Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is located in Libo County, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with a total area of 118.8 square kilometers. The scenic area is characterized by rich and diverse karst landforms, integrating mountains, water, forests, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, and boasts peculiar mountain and water scenery and unique ethnic customs. The Zhangjiang River runs through it, with crystal-clear water and green mountains on both banks. The karst forest in the scenic area is a rare concentrated and contiguous primary karst forest vegetation in China and even the world, with extremely high scientific research value and ornamental value. The buildings in the scenic area mostly reflect the styles of local ethnic minorities such as the Buyei and Miao, which are simple and unique.
Historical Culture
Libo County, where Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is located, has a long history and is a place where multiple ethnic groups live together. Ethnic groups such as the Buyei, Miao, and Shui have lived here for generations, forming a rich and diverse ethnic culture.
The local ethnic minorities have unique traditional customs and festival activities. For example, the Duan Festival of the Shui people is the grandest traditional festival of the Shui ethnic group. During the festival, people hold activities such as sacrificing to ancestors, horse racing, and antiphonal singing. The "Liuyueliu" of the Buyei people is a day when people dress in their finest clothes and hold activities such as sacrifices, antiphonal singing, and going to song fairs to celebrate the harvest and pray for peace.
In the course of historical development, the Libo area was once an important transportation hub and commercial distribution center. Different ethnic cultures blended here, leaving many historical relics and cultural landscapes, adding profound cultural heritage to the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is one of the core scenic areas of Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area, with a total length of 7 kilometers. It features the famous Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, which is 25 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 4 meters high in arch, built in the 15th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1835). It was an important transportation route from Guizhou to Guangxi in ancient times. The Xiangshui River in the scenic area is distributed with 68-tier waterfall groups, with various forms and magnificent momentum. There is also Laya Waterfall, which is 30 meters high and 10 meters wide. Its momentum is like a mountain collapsing, and its roar is like thunder, making it quite spectacular. The water forest is also a major feature. The tree roots are well developed and intertwined, forming a peculiar landscape of "water flowing on stones, trees growing in water." Tourists can stroll along the forest paths and feel the wonder of nature.
Daqikong Scenic Area
Daqikong Scenic Area is characterized by primitive forests, canyons, underground rivers, and underground lakes. The Daqikong Ancient Bridge in the scenic area is 35 meters long, 7 meters high, and 4.5 meters wide, echoing the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge from afar. Kongbu Gorge is one of the most distinctive attractions of Daqikong. Precipices stand on both sides, dangerous rocks are layered, and the canyon is narrow and deep, giving people a mysterious and terrifying feeling. Tiansheng Bridge is a masterpiece of nature. The bridge is 60 meters high, 10 meters thick, and the bridge opening is more than 20 meters wide. It is magnificent and is known as the "East Triumphal Arch." Tourists can take a boat tour and enjoy the strange peaks and rocks and dense forests on both banks.
Shuichun River Scenic Area
Shuichun River Scenic Area is a section of the upper reaches of the Zhangjiang River, with a total length of 6 kilometers. It is mainly characterized by rafting. The river is clear, and the current is sometimes rapid and sometimes gentle. Along the way, there are attractions such as Maniaotan, Zimei Peak, and Huashishao. The water at Maniaotan is calm, and a flying waterfall pours down from the beachhead, which is very spectacular. Zimei Peak resembles two graceful young girls and is very vivid. Huashishao is a Buyei village, where tourists can experience rich ethnic customs and taste local specialty foods.
Tour Route：
Recommended tour route: If time is sufficient, it is recommended to spend two days. On the first day, go to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in the morning and visit attractions such as Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, 68-tier waterfall groups, Laya Waterfall, and water forest in sequence. Have lunch in or around the scenic area, and continue to visit attractions such as Wolong Pond and Yuanyang Lake in the afternoon. On the second day, go to Daqikong Scenic Area in the morning and visit attractions such as Daqikong Ancient Bridge, Kongbu Gorge, and Tiansheng Bridge. After lunch, go to Shuichun River Scenic Area in the afternoon to experience rafting or enjoy the scenery on both banks. If time is tight, you can choose a one-day tour, giving priority to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area and focusing on the essence attractions such as Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, 68-tier waterfall groups, Laya Waterfall, and water forest.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to go during the peak season from March to November, when the vegetation in the scenic area is lush, the waterfall flow is abundant, and the scenery is most beautiful. Check the weather forecast in advance and avoid rainy days to avoid affecting the travel experience.
Some attractions in the scenic area require long walks. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or flat shoes, and prepare sunscreen and rain gear.
Yuanyang Lake in Xiaoqikong Scenic Area can be used for boating. It is recommended to prepare small change in advance to pay for the boating fee.
During rafting on Shuichun River, follow the arrangements of the staff, wear a life jacket, and take safety protection measures.
When tasting local food, pay attention to choosing regular restaurants to ensure food hygiene. At the same time, you can try some ethnic minority specialty foods and experience the local food culture.
Precautions：
Protect the environment of the scenic area, do not spit or litter, and put garbage into designated trash bins.
When touring the scenic area, do not damage vegetation and natural landscapes at will, and do not climb dangerous areas.
When taking sightseeing buses or boats, follow the instructions of the staff, fasten your seat belt, and do not extend your body out of the window or over the side of the boat.
Respect the culture and customs of local ethnic minorities and do not disturb the lives of local residents at will.
If you encounter an emergency, you can call the scenic area's emergency rescue phone or ask nearby staff for help.
Transportation：
Public transportation: From Guiyang Longdongbao Airport or Guiyang Railway Station, you can take a long-distance bus to Libo. The journey takes about 4-5 hours, and the fare is about 100-150 yuan. After arriving at Libo County, you can take the scenic area shuttle bus to Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area. The fare is about 10-20 yuan.
Self-driving: From Guiyang, take Guixin Expressway, Sanli Expressway, etc. to reach Libo County. The total distance is about 280 kilometers, and the driving time is about 3-4 hours. From Libo County to the scenic area is about a 20-minute drive. Just follow the road signs.
Tourist charter: You can book tourist charter services at travel agencies or hotels in Libo County, which is convenient for freely arranging itineraries. The cost depends on the vehicle type and itinerary.
Opening Hours：
Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is open all year round. During the peak season (March 1 to November 30), the opening hours are 07:30-17:00 (ticket sales and entry stop at 16:00). During the off-season (December 1 to the end of February of the following year), the opening hours are 08:00-16:30 (ticket sales and entry stop at 15:30). On statutory holidays or peak tourist periods, the scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to actual conditions. Tourists can check the official information of the scenic area in advance and arrange their itineraries reasonably.
Tickets：
A separate ticket system is implemented for each attraction.
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area full ticket: 130 yuan/person.
Daqikong Scenic Area full ticket: 55 yuan/person.
Shuichun River rafting full ticket: 200 yuan/person.