Yandang Mountain Waterfalls

Yandang Mountain Waterfalls

China has four major waterfalls: the Great Dragon Pool Waterfall of Yandang, Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou, Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, and Diaoshuilou Waterfall in Heilongjiang. Among them, the Great Dragon Pool is renowned for its over 197-meter drop.

The entire Yandang Mountain area has over twenty named waterfalls, the most famous being the 190-meter-high Great Dragon Pool, said to be one of the waterfalls with the greatest drop in China. It takes over 20 kilometers to reach the Great Dragon Pool from the smaller Xiaolong Pool, and though the journey is long, it is accompanied by beautiful scenery along the way, so it’s not a lonely trip. The highlight of the Great Dragon Pool is that a powerful rush of water, suspended in mid-air and unrestrained as it falls, splits into two distinct sections due to the extreme drop and the influence of mountain winds — the upper section resembles dancing white silk, while the lower part appears misty and smoky. Viewing the Great Dragon Pool easily evokes thoughts of life’s journey — passionate and impulsive in youth, gentle and forgiving in later years.

However, the most majestic is not necessarily the most beautiful. The most beautiful waterfall in Yandang Mountain is not the Great Dragon Pool, but the Middle Fold Waterfall. At dusk, walk along the winding mountain path from Chaoyang Mountain Villa, and you’ll come across a sign for the Three-Fold Waterfall — only then will you realize there’s hidden beauty just ahead. The so-called Three-Fold Waterfall refers to a stream that cascades down three cliff faces. The Lower Fold Waterfall you see first may seem rather ordinary, but after walking along a rugged mountain trail, you’ll encounter a semicircular cave about twenty meters high from which hangs a vibrant, living curtain of water — how could anyone not be moved upon seeing it? Even more wonderful is the opportunity to walk behind the waterfall and enjoy a feeling akin to “issuing edicts from behind a screen,” looking up to watch glistening droplets chase each other and fall through the air — its graceful charm is truly unforgettable.

Transportation: Yandang Mountain is located in Yueqing, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is 270 kilometers from Hangzhou and 70 kilometers from Wenzhou. You can fly directly to Wenzhou and then take a bus to Yandang Mountain, with a travel time of less than two hours. The New South Bus Station opposite Wenzhou Railway Station offers air-conditioned tourist buses to Yandang Mountain at a fare of 27 yuan.

Nearby Attractions: The Nanxi River Scenic Area is just over an hour’s drive from Yandang Mountain.

Special Reminder: Many attractions in Yandang Mountain require admission tickets, and the combined cost of tickets for several main sites is around seventy or eighty yuan.