During my visit to China, after bidding farewell to Yinchuan, our next flight was to Guiyang. The domestic flight lasted over two hours, and upon landing, we were immediately struck by the scale and modernity of Guiyang International Airport, truly no less than the busiest airports of the world. At the arrival lounge, we were warmly received by our new hosts, including Professor Sania and two officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their welcome created a refreshing sense of familiarity.
Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, sits beautifully amidst mountains and valleys. It is a city where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony. In recent years, Guiyang has emerged not only as a scenic tourist destination but also as a fast rising global hub for digital economy and big data. The city has positioned itself as the “Big Data Valley” of China, attracting multinational corporations to establish data centers. Agriculture processing, modern industry, and high-tech innovation are shaping its identity as an important pillar of China’s digital economy. Local universities and research institutes are focusing strongly on information technology and artificial intelligence, producing graduates who are aligned with both domestic and international requirements.
Guiyang is home to more than 30 ethnic groups culturally. The Miao and Bouyei minorities with their vibrant traditions, colorful costumes, spicy cuisine, and lively festivals, enrich the city’s cultural landscape. Traditional dishes, especially chili based meals and the famous “sour fish,” remain local delicacies. Scenic wonders like Qianling Park, Huangguoshu Waterfall, and surrounding mountain villages continue to attract thousands of tourists, both local and foreign.
Soon after check in at our hotel, our delegation was invited to lunch, followed by a visit to Grandblue Environment’s Waste to Energy Plant, one of Guiyang’s most advanced ecofriendly projects. The plant processes nearly 2,000 tons of household waste daily, generating about one million kilowatt-hours of electricity every day, with an annual value estimated at 2.5 billion yuan. Built at a cost of 1.25 billion yuan at 152 acres of land approximately, the facility meets national environmental standards through advanced flue gas treatment, leachate management and safe fly ash disposal. The project reduces dependence on landfills while producing green energy, creating jobs, and keeping the city cleaner. Remarkably, the ash from waste is even used to produce bricks. Guiyang’s vision of becoming a “Zero-Waste City” is well embodied here a model worth emulating for countries like Pakistan, where major cities continue to battle landfills and smog.
Our journey also took us to Guizhou Hanlan Intelligent Technology Park in University Town, where we observed the production of driverless electric vehicles by Picks Moving where Young engineers, both men and women, were enthusiastically involved in manufacturing, turning innovation into reality. These vehicles are also contributing to China’s foreign exchange earnings a vivid example of the country’s technological ambition.
That evening, we experienced Guiyang’s famous hotpot dinner and later visited its bustling night bazaar, where the city’s vibrancy and charm came alive.
On the following day, we travelled tothe Guian New Area to explore the National Big Data Center. This center is the backbone of China’s digital strategy under the “Eastern Data, Western Computing” policy, which seeks to distribute data and computing resources equitably across the country. The facility provides cloud computing, server hosting, backup services, and data trading platforms, while also powering applications in healthcare, finance, agriculture, and artificial intelligence. Its mission is to accelerate digital transformation, strengthen software and IT development, and enforce high standards of data security. With its cool climate and abundant hydropower, Guiyang offers low-cost and eco-friendly conditions for such data infrastructure. Importantly, the center has also supported China’s poverty alleviation initiatives, underlining how technology can uplift societies.
Cultural exploration continued at Longjing Village, home to the Bouyei community. With its ancient traditions and picturesque setting at the foot of mountains, the village welcomes more than 10,000 visitors daily. Its well-planned infrastructure — including parking for 2,000 vehicles and hundreds of restaurants has boosted the local economy, blending rural charm with modern tourism.
Our journey concluded at the Communist Party School in Guiyang, where officials and policymakers receive specialized training in governance, economics, and digital administration. The school is also known for its environmental awareness programs. The towering statue of Karl Marx at the campus caught our attention as we attended a session on governance and policymaking. Observing the training model, one cannot help but think that Pakistan’s civil servants and legislators would benefit greatly from exposure to such institutions, where discipline and clarity in governance are prioritized. With that final experience, our stay in Guiyang ended, and we headed to the railway station for our onward journey to Guangzhou.
Note: More details of this China visit will follow in the next column.