The most important ingredient in Guizhou cuisine -- the chili pepper.
Chilies —
The most important ingredient in Guizhou cuisine -- the chili pepper.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Sour fish soup is Guizhou's best known dish. It's often served on a burner at the table to let the pungent flavors develop.
Sour fish soup —
Sour fish soup is Guizhou's best known dish. It's often served on a burner at the table to let the pungent flavors develop.
Katie Hunt/CNN
For those new to Guizhou's cuisine, these relatively milder green bells are not to be underestimated.
Green pepper —
For those new to Guizhou's cuisine, these relatively milder green bells are not to be underestimated.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Similar in look to Vietnamese spring rolls, this vegetarian snack consists of a "silk blanket" made of pounded glutinous rice and the "baby" -- a filling of fresh and pickled vegetables with dried soybeans added for crunch.
'Silk babies' —
Similar in look to Vietnamese spring rolls, this vegetarian snack consists of a "silk blanket" made of pounded glutinous rice and the "baby" -- a filling of fresh and pickled vegetables with dried soybeans added for crunch.
Katie Hunt/CNN
This unusual root vegetable has a lemony, medicinal tang that locals believe is good for the lungs.
Houttuniya —
This unusual root vegetable has a lemony, medicinal tang that locals believe is good for the lungs.
Katie Hunt/CNN
These crispy squares of griddled tofu with a soft custard center pack a fiery punch.
Lover's tofu —
These crispy squares of griddled tofu with a soft custard center pack a fiery punch.
Katie Hunt/CNN
The bland but comforting tofu-like flavors of this Guizhou specialty are a welcome respite from all the chili.
Rice tofu —
The bland but comforting tofu-like flavors of this Guizhou specialty are a welcome respite from all the chili.
Katie Hunt/CNN
The jelly-textured offal goes well with a pungent sauce seasoned with soy sauce, scallions, pickled and dried chili.
Pork brain 'flower' —
The jelly-textured offal goes well with a pungent sauce seasoned with soy sauce, scallions, pickled and dried chili.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Fresh fish from the region's rivers, which flow through a stunning karst, limestone landscape, are often barbequed. Fish are also farmed in rice paddies.
Barbequed fish —
Fresh fish from the region's rivers, which flow through a stunning karst, limestone landscape, are often barbequed. Fish are also farmed in rice paddies.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Guizhou is home to unusual vegetables and fruits like the yangmei -- the bayberry or Chinese strawberry -- that are sold from wicker baskets at local markets.
Unusual fruits —
Guizhou is home to unusual vegetables and fruits like the yangmei -- the bayberry or Chinese strawberry -- that are sold from wicker baskets at local markets.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Most of the province's signature delicacies can be found in night markets in Guiyang and Anshun.
Night market —
Most of the province's signature delicacies can be found in night markets in Guiyang and Anshun.
Katie Hunt/CNN