Birdwatching Guiyang: Explore Huaxi Wetland Park, an Urban Karst Oasis

Introduction:

When the lyrical karst hills meet city life, Guiyang answers with a 941-hectare ecological sanctuary. Huaxi National Urban Wetland Park — Guizhou’s first “national urban wetland park” and a free 4A-rated attraction — stitches the winding Huaxi River through riverside farmland, Republican-era architecture, and the otherworldly contours of karst terrain. Here you can cycle beneath golden plane trees, cool your feet on the stepping-stone Bai Bu Bridge, or quietly wait for egrets to skim the wetlands. No admission fee is required — just bring your curiosity.

1. Soul Positioning: A Karst-Version “Central Park”

If one line defines Huaxi Wetland Park, it is “an urban ecological museum grown on karst.” Unlike noisy theme parks, Huaxi uses regional ecological wisdom to weave more than 500 plant species and over 200 wild animals into city life. In morning mist, anglers and egrets share the riverbanks; at dusk, plane-tree leaves and children’s laughter dance along the cycling paths. This city-nature coexistence makes Huaxi both Guiyang’s ecological shield and its communal living room.

2. Three Zones, Three Ecological Aesthetics

• Huaxi Park (Historic & Cultural Zone)
Founded in 1940, this veteran park holds Republican-era architectural clues: a Baroque music pavilion, red-brick arched corridors, and seasonal displays of cherry, ginkgo, and tulips. For the best panorama, climb Linshan for a bird’s-eye view of the Huaxi River winding like a jade sash.
• Ten-Li Riverbank (Wetland Ecology Zone)
A three-kilometer ecological corridor functions like an outdoor classroom. Wooden boardwalks lead into reed beds; with luck you’ll spot a redstart hopping on creek stones. In autumn, rippling rice paddies and a Dong wind-and-rain bridge make perfect frames for pastoral photos.
• Golden Avenue (Leisure & Experience Zone)
This 1.7-km plane-tree boulevard is the park’s social media star. In autumn the fallen leaves create a golden carpet, and cycling through feels like passing a fairytale tunnel. Cafes and creative markets along the way add an artistic touch to the ecological experience.

3. Seven Must-Do Eco Moments

– Cool off on Bai Bu Bridge: The stepping-stone bridge across the Huaxi River offers a splash of summer refreshment; locals balance like waterbirds.
– Wait for egrets at the birdwatching hide: A secluded wooden hide north of the wetland often hosts feeding displays around 4–5 PM.
– Cycle a seasonal color card: Rent a mountain bike (about ¥20/hour) — cherry pink in spring, paddy green in summer, plane-tree gold in autumn, frost-white mists in winter.
– Decode Republican-era architecture: Visit General Chen Mingren’s blue-brick residence with 1930s carved window lattices.
– Hear Dong mountain songs at the wind-and-rain bridge: Spontaneous call-and-response singing often happens Saturday mornings, silver jewelry chiming as elders sing.
– Nighttime firefly watch: In July–August, the protected edge of the reserve lights up with a living starfield after dark.
– Taste a wetland specialty: Try “Xiao Bao Bingjiang,” a riverside dessert made from wild rose hip (ci-li) and glutinous rice — sweet, tangy, and local.

4. Local Insider Tips

• Off-peak windows: 7–9 AM is best for photography; after 4 PM the park fills with residents enjoying an evening stroll.
• Secret route: Enter via the Maiwengzhai gate and follow the lesser-known woodland trail to reach the prime birdwatching spot.
• Free guided tours: Volunteer-led English ecology tours run Tuesday and Thursday at 10 AM (reserve one day in advance).
• Best picnic spot: The lawn beside Luoping Reservoir offers karst mountain views while avoiding main crowds.

5. Practical Info

Opening hours: Park open daily (lights on until 22:00); Wetland Museum 9:00–17:00 (closed Mondays).

Admission: Free. Bike and electric cart rentals are charged separately.

Food highlights:

– “Xiao Bao Bingjiang” at Golden Avenue (try mango-glutinous rice flavor)
– Beef noodle soup at Huaxi Park main gate — Guizhou sour-soup style
– Farmhouse riverside meals at Maiweng Ancient Village featuring fresh river fish

Transport:

– Metro: Line 3, Huaxi Park Station, Exit B to the south gate
– Bus: Routes 202 and 248 to Ten-Li Riverbank stop
– Driving: Five parking lots on-site (first hour ¥3, thereafter ¥1.5 per hour)

6. Suggested Itineraries

• Half-Day Easy: Huaxi Park (2 hr) → Golden Avenue cycling (1 hr) → Dong ethnic lunch.
• Full-Day Deep Dive: Wetland Museum (1.5 hr) → Ten-Li Riverbank hike (3 hr) → Maiweng Ancient Village farmhouse → evening fireflies.
• Nearby Add-Ons: 15-minute drive east to Qingyan Ancient Town (Ming fortress); 20-minute drive west to Gaopo Miao Village for sunrise on the highland grasslands.

Conclusion:

In Guiyang, the “Forest City,” Huaxi National Urban Wetland Park is an ecologically preserved amber. It does not compete with roller coasters or fantasy resorts; instead it showcases the quiet intelligence of karst-city coexistence. Visitors rediscover what a park can be — a living poem of trees, birds, streams, and people. Step onto the time-smoothed stones of Bai Bu Bridge and you’ll understand why locals say: our luxury is the leaf underfoot and the mountains overhead.