Released by Henan Jianye last month as part of the shake-up in Chinese football after the imposition of new rules limiting clubs to three starting foreigners per game, McGowan had several other options.
But the 27-year-old - one of the cornerstones of Australia's inner sanctum en route to the 2018 Russia World Cup - is about join his third CSL club, following an earlier spell with Shandong Luneng.
The news of McGowan's likely next career stop comes just a day after his father James McGowan was convicted of murder in his home country of Scotland.
Younger brother Dylan, the Adelaide United defender, is also on the move after signing a pre-contract to join a club which plays in one of Europe's top five leagues.
Ryan was an impressive performer last season for Henan, making 28 appearances for the club that finished a disappointing 13th on the ladder.
Guizhou, lavishly backed by wealthy real estate magnates, are determined to make an impression in the top flight and have shown their intent by snapping up Kenyan star Michael Olunga and Egypt international Ghazai.
Mcgowan, whose other clubs include Hearts and Dundee United, now seems destined to join them.
