Guizhou Sheng Hotels China

Guizhou Sheng, is a province in central-southeast China, bordered by Yunnan, Sichuan and Hunan provinces, with an area of 67,200 sq miles and a population of over 38m. Its capital is Guiyang. The province as a whole has a rugged topography and traditionally communications have been poor, which has kept it isolated from many influences. The majority of the population are Han Chinese, but there are also many local indigenous peoples, such as the Miao, a somewhat rebellious native people who caused the administrations much trouble over the centuries.

Guizhou came under Chinese influence during the Ming Cynistay of the C14 - C17th and was made a province. The local dialect of Guizhou is similar to that of Sichuan but because of the area’s isolation, you are unlikely to find many people who will understand English - though many will understand Mandarin. However, in the rural areas and smaller towns you might find only the local dialect is understood, some of which are unique to their regions.

It is a diverse province with many minority ethnic peoples and over half of the area has been designated autonomous regions for them. As well as its unusual history, Guizhou has a wonderfully rich and varied landscape. It is more hilly in the west and flatter towards the eastern and southern areas.

In its more mountainous places there are many opportunities for hiking and trekking - though conditions can be tricky if paths are slippery, and there are thorny bushes. However, for the intrepid explorer-traveler there is some beautiful scenery to compensate for these difficulties, including stunning views into valleys and to distant horizons. One of the greatest sights is the Huangguoshu Waterfall, renown as the biggest in China.

There is also graceful, traditional architecture to see and enjoy in the villages and towns The province has a subtropical humid climate without great seasonal changes and annual average temperatures roughly between 10 to 20’C - colder in January, warmer in July. Though it is a relatively poor and economically undeveloped province, Guizhou is rich in natural, cultural and environmental resources with forestry, production of energy and mining. Its peoples and their legacies and cultures are some of the great resources in Guizhou.

The province has covered bridges built by the Dong minority people, known as Wind and Rain Bridges, dating from the C19th and the older wooden ones are carefully preserved. These people occupy the province’s southeastern corner, which is generally known for its unique Dong minority culture. This rich tapestry of minority populations in Guizhou - some of them in just a few villages - ensures many ethnic festivals, governed by the lunar calendar.

bullfighting, horse racing, pipe playing, and comedy works are among them.