Things to do in Nayong

The scenery is beautiful; the highlight is the boat ride inside the cave. I recommend entering from the west and exiting from the west. Parking is convenient at the west gate. First, take a 3-minute sightseeing bus, then walk for about 10 minutes, then take another 5-minute sightseeing bus to the Natural Bridge to board the boat. If you have a one-way ticket, make sure to climb the stairs on your right when you reach the boarding area; the rest of the way is downhill, which is more convenient for the elderly and children. Finally, take the boat back from the east gate to the west gate. If you take the boat to the east gate first and then walk back to the west gate, it's all uphill stairs and will be very physically demanding!

Geography and natural landscape Diaoshuiyan Waterfall is about 10 kilometers away from Nayong County and is located in the hinterland of the Mahuiling Mountains. The landform features a multi-level stepped waterfall group. The water flows like silver silk through the clouds and mist, and finally falls into the green lake, stirring up thousands of layers of water mist. The largest waterfall is 210 meters high and is divided into two levels. The first level is 130 meters high and the second level is 80 meters high. It is majestic and thunderous. During the flood season, the width of the waterfall can reach 30 meters, and the roar can be heard for miles. The scenic area has the climate characteristics of "one mountain has four seasons, and the four seasons are different". In summer, the foot of the mountain is cool and pleasant, but the top of the mountain is steaming with clouds and mist; in winter, the top of the mountain is cold and windy, and the foot of the mountain is warm like spring.

A fantastic attraction! We visited the Grand Canyon in the morning and Zhijin Cave in the afternoon, perfectly avoiding the crowds. We strolled around the cave, stopping frequently, and hired a professional guided tour, which lasted about two hours. I highly recommend hiring one, otherwise you'll just be wandering around aimlessly and miss a lot of exciting content. Also, be aware that the cave has outhouses; those who know, know. I advise everyone to use the restroom before entering the cave.

I've visited Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area three times over 30 years. It's considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Asia, and the town of Huangguoshu is also quite well-developed. Although the water flow was lower this year, it was still incredibly magnificent, powerful, and thunderous. This time, I had the opportunity to fully appreciate the unique features of the waterfalls in all three sections. If the main waterfall is the head of the family, powerful and imposing, then the upstream Doupotang Waterfall is the steady son, refined and elegant, while the downstream Yinlian Waterfall is the emerald green jade, endlessly captivating and always brimming with charm!

Nature's artistry is evident in the countless uniquely shaped rocks, with each step revealing a new vista. The karst landscape is breathtaking and unique, with well-planned trails. Following a guide's explanations allows one to truly appreciate the wonders of the Stone Forest, making it well worth a visit.

The scenic area is quite large. Even with VIP service, it was still tiring. Be prepared to walk for a long time. The scenery was beautiful when we visited, and there were also places suitable for children to play.

Choosing the right accommodation is crucial when visiting the Miao Village! The view from Luanxi is absolutely stunning; you can admire the stilted houses and the lights of countless homes right from your room, without having to squeeze onto the viewing platform. It's just steps from the popular photo spots, the room was impeccably clean, and the bedding was comfortable. Once we arrived at the scenic area, the butler helped with our luggage, explained the sightseeing routes, and recommended some delicious restaurants – we ate there twice! The hotel offers afternoon tea and a bedtime soup; highly recommended, I'll definitely stay here again next time I visit the Miao Village.

For families with children visiting Zhijin, the 5A-rated Zhijin Cave is highly recommended. It's a natural water-eroded cave with a temperature around 10 degrees Celsius! The stalactites and stalagmites inside are incredibly diverse and will spark your imagination! The various gorge entrances and boat rides within the cave are unique features. It will leave you in awe of nature's artistry! Arriving at the scenic area at 9 am meant there were no parking spaces left, so we opted for the 10 yuan parking lot at the Grand Canyon exit. From the exit, we took a 108-meter-high ladder down, followed by a relatively easy walk down the mountain path. Along the way, we saw natural bridges, waterfalls, and Buddha statues – a truly breathtaking experience. We entered the "Ten Thousand Swallows Returning to Their Nest" area, took a 10 yuan boat ride to the other side, and then took a sightseeing bus back to the entrance. A free shuttle bus from the entrance took us to the visitor center. After getting off, we transferred back to our car at the exit for lunch. At 1 pm, we took another shuttle bus to Zhijin Cave, taking photos with the various stalactites and stalagmites along the way. The visit took about two hours. Overall, the pace was from easy to difficult, making it a manageable trip for children! (＾в＾)

The oddly shaped stones were quite interesting. There weren't many people during the Chinese New Year, so the experience was good. However, many small shops were closed, and transportation wasn't very convenient. It was rather quiet due to the holiday.