Anshun · Visitor Guide
Huangguoshu Waterfall (黄果树瀑布, Huángguǒshù Pùbù)
Huangguoshu Waterfall (Yellow Fruit Tree Waterfall) is the largest waterfall in China and one of the largest in Asia. It stands 77.8m high and 101m wide, with a thunderous flow that peaks in summer (June-August) when the rainy season swells the Baishui River. The defining feature is the Water Curtain Cave (Shuilian Dong) — a 134m natural tunnel behind the waterfall where visitors can walk behind the curtain of falling water. The scenic area includes two other waterfalls (Doupotang and Luositan) and the Tianxingqiao karst landscape. Huangguoshu is a national 5A scenic area and has been famous since the Ming dynasty traveler Xu Xiake described it in the 17th century.
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Quick Answer
Is Huangguoshu Waterfall worth visiting?
China's largest waterfall — 77.8m high, 101m wide. Walk behind the curtain of water through Water Curtain Cave. ¥180. Full day from Guiyang.
Quick facts
| Ticket | ¥180 (peak season Mar-Nov) / ¥160 (Dec-Feb). Includes all three waterfall areas + shuttle bus. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00-18:30 (summer) / 7:30-18:00 (winter). |
| Recommended duration | Full day (6-8h) for all three areas. Huangguoshu Waterfall alone: 2-3h. |
| Best time to visit | June-August for maximum water volume (the waterfall is at its most powerful). September-October for pleasant weather and moderate flow. Avoid Chinese holidays — the Water Curtain Cave can have 2+ hour queues. |
| How to get there | HSR to Anshun West from Guiyang: 30 min (¥46). Then bus from Anshun to Huangguoshu: 45 min (¥22). Direct tourist bus from Guiyang: 2h (¥60). DiDi from Anshun: 45 min, ¥120-150. |
| English signage | partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | partial |
| Height | 77.8 m |
| Width | 101 m |
| Water Curtain Cave | 134 m long |
| From Guiyang | 2h (130 km) |
| First recorded | 1638 (Xu Xiake) |
What to expect
Huangguoshu is the centerpiece of a larger karst landscape — 18 waterfalls in the same river system, with Huangguoshu as the largest. The waterfall's name comes from the yellow fruit trees (huangguoshu) that once grew along the riverbank. In summer, the spray from the waterfall creates permanent rainbows in the gorge. The Water Curtain Cave behind the falls is the unique selling point — few major waterfalls in the world let you walk behind the curtain.
The scenic area is divided into three zones connected by shuttle bus: Huangguoshu Waterfall (the main falls + Water Curtain Cave), Tianxingqiao (karst formations, stone forest, and Silver Chain Waterfall), and Doupotang (the widest waterfall at 105m across, featured in the 1986 TV series "Journey to the West"). Plan at least 6 hours to see all three without rushing.
I visited in August 2024 at peak flow — the roar was audible 500m before reaching the viewing platform. The spray soaked everyone within 100m (bring a raincoat or buy a ¥5 poncho at the entrance). Walking through the Water Curtain Cave was surreal — the world outside becomes a wall of white water, and the ground vibrates under your feet.
How to get there
HSR to Anshun West from Guiyang North: 30 min, ¥46. Then bus from Anshun bus station to Huangguoshu: 45 min, ¥22. Direct tourist bus from Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station: 2h, ¥60. DiDi from Anshun: 45 min, ¥120-150. The scenic area shuttle bus connects all three waterfall zones.
Best photo spots
- Main viewing platform — the classic full-width waterfall shot (morning light best)
- Water Curtain Cave — shooting outward through the falling water
- Silver Chain Waterfall at Tianxingqiao — a fan-shaped cascade over limestone terraces
- Doupotang — the widest section, best with a polarizing filter
Tips
- Bring a raincoat or buy a ¥5 poncho at the entrance — you WILL get wet at the Water Curtain Cave
- Protect electronics — the spray at the main viewing platform is like light rain
- Visit Tianxingqiao first (morning), then Huangguoshu (midday), then Doupotang (afternoon) to avoid the worst crowds
- The shuttle bus is included in your ticket — don't pay extra for "express" buses sold near the entrance
- Avoid weekends and Chinese holidays — the Water Curtain Cave can have 2+ hour queues
Scams to avoid
- "Skip the line" tickets sold by touts at Anshun station — these are either counterfeit or repackaged standard tickets at a markup. Buy tickets at the official counter or via the Huangguoshu WeChat mini-program.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Huangguoshu Waterfall?
77.8m high and 101m wide — the largest waterfall in China by volume. For comparison: Niagara Falls (Horseshoe) is 57m high and 790m wide — wider but shorter. Huangguoshu is taller and the Water Curtain Cave behind the falls is a feature Niagara doesn't have.
What is the Water Curtain Cave?
A 134m natural tunnel behind Huangguoshu Waterfall where you can walk behind the curtain of falling water. It has 6 "windows" carved into the rock that open onto the back of the waterfall. You will get wet. Ponchos available at the entrance (¥5). The cave is accessible via a stone path — no climbing required.
How do I get to Huangguoshu from Guiyang?
HSR to Anshun West (30 min, ¥46) + bus to Huangguoshu (45 min, ¥22). Or direct tourist bus from Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station: 2h, ¥60. A DiDi from Guiyang costs ¥400-500 one way — not worth it vs the HSR+bus combo.
Best time to visit?
June-August for maximum water volume (the waterfall is genuinely thunderous). September-October for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Avoid Chinese public holidays (especially May Holiday and National Day) — the narrow paths become dangerously crowded.
How much time do I need?
Full day (6-8h) for all three areas: Tianxingqiao (2-3h), Huangguoshu main falls (2h), Doupotang (1h). If you only have a half-day, skip Doupotang — Huangguoshu and Tianxingqiao are the highlights.
Is it accessible for older travelers?
Partially. The main viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible. The Water Curtain Cave path involves stairs and can be slippery. Tianxingqiao has long walking sections. The shuttle bus connects all areas, but walking distances are significant. An escalator (¥30) bypasses the stairs to the main viewing platform.
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Other things to do in Anshun
Fanjingshan (Mount Fanjing)
Sacred Buddhist peak with the otherworldly Red Cloud Golden Summit — a split rock spire with two temples at 2,336m. UNESCO 2018. ¥110. 1-2 days from Guiyang.
Huangguoshu Waterfall
China's largest waterfall — 77.8 m high and 101 m wide on the Baishui River, with a 134 m Water Curtain Cave (水帘洞) you can walk through behind the falling water. ¥180 peak season. Allow a full day from Guiyang (130 km, ~2h via HSR + bus).
Qingyan Ancient Town
A 648-year-old Ming military-garrison town 30 km south of Guiyang, ringed by a stone wall with four fortified gates. Plan 3-4 hours to walk the stone lanes, eat rose-sugar candy and 'top scholar's' braised trotters, and step into Buddhist, Taoist, and a 19th-century Catholic church — the streets are free, the interior sights need a ~¥10 ticket (as of 2026).
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
Xiaoqikong (小七孔) is the emerald-water, seven-arch-bridge centerpiece of the Libo karst — Guizhou's slice of the South China Karst UNESCO site inscribed in 2007. Allow a full day (6–8 hours) to walk the 68-Level Waterfall, Water Forest, and Mandarin Duck Lake; entry is about ¥110 plus a ¥40 sightseeing bus (as of 2026, verify). Reach it via the 2023 HSR to Libo, roughly 90 minutes from Guiyang.
Qianling Mountain Park
Qianling Mountain Park is a roughly 426-hectare forested park in central Guiyang with Hongfu Temple (1672), Qianling Lake, a zoo, and 500-plus free-roaming macaques. Entry is ¥5; allow 3–4 hours for the main loop or 5–6 to hike the ~1,396 m summit (as of 2026).