Chishui Danxia: Explore the Wonders of Danxia Landforms and Hidden Waterfalls!

As Guizhou's first core scenic area of Danxia World Natural Heritage Site, Chishui Danxia Tourism Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. With its unique Danxia landforms and rich ecological landscapes, it has become a popular tourist destination. Here you'll find magnificent waterfall clusters, magical Danxia landforms, ancient Alsophila forests, and rich folk customs that will captivate you. On this journey, I'll guide you through the stunning scenery of Chishui Danxia and experience nature's masterful craftsmanship. 🚗 Transportation Guide: How to Reach Chishui Danxia 🚗 • External Transportation: You can first arrive at Zunyi Xinzhou Airport or Maotai Airport, then take an airport bus or transfer to a car to Chishui city. Alternatively, you can take a high-speed train to Zunyi Station, then take a bus to Chishui from Zunyi Zhongzhuang Bus Station, which takes about 3 hours. • Internal Transportation: Within Chishui, you can choose to take the scenic area shuttle bus, which directly reaches various attractions, making it convenient and worry-free. You can also choose to drive yourself, as the scenic area has plenty of reasonably priced parking spaces. However, note that the scenic spots are concentrated, and some mountain roads have many curves, requiring careful driving. 🏞️ Must-Visit Attractions 🏞️ 🌊 Sidong Valley: A Charming Waterfall Cluster Located in Datong Town, 15 km from downtown Chishui, Sidong Valley Scenic Area is one of the earliest developed attractions in Chishui. Within about four kilometers of mountain streams, four waterfalls are arranged at roughly equal distances, each with unique characteristics and charm. The Water Curtain Cave Waterfall is 31 meters high and 38 meters wide, with its water curtain displaying rainbow colors in the sunlight. Visitors can walk behind the waterfall to experience the cool "water screen cave." The Moon Pool Waterfall resembles a crescent moon with emerald waters. The Flying Frog Cliff Waterfall is named after a huge rock resembling a flying frog at its base. The White Dragon Pool Waterfall has the largest drop and is magnificent. The scenic area also features well-preserved cultural relics like the Zheng Family Stone Archway and natural wonders like the Stone Pendant Mountain and Immortal Crossing Bridge. 🌄 Buddha Light Rock: A Stunning Danxia Landform Buddha Light Rock is one of the core attractions of Chishui Danxia and a national 5A-level scenic spot. Located where the Dalou Mountain and northern Guizhou Plateau dramatically descend into the Sichuan Basin, it features deep valleys and steep slopes with crisscrossing streams. The arc-shaped Buddha Light Rock extends over 1,000 meters in length and rises over 300 meters high. In its center, a 269-meter-high and 42-meter-wide columnar waterfall resembles the Chinese character for "Buddha." The thunderous waterfall creates a spectacular sight. When sunlit, Buddha Light Rock radiates red light, resembling an exquisite landscape painting and representing a masterpiece of Danxia landforms. 🌳 Chishui Bamboo Sea: An Ocean of Bamboo, A Paradise of Green Chishui Bamboo Sea National Forest Park boasts 170,000 mu of Nandina bamboo. Enter the scenic area and take a sightseeing car to the mountaintop observation deck. From the Sea-Viewing Tower, overlook the bamboo forest that appears like rolling waves, with mountain breezes creating a heavenly sound as they pass through. Walking along the bamboo trail offers a cool and peaceful experience, as if floating in a green ocean. The scenic area also offers activities like sedan chair rides for a unique experience. Nearby restaurants feature bamboo-themed dishes like bamboo fungus chicken soup and bamboo tube rice. 🌉 Bingan Ancient Town: A Blend of History and Nature Located 24 kilometers southwest of Chishui city, Bingan Ancient Town is a historic town built on cliffs along the Chishui River. The town preserves numerous Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, with cobblestone streets, wooden stilt houses, and ancient temples creating a rich historical atmosphere. The surrounding area features unique Danxia peaks, Red Army Long March sites, and other attractions, making it a tourist destination that combines historical culture and natural scenery. 🎒 Preparation 🎒 • Equipment: Prepare comfortable sports shoes, a light backpack, brightly colored clothes, sun protection items, and water to fully enjoy the scenery. • Ticket Information: The scenic spots in Chishui Danxia Tourism Area have moderate ticket prices: Sidong Valley Scenic Area is 80 yuan, Buddha Light Rock Scenic Area is 105 yuan, Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area is 80 yuan, and Bingan Ancient Town is free. Prices may vary by season and policy. 🍴 Food Recommendations: Taste of Chishui Danxia 🍴 • Chishui Tofu Pudding: Made with Danxia spring water and served with local chili sauce, this smooth and flavorful dish is a Chishui classic. • Bamboo Shoot: Best stewed with preserved meat, the bamboo shoots are fresh and crispy, complementing the aromatic preserved meat in rich broth. • Bamboo Tube Rice: Rice with bamboo fragrance, soft and delicious, a specialty near the Bamboo Sea scenic area. • Chishui Grilled Fish: Tender fish with spicy and numbing flavors, a must-try at restaurants near Buddha Light Rock. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 • Downtown Hotels: Recommended hotels in the city center offer convenient transportation and rich dining and shopping options nearby. Options like Hanting Hotel and Home Inn offer moderate prices and good facilities. • Guesthouses Near Scenic Areas: Characteristic guesthouses near Sidong Valley and Buddha Light Rock offer local flavor and beautiful environments for a deeper local experience. 📅 Itinerary Planning 📅 🌅 Day One: Sidong Valley - Swallow Rock • Morning: After arriving in Chishui, head to Sidong Valley Scenic Area. Take a sightseeing car from the entrance to the Waterfall Kitchen observation point, walk five minutes to the Third Cave Flying Frog Cliff Waterfall, then walk one kilometer to the Fourth Cave White Dragon Pool Waterfall. Return via the Second Cave Moon Pool and First Cave Water Curtain Cave, enjoying waterfalls, bamboo groves, and clear streams along the way. • Noon: After leaving the scenic area, try local specialty bamboo shoot stewed with preserved pork trotters at nearby restaurants. • Afternoon: Visit Swallow Rock Scenic Area, choose to walk along the plank road or take a cable car to mid-mountain, then descend the stone steps to view Lotus Platform Waterfall, Longevity Spring, and Swallow Rock Waterfall, experiencing the area's serenity and coolness. • Evening: Check into a downtown hotel, enjoy Panda Dinner (bamboo feast), and try Chishui tofu pudding and grilled fish for late-night snacks. 🌟 Day Two: Chishui Great Waterfall - Buddha Light Rock • Morning: Head to Chishui Great Waterfall Scenic Area from downtown to admire China's second-largest waterfall. The waterfall is 76 meters high and 80 meters wide, second only to Huangguoshu Waterfall. • Noon: Enjoy local specialties at nearby restaurants. • Afternoon: Visit Buddha Light Rock Scenic Area, walk along the plank road to view Buddha Light Rock Arc, Five Pillar Peak, and other spots, appreciating the unique landscape where Danxia landforms complement forests and waterfalls. • Evening: Try local wild vegetables and Chishui grilled fish at nearby restaurants, experiencing Chishui's nightlife. 🌆 Day Three: Bingan Ancient Town - Red Stone Valley • Morning: Visit Bingan Ancient Town, stroll along cobblestone streets, admire Ming and Qing architecture, and experience the town's historical atmosphere. Also visit nearby Danxia peaks and Red Army Long March sites. • Noon: Try local specialties like Bingan tofu in the ancient town. • Afternoon: Visit Red Stone Valley Scenic Area to admire the Danxia Corridor and Red Stone Valley, experiencing nature's masterful work. • Evening: Conclude your pleasant Chishui Danxia journey and return home. 📸 Photography Tips 📸 • Sidong Valley: Capture natural shots with waterfalls as backgrounds at Third Cave Flying Frog Cliff and Fourth Cave White Dragon Pool waterfalls. At Water Curtain Cave Waterfall, photograph the rainbow-colored water curtain and visitors walking behind the waterfall. • Buddha Light Rock: Use Buddha Light Rock Arc as background to capture its brilliance in sunlight, showing the magnificence of Danxia landforms. At Five Pillar Peak, photograph the varied Danxia stone pillars creating a natural landscape painting. • Chishui Bamboo Sea: Overlook and photograph the rolling bamboo waves from the Sea-Viewing Tower. On bamboo trails, capture visitors walking through bamboo forests, showing harmony between humans and nature. • Bingan Ancient Town: In early morning or evening, photograph classic scenes of stilt houses against Danxia cliffs, showing the town's antiquity and tranquility. Chishui Danxia Tourism Area offers a visual and spiritual feast with its unique Danxia landforms, spectacular waterfalls, dense bamboo forests, and rich historical culture. Hope this travel guide helps with your Chishui Danxia journey, creating unforgettable memories in this beautiful land.