiyang

On the first day, you are advised to visit the Xianghuoyan Valley, which is located in Hefeng country about 60 kilometers south of Kaiyang County. The tourist bus at a cost of CNY15.00 per person is available to get to the scenic spot from the bus station which is right across from Qianling Park. The drive usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. With green mountains rolling over one another, grotesque rocks rising in height, waterfalls splashing over the rocks and pure springs going ding dong like bells, the scenes in Xianghuoyan Valley are of a grand order. There are seven small scenic zones in the Valley, among which the Xianghuoyan Waterfall cluster ranks the most attractive part. The whole scenic area extends to 8 kilometers in length, so hiking is the best way to fully enjoy its beauty. The total admission fee for the valley is CNY58 per person. Restaurants that serve local dishes at reasonable price could be found quite easily. You will also have a chance to know more about the customs of the Yi People. After that, take a mini vehicle at a cost of about CNY10 to Nanjiang Canyon, which is just 6 kilometers from Xianghuoyan Valley. The admission fee for this scenic spot is CNY68 per person, which includes the cost for a sightseeing car inside. You are advised to seek for the accommodation at resorts in Nanjiang Canyon. If you are lucky, you could enjoy the colorful folk song and dance performances of the Buyi and the Miao Peoples in the evening. A good night's rest will set you up for the next tour.

Start your tour in Nanjiang Canyon the next morning. The spectacular karst landscapes and various waterfall clusters offer amazing scene for the tourist. You can hike or take the sightseeing car around the area. The rock formation that appears above the surface of the surrounding land, which is almost 500 million years old, also has great value for scientific study. Because of the peculiar landform, Nanjiang Canyon is the best natural arena for outdoor activities, such as river rafting and cliff climbing. Rafting is a thriving highlight of the canyon extending to 8 kilometers at a cost of about CNY168. June to October is the best time for river rafting in the scenic area. Rich Selenium tea and food are famous local products which are freely available for sale. The tourist bus back to Guiyang city is available from the scenic spot.