Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) released its 2026 Foreign Tourist Travel Trends Report on April 28, revealing that Guiyang has been named one of the top three "dark horse" cities with the fastest-growing popularity among international tourists on Xiaohongshu.

Qingyun Market in Guiyang attracts many visitors. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

This southwestern provincial capital is attracting more and more international visitors with its unique positioning as a "Seoul alternative" and its diverse cultural experiences.

Guiyang's rise to fame began with spontaneous "city comparisons" initiated by Xiaohongshu users. They discovered that this southwestern capital bears striking similarities to Seoul: a shared love of sour and spicy flavors, coffee shops on every corner, thriving street-side commerce, and identical photo spots at Dongshan and Inwangsan Mountains.

Since then, Guiyang has become another popular destination for South Korean tourists, after Shanghai and Zhangjiajie.

Tourists flock to Jiaxiu Pavilion to enjoy the night scenery. [Photo/Guiyang news network]