安顺市

Why this place

Anshun holds Huangguoshu, the largest waterfall in China and in Asia — 74 metres high and 81 wide — and Tianlong Tunpu, a village founded by Ming soldiers in the fourteenth century whose inhabitants still wear the Ming-style dress they brought with them.

What to see

• Huangguoshu waterfall and the cave behind it
• Tianlong Tunpu ancient town, with Ming-era dress, opera and architecture
• The Dragon Palace (Longgong) caves, which you tour by boat
• The Getu River and the Miao villages of the surrounding karst

What to eat

• Guizhou sour-and-spicy cooking; Anshun is known for its 'sijiwang' and its 'guoshu' beef
• The local 'bingjiang' and the rice-flour dishes

How to plan

One day for Huangguoshu, half a day for Tianlong Tunpu.

Best time

June–October for the waterfall at full flow; April–May and September for fewer crowds

Practical tips

• Huangguoshu is at its best after the rains but the walkways get wet — non-slip shoes are worth it