There is little that compares to the intense sense of wonder we experience when confronted with the breathtaking natural beauty of waterfalls. For those who relish the chance to see most of the jaw-dropping waterfalls on the planet, we’ve shortlisted 10 of our favourite and most beautiful waterfalls in China, from Guizhou’s Huangguoshu Waterfall to Jiuzhaigou’s Nuorilang Waterfall.
It is a top 10 list, but there are more hidden waterfalls as beautiful as them yet to be found in China.
A Quick Overview of China’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls
| Waterfall Name (Province) | Approximate Core Features & Highlights | Best Viewing Season | Suggested Visit Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuorilang Waterfall (Sichuan) | Iconic landscape of Jiuzhaigou, one of the widest travertine waterfalls in China, stunning against autumn foliage. | Autumn (Late Sep - Oct) | 1-2 hours |
| Detian Waterfall (Guangxi) | Largest in Asia & 4th largest transnational waterfall worldwide, connected with Vietnam's Ban Gioc Falls, majestic. | Rainy Season (May - Oct) | 2-3 hours |
| Hukou Waterfall (Shaanxi/Shanxi) | China's 2nd largest waterfall, the world's largest yellow-waterfall, showcasing the Yellow River's power. | Spring flood & Autumn (Apr-May, Sep-Nov) | 1-2 hours |
| Zangbo Badong Waterfall Group (Tibet) | Hidden wonder in Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, pristine wilderness with two dramatic drops. | Summer (Jun - Sep) | Requires multi-day trek |
| Huangguoshu Waterfall (Guizhou) | Largest waterfall in Asia, powerful water flow, viewable from multiple angles (front, side, behind through cave). | Rainy Season (Jun - Aug) | Half to full day |
| Lushan Waterfall Group (Jiangxi) | Famous from poetry ("Flying down three thousand feet"), includes Sandie Spring, Kaixian Waterfall, rich cultural heritage. | Summer (Jun - Aug) | 1 day |
| Jiulong (Nine-Dragon) Waterfall Group (Yunnan) | Known as "the finest in South China", a series of interconnected falls, spectacular with spring rapeseed flowers. | Spring (Feb - Mar) | 2-3 hours |
| Yinlian Zhuitan Waterfall (Guizhou) | Part of Huangguoshu area, uniquely shaped like silver chains cascading into a pool, elegantly beautiful. | Year-round (Best in rainy season) | 1-2 hours |
| Jingpo Lake Waterfall (Heilongjiang) | China's largest volcanic barrier lake waterfall, powerful in summer, frozen ice-cliff in winter. | "Summer: Water (Jun-Sep)Winter: Ice (Dec-Feb)" | 1-2 hours |
| Changbai Waterfall (Jilin) | Source of the Songhua River, China's highest volcanic crater lake waterfall, plunging from Tianchi (Heaven Lake). | Summer (Jun - Sep) | 1-2 hours |
Nuorilang Waterfall in Sichuan
- Size: over 270m wide and 30m deep
The widest in China, at 2365m above sea level, Nuorilang Waterfall is favorably located in Jiuzhaigou, embraced by numerous crystal lakes and pristine forests, creating a pure, serene world.
Its name originates from the Xizang language meaning "stately and tall", symbolizing the magnificent landscape of the waterfall. The water flows from the Nori Yang Group Lake and forms a scene of the Milky Way cascading down. Rainbow formations often occur. In autumn, it is the best time to visit. The 300-meter waterfall flows in a magnificent manner against the backdrop of autumn colors and clouds. In winter, an ice waterfall spectacle is presented.
- How to get there: There are long-distance buses directly to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong from the Xinchengmen Station, Chadianzi Station, and Ximen Station in Chengdu. Then take an eco-friendly sightseeing bus or walk to Nori Yang Waterfall.
- Unique Experience: Immerse yourself in the fairyland where "one must not miss the water" in Jiuzhaigou, and admire the perfect combination of waterfalls, colorful forests and lakes.
- Recommended: 3 Days Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Highlights Tour | 6 Days Private Beijing Jiuzhaigou Tour
Detian Waterfall in Guangxi
Size: 100m wide and 60m deep (on the China side)
The 4th largest transnational waterfall in the world and the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia, Detian Waterfall is located in De Tian Village, Shelong Town, Daxin County, Guangxi Province, on the border between China and Vietnam. The annual flow rate is 50 cubic meters per second. The local geology is composed of thick-bedded dolomite.
Detian has its wet season and most magnificent time between June and September, when the thundering effect of the water hitting the cliffs can be heard from afar.
- How to get there: Take a bus from Nanning or Chongzuo to Daxin County, and then transfer to continue your journey.
- Unique experiences: Take a bamboo raft to experience the powerful water vapor of the waterfall up close, and enjoy the border culture integration of "crossing two countries in one step".
- Recommended: 5 Days Guangxi Tour to Detian Waterfall & Bama Village
Hukou Waterfall in Shanxi
- Size: 30m wide and 50m deep
A fine spectacle of the Yellow River, there is a mounting momentum in the ups and downs of this yellow waterfall.
The Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River is a natural waterfall formed when the middle reaches of the Yellow River flows through the Jin-Shan Great Canyon. The sound of the water is deafening as it passes through. The largest waterfall surface is 30,000 square meters, making it the second largest waterfall in China after the Huangguoshu Waterfall.
- How to get there: You can take a bus from Linfen, Shanxi Province or Yan'an, Shaanxi Province to get there.
- Unique experiences: Feel the grandeur of "The waters of the Yellow River come from the heavens above" in ancient poetry; Experience the depth of the Chinese Yellow River civilization.
- Further reading: China's Top 3 Waterfalls
Tsangpo Waterfalls in Tibet
Four major waterfall clusters have been identified on the main stream of the Yarlung Zangbo River, all located in the core uninhabited area of the Grand Canyon from Xi Xingla to the confluence point of Pailong Zangbo River.
Some people believe that the Zangbo Badong Waterfall Cluster is the top among the most beautiful waterfalls in China. 2140 above sea level, part of Zangbo Badong Waterfalls, Tsangpo Fall I and Tsangpo Fall II is 600m apart and of 33 m width and 35 m width separately.
The White Wave Waterfall on the main stream of the Yarlung Zangbo River has the largest single drop of 40 meters.
In addition, there are the Qiugudulong Waterfall Group, which is adjacent to the Tsangpo Badong Waterfall, the Rongzha Waterfall Group downstream, and the Nerka Waterfall in Gyaca County, Tibet, with a drop of about 30 meters, which is famous for its water mist, rainbows, and the legend of "black stone fried eggs".
- How to get there: After arriving in Lhasa, you will need to join a professional hiking expedition team to explore the grand canyon.
- Unique Experiences: This is the ultimate goal of seasoned explorers - to experience the most pristine beauty of nature.
Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou
- Size: 77.8m high and 101m wide
One of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, one of Guizhou’s must-visit attractions, and Asia's & China's biggest waterfall, Huangguoshu Waterfall can be viewed from different angles, even from the water-curtain caves.
In addition, the Huangguoshu Scenic Area is home to 18 different-sized waterfalls with various styles, including grand, strange, dangerous and beautiful ones. They form a vast "family" of waterfalls and have been rated by the headquarters of the Guinness World Records as the largest waterfall group in the world.
It is a good idea to hiking around the Huangguoshu Waterfall and explore the primitive Miao Villages.
- How to get there: Take the high-speed train from Guiyang to Anshun, and then transfer to the tourist shuttle bus.
- Unique Experiences: Pass through the "Water Curtain Cave" and experience the powerful roar of the water flow from behind the waterfall.
- Recommended: 5 Days Huangguoshu Waterfall & Fanjingshan Tour
Lushan Waterfalls in Jiangxi
On the hauntingly beautiful Lushan Mountain, there are dozens of waterfalls, among which, Sandie Spring Waterfall is the most appealing one.
The Sandie Waterfall has a drop of 155 meters and flows out from Damaoshan. After flowing slowly for a while, it passes behind Wulao Peak, goes through the mountain and river stone steps, and splits into three layers of cascades, thus earning its name as the Sandie Waterfall, literally Three-Tiered Waterfall.
Other beautiful waterfalls in Lushan Mountain include Kaixian Waterfall, Shimenjian Waterfall, Huanglongtan and Wulongtan Waterfalls, Wangjiaopo Double Waterfalls and Yuelian Spring Waterfall, etc.
- How to get there: Take the train to Jiujiang Station. There are several buses heading to Lushan Mountain, and it takes about an hour and a half.
- Unique experiences: Search for the poetic atmosphere described in the Tang Dynasty poem "The waterfall plunges three thousand feet straight down, seemingly falling from the Milky Way to the ninth heaven" in the midst of the mist and clouds.
Luoping Nice Dragon Waterfalls in Yunnan
The ten falls are located 22km northeast of Luoping Country, roaring like thunder in wet season and looking like silver chains in dry season. And it is divided into three tiers: the first tier is "Dragon's River Waterfall", the second tier is "Lover's Waterfall", and the third tier is "White Fluff Waterfall".
The brink of the biggest one, called the Grand Cascade or "Dragon's River Waterfall" spans a distance of 120m, and drops 70m.
The Lover's Waterfall is over 50 meters high and 70 meters wide. The water curtain cascades down together, as if two lovers looking at each other. Every February 2nd, young men come to the foot of the waterfall and express their longing for the girls through singing. Gradually, February 2nd has become the Love Song Festival of the Bouyei ethnic group.
The "White Fluff Waterfall" is located upstream of the Jiulong Waterfall Group and is also the third largest waterfall， being 20 meters high and 120 meters wide.
- How to get there: Take the tourist special bus at Luoping Railway Station to directly reach the Jiulong Waterfall Scenic Area; or you can take the Luoping to Banqiao route bus, and then transfer to the scenic area from Banqiao.
- Unique experiences: Enjoy the magnificent scene of the golden sea of rape flowers and the silver waterfall clusters in spring; Take a bamboo raft ride, get close to or face the waterfall directly, and experience the grandeur of the waterfall in the mist.
Silver Chain Waterfall in Guizhou
Just 7km away from Huangguoshu Waterfall, Silver Chain is located in the Tianxingqiao Scenic Area, but smaller and more elegant. With a total height of over 40 meters, it is formed by the convergence of multiple small waterfalls. At the bottom, there is a trough-shaped sinkhole. The waterfall flows evenly over the surface of the huge rocks, creating a silver, granular water chain due to the roughness of the rock surface, thus famed as the most beautiful falls in China.
- How to get there: As part of the tour of Guizhou Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area.
- Unique experiences: Observe the beautiful waterfall cascading down like a pearl silver chain up close.
- Recommended: 7 Days Guizhou Highlights Tour
Jingbo waterfall in Heilongjiang
Size: 70m wide and 20m deep
It is located at the northern end of Jingpo Lake, hence the name Jingpo Lake Waterfall. Also called Diaoshuilou Waterfall, the fall has its most beautiful time when frozen or hidden in the mist and rainbow.
When the rainfall is heavy, the width of the waterfall reaches over 300 meters. The water pool below it is 60 meters deep and is called the Black Dragon Pool. During the rainy season or flood season, the sound of the water is like thunder, the turbulent current roars and rushes down, and the water vapor creates colorful rainbows.
Its shape is similar to the Niagara Falls in Canada and it is the largest basalt waterfall in the world.
- How to get there: Take a bus from Mudanjiang City to the Jingpo Lake Scenic Area.
- Unique experiences: Watch the diving performance of Di Huanran, the first person to perform cliff diving in China (in summer); Or enjoy the magnificent ice caves and waterfalls in winter.
Changbaishan Waterfall in Jilin
After the water of Tianchi (Tianchi Lake) overflowed from the Baitian Stone, it flowed through the Chongcha River which was 1,250 meters long. With a flow rate of 1.25 to 5 cubic meters per second, it suddenly dropped from between the Longmen (‘a natural gate’) and Tianhao peaks, forming the uniquely shaped Changbaishan Waterfall with a drop of up to 68 meters.
Due to the rapid and large volume of water flowing down the waterfall, a deep and emerald-green pool was formed at the bottom of the cliff where the waterfall fell. The depth of the pool is immeasurable. In 2000, the Changbai Waterfall was listed as "the world's largest volcanic lake waterfall with the greatest drop" by the Guinness World Records.
- How to get there: Upon arriving at the northern or western slopes of Changbai Mountain scenic area, transfer to the shuttle bus.
- Unique experiences: Explore the source of the "sacred mountain and holy water", and experience the magnificent scene created by the waterfall, the Heavenly Lake, the hot spring and the canyon.
Tips for A China Tour with Waterfall Experience
- When to visit: Without doubt, the beauty of waterfalls is greatly influenced by water volume. The rainy season (usually in China's summer) is the most spectacular period for most waterfalls.
- Safety first: When visiting the waterfalls, be sure to wear walking shoes and abide by the regulations of the scenic area.
- Plan with an local expert: Some waterfalls are located in remote areas (such as Zangbu Ba Dong), so it is necessary to know the route, weather conditions in advance, and make adequate preparations. It is recommended that you contact the experts of Easy Tour China to arrange local guides.
- More inspirations: Why not combine waterfalls with surrounding attractions (such as Jiuzhaigou, Huangguoshu, Lushan, Changbai Mountain) into a classic tourist route?
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