Huangguoshu Waterfall, located in Zhenning, Anshun, Guizhou Province, China, is a magnificent natural wonder forged over millions of years as the Baishui River eroded karst rock cliffs. Standing 77.8 meters tall and stretching 101 meters wide, its torrents thunder down the precipice and crash into the Rhinoceros Pool, churning up snow-white waves. During the flood season, the roar of water reverberates through the valleys, with mist spreading hundreds of meters into the air. On sunny days, double rainbows often hover over the pool. Here, grandeur and grace blend seamlessly, making it the most iconic landscape of Anshun and even the entire southwest China.
The waterfall’s one-of-a-kind highlight is the natural Water Curtain Cave running through its body. Stretching 134 meters long, it is one of the few caves worldwide that visitors can walk through behind a waterfall. Six cave windows open onto the falls; standing inside and looking out, you see the entire cascade hanging before you like a translucent water curtain, with cool water droplets splashing onto your face. Wandering through the cave feels like stepping into the mythical Water Curtain Cave from Journey to the West. You can reach out and touch the rushing current, enjoying an exclusive all-round view of the waterfall from the inside out.
Huangguoshu boasts distinct scenery across four seasons. In spring, melting snow swells the streams, and delicate veils of water drape over green mountains in gentle elegance. In summer, heavy rainfall brings surging waters that plunge down like thousands of galloping horses, showcasing the waterfall at its most powerful. Clear crisp autumn days bring mild, gentle currents; green woods frame blue waters, and fewer tourists create a peaceful retreat. In winter, the current shrinks into thin silvery ribbons, with faint mist curling around the cliffs, exuding an ethereal, tranquil poetic charm.
Hundreds of years ago, Xu Xiake traveled to Anshun and lingered by the Baishui River. In his travelogue, he vividly depicted the breathtaking sight of the waterfall surging like flying snow, bringing this hidden landscape to widespread fame. After the 1986 TV adaptation of Journey to the West filmed scenes here, the mythical allure of the Water Curtain Cave has been etched in people’s hearts. Countless tourists visit every year, drawn by memories of the classic series. Blending profound literary heritage with iconic cinematic scenery, Huangguoshu is far more than a natural attraction — it is a cultural landmark holding precious collective memories for Chinese people.
While the waterfall appears mighty and spectacular by day, night tours of Huangguoshu offer a unique romantic charm. After dusk, layered lights illuminate the cliffs, bathing the flowing water in soft hues. Laser projections narrate landscape legends of the Buyi ethnic group and tales from Journey to the West. The deafening daytime roar softens into a gentle murmur; ripples shimmer across the pool, mountain ranges fade into the dark night, and the waterfall turns into a glowing silver ribbon. With two entirely different charms by day and night, Huangguoshu Waterfall in Anshun delivers double the breathtaking beauty.
