Ziyun Miao and Buyi Autonomous County

Ziyun Miao and Buyi Autonomous County is located in the southern part of Anshun City, Guizhou Province, at the southern foot of the Miao Mountains. It covers an area of approximately 2,284 square kilometers and has a permanent population of about 240,000, with ethnic minorities such as Miao and Buyi accounting for over 65% of the total population. Ziyun has a long history, belonging to the Yelang Kingdom during the Qin and Han dynasties, being a Jimi prefecture in the Tang and Song dynasties, established as Guihua Ting during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing dynasty, renamed Ziyun County in 1913, and established as Ziyun Miao and Buyi Autonomous County in 1966. Ziyun is famous for its unique karst landforms, rich Miao and Buyi ethnic customs, and abundant ecological resources, known as the 'Pearl on the Roof of Guizhou.' The county boasts the rare Getu River Cave Scenic Area, integrating caves, canyons, sinkholes, and underground rivers, making it an excellent destination for outdoor adventure and nature photography. Ziyun is also a Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art, with the Miao epic 'King Yalu' listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, and traditional crafts such as Buyi batik and embroidery are uniquely charming.

I. Recommended Core Attractions 1. Getu River Cave Scenic Area: About 30 km from the county seat, it is the most famous scenic area in Ziyun, known for the 'cave penetration' wonder. The scenic area includes Big Cave, Small Cave, Tianxing Cave, and Miao Hall, among which Big Cave is 116 meters high and 25 meters wide, allowing boat tours inside. Ticket price: 60 yuan/person, opening hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended half-day visit. The best viewing period is from April to October, when you can watch the 'Spider-Man' bare-handed rock climbing performance. 2. Ziyun Miao and Buyi Culture Museum: Located in the county center, it displays Miao costumes, silver ornaments, batik, Buyi cloth-making techniques, and the 'King Yalu' epic culture. Free admission, open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00. 3. Dahe Miao Village: About 5 km from Getu River Scenic Area, it is a well-preserved Miao natural village where you can experience Miao welcome wine, reed pipe dance, and long-table banquet. The village does not charge admission, but participating in folk activities costs about 50 yuan/person. 4. Ziyun Sinkhole Group: Distributed in the southern part of the county, among which Xiangshuidong Sinkhole has a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 200 meters, suitable for professional exploration, requiring a local guide (fee about 200 yuan/day).

II. Recommended Local Cuisine 1. Ziyun Sour Fish Soup: Made with local paddy field fish and red sour soup (fermented wild tomatoes), sour and spicy. Recommended restaurant: 'Miao Family Sour Fish Soup' in the county (middle section of Getu Avenue), about 60 yuan/person. 2. Five-Colored Glutinous Rice: A traditional Buyi food, dyed in five colors with natural plants, steamed to be fragrant and soft. Available at Dahe Miao Village or county night market, about 15 yuan/portion. 3. Ziyun Cured Meat: Made from local black pigs, smoked with cypress branches, sliced to be transparent and red. Available at farmhouse restaurants in the county, such as 'Ziyun Villa' (at the entrance of Getu River Scenic Area), about 80 yuan/person.

III. Transportation Guide 1. External Transportation: Take a high-speed train from Guiyang North Station to Anshun West Station (about 30 minutes, ticket 46 yuan), then transfer to a bus to Ziyun county seat (about 2 hours, ticket 35 yuan). Or take a direct bus from Guiyang Longdongbao Bus Station to Ziyun (4 buses daily, 3-hour ride, ticket 80 yuan). 2. Internal Transportation: Taxi starting fare in the county is 5 yuan, bus routes cover major attractions. To Getu River Scenic Area, take a minibus (departing from county bus station every 30 minutes, ticket 10 yuan).

IV. Accommodation Recommendations In the county, there is 'Ziyun International Hotel' (four-star, standard room about 300 yuan/night) and several budget inns (such as 'Getu River Inn', standard room about 150 yuan/night). Dahe Miao Village has homestays (about 100 yuan/night, including breakfast).