Champion Coffee City Emerges as More Than Just a Cup

Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, has emerged as a dynamic coffee hub, boasting over 3,000 cafés and gaining recognition for its local flavors and community spirit. Its title as a 'city of champion coffee' peaked with Peng Jinyang's victory in the World Coffee Brewing Championship in 2025, highlighting the city's burgeoning coffee culture.

Before reaching this significant milestone, Peng Jinyang had already made waves in the coffee scene by launching his brand 'Captain George' on Taiyuan Road in Shanghai in 2024. The café quickly gained popularity, rivaling well-established local favorites like O.P.S. The influence of Captain George extended beyond its physical presence, with the beans sourced by Peng gaining recognition on various review platforms, effectively supporting multiple cafés throughout the city.

However, Guiyang's rise as a champion coffee city cannot solely be attributed to individual achievements. In August of the previous year, the Shanghai-based O.P.S. set its sights on Guiyang, indicating a broader interest in the city's potential. Visitors to Duide Coffee often arrive with suitcases, indicating the café's growing reputation, and even a dedicated luggage storage facility has been established for convenience.

Many experts point to a combination of competition-driven baristas, experience-oriented young consumers, and supportive urban planning as catalysts for Guiyang's transformation into a coffee powerhouse. Yet, this perspective only partially addresses the question of how the city initially transitioned from a nonexistent coffee culture to this vibrant scene.

As highlighted by scholar Yan Xia in 'Youth Coffee Consumption Culture,' the remarkable growth of cafés reflects more than a shift towards coffee-drinking habits; it signifies the rise of experiential consumption among younger generations, who increasingly prioritize emotional and spatial experiences over the beverages themselves.

This unique coffee experience in Guiyang can be examined through three key dimensions. The first is density—Guiyang has over 3,000 cafés situated within compact old districts like Yunyan and Nanming, with many popular locations lying within a one-kilometer radius, surpassing even Shanghai's renowned café areas.

This geographical proximity enables visitors to explore the café culture on foot, creating a pleasurable 'walk, eat, and drink' experience that integrates local delicacies such as potato cakes and beef rice noodles alongside their coffee.

The second dimension is depth. Coffee in Guiyang is intricately woven into the local culture, expressed through innovative beverages that feature local ingredients such as fish mint and fried duck, imbuing them with a uniquely 'Guiyang' character.

Moreover, cafés in Guiyang frequently function as community hubs, often located within residential areas. Visitors often navigate through residential complexes, gardens, and community spaces to find cafés like GTS and Farfalla, deepening their sense of local identity.

The third dimension is reach. Many café owners utilize online platforms to share knowledge and culture rather than just promoting their products. Their approach resonates with younger consumers, emphasizing connection and community engagement in an accessible manner.

As Guizhou filmmaker Bi Gan noted, the essence of space within Guiyang's vibrant coffee culture is innate to the environment. This culture thrives organically within the city, contributing to a growing narrative that elevates Guiyang beyond being merely a geographical location to becoming a celebrated champion of coffee.