Kweichow

Kweichow is the historical English-language name for Guizhou Province in southwest China. The spelling reflects older transliteration systems such as Wade-Giles, and in modern usage the province is commonly referred to as Guizhou in pinyin. The term Kweichow continues to appear in historical works, some institutional titles, and the names of certain products and brands.

Geographically, Guizhou is a predominantly mountainous and karst region that borders Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, and Chongqing. Its capital and largest city is Guiyang. The province is one of China’s most ethnically diverse, with large populations of Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, and other groups. This diversity is reflected in languages, customs, festivals, and traditional crafts.

Historically, Guizhou was incorporated into the Chinese empire and later organized as a province during the Republic of China era. It remained a provincial unit after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. In recent decades it has seen development in transport, industry, and tourism, while preserving cultural traditions across its many communities.

Economy and culture are shaped by mining, agriculture, and increasingly tourism and manufacturing. A well-known product associated with Kweichow is Kweichow Moutai, a highly regarded baijiu produced in Maotai Town, Renhuai County. Tourist attractions include Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of Asia’s largest waterfalls, and the region’s extensive cave systems and scenic landscapes.