The Huangguoshu Waterfalls including Tianxingqiao Scenic Spot are situated in
Zhenning County, 150 km away from Guiyang. Located in a karst area 600-1500
meters above sea level, with a rainfall of 1300 mm, the region has long been
known for its scenic beauty of crisscrossing streams and alternating peaks and
gorges.
The Huangguoshu Waterfalls are on the Baishui River in Zhenning
County. Here mountains rise one after another. The mighty Baishui River, when it
comes to this place, falls suddenly from the cliffs and forms a nine-stage
waterfall. The Grand Fall, the largest stage, just off the Guiyang Highway, is
easy to get to.
The Grand Fall is the largest cataract in
Asia, about 74 meters high and 81 meters wide. Hidden behind the waterfall is a
134-meter long Water-Curtain Cave with fantastic stalactites. The cave consists
of five halls, six windows and three springs. In the cave tunnel and in the dry
season, you can see the plunging water like numberless strings of pearls flying
down over your head. You can't help feeling fascinated by its beauty,
overwhelmed by its mystery, and thrilled by its momentum.
On the hill
opposite the cataract is a pavilion. From here visitors can have a whole view of
the powerful cataract and also from here, viewers can go down into the
water-curtain cave. The fall looks just like a huge curtain hanging in front of
its cave. Inside the cave, six windows let you view the falls from different
angles; stretching your hand out of the window, you can touch the flying water.
It is amazing to watch through the cave windows the water pouring down. It looks
like the Milky Way pouring down from the heaven, making the precipitous cliff
tremble, while misty water droplets rise from the plunge pool, forming rainbows
of dazzling brilliance in the sunlight.
In this area there are 18 different
falls, forming a picturesque view of karst landforms. The spectacular Grand Fall
is the biggest in Asia. Its continuous flow of water varies in volume with the
season and the control of water in the reservoir on the upper reaches of the
Baishui River. On a sunny day the sight is especially beautiful as a rainbow
arches over the falls with misty clouds floating slowly over the valley.
In
the flood season of June and July, there is plenty of rainfall, the waterfall
pours into the Rhinoceros Pool with the force of a thousand horses galloping.
While in the dry season, water would separate into several streams falling down
from the overhanging cliffs like a fairy maiden's elegant hair, charming and
graceful. On the top of the precipice, opposite the waterfall, stands the
Pavilion where visitors can enjoy the powerful pouring down of the Grand Fall.
One can feel the power in the air.
In this area there are dozens of falls.
They come together to form a cluster of cataracts, among which are the
410-m-high Dishuitan Fall, the 105-m-wide Doupotang Fall and the Luositan Fall
whose beach extends as long as 350 meters. These falls present changing views at
different times of the year as the water volume rises and falls with one roaring
ahead, another running peacefully and still another surging high. There are
different views in different seasons.
At the lower reaches of the
Huangguoshu Waterfalls, about 6 kilometers away, is the newly-opened Tianxing
Bridge (Bridge of Stars) scenic spot, which is composed of three interconnected
scenic attractions, namely, the potted landscape, the cave and the stone forest
in water. This scenic spot is distinguished with its sights of various types,
its natural stone formations of fabulous shapes, high cacti extending far and
wide forming a dense forest. The Tianxing Cave (Cave of Stars), The Tiansheng
Bridge, a work of nature, a stone arch flying over a deep gorge and the
Silver-Chain Waterfall are all worth visiting. The Huangguoshu Guest House is
very convenient and comfortable and is just beside the Grand Fall with a group
of buildings in beautiful surroundings. Around it Buyi women sell their pieces
of needlework: embroidered bags, cross-stitched soles, pretty headdresses and
small hand-made tokens.
