China has many gorgeous sceneries but one destination in particular stands tall among them all―Guizhou.
Guizhou’s landscape is blessed with steep gorges, roiling rivers and bizarre karst formations. Meanwhile, diverse ethnic groups live together in harmony while still practicing their customs and traditions.
So, where should you go to experience the best that gorgeous Guizhou has to offer? Read on to find out:
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
Guizhou’s Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is filled with stunning scenic spots that boast an almost unbelievable amount of waterfalls. Its brilliant green river winds through verdant trees only to cascade down in a series of waterfalls that range from staircase-like clusters to jaw-dropping falls.
Part of the South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xiaoqikong is known as Guizhou’s answer to Sichuan’s equally picturesque Xiaojiusai River.
The 68-Level Drop Waterfall of Xiangshui River fans out across a series of rocky plateaus before leaping down through tiny falls into yet more plateaus, forming a mesmerising staircase of weathered stone and gushing foam.
Of course, you can’t forget about the most important attraction in the area. You know, the one that gave Xiaoqikong its very name? Yup, it’s the Xiaoqikong Bridge!
The bridge was first built in the 1800s as an important connection between neighbouring towns, but it is now better known in China for its seven arches that gave Xiaoqikong its name. The faded glory of the bridge’s timeworn and plant-covered facade stands in perfect contrast with the ever-vibrant beauty of its surrounding greenery and aquamarine river.
Wanfenglin Scenic Area
Wanfenglin Scenic Area is home to some of China’s most romantic and photogenic spots, perhaps not surprising given its name literally means “Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks”.
Make sure you dedicate a day to the absolutely stunning Wanfeng Lake, a body of water surrounded by hundreds of gigantic, tree-lined karst hills. The remarkable formations jut out in clusters around the lake, creating something truly magical and surreal.
So famous is the lake’s scenery in China it was dubbed “China’s Little Three Gorges”, “a living painting” and “unrivalled in the southwest”.
Another of Wanfeglin’s jewels is the spectacular Maling River Gorge, which resembles a giant scar on the Earth itself.
Its biggest attractions are the hundreds of waterfalls that dot the entire gorge, which crash, course and carve through 300,000 square meters of limestone.
This abundance of falls has earned it the nickname of “The Valley of a Hundred Waterfalls”. Countless unique flora and flora, natural springs and sinkholes also fill out the landscape.
Huangguoshu Waterfall Scene Area
Named for one of the largest waterfalls in Asia, the Huangguoshu Scenic Area contains some of Guizhou’s most impressive waterfalls and karst landscapes.
Here, the star attraction is definitely Huangguoshu Waterfall, the most magnificent of its kind in the area.
Roaring down at a height of 77 meters, its waters form a wide river before breaking up into tinier waterfalls. It is also one the few waterfalls with a naturally formed water curtain cave that you can see, hear, and touch from both inside and outside.
If you’re still not waterfall-ed out, you still have the Doupotang Waterfall, situated 1 kilometre upstream from the Huangguoshu Waterfall.
If Huangguoshu was the tallest in the area, then Doupotang is the wider cousin. At its crest, it is the widest among the other waterfalls of Huangguoshu. Watch as the falls rain down the imposing rock face, covering it in a sheet of white.
Mount Fanjing
Paths hug the ridge of Mount Wuling, going past surreal rock formations and awe-inspiring views. Finally it reaches the base of a soaring pillar of rock before snaking up its weathered walls and reaching the temples above, perilously placed upon its two peaks.
Welcome to Mount Fanjing.
In Chinese Buddhism, the mountain itself is considered sacred. Also known as the Pure Land of the Buddhist deity Brahma, many Buddhist temples and monuments have been built to the faith that this mountain inspires.
Mount Fanjing is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich biodiversity which includes rare mosses and the Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey.
If you ask anyone, the main star of Mount Fanjing has to be the Red Cloud Golden Peak with the tiny Shijia and Mile Temples standing meekly on top.
Brave the hike to its base, then brace yourself for some stair-climbing before finally rewarding yourself with a breathtaking photo or selfie with the mountain and valley stretching out before you. Beware though, holiday crowds and foggy weather may not cooperate with you!
Xijiang Miao Village
Guizhou is not only famous for its falls and peaks, but also the multiple ethnic minorities who call it home.
One of these groups is the Miao, who have one of the largest Miao villages in China in the Xijiang Miao Village. Here, the Miao preserve their traditional culture and way of life in this open air museum of sorts.
Make sure to take a crossing over the Wind and Rain Bridges, both photogenic wooden-roofed bridges that were built to augment the fengshui of the town and as a rain shelter.
Zhaoxing Dong Village
Recognized as one of China’s most beautiful towns, the ethnic Dong village of Zhaoxing is nestled in a basin surrounded by mountains, with two small streams converging to form a river that flows through the village, making for a relaxing rural landscape.
But, there is one building that is the quintessential landmark of any Dong village―Drum Towers!
Built during ancient times as a way to warn the village of fires or bandits with drums at the top, these pagoda-like towers have become a gathering spot for relaxation and the occasional Dong festival. So important were these towers that a local saying went “the drum tower goes up before the village”.
So, these are the six spots in Guizhou you should really visit when you’re in the area. Got any other gorgeous Guizhou spots to recommend? Let us know!
