Huangguoshu Waterfall

Lore & Background

Huangguoshu Waterfall, whose name means 'Yellow-Fruit Tree Waterfalls,' is situated on the Baishui River in Guizhou province. It stands 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, with the main waterfall measuring 67 meters high and 83.3 meters wide, making it the largest waterfall in China. The waterfall is the centerpiece of the Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park, located 45 kilometers southwest of Anshun City. Together with minor waterfalls, it forms a natural tourist draw classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.

Visitors can view the waterfall from several vantage points: the Waterfall-Viewing Pavilion for a distant view, the Water-Viewing Stage for a bird's-eye view, and the Waterfall-Viewing Stage where visitors raise their heads to see the scene. A special line of buses services the waterfall, connecting it to the Dragon's Palace near Anshun and Anshun railway stations.

In the book Xu Xiake's Travels, the Ming dynasty traveler Xu Xiake described the waterfalls as 'the foams rise from the rocks like a mist.'

Reader's Guide

Huangguoshu Waterfall is significant as the largest waterfall in China and one of the largest in East Asia, drawing tourists to its national park in Guizhou province. Its classification as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration underscores its importance as a natural attraction. The waterfall's multiple viewing points—from a distant pavilion to a bird's-eye stage and a head-raising platform—offer varied perspectives of its 77.8-meter height and 101-meter width. The main waterfall, at 67 meters high and 83.3 meters wide, is recognized as the biggest in Asia. The site's legacy is further enriched by its mention in Xu Xiake's Travels, where the 16th–17th century explorer described its mist-like foam. Accessible via a dedicated bus line connecting to Guiyang and Anshun, the waterfall remains a key destination for both domestic and international visitors, contributing to the region's tourism and cultural heritage.

Did You Know?

• Huangguoshu Waterfall is 77.8 m (255 ft) high and 101 m (331 ft) wide.
• The main waterfall is 67 m (220 ft) high and 83.3 m (273 ft) wide, the largest in China.
• It is located on the Baishui River in Anshun, Guizhou province.
• Xu Xiake described the waterfalls as 'the foams rise from the rocks like a mist' in his travel book.