Zunyi Chishui Danxia Tourist Area is located in Chishui City, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The Chishui Danxia Tourist Area covers an area of more than 1,200 square kilometers. It is representative of early youth-stage Danxia landforms and is the largest Danxia landform area in China. The scenic area is characterized by “red mountains, green waters, verdant forests, and flying waterfalls.” The red cliffs of the Danxia mountains are brightly colored, the canyons are deep and quiet, the streams are crystal clear, and the waterfalls are majestic. Forest coverage here exceeds 90%, and there are many rare plants, such as tree ferns. There are relatively few buildings in the scenic area, with natural landscapes predominating. There are a small number of viewing platforms, boardwalks, and other facilities to make sightseeing more convenient for visitors.
Historical Culture
The Chishui Danxia area has a long history of geological evolution. Over the long geological ages, through crustal movement, water erosion, weathering, and other geological processes, its unique Danxia landform landscape gradually formed. The formation of this landform took hundreds of millions of years and records important processes in the Earth’s evolution.
Chishui is also an old revolutionary base area and held an important position in modern and contemporary history. During the Long March of the Red Army, many battles were fought in the Chishui area, leaving behind numerous revolutionary relics and Red stories. These Red historical and cultural elements blend with the unique Danxia natural landscape, giving the Chishui Danxia Tourist Area deeper meaning.
In addition, the Chishui area has a rich folk culture. Local ethnic minorities such as the Miao and Gelao have preserved unique traditional customs and cultural activities, such as the Miao Lusheng dance and the Gelao Chixin Festival, showcasing the area’s colorful ethnic customs.
Major Attractions
Foguang Rock Scenic Area
Foguang Rock Scenic Area is one of the core scenic areas of the Chishui Danxia Tourist Area. The most famous sight in the area is Foguang Rock, a ring-shaped Danxia cliff face 234 meters high, 666 meters wide, and with an arc length of more than 1,000 meters. It resembles a giant vermilion book from heaven, or a huge outstretched red palm. On the cliff there is a waterfall more than 80 meters high, pouring down from the top with great momentum. Under sunlight, Foguang Rock displays brilliant, colorful light and shadow effects, making it very spectacular. The scenic area also includes Wuzhu Peak and other attractions. Wuzhu Peak consists of five pillar-shaped Danxia peaks of different shapes, surrounded by green trees, with beautiful scenery.
Yanzhiyan National Forest Park
Yanzhiyan National Forest Park is located on the west bank of the Fengxi River in Chishui City, with a total area of 160,000 mu. It mainly features primitive forests, streams, waterfalls, and Danxia landforms. In the park is Yanzhiyan Waterfall, which is 87 meters high and 50 meters wide. The water pours down from a high place, forming a beautiful water curtain. The forest coverage rate in the park is as high as 99%, and many rare plants and wild animals grow and live there, such as tree ferns and macaques. The park also has many boardwalks and viewing platforms. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalks, enjoy the scenery of the forests and waterfalls, and feel the tranquility and magic of nature.
Chishui Grand Waterfall Scenic Area
Chishui Grand Waterfall Scenic Area is an important part of the Chishui Danxia Tourist Area. Chishui Grand Waterfall is 76 meters high and 80 meters wide. It is the largest waterfall on Danxia landforms in China and the largest waterfall in the Yangtze River basin. The waterfall pours down from a cliff with a deafening sound, filling the air with mist and displaying a magnificent momentum. The Danxia cliffs around the waterfall are brightly colored, forming a sharp contrast with the white water. The scenic area also includes Zhongdong Waterfall and other attractions. Zhongdong Waterfall is 18.5 meters high and 75.6 meters wide. Its water spreads evenly, like silver beads woven into a curtain, making the scenery very charming.
Recommended Route：
Recommended route: If time is sufficient, it is suggested to spend two days. On the first day, go to Foguang Rock Scenic Area in the morning to admire the spectacular Foguang Rock and Wuzhu Peak, and experience the charm of the Danxia cliffs and waterfalls. At noon, taste local specialties such as Chishui tongtong bamboo shoots near the scenic area. In the afternoon, go to Yanzhiyan National Forest Park, stroll along the boardwalks, enjoy the forests and waterfalls, and breathe fresh air. At night, stay in Chishui’s urban area, taste Chishui douhua and other foods, and experience the local life. On the second day, go to Chishui Grand Waterfall Scenic Area in the morning to see the majestic Chishui Grand Waterfall and Zhongdong Waterfall. Have lunch near the scenic area, then return in the afternoon. If time is tight, choose a one-day tour and visit one or two scenic areas, focusing on major attractions such as Chishui Grand Waterfall or Foguang Rock.
Travel Tips：
Check the weather conditions of the scenic area in advance. It is best to choose sunny or cloudy weather for sightseeing so that you can better appreciate the Danxia landforms and waterfalls. You can check through weather forecast apps or the official scenic area website.
Prepare comfortable sports shoes and clothing suitable for hiking, because there are many boardwalks and mountain paths in the scenic area, requiring a fair amount of walking.
Protect the environment in the scenic area. Do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean. Especially in forest scenic areas, pay attention to fire prevention.
When tasting food, choose reputable restaurants and snack stalls to ensure food hygiene. You can try more local specialties, such as Chishui tongtong bamboo shoots and Chishui douhua.
If you want to photograph waterfalls and Danxia landforms, it is recommended to go in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and you can take more layered photos.
Precautions：
Follow the rules of the scenic area, obey the instructions of staff, and do not enter unopened areas without authorization.
When viewing waterfalls, stand within safe areas and do not approach the edges of the waterfalls, to prevent falling into the water or slipping on splashing water.
Some scenic areas in the Chishui Danxia Tourist Area are at higher altitudes, and temperatures may be lower. It is recommended to bring a jacket to prevent catching cold.
If you encounter an emergency, you can call the scenic area’s emergency rescue phone number or ask nearby staff for help.
In forest scenic areas, do not smoke or use open flames, to avoid causing fires.
Transportation：
Public transport: From Zunyi’s urban area, you can take a long-distance bus to Chishui City. The journey takes about 3.5 hours, and the fare is about 100 yuan. After arriving in Chishui City, you can take scenic area shuttle buses to the various attractions. You can also charter a car in Chishui City. The charter cost depends on the vehicle type and itinerary, generally around 200–300 yuan per day.
Self-driving: From Zunyi’s urban area, take the Rongzun Expressway and other roads to Chishui City. The total distance is about 240 kilometers, and the driving time is about 3 hours. After arriving in Chishui City, you can follow navigation to the various scenic areas. Parking lots are available at the scenic areas, and parking fees are charged according to parking duration.
Opening Hours：
Zunyi Chishui Danxia Tourist Area is open year-round. Foguang Rock Scenic Area is open from 08:00 to 17:00 (ticket sales and entry stop at 16:00); Yanzhiyan National Forest Park is open from 08:00 to 17:00 (ticket sales and entry stop at 16:30); Chishui Grand Waterfall Scenic Area is open from 08:00 to 18:00 (ticket sales and entry stop at 17:00). On statutory holidays or during peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust its opening hours according to actual conditions. Visitors can check the official scenic area information in advance and arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tickets：
Zunyi Chishui Danxia Tourist Area sells tickets separately by scenic area. The ticket price for Foguang Rock Scenic Area is 80 yuan per person, and the sightseeing bus ticket is 25 yuan per person; the ticket price for Yanzhiyan National Forest Park is 45 yuan per person; the ticket price for Chishui Grand Waterfall Scenic Area is 80 yuan per person, and the sightseeing bus ticket is 10 yuan per person.