Huangguoshu Falls — A Deep Dive
Huangguoshu in Guizhou province is the largest waterfall in Asia by volume — 77 metres tall, 101 metres wide on the Baishui river. On the map.
The system
The Huangguoshu Scenic Area contains 18 named waterfalls. The Big Waterfall (Da Pubu) is the headliner; the Doupotang (Steepslope) and Tianxing waterfalls are nearby.
Behind-the-falls cave
Water Curtain Cave (Shuilian Dong) — a 134-m natural tunnel runs through the rock behind the main fall. Six 'windows' look out through the falling water. Pavement maintained year-round.
Visiting setup
Paid entry to the scenic area; electric shuttle bus connects the three falls. Allow 4-6 hours for the full circuit. Travertine pools and karst-cave attractions add another half-day if interested.
Cultural references
Featured in Journey to the West (16th-century Chinese novel) as the home of the Monkey King — the Water Curtain Cave is in the story. Annual TV serial adaptations film here.
Best season
May-October: monsoon-fed full flow. November-April: lower flow but clearer photography. Yellow-orange rock visible only in dry season.
Getting there
Closest airport: Anshun Huangguoshu (AVA), 30 km. From Guiyang (Guizhou capital): 2-hour drive or fast train. Combine with the Getu River national park and the Dragon Palace cave.
Keep exploring
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.