Huangguoshu Waterfall

» Guiyang, Gui Zhou

Huangguoshu Waterfall Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

In Anshun, 90km from Guiyang, is the Huangguoshu Waterfall, which has been deservedly called Guizhou's most impressive scenic sight. Moreover, it has been awarded the title of "Scenic Splendor of China" by the magazine Chinese National Geography in 2005.

The Huangguoshu Waterfall is on the Baishui River in Zhenning County, where mountains rise one after another. From the top of towering cliff, the running river flies through the air, plunging with the earth-shaking power into the Rhinoceros Pool and forms a nine-stage waterfall.

Magnetic Huangguoshu Waterfall

The scenic area consists of 18 waterfalls, caves, karst mountains and deep pools. The Huangguoshu Waterfall is the best known and most spectacular. It is the largest cataract in China, about 74 meters high and 81 meters wide. Hidden behind the waterfall is a 134-meter long Water-Curtain Cave with fantastic stalactites. The cave consists of five halls, six windows and three springs.

In the cave tunnel and in the dry season, you can see the plunging water like numberless strings of pearls flying down over your head. Inside the cave, six windows let you view the falls from different angles; stretching your hand out of the window, you can touch the flying water. It is amazing to watch through the cave windows the water pouring down. It looks like the Milky Way pouring down from the heaven, making the precipitous cliff tremble, while misty water droplets rise from the plunge pool, forming rainbows of dazzling brilliance in the sunlight. You can not help feeling fascinated by its beauty, overwhelmed by its mystery, and thrilled by its momentum.

Rhinoceros Pool

At the foot of the fall is the jade-green Rhinoceros Pool surrounded by mountains on three sides. Legend has it that a rhinoceros once crawled out of this pool. As the waterfall roars into the pool, foam rises 50 to 60 meters, water mingling with mist and shimmering in the sunlight. Rainbows occur frequently at sunset in summer, appearing as colorful bridges above clouds.

Guanpu Pavilion

On the top of the precipice opposite the waterfall, stands the pavilion named Guanpu Pavilion. You have a chance to enjoy the powerful pouring down of the fall. From here you have a panorama view of the powerful cataract and also from here you will go down into the water-curtain cave. The fall looks just like a huge curtain hanging in front of its cave. The power of the cataract is best viewed on a sunny day when a rainbow arches over the fall with misty clouds floating slowly over the Huangguoshu Village.

Beauty in different seasons

In the flood season of June and July, the waterfall pours into the Rhinoceros Pool with the force of a thousand horses galloping. While in the dry season, water would separate into several streams falling down from the overhanging cliffs like a fairy maiden's elegant hair, charming and graceful.

In this area there are dozens of falls. They come together to form a cluster of cataracts, among which are the 410-m-high Dishuitan Fall, the 105-m-wide Doupotang Fall and the Luositan Fall whose beach extends as long as 350 meters. These falls present changing views at different times of the year as the water volume rises and falls with one roaring ahead, another running peacefully and still another surging high. There are different views in different seasons. The Dishuitan Waterfall is distinguished for its big drop, the longest amongst the neighboring falls; while the Doupotang Waterfall is the widest of all the falls.

Tianxing Bridge (Bridge of Stars) scenic spot

At the lower reaches of the Huangguoshu Waterfall, about 6 kilometers away, is the newly-opened Tianxing Bridge (Bridge of Stars) scenic spot, which is composed of three interconnected scenic attractions, namely, the potted landscape, the cave and the stone forest in water. This scenic spot is distinguished with its sights of various types, its natural stone formations of fabulous shapes, high cacti extending far and wide forming a dense forest. The Tianxing Cave (Cave of Stars), The Tiansheng Bridge, a work of nature, a stone arch flying over a deep gorge and the Silver-Chain Waterfall are all worth visiting.

Attractions around » Guiyang, Gui Zhou

Natural Scene

• Huangguoshu Waterfall
• Dragon Palace Scenic Area
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Tianhe Pool
• Xiaoqikong
• Huaxi Scenic Area
• Xiangzhi Valley
• Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve
• Feiyun Cliff
• Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve
• Maolan Karst Forest Natural Conservation

Historical Site

• Jiaxiu Tower
• Qingyan Ancient Town
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town
• Black Dragon Cave
• Hongfu Temple
• Longli Ancient Town
• Nine Dragon Cave Scenic Area
• Shiban Street
• Tunbao Cultural Village

Cultural Site

• Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village
• Guiyang Forest Park
• Sanbao Dong Village
• Dong People's Village
• Tang'an Dong Village
• Wenfeng Park
• Nanhua Miao Village
• Datang Miao Village
• Basha Miao Village
• Qianling Park

Shopping & Leisure

• Kaili Sunday Market
• Shiban Street

Huangguoshu Waterfall Highlights

River & Waterfall in Great China

• Li River
• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Huangguoshu Waterfall
• Huangpu River
• Jiuquxi River
• Pearl River
• Shennong Stream
• Mengdonghe River
• Jinbian Stream
• The First Bend of the Yangtze
• Small Three Gorges
• Hukou Waterfall
• Qinhuai River
• Qiantang River
• Detian Waterfall
• Burqin River
• Yalu River Scenic Spot
• Grand Canal

Huangguoshu Waterfall FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When is the best time to travel to Guiyang?
2. Are there any travel tips about weather?

  Shopping

1. What good souvenirs can I buy there?

  Travel

1. Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?
2. Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?
3. Some customs about the Miaos

  Other Hints

1. Some warnings about hotels
2. Electricity

• Does Guiyang rain a lot?

  Guiyang has a pleasant moist subtropical climate with ample rainfall. It is neither hot in summer nor too chilly in winter. Guiyang is lucky as much as it does not suffer sandstorms and the pleasant climate makes it a cozy city in which to live.

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• Are there any travel tips about weather?

  Whether for escaping from summer heat or winter cold, Guiyang is definitely a good destination.

  However, due to the changeable weather on the Yungui Plateau where Guizhou is located, it is recommended that you take rain wear along with you and a folding umbrella is an asset! In addition, temperatures in the morning and the evening can often be rather low, so a windproof coat is necessary. The strong radiation from the sun means that you will also need our sun glasses and a sun hat - and don't forget your suntan lotion!

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• What good souvenirs can I buy there?

  Some special local products like traditional art works, or local food are decent gifts for you friends and relatives.

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• Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

  July and August is the best time to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall. During this period of time, there is a rich amount of water, making magnificent scenery. You can not appreciate such scenes during the lack-of-water period. An umbrella is suggested when you go to the waterfall, due to the giant size of the waterfall, you will be soaked wet without it.

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• What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?

  Liu Yue Liu literarily means a date, June 6. Actually it is a festival held on the sixth day of the sixth Chinese lunar month, hence the name. This festival is an important day for Buyi people to worship the cook's god and the mountain god.

  Si Yue Ba is held annually on the eighth day of the lunar month. On this day, large numbers of Miao people put on their beautiful costumes and congregate in the center area of Guiyang City to celebrate this great festival by playing the Lusheng and flute, singing antiphonal songs and dancing.

  Di Xi is a form of local drama. It is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month at Huaxi by Buyi People and other minority groups. The performers put on masks and costumes and engage in dancing and singing. Generally the performance tells a story of a battle or the loyalty between friends of ancient times

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• Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?

  Guizhou is a multi-region province. Apart from Han, there are about 17 other ethic groups that live here, such as Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Zhuang, Yao, Man, Bai, Mongolia, Qiang and Tu.

  We suggest that you 'do as the romans do' when you go to visit Guizhou, because there are a lot of customs and taboos in the ethnic groups. Also respect their tradition to avoid conflict.

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• Some customs about the Miaos

  The Miaos usually keep open doors and are fond of drinking. Most of them can make home-made alcohol. Shaojiu is the most common alcohol. During a meal, the host might want his guest to drink some alcohol, if they refuse to drink, the host will not be happy. If you really can't drink, then please tell the host before the meal starts.

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• Some warnings about hotels

  Hotels in small towns such as Rongjiang and Congjiang are of significantly lower standard. Heating is sometimes not available and western style toilets usually unavailable.

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• Electricity

  The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Many middle and high-class hotel wash rooms have transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers, but it is better to be prepared with an adapter plug.

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