Guiyang was recently included in the 2026 "100 Must-Visit Destinations in Asia" list of China's online travel platform Ctrip. Data from Ctrip's 2025 Guizhou Online Tourism Platform Inbound Tourism Development Report show that in 2025, inbound tourism to Guiyang increased by 48 percent year-on-year, while inbound tourism spending grew by 64 percent year-on-year.

The Jiaxiu Pavilion of Guiyang. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

The selection process for the "100 Must-Visit Destinations in Asia" list is primarily based on real travel data from Ctrip platform users, focusing on four core indicators: destination popularity, number of bookings, destination visit volume, and search volume. The destinations are then ranked based on their popularity scores, with the top 100 selected for inclusion in the list.

Guiyang's inclusion in the list can be attributed to several factors. First, its unique climate, with an average summer temperature of only 22.3 C, has made it a top summer retreat for six consecutive years. Second, the "Cool Guiyang" city brand continues to rise in prominence, with seasonally themed activities and new attractions popping up across the entire region, directly boosting both domestic and international tourist numbers. Third, the diversity and uniqueness of consumer experiences add to its appeal. It has among the highest densities of coffee shops of any city in China – 3,000 in total – while popular cultural districts like Qingyun Pedestrian Street continue to attract large numbers of visitors. Lastly, the city's vibrant culture, highlighted by roadside concerts which have gained significant attention online, has earned it the nickname "City of Music".