Guizhou Provincial Museum
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Located in Guiyang, the museum houses over 80,000 items, including Miao ethnic costumes, silver ornaments, paleontological fossils, and Paleolithic relics.
Planning your visit
Guizhou is among China's most ethnically diverse provinces, with substantial Miao, Dong, Buyi and Yi populations, and the provincial museum's strength is exactly there. Its ethnographic collection covers Miao festival costume — elaborately embroidered and appliquéd, with the silver ornaments that can weigh several kilograms per outfit, worn at Sisters' Meal and other festivals — alongside Dong textiles and the material culture of a dozen other groups.
Beyond ethnography, the collection runs to over 80,000 items including palaeontological fossils, for which Guizhou is internationally significant — the province's Triassic marine reptile fossils are among the best preserved anywhere — and Palaeolithic material from cave sites.
The museum moved to a large new building in Guiyang and admission is free with reservation.
Guizhou sees relatively few foreign visitors despite spectacular karst landscapes and living minority culture, and this museum is the best available orientation before travelling into the countryside to the villages themselves. Allow two hours. Bookable options include half-day guided tours. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Guizhou Provincial Museum?
Guizhou Provincial Museum is in Guiyang, China. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Guizhou Provincial Museum?
Allow two hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Guizhou Provincial Museum in advance?
Guided tours run to a fixed schedule and small group sizes, so they are usually booked ahead.