Zangbo Badong Waterfalls
 

China is home to some of the world’s most stunning waterfalls and natural scenery. This article introduces six of China’s most breath-taking, must-see waterfalls.

Zangbo Badong Waterfalls 藏布巴东瀑布群

Zangbo Badong is actually made up of two groups of waterfalls. They are located at the foot of the Xixingla Moutain, about 20 km from where the water empties into the Yarlung Zangpo River, 2,140 meters above sea level. There are two waterfalls lying 600 meters apart on the river bed – one is Zangbo Badong Waterfall I dropping 35 meters down and the other is Zangbo Badong Waterfall II dropping 33 meters down. Zangbo Badong Waterfall I is 35 meters in width and is one of the largest waterfalls in the Yarlung Zangpo Grand Canyon.

When it is flood season, the grand canyon gets flooded by the river, so the expedition teams can only enter into the area during dry season – and for this reason, no one's been able to document what goes on inside the canyon when it's flooded. Even in the dry season, photographers can only opt to document the waterfalls at a good distance of a few hundred meters away and stand in high ground. The magnificence of Zangbo Badong Waterfalls is just breathtaking.

Transportation: Take the bus from Lhasa to Bayi County (八一镇) in Linzhi (林芝) (first bus starts at 8:00 in the morning; travel distance 633 km, travel time 7-8 hours); bus tickets are 155 RMB/person; then go from Bayi County to Pailong (排龙), walk from Pailong to Zhaqu (札曲) to arrive at the Yarlung Zangpo Grand Canyon (雅鲁藏布江大峡谷).    

Room and Board: There are quite a few nice hotels in Linzhi (Basongcuo Resort (巴松措度假村), Small Swan Hotel (小天鹅宾馆), etc); rates are usually 200 – 400 RMB/night.

Detian Waterfall德天瀑布

Detian Waterfall is located at Detian Village of Shuolong town, Daxin County in Guangxi. The waterfall spans the border between China and Vietnam. The surrounding scenery is one of rolling mountains and with as much forest and greenery as the eye can see. Water falls from Putang Island bordering Vietnam and drops 80 meters down – cascading to form three levels of waterfalls. The width of Detian Waterfall is 100 meters, and because of the steep drop, one can hear the rumble of the rushing water even 1 km away – very much awe-inspiring. The continuous splashes at the base of the waterfall forms a white mist that is perpetually part of the scenery – adding a kind of misty, fairytale-like mood overall.

Transportation: Take buses from Beida Passenger Transport Center (北大客运站) in Nanning to Daxin County (大新县) in Guangxi (duration of trip is 3 hours). 

Room and Board: There a lot of ideal places to lodge for the night in the Detian Scenic Area, including Detian Manor (德天山庄), Detian Hotel (德天宾馆), Toulong Manor (头龙山庄), Aijiang Manor (爱江山庄), etc; rates are around 40 – 200 RMB/night.

 Yellow River Hukou Waterfall黄河壶口瀑布

What's so spectacular about Kukou Waterfall is the fact that it is ever changing – the scenery around the place changes according to the seasonal change in weather and the difference in water volumes. In the spring, when the peach blossoms are in bloom and the ice has started to melt, the water volume is just right, then the main and sub waterfalls unite as one – making beautiful and strong splashes as they descend. In the summer, with the decreased water volume and the lower water level at the basin below, there is even more of a steeper descend – causing the main waterfall to roar and splash, creating long lasting mists at its base. In the autumn, after the monsoon season, many of the springs and creeks start to overflow and gather. This spectacular scene with the waterfall is dubbed “Autumn at Hukou” by visitors. In the winter, large chunks of ice form at the upstream of the waterfall, crisscrossing and poking out every which way – forming what the locals have called “Hukou Crisscross Bridges of Ice”.

Transportation: Take coach bus from Xi'an Chengdong (西安城东客运站) (East Side of City) Passenger Transport Center to Yichuan County (宜川); duration of trip is 8 -9 hours and prices are 67 RMB/person.

Room and Board: Nice hotels in the scenic area include Hukou Waterfall Hotel, Hukou Hotel, Yellow River Hukou Chengshengyuan Grand Hotel.

Jiulong Waterfalls九龙瀑布

Jiulong is one of the largest groups of waterfalls in China and the most grand; it is located at the riverbed of Jiulong River, some 22 km east of Luoping County in Yunnan. Because of the unique land formation at the location and the erosion of water streams over the years, ten waterfalls of various levels, width, shapes and sizes have been formed. The largest of these drops 56 meters down and is 110 meters in width, otherwise nicknamed the “No. 1 Jiulong Waterfall or Shenlong Waterfall”.

During the season when the water volume is abundant, you can hear the rumbling of running water even from several meters away. And walking up the stone stairs alongside the running of the waterfall, you are able to find places where it is shallow and calm enough for picture taking. Visitors are often seen donning ethnic costumes which could be rented for the purpose of taking pictures. Visitors can also take the cable lifts to the top of the mountain, where there's a viewing platform that looks out at all ten waterfalls as they cascade downward.

Transportation: Take the train from Kunming city to Luoping county (罗平) (trains K182, K394); duration of trip is 3 -4 hours; prices are 38 -92 RMB.

Room and Board: There are several star-rated hotels in Luoping County, including Xinyuan, Duoyihe, Jiulong, Lanquan, Hualu, etc; rates for the rooms are at 140 - 400 RMB. Try avoid going during the Rapeseed Flowers Festival and on weekends as there can be quite a large crowd at the attraction.

Nuorilang Waterfall诺日朗瀑布

Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou drops from a height of 20 meters and is 300 meters in width – one of the widest waterfalls in the area. The water courses from nearby Nuorilang falls ever so majestically downward – with the water rumblings echoed throughout the gorge. In the south side of the waterfall, the water rushes speedily downward, bringing up a rush of cold air as they do and raising mists of water splashes at its base. In the morning sun, you can sometimes see a clear rain arched across the valleys, adding to the beauty and the attractiveness of this magnificent waterfall.  There is a viewing platform located across from the waterfall, and you're able to have the entire panoramic view of the scene below from that vantage point.

Transportation: Take bus from the Xinnanmen Station (New South Gate 新南门车站) or Chadiazi Station (茶店子车站) in Chengdu (every morning at 8:00) to Jiuzhaigou; duration of trip is 7 -8 hours; prices are 95 RMB/person.  

Room and Board: Some comfortable lodgings in the scenic area include Linka Hotel, Junyue Hotel, Qianhe Hotel; rates are at 200 – 300 RMB/night.

Huangguoshu Waterfall黄果树瀑布

Huangguoshu Waterfall is also made up of a group of waterfalls. From where Huangguoshu main waterfall is located, 20 km upstream and downstream on the riverbed there are a total of 18 different sizes, shapes, and features of waterfalls – so wondrous, in fact, that they are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Huangguoshu originates from Baishui River and drops some 70 meters from steep cliffs downward to the Xi'niu (rhinoceros) basin below – causing loud rumbles that can be heard 5 kilometres away. The water course also changes in accordance with season and volume; so in the winter and spring, when the water volume is low, the waterfall at the site is spread out over the cliff. In the autumn and summer, when the water volume is high, the waterfall will have dropped with such a force that the mists and droplets at the basin would have splashed 100 meters high.

Transportation: Take bus from Passenger Transport Station at Guiyang Stadium (贵阳体育馆客车站) to Huangguoshu (黄果树); prices are 50 RMB; duration of trip is 2 – 3 hours. 

Room and Board: There are nice lodgings in the scenic area including Huangguoshu Hotel; one can also opt to lodge at Xixiushan Hotel and Shenqi Fuyun Grand Hotel in nearby Anshun city.
 

Related links
Stunning Icy Waterfalls at the Laoshan Beijiushui Scenic Area
Crashing Cascades at Huangguoshu Waterfalls
The 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China

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