Huangguoshu Waterfall is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre-recognized treasure located in Miao Autonomous County, approximately an hour away from Guiyang, making it an ideal day trip destination. We recommend spending between 5 and 6 hours visiting the waterfalls and booking your tickets in advance, especially if you're traveling during the peak season of July and August.

• Ticket Cost: 160 RMB per person
• Sightseeing Bus Cost: 50 RMB per person
• Opening Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Map for visiting Huangguoshu Waterfall

The best time to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall is between May and October, when the surrounding scenery is particularly beautiful. June, July, and August are the rainy season, so the waterfalls are much more impressive and powerful than at other times of the year, but the coloration might be muddier. July and August are also the peak tourist months, so it's essential to book in advance and prepare for larger crowds.

September and October bring fewer tourists, and the leaves start to change color, making these months an excellent time to get some truly memorable photos. The weather is also cooler, so hiking around the falls is more enjoyable.

The Huangguoshu Waterfall scenic area is enormous, and many of the key attractions are several kilometers apart. Some of the paths are narrow and slippery and are not ideal for young children or older adults. We can help you plan the right route, based on your interests and fitness level, so that you can enjoy a relaxed and fun-filled trip.

The Grand Waterfall with a rainbow

The Grand Waterfall is the highlight of Huangguoshu and Asia's tallest waterfall. It stands a full 255 feet (78 meters) high. The rushing water creates gorgeous rainbows, especially between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on sunny days. You can get some top photographs in places like Rhinoceros Pool or from any of the cave's viewing platforms.

You can also see the Grand Waterfall from behind by visiting Water Curtain Cave (水帘洞). We recommend bringing a raincoat and wearing shoes that you don't mind getting wet for getting up close to the Grand Waterfall. While Water Curtain Cave is generally open, it might be closed during the rainy season for safety reasons. We recommend spending approximately 2 hours in this part of Huangguoshu Waterfall.

The Doupotang Scenic Area is the most accessible area of the park, featuring Doupotang Waterfall, which spans 1,148 feet (350 meters). This waterfall was featured in the TV show Journey to the West and is famous for its massive width, roaring waters, and karst landscape. We recommend spending 1 hour exploring this area.

This area is the largest of the three sections, and we recommend setting aside 2 hours to explore it fully. The Yinlianzhuitan Waterfall is one of Tianxingqiao Scenic Area's top highlights and a fantastic place to get photos. This waterfall drops in a funnel, so the water looks like many silver chains cascading into a pool and is especially impressive when the midday sun shines off the streams of water.

Tianxing Cave is another tremendous feature of Tianxingqiao Scenic Area, made of karst limestone and full of stalagmites and stalactites. The combination of natural and colorful lighting emphasizes the rock formations and makes this cave seem like something out of another world.

Huangguoshu Waterfall is easily accessible by high-speed train from Guiyang North Railway Station to Ashun West Railway Station. The train takes 30 minutes, and then you'll need to take a shuttle or a car to the scenic area.

Alternately, you can take a private car between Guiyang and Huangguoshu Waterfall. It's a 130 kilometer (80 mile) drive and takes between 2 and 2.5 hours.

You can also take the bus from Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station to Huangguoshu Bus Station, which takes 2 hours. The distance between Huangguoshu Bus Station and the scenic area is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), so you'll want to get a shuttle or taxi once you arrive.

A visit to Huangguoshu Waterfall is sure to be one of the high points of your vacation, but you can make it even more memorable and relaxed by following these travel tips.

• Good shoes are a must for visiting the scenic area. Many paths are narrow, wet, and uneven, and you'll want shoes with plenty of traction.
• Bring a waterproof jacket and bag for visiting places like Water Curtain Cave, especially if you plan to go during the rainy season.
• The scenic area is vast, and much of it is exposed to the elements, so sun protection, sunglasses, and a hat are all good ideas.
• You'll find plenty of food options throughout the scenic area, including options like KFC, McDonald's, and local dining, but it's a good idea to bring water with you if you're going to be hiking.
• We recommend taking the sightseeing shuttle bus to save energy and time as you explore.
• If you decide to go hiking, it's essential to stay on designated paths to avoid getting lost or damaging the karst rocks.
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