Things to do in Guangnan

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Wenshan Prefecture

Bamei Xanadu Scenic Area

Bamei is an idyllic village known for its unique karst landscape and lush green mountains. To access the village, visitors must first travel by horse carriage and then by boat through a network of dark caves. Visitors can explore the picturesque surroundings and experience the traditional lifestyle of the village's residents.

Sanla Waterfall

Sanla Waterfall is located nearSanla Village, 20 km east of Babao Town, Guangnan County, Wenshan Prefecture. In the Zhuang language, "Sanla" means "the place where three rivers meet," and it was historically known as Xiangquan Waterfall. The Babao River flows through the rugged mountains and rushes here, cascading down from the top of a precipitous cliff over 10 m wide, with a total drop of 120 m across three tiers. The waterfall's current is turbulent, and its roar is deafening. Following the terrain, the waterfall descends in three tiers, with three sheer cliffs, cascading water, and a pool at each level. The first and second tiers are narrower with turbulent water, while the third tier is wider with a drop of over 40 m. In summer, the waterfall surges with a massive torrent, while in winter, it resembles a white silk ribbon hanging in the air.

Liulang Ancient City Herbal Garden

Liulang Ancient City Herbal Garden is an immersive experience that blends natural ecology with ethnic herbal culture. Instead of grand scenic displays, it weaves a secret landscape of "herbal valleys hidden in stone mountains" through well-preserved primitive vegetation and inherited botanical wisdom. Follow the cobblestone path deep into the fortress to touch the moss-covered stone walls of the ancient garrison, feeling the lingering warmth of border settlement history from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Along the streamside trail, over a hundred types of medicinal herbs native to southeastern Yunnan, such as pseudoginseng and Paris polyphylla, grow on both sides. Scan the QR codes on the identification signs to listen to folk stories behind these plants. If you join a guide, you can also participate in light activities like picking fresh herbs with Zhuang ethnic mothers or crafting herbal sachets, immersing your fingertips in the refreshing fragrance of plants. During the rainy season, crystal orchids dangle from vine-entwined limestone crevices like woodland sprites. On clear days in the dry season, climb to the viewing platform to witness morning mist rising from the valley floor, drifting over terraced herb gardens. Deep in this hidden paradise lies a waterfall spanned by a bamboo bridge. Behind the cascading water, a cave once used by ancient people as a natural storage space for materials now serves as a refreshing retreat from summer heat, blending adventure with natural charm. Liulang Ancient City Herbal Garden doesn't chase the hustle of tourist crowds, but rather invites visitors to slow down and savor nature's rhythm through its herbal wonders. Whether quietly listening to ancient Zhuang folk songs echoing through the valleys or brewing tea with bamboo-cupped mountain spring water, this place always brings a peaceful reconciliation between body, mind, and nature.

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Guangnan Babao Scenic Area

Guangnan Babao Scenic Area is located in Guangnan County, southeast Yunnan, 160 kilometers away from Wenshan. It is mainly composed of peak clusters, peak forests and karst waterfalls. It consists of four areas: Babao, Heye, Tangna Karst Cave and Sanla Waterfall, with a total area of 68 square kilometers. The melting peak is generally 50-100 meters high, in the shape of a sharp cone. There are also a few isolated peaks in the center of the basin, with a height of less than 50 meters. There are 25 large and small rivers in Babao. The Babao River emerges from Hemei Lake and flows slowly from south to north. The river water is clear and transparent. In particular, take a boat from the river to the Bajia section, which is 6.5 kilometers long. Mumei is an ancient Yi village. The Yi people here are good at singing and dancing. Every festival, they dance strings and sing folk songs.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Spot

Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Spot is located on the Guichun River along the China-Vietnam border in Guangxi. Here the border river meets a cliff, and the water drops in three tiers with a fall of about 60 m, facing Vietnam's Ban Gioc Waterfall across the cliff. In the rainy season, when the water is abundant, the two waterfalls almost merge into one, with a combined width of more than 200 m, and the roar can be heard across the valley. This is also one of the filming locations for the TV drama The Journey of Flower. The highlights of the visit mostly unfold around this border river: after passing through the Detian Archway, you can take a bamboo raft from the bank toward the foot of the waterfall, look up as the curtain of water crashes down from the cliff top and mist hits your face, and experience up close the unique atmosphere of two countries just a step apart on the border river; on the river, you can often encounter Vietnamese border residents rowing small bamboo rafts to sell coffee, dried fruit, and other small goods, and the bargaining has much of the fun of a cross-border market. After coming ashore, follow the waterfall-viewing boardwalk and the multi-level viewing platforms to look back at the full panorama of the waterfall from different heights. The No. 53 boundary marker, erected in the Qing Dynasty and inscribed with "China Guangxi Boundary," is a popular photo spot. The waterfall view changes noticeably with water volume: during the summer wet season, the water is surging and visually stunning, while in the dry season it is relatively delicate; bamboo raft docks have long queues during peak season, so if you want to view the waterfall up close, it is recommended to plan an early start; there is heavy mist on the bamboo raft, so remember to protect your phone and camera from water.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Huangguoshu Scenic Area

The Huangguoshu Scenic Area is located in Anshun, Guizhou, centered around the Huangguoshu Waterfall. Surrounded by deep gorges, dense vegetation, and dotted with limestone caves and stone forests, it is a typical karst landscape area. The waterfall's name originates from the locally abundant "Huangguoshu" (Ficus virens). Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake visited and documented this site, contributing to its fame. The scenic area primarily consists of three main sections: the Great Waterfall, Tianxing Bridge, and Doupotang. Most travelers follow the sequence of Doupotang, Tianxing Bridge, and finally the Great Waterfall, saving the most spectacular view for last. The grand waterfall has a drop of nearly 80 m and a width of over 100 m. The Baishui River plunges from the cliff top into Rhinoceros Pool, creating a vast mist. Multiple viewing platforms around it allow visitors to experience its grandeur, wonder, steepness, and beauty from different angles—above, below, front, back, left, and right. A particularly unique experience lies behind the waterfall: a 100 m long Water Curtain Cave runs horizontally through its midsection, featuring cave windows and halls. Reaching through a window, one can touch the cascading water. The cave served as the filming location for the Water Curtain Cave in the 1986 TV series Journey to the West. Due to the heavy humidity inside, bringing a raincoat in advance is recommended. Tianxing Bridge is renowned for its harmonious blend of rocks, water, trees, and caves—where rocks rise from the water, caves hide within rocks, and trees stand beside caves. The stepping stones along the path are engraved with dates, allowing travelers to find their own "birthday stone." The attraction is divided into upper and lower sections. Many travelers turn back after completing the upper section, missing the Silver Chain Waterfall in the lower part—where water cascades like silver chains into a funnel-shaped pool, the highlight of Tianxing Bridge. The Doupotang waterfall is located approx. 1 km upstream from the grand waterfall. With a width of over 100 m at its crest, the water spreads out smoothly like a beaded curtain. During the high-water season, its deep roar earns it the nickname "roaring waterfall." The scene of the four pilgrims leading their horse across the river in the 1986 TV series Journey to the West was filmed here. In summer and fall, the waterfalls are full and powerful, while in winter and spring, the flow becomes gentler, offering different viewing experiences. Nearby, visitors can also enjoy local snacks like sticky rice, love tofu, and Anshun spring rolls.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Dianchi Lake

Dianchi Lake, also known as Kunming Lake, is the sixth-largest freshwater lake in China. Its expansive and magnificent surface has earned it the reputation of "five hundred li of Dianchi Lake" since ancient times. As one of the larger plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, Dianchi Lake is surrounded by numerous waterfront parks and wetlands, making it an unmissable stop when visiting Kunming. Every winter, large flocks of black-headed gulls fly all the way from Siberia to Dianchi Lake to spend the winter. This spectacle has occurred faithfully every year since 1985, and feeding the black-headed gulls along the lakeshore has become a highly popular winter experience in Kunming. Strolling along the sightseeing road on the east bank of Dianchi Lake is a great way to experience the lake up close. On one side is the vast, misty expanse of water, with the Western Hills stretching across the distance; in winter, the sightseeing road is especially lively, as residents and visitors alike stop by the lakeside to interact with the black-headed gulls. For a different perspective, you can take the cableway from the lakeside to Dragon Gate in the Western Hills and look down from above, taking in the entire Dianchi Lake at a glance. In the Caohai area at the northern end, you can also take a boat out on the lake and experience its vastness from the water. In recent years, through sustained governance, the water quality and lakeside ecology of Dianchi Lake have gradually improved, the wetland views along the lake are also continuously being restored, and the sightseeing environment has been significantly enhanced compared to the past.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Stone Forest Scenic Area

Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin County, Kunming, and is one of Kunming's key attractions. Stone Forest Scenic Area is a typical karst landscape, with stone peaks, stone buds, sinkholes, and underground rivers everywhere. The peak forest transforms into various forms—sword-shaped, tower-shaped, mushroom-shaped, and more—bizarre and magnificent. The entire scenic area consists of the Major and Minor Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadieshui, Changhu, and other sections. These sections are relatively scattered, and regular tours are mainly concentrated in the Major and Minor Stone Forest area. The Major and Minor Stone Forests are located in the same area. Walk along the path for 20 minutes, and on your left is the smaller Minor Stone Forest Scenic Area with relatively gentle stone peaks. Amid a dense cluster of peaks stands the famous Ashima Rock, where the towering peak forest transforms into a graceful Yi girl named Ashima, as if beckoning to you. This is a favorite spot for visitors to take photos. Besides the pretty Ashima, the Minor Stone Forest area also features views such as Shenjun and Cushi Qingtian, each with its own distinct shape. This is a test of your imagination. If your imagination is not vivid enough, it is recommended to hire a guide, under whose guidance you will gain a whole new understanding of the peak forest before your eyes. As you slowly drive along the highway, the roadside unfolds in turn with Tang Monk Rock, Stone Prison, Phoenix Preening Its Feathers, Lingzhi Rock, and more—each vividly lifelike and exquisitely true to form, displaying the wondrous craftsmanship of nature to you in all manner of poses. Walking along the passageway, you will unexpectedly arrive at the Major Stone Forest area. After passing such wonders as "Two Birds Feeding Each Other," "Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon," "Lotus Peak," "Stone Forest Wonderland," and "Stone Screen," you may be feeling a bit tired. Taking a short rest at Lion Pavilion and admiring the reflection of the peak forest in Lion Pond across the way is a serene pleasure in itself. After seeing so many peak forests, it is only natural to feel some aesthetic fatigue. It is time to enjoy the water scenery. Board a cruise on Stone Forest Lake and drift across the water, where mountain scenery and lake views come together in one place, and all your stress and worries simply melt away. Naigu Stone Forest, also known as New Stone Forest or Mozhai Stone Forest, is composed of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Baiyun Lake, Shifeng Mountain, and Yougu Xianpu Waterfall. Compared with the Major and Minor Stone Forests, this place presents another style. The peak forest here is overall grayish-black, with tall and densely packed stone pillars in castle, tower, and mushroom shapes. The simple and rugged grotesque rocks surge skyward like waves with magnificent momentum. Strolling through the black peak forest feels like entering a wild and primitive world.

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is located among the peaks in the southern part of Libo County and is named after a seven-arch stone bridge built during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty over the Xiangshui River. Set against a karst landscape, the scenic area brings together mountains, waters, forests, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, and is known as the "emerald on the Earth's belt." The Xiaoqikong ancient bridge is the attraction's signature view. The seven-arch stone arch bridge, built of bluestone, spans the Xiangshui River. Beneath the bridge, the water of Hanbi Pond is deep blue, and ancient trees tower on both banks, making it a classic photo spot. Following the Xiangshui River downstream, the 68-tier waterfall cascades in overlapping layers, with the river water dropping step by step over the karst rock surface with a roaring sound. Nearby, the Laya Waterfall pours down from the cliff beside the path, and visitors can feel the mist on their faces up close. The water forest is another unique view in the attraction, where trees take root among the streams in the water. Visitors walk along the stone stepping path through the forest, with babbling water beneath their feet and a canopy of green shade overhead. Mandarin Duck Lake is formed by two large lakes, the Male Mandarin Duck Lake and the Female Mandarin Duck Lake, connected with several small lakes. The lake surface is emerald green and serene, and boats can pass through the trees growing in the water. Wolong Pond is the surface outlet of an underground karst river. An arc-shaped stone embankment encloses the underground river water into a deep pond, and the water is as green as jade. Where the water overflows the stone embankment, a rolling-water waterfall forms, creating a striking contrast between the still pond and the moving waterfall. The area around the attraction is home to ethnic minorities such as the Bouyei and Yao, and villages like Yaoshan Ancient Village retain traditional dwellings and ethnic customs, adding cultural richness to the natural scenery. The attractions are distributed along the Xiangshui River; touring from Wolong Pond and Yuanyang Lake all the way down to the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, walking along the stream is relatively effortless.