Huaguoyuan: The first stop for tourists in Guizhou

As dawn breaks, Huaguoyuan in Nanming district of Guiyang, the capital city of Southwest China's Guizhou province, stirs gently to life. Along Yan'an South Road, dozens of tour buses line up, ready to welcome streams of eager travelers.

"Since April, the number of tourists visiting Guizhou has surged," said Wang Yaojun, deputy director of the Nanming district culture and tourism bureau. "The number of tour buses operating from Huaguoyuan has doubled, rising from around 20 to nearly 50."

According to online travel agency Ctrip, as of April 16, total tourism bookings in Guizhou for the May Day holiday had increased by 15 percent year-on-year, hotel bookings by 33 percent, and inbound tourism booking by an impressive 49 percent.

Industry experts point out that the number of tour buses departing from Huaguoyuan is a clear indicator of Guizhou's tourism boom. Huaguoyuan has become a barometer for the province's tourism market.

This success is no accident – Huaguoyuan excels in the three key pillars of tourism development: tourist attractions, visitor flow, and services.

Wang further explained that of Guiyang's 790 travel agencies, 355 are located in Nanming district, and about 60 percent of those are based in Huaguoyuan, making it the city's top hub for tourism-related businesses.

Nicknamed "Asia's largest urban complex", Huaguoyuan boasts 256 residential and commercial towers and houses over 360,000 residents – making it a thriving community that provides ideal conditions for hotel development.

"Hotels here are plentiful and affordable," said Li Zanhua, head of China Travel Service's Guiyang branch. "Many travelers book their stay in Huaguoyuan even before they arrive. Travel agencies also set up here to better serve their clients."

For many visitors, Huaguoyuan is a destination in its own right. Liu Tingting, a young tourist from Shanghai, chose it as her first stop after researching extensively. "The night view at the Huaguoyuan Eclat Art Palace is stunning – perfect for photos and social media," she said.

However, relying on a single attraction is not enough. Over the years, Nanming has invested heavily in enhancing Huaguoyuan's tourism appeal.

Nanming launched the "One Belt, Two Circles, and Multiple Points" development plan, focusing on six major commercial areas: the Nanming Riverside Economic Belt, two distinctive core consumption zones at Dananmen and the Guiyang Railway Station, and several regional commercial hubs. These efforts have upgraded local businesses, introduced new brands, and fueled a vibrant shopping and leisure experience.

In 2024, two new commercial centers – Fangyuanhui Dolphin Plaza and Hi-Live Street – opened in Huaguoyuan, joining the already popular Huaguoyuan Shopping Center. Today, Huaguoyuan is a landmark of high-end, diverse, and eco-friendly urban consumption.

The food scene is just as impressive, with nearly 6,000 restaurants offering a full range of Guizhou's signature dishes, delighting food lovers from all over.

In April, viral videos featuring rows of tour buses waiting for passengers in Huaguoyuan took the internet by storm. In response, Nanming's authorities quickly stepped up their services to welcome the flood of visitors.

New tourist entrances were added, signage improved, and teams from the traffic police, urban management, and cultural tourism departments worked tirelessly to maintain order. Their dedication led many visitors to rave: "A 100-day spring, warmed by Nanming's perfect services!”