Language Besides ethnic minority languages such as
Miao and
Bouyei, the people of Guiyang speak a variety of
Southwestern Mandarin. It differs from common Mandarin for the retroflex sounds it lacks. Compared to Mandarin which has five tones (four and a non-stressed tone), Guiyang's local language only has three tones. Many old characters from ancient China are still used within Guiyang's language, which sound like Korean or Japanese. For example, "" (to go) is pronounced as "kèi", fourth tone, instead of the Mandarin pronunciation "qù" and 做 (to do) is pronounced as "zo", fourth tone, rather than the Mandarin pronunciation "zuo".
Cuisine Provinces in China are known for the different specialities they offer, and Guiyang is most known for its spicy food as well as the following dishes: •
Gaoba porridge (), a sweet dessert. •
Fish in sour soup (), a Miao dish with roasted fish and various vegetables. •
Huangba (), a sweet wrap made of rice that can be steamed or fried •
Huaxi Vermicelli (), a dish that consists of beef vermicelli, that is frequently eaten as a breakfast in Guiyang. •
Siwawa (), a dish that can be vegetarian or a mix of pork scraps and vegetables, where the ingredients are enclosed in rice wraps. •
Ice jelly with sesame seeds and peanuts (), usually eaten in summer, with siwawa or barbecue •
Chang-Wang noodles (), made up with pig's intestines and pig's blood. • '''Qingyan's pig's feet''' (), mostly found in the old town of
Qingyan, pig's feet symbolize good luck. •
Potato cake (洋芋粑; Yángyù bā): Mashed potatoes fried into pancakes, seasoned with chili powder, a common street snack. •
Beef in Sour Soup (酸汤牛肉; Suāntāng niúròu): Sour soup is not only used to cook fish, but is also often stewed with beef, which is appetizing and refreshing. Since the mid-2000s, Guiyang has developed a
coffee culture, with as of 2025 over 3,000 coffee shops in the city, the highest density among cities in China.
Tourism Being the capital of Guizhou, a very old and traditional province of China, Guiyang is shaped by its history, and still possesses many historical sites that attract many tourists: •
The Jiaxiu Pavilion (): The Jiaxiu Pavilion is located in the southern tip of the Guiyang Nanming River, which is the city's emblem and its symbol. It was initially built in 1598 during the Ming Dynasty and was destroyed multiple times in history. It was being rebuilt most recently in 1982. •
Qingyan Ancient Town ():
Qingyan Ancient Town is located in the southern tip of Guiyang. It was originally built in the year 1378, during the Ming Dynasty. It is known its beautiful Chinese ancient architecture. •
Xifeng Concentration Camp (): Xifeng Concentration Camp was the largest, highest-level prison of all the prisons set up by the Military commission of the KMT government during the
Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, and it was added by the state council to the list of major historical and cultural sites under state protection, in 1988. •
Confucian Center (): the Confucian center is a non-public and educational organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. The Confucius Institute promotes and teaches Chinese culture and language around the world. The Confucian Temple, in the center of Qufu city, was built in 478 BC. •
Xifeng Hot Spring (): Xifeng Hot Spring is located in the northeast of Xifeng County. The hot spring is surrounded by many mountains, upon which rich slopes grow a profusion of pines, firs, bamboos and other plants. This beautiful place has offered its advantages for sanatoriums, hospitals and villas. •
Qianling Park (): Qianling Park, in the northwest part of Guiyang, takes its name from Mount Qianling, which is known as southern Guizhou's most majestic mountain. The park is covered with thick vegetation and old trees, with more than 1,500 types of flowers and trees, and at least 1,000 types of Medicinal herbs. The Hongfu Temple, built toward the end of the Ming dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, is one of Guizhou's most famous temples. •
Huaxi National Wetland Park (): Guiyang Huaxi national urban wetland Park is located in the north of downtown Guiyang's Huaxi district. It is one of the only urban Wetlands in the country. On the environmental aspect, it belongs to a subtropical humid climate of the plateau karst hilly region, based on Karst landform characteristics of the urban wetland park, its unique geographical location and geological structure form a rich variety of landscapes resources.
Nightlife •
Pubs and bars The most dynamic street in Guiyang is Qianling East Road (), unironically called "Drinking Street" for the diversity and great number of pubs and bars that occupy it. In the province where Moutai comes from, a well-known liquor in China, drinking tends to be a tradition. In Guiyang, beers are poured in small cups, and games with dice or cards are often played while drinking. •
Night markets When the night comes, street food flourishes everywhere in Guiyang. On Shaanxi Road (), one can find mutton chops, baked snails, and roast chicken. On Bo'ai Road () you can find mutton patties, glutinous rice, rice noodles, and a combination of western and eastern foods. •
Night gaming traditions At night, older people usually prefer to indulge in outdoor games, such as Mahjong or square dancing. == Transport ==