Huangguoshu Waterfall - the Largest Waterfall in Asia

• Recommended Visiting Time: about 1.5-2 hours;
• Recommended Visiting Route: Entrance - Bonsai Garden - Rhinoceros Pool - Huangguoshu Waterfall - Water-Curtain Cave - Fadai Pavilion - Tingpu Pavilion.

Huangguoshu Waterfall is a big draw for every traveler. Huangguoshu Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Asia, which is 67 meters high and 83.3 meters wide. Huangguoshu Waterfall got its name because of a local plant, namely, the Yellow Fruit Tree. It is famous for its greatness and the waterfall group. This waterfall is the only waterfall to be viewed at different angles for 360 degree. As early as in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the geologist, traveler and litterateur called Xu Xiake (徐霞客) highly praised the Huangguoshu Waterfall as “The shadows are floating in the air, the coldness is falling on the Milky Way in the sky”. Because of the rich rain in Guizhou Province, the waterfall has never draught-up. In the rainy season, the water is like a curtain, through which you even cannot see the stones behind the waterfall. It is just like ten thousand horses galloping ahead.

Bonsai Garden (盆景园)

Like the classic Suzhou Gardens, this Bonsai Garden will give you a feeling of small bridges, flowing water, strange rocks and beautiful plants. There are over 30 different kinds of bonsai - firethorn, lagerstroemia indica, gingko, diospyros armata, azalea, banyan...

Rhinoceros Pool (犀牛潭)

Rhinoceros Pool is located at the foot of Huangguoshu Waterfall. The waterfall is falling from the lofty place and struck a deep pool below. It is said that there was once a rhinoceros landed from the pool, and also because of its rhinoceros-liked shape, hence the name Rhinoceros Pool. The pool was 11.1 meters deep, on both side of which there are various vegetation growing on the cliff. If weather permits, you can watch the beautiful rainbow over the pool.

Water-Curtain Cave (水帘洞)

Water-Curtain Cave is by the side of Huangguoshu Waterfall, situated at a height of 40 meters to 47 meters. Like a flying dragon on the hillside, Water-Curtain Cave spans 134 meters long. This is place for the famous scene in “Journey to the West” - the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) and his offspring’s home. Travelers can appreciate the grand waterfall at different directions and closely feel and touch the waterfall.

Doupotang Waterfall Scenic Area (陡坡塘景区)

• Recommended Visiting Time: about 0.5-1 hour; it is a short round trip.
• Recommended Visiting Route: Entrance - Doupotang Waterfall - Viewing Deck - the Stele - Xiake Pavilion.

The Doupotang Waterfall Scenic Area - about 1 kilometer upstream of the Huangguoshu Waterfall - is another star attraction. This waterfall is famous for the scene in “Journey to the West” when the Tang Monk and his four disciples walked through this wide waterfall on the pilgrimage journey to the west. It is a 105-meter-wide and 21-meter-high waterfall. The top of the waterfall is the widest among all of the Huangguoshu waterfalls. At the top of Doupotang Waterfall is a 15,000-square-meter water area. When the rainy season comes, this waterfall will make the huge thunder and hence got the name “roaring waterfall”.

Here is how Xu Xiake described Doupotang Waterfall - “Upon hearing the rumbling noise of the waterfall, I looked northward from between the mountains and saw suddenly a river dashing from the northeastern peaks along the cliff and pounding into the deep pond below. The upper part of the waterfall is dozens of meters wide misted with foams and sprays, while the lower one I could not see, for the cliffs on the opposite obstructed my view.”

Tianxingqiao Scenic Area (天星桥景区)

• Recommended Visiting Time: about 3-4 hours;
• Recommended Visiting Route: Entrance - Yuanwang Pavilion - Heavenly - Lake - Gaolao Zhuang - Tianxing Cave - Yinlian Zhuitan Waterfall - Exit.

The Tianxingqiao Scenic Area is located about 6 kilometers downstream of the Huangguoshu Waterfall. It is composed of Natural Bonsai Garden, Tianxing Cave and Stone Forest in Water. This vast area is the core essence of karst landscape with hills, water, forest, cave, rocks, waterfalls in different shape...

Natural Bonsai Garden (天然盆景园)

This area is stretching about 800 meters long, composed of different size natural rocks and bonsai. Travelers can walk on the 3-kilometer-long flagstone path, winding through stonewall, stone trenches, rock tunnels. You can view amazing scenery all around you. You won’t miss the 365 stones on the water which are recorded the birthday of the year. You can walk and find yours. The following is Beauty Banyan Tree. Someone said it looks like the flying beauty in Mogao Cave in Dunhuang. The banyan tree and the rock are linking together and the rock shaped the tree, making it a beautiful girl in graceful lines. Later, you will reach Heavenly Lake also called Gaolao Zhuang. This is the shooting place for “Pigsy Carrying His Daughter-in-Law” in “Journey to the West”.

Tianxing Cave (天星洞)

Tianxing Cave is in the middle of the whole scenic area. It is a karst cave without water. It is about 150 meters long and 50 meters high. And there are four big stalagnates stretching over 20 meters high. Travelers taking a short walk in the cave can see different shapes of stalagmite, stalagnates, Corallodiscus flabellatus... At the exit of Tianxing Cave, it is the Maoshuitan Waterfall which is place for White Dragon Horse emerging.

Stone Forest in Water (水上石林区)

Stone Forest in Water is a spacious stone forest stretching in water. It is a miniature version of the Stone Forest in Kunming which was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the stone forest, there are cactus and undershrub decorated this area. “Clear water flowing on the stone, stones on the water, stones on the stones and trees growing on the stone”, this is the scene for Stone Forest in Water. The famous waterfall Yinlian Zhuitan Waterfall (银链坠潭瀑布) is located nearby which is in infundibular with water flowing from four sides to the bottom center. This is the most attractive waterfall in Tianxingqiao Scenic Area.

▶ 6 Days Diverse Guizhou Tour (Guiyang - Fanjingshan - Kaili)

▶ 6 Days Classic Guizhou Tour to Huangguoshu & Authentic Southeast Guizhou (Guiyang / Anshun / Kaili)

The Huangguoshu Waterfall is the main draw and you can appreciate the cascading water from a variety of vantage points. The three recommended viewing places are the Waterfall-Viewing Pavilion (Guanputing), the Water-Viewing Pavilion (Wangshuiting) and the Waterfall-Viewing Stage (Guanputai). At the Waterfall-Viewing Pavilion, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the whole waterfall. At the Water-Viewing Pavilion, you’ll get a unique birds’ eye view of the waterfall. At the Waterfall-Viewing Stage, near the Rhinoceros Pool, you can enjoy the unusual, rhinoceros-shaped pool or crane your neck upwards and watch the waterfall thundering above you. If you want to shoot many awesome photos as you have seen before, you can do it at the best locations.

Many of you may know one of the four classics of Chinese literature called “Journey to the West” (西游记), which tells the story about a monk named Xuan Zang (also known as Tang Monk and Tripitaka) and the emperor in Tang Dynasty wishes this monk can travel west and bring holy Mahayana Buddhist scriptures back to China. After being inspired by a vision from the Bodhisattva Guanyin, the monk accepts the mission and sets off on the sacred quest.

There are many famous scenes shooting in Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area. You can explore at Water-Curtain Cave where is the home of the Monkey King and his offspring, visit Doupotang Waterfall that the Tang Monk and his three disciples walk through, and Gaolao Zhuang is the place for the Pigsy carrying his daughter-in-law and Maoshuitan Waterfall at the exit of Tianxing Cave for White Dragon Horse emerging. All will recall your memory about Journey to the West and if you have never read this novel before, you can enjoy many stories about the Tang Monk and his three disciples (Monkey King, Pigsy and Sandy).

Recommended Route to Visit Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area

For a full exploration in Huangguoshu National Park, travelers would like spend about 6-7 hours visiting this vast scenic area. Usually there are two routes for you:

• Route 1: Doupotang Waterfall Scenic Area - Huangguoshu Waterfall - Tianxingqiao Scenic Area; visited one by one from north to south.
• Route 2: Doupotang Waterfall Scenic Area - Tianxingqiao Scenic Area - Huangguoshu Waterfall; put the core essence Huangguoshu Waterfall at last bringing more surprises for you.

Note: Sightseeing buses are available to make transfers among each scenic spot.

▶ 6 Days Diverse Guizhou Tour (Guiyang - Fanjingshan - Kaili)

The best time to visit Huangshuo Waterfall is during May to October, especially in the rainy season from June to August. Spring (March to May) and Winter (December to next February) are the dry season that Huangguoshu Waterfall flows slowly, like a graceful lady playing melodious music. Summer (June to August) is the best time to come to Huangguoshu Waterfall - presenting its the grandest and wildest side to all travelers. When coming close to the 67-meter-high waterfall, you can closely view the huge water flowing down and hear the roaring sound. The freshness of the water will completely clean the tiredness your body. Autumn (September to November) brings your another different feeling and the water is not so huge as the summer time. The surrounding area and Huangguoshu Waterfall are integrated together - very colorful and beautiful.

What to Bring & Wear in Summer: during June to August, it is recommended to wear T-shirt, shorts, shirts, and take long sleeve and pants for the average temperature in summer at 23.2℃. Sunhat and sunglasses are needed. Take raincoat in case of rainy days.

By Private Car with China Discovery: Take a private tour with China Discovery and you will no longer need to worry about how to travel from Guiyang to Huangguoshu Waterfall, and our experienced private car driver will pick you up from airport, train stations or any other places in Guiyang and then send you to Huangguoshu Waterfall. Along the trip, our local guide and driver would well arrange every step to provide you a comfortable trip. If interested, you can take a visit to some other attractions along the way, such as Qingyan Ancient Town, Dragon Palace Cave, Tunpu Village, etc. It takes about 1.5-2 hours by car.

By High Speed Train: there are 43 daily schedules running from Guiyang North Railway Station to Anshun West Railway Station. It starts in the early morning around 07:12 and ends at night around 21:44. It is very fast, only taking about 0.5 hour. Check the real-time high speed train schedules from Guiyang to Anshun >>

Where to Stay around Huangguoshu Waterfall & Recommended Hotels

Part of travelers would make only one day trip to Huangguoshu Waterfall without staying in Anshun City and other part of travelers choose to spend one night in Anshun for they want to explore Huangguoshu Waterfall as well as other tourist spots, like Longgong Cave (Dragon Palace), Tianlong Tunbao Ancient Town. If staying in Anshun, it is recommended to accommodate in the downtown area which is close to the railway stations (Anshun Railway Station or Anshun West Railway Station) and has a lot of choices, ranging from 5 star luxury hotel to 3 start ones. Below are the recommended hotels with detailed locations in Anshun City for your reference.

• Distance: 38 km in the northeast of Huangguoshu Waterfall (0.5-1 hour’s driving), 120 km in the southwest of Guiyang City (2-2.5 hours’ driving)
• Opening Time: 07:30-18:30
• Recommended Time to Visit: 2-3 hours

Longgong Cave, also called Dragon Palace Cave, is a national AAAAA typical karst cave. It is home to the longest underground river and the largest underground waterfall in China. The attraction is separated into four main parts: the Rapeseed Lake, the Whirlpool, the Leech Pass, and the Dragon Palace. This magnificent underground cave system covers a colossal 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and is made up of lakes, waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. The underground river stretches 5,000 meters in length and flows beneath 20 hills, connecting over 90 limestone caves. Taking a boat to sail into the cave and experience the stalagmites and stalactites of the karst formation is the best way. There is also a waterfall - the largest underground waterfall in China called the Dragon Gate Fall, by the foot of the cave.

• Distance: 71 km in the northeast of Huangguoshu Waterfall (about 1 hour’s driving), 66 km in the southwest of Guiyang City (around 1.5 hours’ driving)
• Opening Time: 08:00-18:00
• Recommended Time to Visit: 1-2 hours

Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town is located between Guiyang City and Huangguoshu Waterfall that you can add it into your Huangguoshu tour. The town is home to the group of the Tunpu, an officially unrecognized ethnic group of Han people originally descended from members of an army sent on an expedition to Guizhou during the Hongwu reign (1368–1398) of the Ming Dynasty. The traditional homes and customs of the Tunpu have been preserved, including performance of Dixi opera (ground opera). The locals still wear clothes from the Ming Dynasty and the houses are also from that era. Spending 1 or 2 hours taking a walk into the ancient town, you’ll be getting back to ancient times about 600 years’ ago.

Best Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour with Visits to Dragon Palace & Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town:

>> 3 Days Guiyang City Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall

How to Plan a Guizhou Tour to Huangguoshu Waterfall?

Travelers who plan a Guizhou tour to Huangguoshu Waterfall would like to spend about 1~2 days there. Guiyang is usually served as the first stop and then make a visit to Huangguoshu Waterfall. To have a full exploration in the vast Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area, travelers can visit Doupotang Waterfall Scenic Spot first, then appreciate Huangguoshu Waterfall, and at last visit Tianxingqiao Scenic Area for in-depth sightseeing. If your time allows, you can go to Longgong Cave or Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town for extensional trip.

▶ 3 Days Guiyang City Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall

Seldom tourist gets to Guiyang only. It is normally a good start for a Guizhou Nature & Minority Culture tour! Being the No.1 province in China with the largest number of natural relics, Guizhou has lots of natural wonders to offer, like Mount Fanjing, Libo Seven Holes Scenic Area, Jiabang Rice Terraces, etc. Besides that, Guizhou is also the home to ethnic groups, and there are numerous unique Miao Villages and Dong Villages waiting for your steps. How about your preference? Want more travel ideas? Maybe you can check the best Guizhou tours chosen by our customers below for reference!

▶ 6 Days Diverse Guizhou Tour (Guiyang - Fanjingshan - Kaili)

▶ 5 Days Guiyang Fanjingshan Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall

Since Huangguoshu Waterfall is not so close to Guiyang City and there are some recommended tourist attractions to explore nearby, it is a good idea to travel with China Discovery and let us take care of everything for you! Our local drivers will escort you to Huangguoshu Waterfall and other spots with comfortable licensed private car. As well, if you want to extend to other destinations in Guizhou, you can add them before or after Huangguoshu tour. And our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, showing you the best travelling route and telling you beautiful stories of Guizhou Province.

The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interest, budget and every special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help! Or, Customize your tour with free quotation now!