Chishui Grand Waterfall

Chinese name: 赤水大瀑布（Chi Shui Da Pu Bu）
Location: Lianghekou Township, Chishui City, Guizhou Province
Ticket: Entrance ticket CNY90.00, sightseeing bus CNY20.00
Estimated time of tour: 3-4hours
Recommended time of visit: Mar to Nov
Nearby attractions: Red Stone&Wild Valley, Sidonggou scenic spot, Foguangyan Scenic Area, etc.

Chishui Grand Waterfall is in the south of Chishui City, Guizhou Province. It sit at the upper stream of Fengxi River which is itself the branch of much bigger Chishui River. This site is about 30km from downtown Chishui. It is the key part of Chishui Danxia Landscape scenic area and a potential UNESCO Natural Heritage Site.

Also known as Shizhangdong waterfall by locals, this grand waterfall is hidden from general public and came into view of outsiders for the first time in the early days of Ming Dynasty. In the year 1406, a Ming Dynasty eunuch named Xie Anfeng was in charge of collecting fine woods, under the order of Emperor Yongle, for the construction of grand royal palace in Beijing. He was considered the first man who depicted and recorded this virgin land. Some said he spend over 20 years in the forest collecting woods. Few centuries later, a Qing Dynasty official named Chen Xijin came to this region and learn the story of Xie. He wrote a poem depicting the waterfall and the life story of Xie. That was the first written record of this waterfall. The famous Ming Dynasty traveller and geologist Xu Xiake made his visit to Guizhou Province and discovered the well known Huangguoshu waterfall, but he missed the Chishui waterfall due to the rough terrain. It was introduced to mass public for the first time in 1986 when China Central Television broadcast a video of this waterfall.

Chishui Grand Waterfall is part of Chishui Danxia Landscape(red sandstone landscape) Scenic Area, together with Zhongdong waterfall, ancient trail, and other caves and mountain views.Chishui water sits on a 76 meter cliff and is 80 meters in width. It is the largest waterfall developed on Danxia landscape and it is the largest waterfall on Yangtze River water system. Its roar can be heard a mile away before visitors come close and stand in awe of its behemoth size.