Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area
Shizhangdong Waterfall stands 76 meters tall and 80 meters wide, making it the second-largest waterfall in China after Huangguoshu Waterfall. Unlike Huangguoshu, however,…
Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area, Northern Guizhou
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥80; sightseeing shuttle bus round trip ¥20
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Address
- Southern Chishui City
- Getting there
- Tourist shuttle buses run from downtown Chishui (¥10 per ticket). You can also hire a car from Chishui for ¥120–150 per day.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 512. Open in Google Maps
About Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area
Shizhangdong Waterfall stands 76 meters tall and 80 meters wide, making it the second-largest waterfall in China after Huangguoshu Waterfall. Unlike Huangguoshu, however, it comes with the wonders of Danxia landforms. Waterfall and Danxia terrain go hand in hand, making this site truly one of a kind. The 'Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Umbrella', 10 meters high and 7 meters in diameter and exposed on all four sides, seems made especially to shelter visitors from the flying spray. Climb the 'Heaven-Supporting Stone Pillar' not far from the stone umbrella, and a sea of primeval forest stretching for miles unfolds before your eyes.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. There are few places to eat inside the scenic area, so it is advisable to bring your own snacks.
- 2. For close-up views of the Chishui Great Waterfall, you may get splashed by spray and mist. If you don't want to get wet, bring a lightweight raincoat.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area cost?
Admission to Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area is ¥80; sightseeing shuttle bus round trip ¥20, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area?
Tourist shuttle buses run from downtown Chishui (¥10 per ticket). You can also hire a car from Chishui for ¥120–150 per day.
How long should I spend at Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area?
Plan on 2–3 hours for Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area.
Where is Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area?
Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area is in Northern Guizhou, Guizhou Province, in the Southwest of China. Southern Chishui City
More places in Northern Guizhou
Suoluo National Nature Reserve
This is China's first national-level Suoluo (tree fern) nature reserve. Covering 133 square kilometers with a total of 40,000 trees, its dense growth makes it hard to believe that these beautiful fern-like plants, which resemble giant umbrellas, lived alongside the dinosaurs. They are living fossils, nearly extinct on Earth. The Suoluo trees are ancient, and the water here looks deep and mysterious. The tranquil setting has a feel of primeval forest and is well worth a visit.
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Sidonggou Waterfalls
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Zhuhai National Forest Park
The park has 170,000 mu of nan bamboo blanketing its mountains. Climb the Guanhai Tower (Sea-Viewing Tower), lean on the railing and gaze out over an endless expanse of green. The park also features unusual natural wonders such as the 'Heavenly Gong', the 'Earth Waterfall', the 'Eight Immortals Tree' and the 'Couple Tree'.
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Wujiangzhai International Tourist Resort
Reportedly designed by the same team behind Wuzhen, the resort is surrounded by mountains, and visitors will be impressed by how perfectly the ancient village and modern architecture blend together. The scenic area is generally quiet and spacious, with little commercialization, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll. Evenings here are especially lively, with musical fountains, light shows, ethnic dance performances and drone shows that leave a strong impression.
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Maotai Town
Maotai Town has long been a famous town in northern Guizhou, described in the saying 'Sichuan salt flows into Guizhou, and Shaanxi merchants gather at Maotai.' In 1915, Maotai liquor won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and the town became known around the world from then on. In 1935, the Red Army's Long March crossed the Chishui River four times, writing a glorious chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution. With its rich ancient salt culture and its mysterious liquor culture, Maotai Town is hailed as 'China's No. 1 Liquor Town.'
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Foguang Rock
Foguang Rock Scenic Area is known as the 'Number One Danxia Park' and the 'Unique Wonder of Chishui Scenery', among other titles. The area contains more than 30 landscapes, including Danxia landforms, peculiar peaks and rocks, sheer cliffs and caves, the Five-Pillar Peak, the White Dragon Waterfall and camellia groves. It has more than 2,000 plant species, including over 20 rare species, and over 400 wild animal species, including more than 10 rare ones. The strata exposed in Foguang Rock Scenic Area are all Jurassic and Cretaceous red sedimentary rocks of river and lake origin. It is considered one of the scenic areas in Chishui, and indeed in China, where Jurassic and Cretaceous Danxia landforms are best developed, most completely exposed and most distinctive.
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