Kaili is the capital of the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, and the political, economic, and cultural center of the prefecture. It is the fifth largest city in Guizhou Province. It has a population of 552,000, of which minority groups take up 74 %.
Location: The city is located in the west of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, in the southeast part of Guizhou Province. It is 197 km (122 miles) from Guiyang and 45 km (28 miles) from Leishan County.
History: Kaili has a history of over 500 years. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it prospered and was regarded as "Little Jingzhou" (as prosperous as the capital city at that time). In 1951, Kaili Miao People Autonomous District was founded. In 1956, it was selected as the capital of the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, transferring to Kaili City in 1983.
Physical Features: The city is located at the transitional zone between Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Middle Hilly Area, on the river bank of the Qingshui River.
Zip Code: 556000
Area Code: 0855
Nationalities: Miao, Han, Dong, Mulam, She, Bouyei, Shui, Yi , Zhuang, Wa, Dongxiang, Gelao
Products: Tea, rice, silkworm cocoon, watermelon, ginger, grape, nature indigo, carp, fragrant vinegar, silver ornament, embroidery.
Climate
The city has a subtropical humid monsoon climate with an average annual temperature of 16.1°C (60.98°F). The highest temperature in summer reaches to 37°C (98.6°F), while the lowest in winter can drop to -7°C (19.4°F). The average annual precipitation is 1,243 mm, with rainy days in the city nearly half of the year.
Best Time to Visit: August
Attractions: Jinquan Lake, Xianglu Hill, Qingshui River, and Yudong Karst Cave.
Transportation
Airport: There is no airport in the city. Visitors traveling by air can get to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, and take the airport shuttle bus to the Civil Aviation Ticket Office at Zunyi Road. Walk southward along the road to the Guiyang Gymnasium Long-distance Bus Station to take a bus to Kaili.
Railway Station: Kaili Railway Station is located at the Qingjiang Road. There are regular trains from/to Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Hangzhou, Wuchang, Kunming, Nanjing, Wenzhou, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. Visitors from other cities can get to Guiyang by train, and transfer to the Fanjingshan Tourist Special Train traveling between Guiyang and Yuping, and get off at Kaili. The journey from Guiyang to Kaili takes about 3 hours and costs CNY 24. Bus Routes to Kaili Railway Station: Bus No. 1 & 2; ticket: CNY 1.
Long-distance Bus Station: There are three long-distance bus stations in the city: Kaili Long-distance Bus Station, Ximahe Qiandongnan Prefecture Long-distance Bus Station, and Kaili Transportation Company.
Kaili Long-distance Bus Station is located at North Wenhua Road in the northeast of the city. There are regular buses to/from Guiyang, Leishan, Congjiang, Rongjiang, and Taijiang. The coaches to Guiyang depart every 30 minutes from 07:45 to 19:15. The direct coaches to Guiyang depart at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00, and every 20 minutes from 07:00 to 20:00; the journey takes 3 hours and costs CNY 40.
Ximahe Qiandongnan Prefecture Long-distance Bus Station is located opposite Kaili College. It is the largest long-distance bus station in the city, and mainly operates the coaches to Guiyang and Quanzhou. There are also regular coaches to/form Guangdong, Zhejiang and other provinces.
Kaili Transportation Company is situated beside the Kaili Hospital. It only operates the short-distance buses to the neighbouring areas.
Buses: There 12 bus routes covering almost every corner of the city; the ticket is CNY 1 per person.
Taxi: Taxies are available. The fare in daytime is no more than CNY 5 if traveling in the city, while that of the night is CNY 10.
It will save much time and energy if you rent or hire a car to travel around. The fee is usually CNY 300 per day.
Travel Tips
During your trip:
1. When traveling in Kaili, take the following necessities: an umbrella or a raincoat, the mosquito repellent, a pair of anti-skid shoes, and an extra-warm coat.
2. Since roads in Guizhou province are not that good, and many are hilly, bus journeys around Kali are long and tough. Visitors should take along fast food such as biscuits, chocolate, and bottled mineral water.
Local Food: Fish in Sour Soup, salted fish, oil tea, pickled vegetables and salted meat.
Shopping: There are many big shopping malls in the city center, including the Linmao Mansion, Oriental Mansion, and Jiahui Shopping Center. You can find many local specialties in the super market on the second floor of the Jiahui Shopping Center. If you are lucky, you may discover some delicate small articles at the outlets on the street.
Local Highlights
Welcoming Wine: When visiting a Miao People's Village, you cross twelve barriers on your way to the village entrance. At each barrier, there stand a few young people holding two bowls of wine and waiting to propose a toast to every visitor. If you are not a good drinker, you can just bend down to take a little sip and say: "Dou Shen Mo" (Thank you in Miao language), and you will pass the barriers.
Lusheng Singing and Dancing Show: Lusheng is a kind of wind instrument made of reed pipe. The Miao People and Dong People love it very much. People play the Lusheng during festivals and celebrations.
The Medicated Bath of the Yao People: Yao people takes medicated baths on the 1st, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 26th days of each month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. There are over 10 herbal medicines in the bath water, which are believed to be good for health.
