2-Day Guiyang Adventure: Sky-Piercing Thrills, Fairyland Karst, an Artist’s Stone Kingdom & a 600-Year-Old Fortress Town

Conquer your fear at Monkey Ear Sinkhole with a 92m-high swing, then cruise through the mystical underground river and waterfalls of Tianhetan. Step into an artist’s 30-year fantasy stone kingdom, walk the ancient lanes of 600-year-old Qingyan Town, and finally meet playful wild monkeys in Qianlingshan Park. Two days of nature, thrill, and culture around Guiyang.

1. Tour Highlights:

2. Itinerary Overview: 

Day 1: Challenge the Monkey Ear Sinkhole · Extreme Adventure Park: A Proving Ground for Courage in the Depths of the Earth—The Ultimate Destination for Adventurers.

Nature's Masterpiece: Geological Wonders

The Hou'er Tiankeng is no ordinary valley, but rather an "Eye of the Earth" meticulously sculpted by nature. A quintessential karst sinkhole, it is the product of tectonic activity combined with tens of millions of years of erosion and dissolution by rainwater—a process that ultimately gave rise to a colossal subterranean cavern featuring an opening 300 meters in diameter and a depth of 280 meters. Its pristine vegetation remains remarkably well-preserved, while a network of limestone caves and subterranean rivers crisscross the terrain; as you stroll along the trails within the sinkhole, you will experience—from the very depths of the earth outward—its grandeur, mystery, and primal spirit.

Adrenaline Rush: The Ultimate Heart-Pounding Challenge

This place is a paradise for extreme sports enthusiasts, home to the "world's first sinkhole swing." This colossal swing features a vertical drop of 92 meters and an arc exceeding 60 degrees; the moment you launch from a height of 100 meters, your speed reaches up to 120 kilometers per hour, creating a sensation of weightlessness comparable to skydiving. In addition, the site offers the "Ballet on a Knife's Edge"—a cliff-edge walk—and a jungle crossing course designed to test physical coordination, ensuring that thrill-seekers get their fill of adrenaline-pumping challenges.

Day 2: Tianhetan Scenic Area, Huaxi Yelang Valley, Qingyan Ancient Town & Qianling Mountain Park

Tianhetan Tourist Resort: A Miniature "Bonsai" of Guizhou's Landscapes

• The Quintessence of Karst Landscapes

Known as the "Crown Jewel of Central Guizhou," Tianhetan offers a perfect synthesis of mountains, water, caves, pools, waterfalls, natural bridges, and gorges; it is often regarded as a miniature "bonsai" encapsulating the very essence of Guizhou's scenic beauty. Here, one finds the majestic grandeur of Huangguoshu Waterfall, the mystical allure of the Dragon Palace Caves, and the delicate elegance of the Huaxi landscapes—all rolled into one.

• A Boat Journey Through the Mysterious Underground Dragon Palace

The park's signature experience is a boat expedition through the 1,200-meter-long "Kongling Cave"—a subterranean waterway. As your small boat glides across the deep, emerald-hued pools, a canopy of stalactites in myriad shapes looms overhead, illuminated by lighting effects that create a dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere. Upon disembarking, you can continue on foot through the "Galaxy Palace" (Yinhe Gong)—a dry cave section—to marvel at an array of bizarre and fascinating karst geological formations.

• Above-Ground Waterfalls and High-Altitude Thrills

Emerging from the caves, you are greeted by the thunderous roar of cascading waterfalls. The Caohua Beach Waterfall and the Crouching Dragon Waterfall—both magnificent in their scale—provide spectacular backdrops for photography. Furthermore, the park offers modern recreational attractions such as high-altitude ziplines and glass water slides, allowing you to experience the beauty of the landscape from exhilarating new perspectives.

• A Comprehensive "One-Stop" Vacation Experience

Tianhetan has evolved from a standalone scenic spot into a comprehensive resort destination. The complex now features the "Guiyang Story Street"—a hub for local delicacies from across Guizhou—along with boutique guesthouses and shopping options, making it the perfect destination for planning a full-day "micro-vacation."

Huaxi Yelang Valley: An Artist's Fantastical Stone Kingdom

• A Personal Legend Spanning 30 Years

This is no ancient ruin, but rather a personal epic. Artist Song Peilun devoted nearly 30 years of his life—investing his entire fortune and effort—to transform a desolate hillside into this mysterious stone fortress, building it stone by stone and tile by tile alongside local villagers. Through artistic imagination, he recreated a dream of the ancient Kingdom of Yelang—a feat embodying the very spirit of the classic fable, "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains."

• The Enchanting Nuo Culture and Stone Aesthetics

The entire valley is dotted with hundreds of totem poles featuring stone faces with exaggerated expressions and bizarre forms, drawing inspiration from Guizhou’s ancient Nuo culture and primordial legends. Surrounded by lush grass and moss, these stone figures exude a raw, rugged "wildness"; stepping into their midst feels like entering a magical realm. The scenic area also offers hands-on cultural experiences, such as pottery making and tie-dyeing—traditional crafts recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Qingyan Ancient Town: A Military Fortress Carved by 600 Years of Time

• The Legendary History of a "Mountain Garrison City"

First established in the 11th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1378), Qingyan emerged as a "mountain garrison city" born out of a military encampment. Once serving as the "Southern Gate" of Guiyang, it has borne witness to 600 years of turbulent warfare. As you stroll along the bluestone-paved lanes, the ancient city walls and the Dingguang Gate silently recount the town's storied past as a vital military stronghold.

• Scholar Culture and Cultural Heritage

This is the hometown of Zhao Yijiong, the first *Zhuangyuan* (top scholar in the imperial examinations) in Guizhou's history. Within the ancient town, structures such as the Wenchang Pavilion and the Zhao Clan Ancestral Shrine remain remarkably well-preserved, permeating the air with the scent of scholarship. The fusion of diverse cultures has left a unique and indelible mark upon this place.

• Must-Visit Spots: "Back Street" and Local Delicacies

"Back Street" (*Bei Jie*) is a viral sensation and a favorite photo spot within the ancient town; its courtyard walls—constructed from layers of stacked stone slabs—create a quiet, winding alleyway with a distinctly cinematic aesthetic. Of course, you certainly shouldn't miss the "Three Treasures of Qingyan": the tender, savory, and succulent *Zhuangyuan Ti* (braised pork trotters); the sweet and soft *Gaoba Xifan* (rice porridge with sweet cakes); and the *Doufu Yuanzi* (fried tofu balls)—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Qianling Mountain Park: An Urban "Green Lung" Where You Can Dance with Playful Monkeys

• An Ecological Marvel in the Heart of the City

Qianling Mountain Park is one of China's most distinctive urban mountain parks, offering visitors the chance to have unexpected encounters with over 500 wild macaques. These macaques are a Class II protected species in China; lively and bold, they frequently interact with visitors at close range, serving as the park's most unique ecological highlight. However, please be sure to maintain a safe distance and strictly refrain from actively feeding or provoking the animals to avoid any accidents.

• A Dual Symphony of Zen and History

Ascend Qianling Mountain to visit Hongfu Temple, originally built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. As the spiritual center of Buddhism in Guizhou, the temple features structures built harmoniously into the mountainside, exuding an atmosphere of solemn serenity. Afterward, head to the "Kanzhu Pavilion" (City-View Pavilion) to enjoy a panoramic vista of Guiyang from an elevation of 1,370 meters. On your descent, don't forget to visit the historic "Qilin Cave," a site where the renowned patriotic generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng were once detained—a place that bears witness to a significant chapter in modern history.

• Intimate Moments with Nature

Qianling Lake is a delightful spot for a leisurely stroll, while the park's zoo is home to rare animals—including adorable giant pandas. The park features an extensive network of mountain trails, offering routes suitable for visitors of all fitness levels.

3. Pricing & Practical Information：

3.1. The Fee Includes

• Attraction entrance fees:

Huaxi Yelang Valley,Qingyan Ancient Town】

• English-speaking tour guide (2 days).

• Local transportation (based on the number of participants, with one seat per person guaranteed).

• Car expenses during the tour, including a local driver (2 days).

3.2. The Fee Does Not Include

• Additional expenses due to force majeure such as traffic delays, strikes, weather, aircraft or equipment failure, flight cancellations or rescheduling;

• All personal expenses and any other expenses not mentioned in the fee inclusions;

• International airfare is not included;

• Visas on arrival are not included;

• Meals, alcoholic beverages, and other personal expenses are not included;

• Expenses incurred by the traveler;

3.3. Child Policy

Please contact customer service if you are traveling with children.

3.4. Tips: Before You Go - Essentials

1. Visa: Make sure your passport and Chinese visa are valid.

2. Cash & Payments: While mobile payments are popular, please bring some cash (RMB). We strongly recommend setting up Alipay and linking your international credit card; this will solve 95% of payment issues.

3. Internet: Purchase a Chinese data SIM card or activate international roaming in advance. Download a VPN (such as Astrill or ExpressVPN) if you need to use Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.

4. Translation App: Download Google Translate or Microsoft Translate. Their "Live Chat" and "Camera Translation" features are lifesavers.

5. Maps APP.