Tianhe Lake (Tianhetan)

Tianhe Lake, also called Tianhetan, is a karst gorge park on Gui'an Avenue in Shiban Town, Huaxi District, about 25 km from central Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province in southwest China. The park centers on a waterfall, a series of caves reached by boat and a gorge of limestone cliffs, forests and clear pools typical of Guizhou's karst scenery. Visitors can buy separate tickets for the waterfall area and the caves, or a combined ticket for both: the waterfall costs about CNY 10, the caves about CNY 43 and the two together about CNY 52, with discounts for children. Inside the caves, small boats carry visitors along underground waterways past stalactites and limestone formations lit with colored lights, and the cool air is a relief on hot days. Above ground, paths follow the stream and gorge to viewpoints and the waterfall, whose volume is greatest in the rainy season from late spring to summer. Some sections offer adventure activities, including a zip line that crosses the gorge, which are charged separately and attract younger visitors. A typical visit lasts about three hours, and the park is open daily from about 08:30 to 18:00. Weekdays are quiet and weekends in warm months are crowded, with queues for boats and the zip line. Spring to autumn is the best season, when the vegetation is green and the water is flowing, while winter is colder, drier and less scenic. Photography is best on the paths near the waterfall in the morning, and inside the caves low light requires a steady hand or a phone night mode. The park is reached by bus 211 or 701, or by taxi for about CNY 80 from the city. It is close to Zhenshan Village, so the two can be visited in the same day. Visitors should wear shoes with good grip, bring a light jacket for the caves, and expect some wet surfaces near the falls.