City guide · 贵阳 Guiyang
Guiyang
A cool summer city on the plateau: Jiaxiu Pavilion, Qianling Mountain and Qingyan Ancient Town
Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou Province, a mountain city on the eastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with summer average temperatures around 23°C, making it a famous summer resort city. In two to three days you can cover Jiaxiu Pavilion, Qianling Mountain Park, Qingyan Ancient Town, Huaxi Park, and Tianhe Lake, then leave one evening for the Erqi Road snack street and Qingyun Market. Guiyang's appeal can be summed up in three words: water, caves, and nights. The caves and bamboo rafts of Tianhe Lake and the night view of Jiaxiu Pavilion are the most efficient summer arrangements. Also worth visiting in the city: Jiaxiu Pavilion, Qianling Mountain Park, Huaxi Park, Tianhe Lake, Guizhou Provincial Museum, Wenchang Pavilion, Guanshanhu Park, Yelang Valley, Huaxi Wetland, Yangming Shrine and Nanming River.
History
How the city came to be
The establishment of Guiyang can be traced to Jinle County, set up in the 8th year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (333); in the 4th year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (621), Ju Prefecture was established. In the 7th year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (974), the local chieftain Pu Gui submitted Ju Prefecture, and Emperor Taizu of Song wrote in an edict, "Your Guizhou is far away in the wilderness," marking the first appearance of the name "Guizhou," which at the time referred only to the present Guiyang area. In the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1292), the Babo Shunyuan Pacification Commission's Commander-in-Chief's Office was set up in Guiyang, and the Yuan rulers called it Shunyuan City. In the 11th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1413), the Guizhou Provincial Administration Commission was set up in Guiyang, and Guizhou formally became the 13th province of the Ming Dynasty; in the 3rd year of the Longqing era (1569), Chengfan Prefecture was renamed Guiyang Prefecture, and "Guiyang" has been fixed as an administrative region name since then. In the 26th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1597, with another account saying 1598, uncertain), Jiang Dongzhi, Governor of Guizhou, built Jiaxiu Pavilion on Aoji Rock in the Nanming River, taking the meaning of "outstanding scholars"; the present building was rebuilt in the 1st year of the Xuantong era (1909). During the She-An Rebellion in 1622, Guiyang was besieged for a full year.
- 333Jinle County was established.
- 621Ju Prefecture was established.
- 974The name "Guizhou" first appeared in an edict of Emperor Taizu of Song.
- 1292The Babo Shunyuan Pacification Commission's Commander-in-Chief's Office was set up in Guiyang, called Shunyuan City.
- 1413The Guizhou Provincial Administration Commission was set up in Guiyang, and Guizhou formally became a province.
- 1569Chengfan Prefecture was renamed Guiyang Prefecture.
- 1597Jiaxiu Pavilion was first built (with another account saying 1598, uncertain).
- 1622During the She-An Rebellion, Guiyang was besieged for a year.
- 1909The present Jiaxiu Pavilion was rebuilt.
- 1949Guiyang was liberated.
Stories
Stories of the city
A Ming Garrison
History · Qingyan Ancient Town
In the early Ming dynasty Qingyan was a military outpost held by troops. The fortress was built for the garrison, and only later, as merchants and travellers gathered, did it grow into a market town south of Guiyang.
Guizhou's First Top Scholar
History · Qingyan Ancient Town
In the late Qing dynasty, Zhao Yijiong of Qingyan came first in the imperial examination, becoming the first zhuangyuan (top civil scholar) in Guizhou's history. His former residence still stands in the town.
Zhejiang University Moves West
History · Qingyan Ancient Town
During the War of Resistance against Japan, Zhejiang University moved west to keep teaching, and Qingyan was one of the places where it settled for a time.
Trips beyond the city
These places can be explored from this city but lie outside it. See each place for transport and visiting guidance.
