Located about 130 km from Guiyang (around 2 hours by car), Huangguoshu Waterfall is renowned as Asia's largest waterfall. With a dramatic drop of 77.8 meters and a width of 101 meters, it creates a breathtaking natural spectacle. Its unmatched beauty draws countless visitors every year.
However, stunning scenery often comes with real challenges: Long queues under the hot sun with little movement, being pushed along by crowds with no chance to stop for photos, complicated routes that drain your energy… These frustrations can easily overshadow a long-awaited trip.
To help you avoid these hassles, this guide shows you:
- The best time to visit and avoid crowds
- How to follow a smart route that saves time and energy
When to Visit with Fewer Crowds and Better View?
Huangguoshu Waterfall in the High Water SeasonHuangguoshuo waterfall in the Low Water SeasonTo avoid crowds while still seeing the waterfall at its most powerful, I recommend visiting in May–June or September–October.
- May - June or September - October: These months are ideal for viewing the waterfall, as the water flow is strong and impressive.
- July - August: These two sees more rain though it rarely lasts all day and showers are usually short and occur in the afternoon or evening. However, July and August fall during China's summer vacation, meaning large crowds and long waits (e.g., 1–2 hours for the elevator). It's best to avoid these two months.
- November to April (Low Water Season): The water flow is weaker and less spectacular. However, there are far fewer visitors, allowing you to take photos and enjoy the views at your own pace.
A special reminder: try to avoid national holidays like Chinese National Day (Oct 1-7) and Labor Day (May 1-5), when the site becomes extremely crowded with long queues.
Average daytime temperature at Huangguoshu Waterfall：
- Spring（Mar-May): 10-25°C
- Summer（Jun-Aug）: 20-30°C
- Autumn（Sep-Nov）: 18-25°C
- Winter（Dec-Feb）: 5-13°C
How to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall from Guiyang?
Huangguoshuo waterfallWhile most tourists just take a day trip to Huangguoshu from Guiyang, I personally recommend staying overnight. Why do I suggest this?
Staying near the waterfall allows you to enter the scenic area before 9:00 AM. This will help you get ahead of the crowds and enjoy a much more peaceful experience.
Staying for a night gives you enough time to truly appreciate the beauty of the area at a relaxed pace. The Huangguoshu Scenic Area is mainly divided into three large sections: the Grand Waterfall, Tianxing Bridge, and Doupotang. (I've provided a detailed breakdown of each area below to help you plan your visit.) It takes at least 5 hours to properly explore all of them. If you add about 4 hours of round-trip travel time from Guiyang on the same day, you'll end up feeling rushed and exhausted.
An overnight stay gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the night tour of the waterfall. The light and water show after dark is truly spectacular. Finally, with an extra night, you'll have time to visit other nearby attractions, such as the magnificent Balinghe Bridge.
Based on my experience, I've put together two itinerary options for you to consider: a one-day tour and an overnight stay option.
One-day tour from Guiyang:
Morning: Depart Guiyang at 8:00 AM and drive 2 hours to Huangguoshu. Spend about 2 hours exploring the Grand Waterfall and walking through the Water-Curtain Cave.
Afternoon: Visit either Tianxing Bridge (recommend the 1-hour lower section) or Doupotang before returning to Guiyang.
Two-day Tour from Guiyang:
Day 1: Travel from Guiyang in the afternoon. Check in near Huangguoshu, then join the night tour starting from 7:30pm.
The night tour is set in two areas. The light show takes place at the Grand Waterfall, while the "Return to Journey to the West" performance is staged at Doupotang Waterfall.
The performance is held twice nightly at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, lasting about one hour.
Day 2: Enter before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds. Visit all three main sections. On the way back to Guiyang, stop at Balinghe Bridge for a thrilling high-altitude walk.
Below are the features of each section:
Grand Waterfall: The Big Highlight
The Grand WaterfallThe Grand Waterfall is the core attraction of the area, requiring about 2 hours to explore. There are two main ways to reach the viewing areas:
Option 1 (Most Recommended): Walk down to the base of the waterfall, then take the escalator back up. The descent takes about 30 minutes and is mostly downhill. Along the way, you can visit the Water Curtain Cave (advance reservation via the scenic area's QR code is required. Our guides will handle this for you). After the visit, take the escalator directly back and proceed to the next stop.
Option 2: Take the escalator both ways. Note that visiting the Water Curtain Cave from here requires climbing a steep section (approx. 70° incline, 20 minutes). This option is suitable if you are with children under 8 or elderly visitors with limited mobility, and do not plan to enter the cave. It saves your energy while still offering direct access to the main waterfall views.
Tianxing Bridge: Funnel-Shaped Waterfall + Karst Cave Wonder
Tianxing Bridge WaterfallYou may have seen many waterfalls, but a funnel-shaped waterfall is a rare sight. Inside the area, there's also a karst cave open for exploration. If you haven't visited a karst cave before (such as those in Guilin), this one is worth seeing. A full tour takes about 2–3 hours.
We recommend walking only the lower section, which covers the highlights in around 1 hour. The path combines stairs and flat sections. After finishing the lower route, free battery carts and a cable car are available from the exit to bring you back to the scenic area entrance.
Doupotang: Filming Location of "Journey to the West" + Overlook of the Grand Waterfall
Doupotang WaterfallDoupotang served as a filming site for the classic Chinese TV series Journey to the West. One of its viewing platforms also offers a bird's-eye view of the grand waterfall - a "view from above." The walking trail here is gentle and flat, making it an ideal way to wrap up your tour. A visit takes about 40 minutes.
If your children are familiar with the characters from Journey to the West, they will enjoy this spot. There are sculptures of some of the story's iconic figures.
Combining Huangguoshu Waterfall with Nearby Attractions
The area around Huangguoshu offers several unique attractions, all conveniently located along the route back to Guiyang. If you have extra time, consider spending an additional day to explore them:
Baling River Bridge: Just 10 km from Huangguoshu Waterfall, this superbridge spans a deep valley and features a thrilling glass walkway. It offers breathtaking views of the Baling River below.
Baling River BridgeDragon Palace: Located about 30 km from the waterfall, the Dragon Palace Scenic Area boasts the longest and most beautiful water cave in China. Compared to Tianxing Cave in Huangguoshu, this cave is larger and includes stunning views of an underground river.
Tianlong Tunbao: History and culture enthusiasts shouldn't miss this site about 40 km away. It preserves the unique local culture dating back to the Ming Dynasty - some locals still wear traditional Ming-style clothing.
Here's a relaxed itinerary combining the waterfall and nearby attractions, perfect for travelers who aren't in a rush:
- Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon or evening and check into a hotel near Huangguoshu Waterfall (see recommended hotels below).
- Day 2: Enter Huangguoshu before 9:00 AM to visit the Grand Waterfall, Tianxing Bridge, and Doupotang. In the evening, enjoy the night tour and the Return to Journey to the West performance.
- Day 3: Visit Balinghe Bridge or Dragon Palace in the morning, then head to Tianlong Tunbao in the afternoon before returning to Guiyang to conclude your trip.
If you're interested in combining this with other destinations in Guizhou, visit our Guizhou tours page.
How to Book Tickets
Huangguoshu implements a real-name timed entry system, requiring reservations to be made one day in advance through official platforms (such as the "One-Code Travel Guizhou/一码游贵州" WeChat mini-program). During peak travel seasons, it is nearly impossible to purchase tickets on-site.
The ticket includes general admission, shuttle bus service, and optional add-ons such as the large escalator and insurance. Selecting the "Admission + Shuttle Bus" package is essential for efficiently exploring this vast scenic area.
Where to Stay and What to Eat
As a main destination for day trips from Guiyang, you may choose to stay in Guiyang to avoid the hassle of changing hotels.
However, if you wish to attend the Huangguoshu night show or explore nearby attractions, staying close to the scenic area is ideal. Below are recommended high-quality hotels:
- Huangguoshu Yingbin Hotel: Only a 4-minute drive (or 15-minute walk) from the scenic area entrance, this is the nearest five-star hotel. Enjoy flexible entry and quiet moments at the waterfall before tour groups arrive, greatly enhancing your visit.
- Jianglu · Village Dawn Resort: Located 14 km from the scenic area (30-minute drive). This boutique resort, transformed from traditional Buyi stone houses, offers a unique stay blending modern comfort with the charm of an ancient village.
For dining, snack stalls and simple meal outlets are available at the exits of each attraction within Huangguoshu, serving items like corn, grilled skewers, and boxed meals - suitable for a quick lunch.
For dinner, we recommend trying reputable local restaurants in Huangguoshu Town, such as:
- "Qianren Baiwei (黔人百味)", specializing in authentic Guizhou flavors.
- "Nongjia Shifu (农家食府)", known for its signature Dishui Green Pepper Fish.
Both serve freshly prepared local dishes in a pleasant setting.
Explore Huangguoshu Waterfalls with China Highlights
Tired of navigating Huangguoshu's complex routes? Want to save time and energy while fully immersing yourself in the beauty of the falls? Book a private tour and enjoy. Let us handle the details - you focus on the wonder. Contact us now to design your unique Guizhou journey!
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