Jiulong Waterfall

Jiulong Waterfall

Jiulong Waterfall is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Jiulong Waterfall — the largest waterfall in Huangshan, and one of the major natural landscapes of China's Huangshan, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. Stretching 600 meters in length with a drop of 300 meters, the waterfall twists nine times, forming nine falls and nine pools, creating a magnificent spectacle. The area boasts rich biodiversity, often referred to as a natural botanical garden of Huangshan, and is also abundant in cultural heritage, featuring sites such as the Huangshan Grand View Archway, the Qianlong Imperial Path, and the Meilin Study.

The main entrance gate of the Jiulong Waterfall Scenic Area in Huanglongyuan is located at the mouth of Longyuan Valley. The plaque above the gate reads "Jiulong Waterfall," inscribed on the outside by the renowned lyricist Qiao Yu and on the inside by Zhang Mai-xian, former director of the Anhui Provincial Tourism Bureau.

The "Longyuan Gate" is situated just inside the scenic area’s valley entrance. From here, you can gaze up at the towering and majestic Tiandu Peak at the top of the valley. The stream within the valley is called Longxi, originating from Lian Dan, Lotus, Yuping, and Tiandu peaks.

Huangshan’s Jiulong Waterfall is unique for its wonders. First wonder: the 600-meter-long waterfall twists nine times, forming nine falls and nine pools, each equally spectacular. Second wonder: its geological structure is unusual, with mysterious glacial relics. Third wonder: the extraordinary peaks, rocks, pines, clouds, and waters of Huangshan all come together in the Jiulong Waterfall Scenic Area, each displaying its own charm, making it, overall, the most wondrous waterfall in the world. Each of the nine falls and nine pools has its own distinct features.

Feature Highlights

Nine Twists in One Waterfall

Jiulong Waterfall in Huangshan is located along the western ascent route of Yungu Valley. Its water originates from Tiandu, Yuping, and Lian Dan peaks, converging into Yungu Stream before cascading down the cliffs between Xianglu and Luohan peaks.

Spanning 300 meters in length, the waterfall is divided into nine segments, with each segment forming a fall and a pool, hence the name "Jiulong Pool." An ancient poem describes it as: “The flying springs rival those of Mount Lu; cliffs stretching to the sky hold nine dragons.” The “Baizhang Spring” is located along the descent route of the western Yungu Valley, visible from the road leading to the hot spring area. During the rainy season, massive amounts of water plunge over the steep cliff, descending nearly 100 meters like a long white silk ribbon, as if the Milky Way itself had descended to earth — a truly breathtaking sight. The Guanpu Pavilion offers the best vantage point to admire this waterfall.

“The flying springs rival those of Mount Lu; cliffs stretching to the sky hold nine dragons.” This is how ancient poets praised Jiulong Waterfall, the crown jewel of Huangshan’s waterfalls. On the thousand-foot cliffs between Xianglu Peak and Luohan Peak, the waterfall cascades down in nine tiers, each with its own pool — nine tiers, nine pools — creating a majestic and gracefully twisting scene. After heavy rain, the roaring waterfall echoes like thunder against the emerald cliffs and red rocks, resembling nine white dragons descending from the heavens one after another — a spectacular view. Within the Jiulong Waterfall Valley, there are two cultural sites: the Longchan Temple and the ruins of the Meilin Study. Legend says Longchan Temple was originally a stone house built by a man named Yunyang, sent by the Yellow Emperor to raise dragons here. Later, after Emperor Qianlong visited incognito and meditated here, a temple combining Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism was erected in his memory. In front of the temple, incense smoke curls upward, and red ribbons hang from the tree branches, creating a special atmosphere. The ruins of the Meilin Study are believed to have been where the Qing-era father-and-son prime ministers Cao Zhenyong and Cao Wenxi studied diligently. The study had earthen walls and a tree-bark roof but collapsed by the end of the Qing Dynasty. Today, only a pile of rubble remains.

Xuanyuan Dragon Pool

In the lower section of Huangshan’s Prime Minister Valley, within the grand canyon between Xianglu Peak and Luohan Peak, lies a 6-kilometer stretch known as Longyuan, said to be where the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan raised dragons. The valley features numerous natural dragon-themed landscapes, essentially a world of dragons. From bottom to top, these include Dragon Maiden Pool, Play Pearl Pool, Herd Dragon Pool, Longchan Temple, Twin Dragon Waterfall, Azure Dragon Stream, Nine-Bend Gorge, Jiulong Waterfall, Dragon Boat Rock, Chi Dragon Pool, Dragon Coil Island, Coiling Dragon Pool, Flood Dragon Pool, and Heavenly Drum Rock, among others. There are also vast primeval forests, bamboo seas, and countless rare birds and animals. Waterfalls have always inspired awe with their surging power and majestic beauty, but Huangshan’s Jiulong Waterfall captivates adventurers even more with its “cliffs stretching to the sky holding nine dragons.” Compared to other famous waterfalls worldwide, Jiulong Waterfall stands out for its uniqueness and is hailed as the most wondrous waterfall on earth.

Three Wonders of Jiulong

Jiulong Waterfall has “three wonders”: First wonder: the waterfall is 600 meters long with a vertical drop of 360 meters, twisting nine times, with each turn forming a fall and a pool. Suspended on the towering cliffs, it resembles nine white dragons piercing through clouds and mist, descending from the sky with overwhelming momentum. After heavy rain, flash floods surge with roaring waves and splashing droplets that can reach dozens of meters high, blending falls and pools into what looks like a giant dragon connecting heaven and earth, dancing among verdant peaks. When sunlight strikes, rainbows appear, creating a breathtakingly beautiful and rarely seen scene. In dry seasons, the waterfall still flows steadily, with clear, colorful pool waters that shift and shimmer like dragon scales, peonies, or golden snakes — vibrant and enchanting.

Second wonder: its geological structure is unique, with mysterious glacial relics. Jiulong Waterfall sits in a U-shaped valley, and its pools feature numerous large and small potholes, forming a spectacular pothole cluster.

Third wonder: the unique peaks, rocks, pines, clouds, and waters of Huangshan are all on display in the vicinity of Jiulong Waterfall, each contributing its own distinctive beauty. From the waterfall, you can see Tiandu, Xianglu, and Luohan peaks floating above the clouds. The surrounding virgin forest is dense, with peculiar pines lining the cliffs, blooming wildflowers, playful monkeys, and singing birds — all combining to form the waterfall’s overall splendor. Jiulong Waterfall is the most magnificent sight in Longyuan, which also features other remarkable dragon landscapes such as Dragon Maiden Pool, Azure Dragon Stream, Dragon Coil Island, Dragon Boat Rock, Clam Dragon Pool, and Coiling Dragon Pool. As a result, dragon culture thrives here, giving rise to many beautiful legends such as the Yellow Emperor raising dragons, the dragon maiden offering pearls, the dragon having nine sons, the finishing touch on the painted dragon, the dragon maiden repaying kindness, and the nine dragons controlling water. In ancient times, monks built Longchan Temple here. Ruins of the ancient temple remain, including a stone tablet inscribed “Site of the Ancient Pagoda of Longchan Temple” and a small hut. Plans are underway to rebuild the temple as an exhibition center for dragon culture. The spectacular and magnificent Jiulong Waterfall Scenic Area in Longyuan represents a wonderful fusion of China’s dragon culture and Huangshan’s natural landscape.

The most famous sight in Longyuan is Jiulong Waterfall. Located in Tangkou Town, beside National Highway 205, it is just 3 kilometers from the Huangshan main gate. The 600-meter-long waterfall twists nine times, with each turn forming a fall and a pool, integrating waterfall and pool into one stunning spectacle. Like nine dragons dancing in unison, it is one of the major attractions of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site — China’s Huangshan — and is also recognized as the world’s most wondrous waterfall.

Jiulong Waterfall is situated in the lower section of Prime Minister Valley, above Bitter Bamboo Stream. Its water comes from Tiandu, Yuping, Lian Dan, and Xianzhang peaks, flowing out of Prime Minister Valley before plunging down the cliffs between Xianglu and Luohan peaks. The water cascades down in nine twists, forming nine falls and nine pools. The waterfall resembles nine white dragons descending from the sky, hence the name “Jiulong Waterfall” or “Jiulong Pool.” The best spot to view it is the former site of Jiulong Pavilion, ideally after heavy rain. At that time, the water surges and tumbles down the steep cliffs, hanging like nine dragons soaring through the air — a truly majestic sight. A poet once wrote: “The flying springs rival those of Mount Lu; cliffs stretching to the sky hold nine dragons.” The Ming Dynasty poet Yang Bu also praised it: “Desiring to descend the green peaks, my feet halt; I lean on my staff by the cliffs, steadfast. Straight ahead, nine streams cascade down, dissolving into the hazy distance like smoke.” In dry, rainless weather, the waterfall becomes delicate and continuous, like a thin silk ribbon, with clear pools reflecting the surroundings — a completely different yet equally beautiful scene.

Shancha Village: Shancha Village is located in the eastern Huangshan Grand Canyon, just 5 kilometers from the southern Huangshan gate. National Highway 205 runs through the village, which features unique rock formations, lush bamboo and trees, and crystal-clear green rivers. It is recognized as one of Anhui Province’s “Hundred Eco-Villages” and “Huangshan Eco-Civilization Village.” Since 1986, when the Shangzhang villager group developed the Feicui Valley Scenic Area, Shancha has leveraged its location and tourism resources to pursue a path of tourism-driven development. Over 20 years, it has successively built five major scenic areas including Jiulong Waterfall and Fenghuangyuan, establishing a diverse tourism model focused on eco-sightseeing supplemented by leisure vacations, becoming... More details about Shancha Village ++