Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area in Anshun is located in Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun City, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
The scenic area is centered on Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall and contains 18 waterfalls of various sizes, each with different styles—majestic, peculiar, steep, and graceful. Together they form a vast waterfall “family” and make this one of the largest waterfall groups in the world. The scenic area covers 163.2 square kilometers. Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall is 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, with the main waterfall crest 83.3 meters wide. It is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the Huangguoshu Waterfall Group and one of the world’s famous great waterfalls. There are also some distinctive structures in the scenic area, such as the Huangguoshu Grand Escalator, which consists of two sections, upper and lower, with a total length of 170 meters and a lift height of more than 80 meters, making it easier for tourists to go up and down the mountain.
History and Culture
The history of Huangguoshu Waterfall can be traced back to ancient times. Its name can be earliest verified in The Travels of Xu Xiake, written by the Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake. When Xu Xiake visited this place, he greatly admired the majestic momentum of Huangguoshu Waterfall and recorded in detail its shape, sound, and other features in his travel notes, gradually making Huangguoshu Waterfall known to the world.
In the local cultures of ethnic minorities such as the Buyi and Miao, Huangguoshu Waterfall also holds a special place. Legend says that the waterfall was formed when the Milky Way in the sky fell to the human world, carrying the beautiful imagination and rich myths and legends of the local people. For generations, ethnic minority people have lived around the waterfall and created a unique ethnic culture, such as the Buyi batik and Miao embroidery and other traditional crafts. These, together with the natural landscape of Huangguoshu Waterfall, form a colorful humanistic picture.
With the development of the times, Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area has been continuously developed and improved, becoming an important window for displaying Guizhou’s natural scenery and ethnic culture and attracting tourists from all over the world.
Main Attractions
Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall
Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall is 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, with the main waterfall crest 83.3 meters wide. It is magnificent and powerful. The surging river pours down from a cliff more than 70 meters high into Xiniu Pool, making an earth-shaking roar like a thousand people beating drums and ten thousand horses galloping. The spray stirred up by the waterfall rises like mist and rain, drifting with the wind and reaching hundreds of meters high. Under sunlight, brilliant rainbows often appear. Tourists can view the waterfall from multiple angles. For example, from Water Curtain Cave, they can feel the shock of the waterfall up close. The cave contains 6 cave windows, 5 cave halls, 3 cave springs, and 6 passages. Standing inside, visitors feel as if they have entered a wonderful water world.
Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area
Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area is located 7 kilometers downstream from Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall and covers an area of 4.5 square kilometers. Here, the wonderful combination of stone, trees, and water forms a unique natural landscape. The scenic area contains natural rocks and water-and-stone miniature landscapes of various sizes. In the On-Water Stone Forest area, the stone forest grows in the water, with forests on the stones, tangled roots, and winding paths leading to secluded spots. Silver Chain Plunging into the Pool Waterfall is one of the most distinctive attractions in Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area. The waterfall is more than ten meters high, funnel-shaped at the top, with a trough-shaped karst pool at the bottom. Under sunlight, the waterfall looks like silver chains falling into a deep pool, extremely beautiful.
Doupotang Waterfall
Doupotang Waterfall is located 1 kilometer upstream from Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall, with a crest width of 105 meters and a height of 21 meters. It is the waterfall with the widest crest in the Huangguoshu Waterfall Group. Whenever a flood is about to arrive, the waterfall gives out a “boom, boom” roar, so it is also called the “Roaring Waterfall.” The scene in the TV series Journey to the West in which Tang Monk and his three disciples lead a horse across the river was filmed here, making Doupotang Waterfall widely famous.
Huangguoshu Grand Escalator
Huangguoshu Grand Escalator consists of two sections, upper and lower, with a total length of 170 meters and a lift height of more than 80 meters. It connects the upper and lower areas of Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall Scenic Area, saving tourists physical strength and time and allowing them to tour the scenic area more easily. While riding the escalator, visitors can enjoy the surrounding mountain and forest scenery and feel the beauty of nature.
Suggested Itinerary：
Recommended one-day tour route: After arriving at the scenic area in the morning, first take the shuttle bus to Doupotang Waterfall to enjoy the wide-crested waterfall landscape and experience the charm of the filming location of Journey to the West. The visit takes about 1 hour. Then go to Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall. You can first admire its majestic momentum from the front, then enter Water Curtain Cave to get close to the waterfall. The visit takes about 2–3 hours. At noon, dine inside or around the scenic area and taste local specialty foods. In the afternoon, go to Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area and visit attractions such as the natural rocks and the On-Water Stone Forest in order, focusing on Silver Chain Plunging into the Pool Waterfall. The visit takes about 3–4 hours. Finally, take the shuttle bus back to the scenic area entrance and end the day’s trip.
Travel Tips：
Book tickets online in advance, especially during peak tourist season. This can avoid the time spent queuing for tickets and help ensure smooth entry.
Attractions in the scenic area are widely distributed. It is recommended to buy a shuttle bus ticket to travel conveniently and quickly between attractions, saving energy and time.
When visiting Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall, you may prepare a raincoat, as you may get wet from splashing water when entering Water Curtain Cave. At the same time, be careful of slippery ground and walk cautiously.
Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area is relatively large. Arrange your time reasonably while touring and do not miss essential attractions such as Silver Chain Plunging into the Pool Waterfall.
When tasting local food, choose reputable restaurants to ensure food safety and hygiene.
When visiting in summer, take sun protection measures. Guizhou has strong ultraviolet rays, so you can bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, etc.
Precautions：
Protect the environment in the scenic area. Do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean and beautiful.
Follow the rules of the scenic area and the instructions of staff. Do not enter unopened areas without permission to ensure your own safety.
Roads in the scenic area may be slippery, especially near the waterfalls. Walk carefully to avoid slipping and injury.
If bringing children or elderly people, always pay attention to their safety to avoid them getting lost or having accidents.
When riding the shuttle bus, sit firmly and hold on. Get on and off only after the vehicle has stopped completely, and follow boarding order.
Guizhou’s weather is changeable. Before traveling, check the weather forecast and bring rain gear in case of need.
Transportation：
By plane: Anshun Huangguoshu Airport has opened multiple domestic routes. Tourists can fly to Anshun and then take a taxi or airport shuttle bus from the airport to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area. The drive takes about 1 hour. Taxi fare is about 150–200 yuan, and airport shuttle bus fare is about 20 yuan.
By high-speed rail: You can take a high-speed train to Anshun West Station. From Anshun West Station, there is a dedicated shuttle bus directly to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area. The drive takes about 1 hour, and the fare is about 22 yuan. You can also take a taxi from Anshun West Station to the scenic area, costing about 100–150 yuan.
By bus: Anshun East Bus Station has dedicated shuttle buses to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area, departing at frequent intervals. The drive takes about 1 hour, and the fare is about 20 yuan.
By self-driving: From Guiyang, take the Gui-Huang Expressway directly to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area. The total distance is about 137 kilometers, and the drive takes about 2 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot. Parking fee for a small car is about 10 yuan/day.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. During peak season (March 1 to November 30), opening hours are 07:30–18:00. During off-season (December 1 to February 28 of the following year), opening hours are 08:00–17:30. Tourists need to enter the scenic area within opening hours and arrange their itineraries reasonably.
Tickets：
Ticket (including shuttle bus): 210 yuan/person.