A foolproof night tour of Guiyang | My personally tested and compiled route from Nanming River to Huguo Road to Diantai Street (Summer Edition) (5 times)

After my third nighttime stroll through Guiyang, I finally got the hang of the route, from the Nanming River Blues Moments to the late-night music performances at Wenchang Pavilion. Before, I followed popular travel guides, only to end up either crammed into Jiaxiu Tower with no available spots or ending up looking like a tourist after eating my way through the Erqi Road food street. Later, I switched to a local's after-get off work route and discovered that Guiyang's true nighttime economy isn't under the big billboards, but rather along the riverside promenades, in the old arcades, and along the city walls. The following route covers the period from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, entirely on foot and using shared bikes, avoiding traffic jams and queues, making it ideal for summer and early autumn.

First, the pitfalls I encountered: Why I gave up on Erqi Road and Qingyun Market

On my first trip to Guiyang, I made Erqi Road Snack Street my first stop for a night out, only to find it more like a "snack exhibition hall" for tourists—a wide variety of food, but not many locals. My second visit was to Qingyun Market; the lighting and installations were indeed photogenic, but the weekend queues could easily kill any relaxation I felt that evening. Later, a friend who works in the cultural and creative industries in Guiyang reminded me: the real old Guiyang nightlife is around Huguo Road and Quanlin Pedestrian Street, night tea and drinks are on Diantai Street, live music is at Wenchang Pavilion, and the blues moments on the Nanming River are where it all begins.

The best part about this route is its seamless connections. It's about a 15-minute walk from Cuiwei Lane in Nanming River to Huguo Road, about an 8-minute bike ride from Huguo Road to Diantai Street, and a 5-minute walk from Diantai Street to the foot of the Wenchang Pavilion city wall. You hardly need to take a taxi at all, and the time saved is perfect for sitting around a bit longer.

II. 18:00-19:20 | Cuiwei Lane, Nanming River: Don't just photograph Jiaxiu Tower during the blues hour.

I'd use the Nanming River to represent Guiyang's "river/lake/coastline lights." Arrive at the Jiaxiu Tower archway around 6 PM, but don't rush onto the Fuyu Bridge yet, as the tour groups haven't dispersed by then. Walk along the Nanming River towards Cuiwei Lane; the riverside walkway offers views of the skyline of Jiaxiu Tower, Fuyu Bridge, and Cuiwei Garden. Around 7 PM in summer is the blue hour; the sky isn't completely dark yet, the lights are just coming on, and the water reflects a cool blue hue.

The best vantage point I personally tested wasn't at the main entrance of Jiaxiu Tower, but at the corner of the walkway across the river. Using my phone's 2x zoom, I superimposed Jiaxiu Tower and the modern buildings behind it, creating a layered effect of "old Guiyang and new Guiyang in the same frame." The old archway in Cuiwei Lane is also a hidden gem; after the lanterns are lit at night, shooting Jiaxiu Tower from inside the archway offers less disturbance than from the main vantage point.

I recommend walking slowly on this section, rather than cycling. In the evenings, locals stroll along the Nanming River Trail, enjoying the river breeze as they walk to the back gate of "Cuiwei Garden," avoiding the noise from square dancing and only hearing the sound of water and distant traffic. I left around 7:20 PM; it was completely dark by then, so I went to grab a bite to eat.

III. 19:30-21:00 | Huguo Road Night Food: The Correct Order from Changwang Noodles to Laoguo (a type of hot pot)

It's about a 15-minute walk from Cuiwei Lane to Huguo Road. Unlike a well-organized food court, this area feels more like an old street where locals stop by on their electric scooters after get off work for a quick bite. If you're hungry, don't head straight for the hot pot; it's very oily, and you won't taste anything after the first bite. My order is: first, a bowl of Changwang noodles to start—the intestines and blood tofu are cleaned thoroughly, and the broth is on the spicy side but acceptable; then, find some tofu puffs or shredded pork belly for a refreshing and palate-cleansing experience; finally, if you still have an appetite, order a hot pot and a glass of chilled plum juice.

Many old shops on Huguo Road don't have eye-catching signs, but the rows of red plastic stools outside are their signal. The shop with the most young people just getting off work is probably a good one. You can get a very satisfying meal for just a few dozen yuan per person. The local population is high, and the atmosphere is much more natural than on Erqi Road. Keep your phone away while eating, as the sauce can easily splatter.

IV. 21:10-22:30 | Radio Street Bars and Teahouses: Choose a place to sit in Guiyang's slow-paced nightlife.

From Huguo Road, you can rent a shared bike and ride to Diantai Street in about eight minutes. This street is nestled between Wenchang Pavilion and old residential buildings; it's narrow, lined with low, old houses. After 9 PM, once the busiest time has passed, all that's left are people sitting at the entrances drinking tea and chatting. This place actually hides two kinds of Guiyang nightlife: one is the teahouses tucked away in old courtyards, and the other is the craft beer pubs with only a single, dimly lit lamp.

I recommend that groups of two or more go to a small bar and try a local craft beer, such as an experimental one with a hint of houttuynia cordata. If you're alone, head to an old teahouse, order a pot of bitter tea or Duyun Maojian tea, and sit by the window to watch the outline of the city wall. Don't come with the mindset of "checking off a list." The vibe of Radio Street is slow, and the owners aren't overly pushy; you can sit for as long as you want without being rushed.

You can also walk from Huguo Road, about 20 minutes, but cycling involves an uphill section, so be careful when shifting gears. Motor vehicles are prohibited on this street at night, making walking more comfortable. Diantai Street becomes quiet after 10 PM, a good transition to the next stop.

V. 22:40-23:30 | Under the Wenchang Pavilion city wall: Open-air live music and a night breeze to conclude.

A five-minute walk from the middle of Radio Street will take you to Wenchang Pavilion. By day, it's a historical site, but by night it transforms into an open-air living room for local young people. People often bring their own guitars and sing on the steps below the city wall, with people sitting around humming along casually. There are no stage lights or minimum spending requirements; you can stand or sit on the steps if you wish.

I went five times, and three times I encountered live music performances. The repertoire wasn't necessarily sophisticated, but the scene of "listening to local singers singing in the night breeze on the city wall" felt more authentic to Guiyang than any performance in a tourist area. If you leave before 11:30 PM, there are still a few barbecue stalls on Wenchang North Road where you can buy a bottle of water or walk back to your hotel. Be aware of the last bus times, but taxis are readily available in the city center; just use a ride-hailing app to locate the north gate of Wenchang Pavilion.

VI. Blogger's Summary: 5 camera positions for night photography + 4 safety tips

This night tour is a non-retrograde route, affordable, and takes about five and a half hours. It's perfect for those who don't want to visit trendy streets but still want to capture Guiyang's night view, enjoy local night food, and experience the authentic nightlife. We recommend taking a screenshot and saving the following list.

Five good spots for night photography: 1. At the corner of the Nanming River walkway, capture the Jiaxiu Tower and surrounding buildings in a blue hour shot; 2. At the old archway in Cuiwei Lane, shoot the lights of the Jiaxiu Tower from inside the archway; 3. In front of an old shop on Huguo Road, use the steam from the steamer to capture the neon lights of the night market; 4. By the window of an old teahouse on Diantai Street, capture the silhouette of the city wall and the warm yellow lights; 5. Under the city wall of Wenchang Pavilion, use the steps as a foreground to capture the backs of people playing and singing outdoors.

Four safety tips: 1. Some sections of the Nanming River Trail are dimly lit, so it is recommended to walk in groups and not to walk too close to the riverbank; 2. The Huguo Road Night Market is crowded and chaotic, so keep your phone and bag in front of you and watch out for oil splatters when eating hot pot; 3. There are many one-way streets around Wenchang Pavilion when riding shared bicycles, so check your navigation in advance and do not ride against traffic; 4. When returning home late at night, try to take main roads, choose a reputable taxi platform and share your trip details.