China's largest waterfall by width, the Dapubu falls drop about 74 m and span about 81 m, with the Water Curtain Cave behind the fall.
Huangguoshu Waterfall is the centrepiece of a large scenic area in Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun, in western Guizhou, China. The main Dapubu (Great Waterfall) drops roughly 74 metres and spans about 81 metres, making it one of the widest waterfalls in the country. The flow is strongest in the rainy season from roughly May to September, when the water turns the gorge into a wall of spray and mist that can be felt from the viewing platforms. A distinctive feature is the Water Curtain Cave (Shuilian Dong), a passage of around 130 metres carved behind the fall, where visitors walk behind the sheet of falling water and look out through six cave windows. The scenic area is much larger than the single fall. Paths and a shuttle service link the Dapubu with the Doupotang Waterfall, a broad cascade that visitors can cross on a stepped viewing walkway, and with the Tianxingqiao (Star Bridge) section, where a river runs through karst rock gardens, small pools and a stone-bonsai garden. Most visitors begin at the main entrance, ride the shuttle or walk down to the base of the Dapubu, then continue to the Water Curtain Cave and the lower viewing bridge before moving on to the other sections. A full visit typically takes four to six hours, and an early start helps because tour groups tend to arrive from mid-morning and the cave and bridge become crowded at weekends and during Chinese national holidays. Weekday mornings are the quietest period. Photographers usually favour the lower platform facing the fall for a full-width frame, and the cave windows for close-up shots of the water. Paths include many steps and can be slippery from spray, so shoes with grip and a light waterproof layer are useful. Food and drink are available near the gates and along the main routes, and Anshun city, about an hour and a half away by bus, is the usual base for accommodation.
| Admission | CNY 160 (approx USD 24) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, approx 7:30AM-6:00PM; last entry earlier in winter |
| Typical visit | 4-6 hours |
| Best time | April-October for full water volume; weekday mornings |
| Getting there | Bus from Anshun bus station to Huangguoshu, about 1.5 hours; shuttle inside the park |
| Address | Huangguoshu Scenic Area, Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun, Guizhou 561200 |
Location
Huangguoshu Scenic Area, Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun, Guizhou 561200
25.9880, 105.6670 View on map
Highlights
- Walk behind the 74 m Dapubu fall through the Water Curtain Cave and its six cave windows
- See the Doupotang Waterfall, crossed on a stepped walkway directly over the cascade
- Explore the Tianxingqiao section with its river-carved karst rock gardens and stone bonsai
- Feel the spray from the lower viewing platform when the rainy-season flow is at its height
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at opening time on a weekday to avoid the heaviest tour-group crowds and holiday queues.
- Wear shoes with good grip; steps and walkways near the falls are wet and slippery.
- Bring a light rain jacket, as spray soaks the viewing platforms and the cave passage.
- Allow four to six hours and use the internal shuttle to save time between sections.
- Check opening and last-entry times locally, as winter hours are shorter.
When to visit
April to October offers full water volume, with the peak in the summer rainy season. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while weekends and national holidays are crowded.
Accessibility
The main viewing areas are reached by paths and many steps, and the Water Curtain Cave has uneven, wet surfaces, so wheelchair access is limited. The internal shuttle helps visitors with reduced mobility reach the main sections.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Huangguoshu Waterfall take?
Most visitors spend four to six hours to see the main fall, the Water Curtain Cave and the Doupotang and Tianxingqiao sections. A shorter visit focused only on the Dapubu can be done in about two hours.
When is the waterfall at its fullest?
Water volume peaks in the rainy season, roughly May to September, and the fall is still attractive from April to October. In the dry winter months the flow is noticeably thinner.
Is Huangguoshu suitable for children?
Yes, families commonly visit, and the shuttle reduces walking. Younger children need supervision on the wet steps and walkways near the water.
How does a visitor reach the falls from Anshun?
Buses run from Anshun bus station to Huangguoshu in about an hour and a half, and a shuttle operates inside the scenic area. Taxis and tour transport are also available.