Besides Xijiang and Zhaoxing, Qian東南 also features these lesser-known in-depth routes.

Last week, we hosted Mr. Lin and his family of four from Singapore. Upon landing in Guiyang, their first words were: "We don't want to visit Xijiang—it's too crowded." After spending half a month scrolling through Xiaohongshu, they grew increasingly anxious as reviews warned against visiting during summer. They reached out to seven or eight local tour operators, but all proposals were identical: Xijiang, Libo, and Huangguoshu—the standard trio.

Take your time. Qiandongnan has plenty to offer, but most visitors stop at Xijiang. After ten years of driving its mountain roads, we've identified a few lesser-known routes with stunning scenery and well-maintained roads—plus great places to eat and stay. Today, we're sharing two of them; perfect for avoiding the summer crowds.

Jiabang Terraces, Congjiang 5-Day Slow Route

From Guiyang, take the Xia-Rong Expressway to Congjiang County in 3.5 hours. From there, it's 80 km of mountain roads to Jiabang Terraced Fields, taking 1 hours and 40 minutes. The road is narrow with many sharp turns; only seven-seater vans can pass through—larger vehicles cannot enter.

Day 1: Guiyang to Congjiang. Afternoon visit the Kam Grand Choir performance venue. Overnight stay at a hotel in the county town; standard twin room 180 per night, breakfast included.

Day 2: From Congjiang to Jiabang via Bashu Miao Village (entrance fee: 80 CNY). Bashu is the last tribe in China that still carries firearms; its signature topknots are highly distinctive. Allocate 1.5 hours for the visit. In the afternoon, head to Jiabang Overlook and stay overnight at a wooden guesthouse in Jiadang Village. Rates range from 260 to 320 CNY per night, including dinner.

Day 3: Wake up at 5:30 AM to catch the morning mist at the viewing platform; the terraced fields offer the best reflections for photos. In the morning, hikers head to the Jiajia section—a 3 km mountain trail that takes 2 hours to complete. In the afternoon, wait in Jiajia Village for sunset over the terraces.

Day 4: Leave Jiabang heading toward Xiaoyao to reach Zhali Dong Village. Zhali has maintained its centuries-old rule: each couple is allowed only two children, earning it the title "China's First Village for Family Planning." The village is small and can be fully explored in 1 hours; don't miss the drum tower and covered bridge. Return to Congjiang for your evening stay.

Day 5: Return from Congjiang to Guiyang, with a detour to Xiaohuang Dong Village to listen to authentic polyphonic singing. 50 yuan per person, 40 minutes long. The singers are local villagers—much more genuine than large-scale performances at tourist attractions.

MeituShuo Reminder:Jiabang Rice Terraces' rice is heading out by the end of 7, so the hills are lush green, not golden. To see the golden waves of rice, wait until mid-to-late 9. During summer vacation, you'll see green terraces with morning mist—the photo results are just as stunning.

Zhenyuan, Shibing, Huangping 3-Day Loop

If you'd rather not travel far, this route can be completed in two days starting from Guiyang. During summer, Zhenyuan sees only one-third the crowds of Xijiang, while Shibi's Yuntai Mountain remains a hidden gem known mostly to locals.

Day 1: Drive from Guiyang to Zhenyuan via expressway (2.5 hours). Start by hiking up Shiping Mountain (admission: 60 yuan). It takes 40 minutes to reach the summit observation deck, offering panoramic views of the entire ancient town and the winding S-curve of the Wuyang River. Stay overnight at a riverside guesthouse; standard double rooms cost 220 per night with river views right outside your window.

Day 2: Zhenyuan to Shibing (40 min). Climb Yun Tai Mountain—admission 40 CNY. Karst peak forest landscape. We led a group there in mid-7; only one other party was on the summit, so quiet you could hear birds chirping. Afterward, raft down Shanmu River—155 per person, 4 km total. Crystal-clear water with moderate drops; ideal for seniors and children.

Day 3: Shibi to Huangping (1.5 hours) to explore Jiuzhou Ancient Town. Unlike the Jiuzhou near Anshun, this one is a lesser-known hub of Tunpu culture and sees almost no tourists. Ming-era stone-paved streets and city walls remain intact, while locals still make vinegar and tofu using traditional methods. Lunch: a bowl of sour soup rice noodles for 8 yuan—plenty to fill you up. Return to Guiyang in 2 hours.

MeituShuo Reminder: Zhenyuan Wuyang River Night View Lights 22:00 will turn off promptly. To capture the night scene, arrive at the riverside by 9 to secure a spot. The best vantage point is midway along Zhusheng Bridge; its width perfectly frames the complete reflection of the river bend.

How do I book a private car?

Jiabang 5-day 7-seater business chartered van: 4500 CNY (includes fuel, tolls, and driver's meals/accommodation; excludes hotel stays and tickets). Zhenyuan loop: 3-day tour for 2800 CNY with the same inclusions. Qiandongnan has many mountain roads and limited public transport. If you're not driving yourself, chartering a van is the most reliable option. Our drivers are local experts who have navigated Qiandongnan's mountain roads for five to six years—they know tight, winding sections better than GPS.

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