Guizhou Province, abbreviated as “Qian” or “Gui”, is a provincial-level administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, located in the southeastern part of Southwest China. It borders Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality to the north, Hunan Province to the east, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the south, and Yunnan Province to the west. Situated on the Yunnan‑Guizhou Plateau, its terrain is high in the west and low in the east, sloping from the center toward the north, east and south. Mountains and hills account for 92.5% of its total area. Guizhou has a subtropical humid monsoon climate, with Guiyang as its capital. As of September 2025, Guizhou Province administers 6 prefecture‑level cities and 3 autonomous prefectures.
Guizhou is a multi‑ethnic province. Besides the Han people, there are 17 indigenous ethnic minorities, including the Miao, Bouyei and Dong. The commonly used languages are the Chuanqian dialect, Qiandongnan dialect and Qiannan dialect of Guizhou.
Humans have lived and multiplied in Guizhou for 500,000 to 600,000 years. In the first year of the Xuanhe reign (1119), Juzhou was renamed Guizhou. In the 11th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1413), the Provincial Administration Commission was established in Guizhou, making it the 13th province of the country. The People’s Government of Guizhou Province was founded in December 1949.
Guizhou is a National Ecological Civilization Pilot Zone approved by the State Council. It serves as an important hub connecting Southwest China with South and Central China, a vital passage on the New International Land‑Sea Trade Corridor in the western region, and a key link between the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area and the Chengdu‑Chongqing Economic Circle. Barium salt production, mercury recovery and rubber processing are Guizhou’s distinctive chemical industries, all ranking among the top in China. Industries such as intensive processing and marketing of agricultural products enjoy broad prospects.
In November 2023, Guizhou’s airport network took shape as a “one hub, ten feeder airports” system, consisting of 11 airports in total. Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport acts as the core hub, supported by feeder airports including Xingyi Wanfenglin, Zunyi Xinzhou, Anshun Huangguoshu, Bijie Feixiong, Liping, Huangping, Libo, Liupanshui Yuezhao, Tongren Fenghuang and Zunyi Maotai Airports.
Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport is located in the eastern suburbs of Guiyang, 11 kilometers from the city center with convenient transportation, making it an important aviation hub in Southwest China. In addition, Guizhou has a well‑developed transportation system including railways, highways and public transit.
Guizhou is home to 2 items on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and 99 national‑level intangible cultural heritage items. It boasts 1 World Cultural Heritage site and 81 Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. The province has 10 national 5A‑level scenic areas, including Huaxi Qingyan Ancient Town, Chishui Danxia Tourist Area, Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area and Baili Dujuan (Hundred‑Mile Azalea) Scenic Area.