Changping Waterfall

Changping Waterfall

Upon entering Changping, the first sight to greet you is the emerald-green mountains, majestic as a herd of galloping horses. Halfway up the mountains, clouds and mist gather, creating a scene akin to a fairyland. The area grows eco-friendly products such as ganoderma, shiitake mushrooms, cliff tea, wood ear fungus, and bamboo shoots, along with rare wildlife such as clouded leopards, Lady Amherst's pheasants, large Indian civets, tree ferns, and Phoebe bournei. The air here is fresh, with extremely high negative oxygen ion concentration ranging between 20,000 to 60,000 per cubic centimeter—several times higher than the WHO standard for clean air. Inhaling these negative oxygen ions can improve heart and lung function, boost metabolism, and enhance the body’s resistance to disease, making Changping an ideal destination for health and longevity.

The three-tiered Sanmei Waterfall in Changping cascades down gracefully, forming the meandering Changping River. The river leaps and gathers at Changping Village into a vast lake, resembling a beautiful swan. This breathtaking landscape intoxicates us, much like the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming.

The terrain within Changping Town is relatively complex, with significant variations in altitude and climate, and a short frost-free period (averaging 210 days in Changping Town). The lowest elevation is 300 meters (Huangtan Zhou), while the highest is 1,570 meters at Sanjian Mountain, located in Zhao Ling Village at the border of Baokang and Gucheng, which is also the highest point in Nanzhang County. The average elevation of Changping Town is 900 meters, with an annual rainfall of 960 mm. Provincial Highway 305 runs east to west through the town, serving as a vital route from Nanzhang to Baokang, Shennongjia, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. Situated upstream of the Mian River, Changping Town is where four major rivers—the Longfeng, Zha Yu, Baiyu, and Lengshui—converge into the Sandao River, which is the largest tributary of the Sandao River system.

Changping is a quintessential water-town Yao village, perfect for living. The villages here are elegant, often consisting of just a few households, with Changping Village being the largest. Comprising eastern and western sections, Changping Village has around twenty to thirty households and is connected by a distinctive wind-and-rain bridge with Yao ethnic characteristics. Before the bridge was built, the two sections were separated by the Changping River—even though they could hear each other’s chickens and dogs, they could only look across. A couple of years ago, the government invested 1.5 million yuan to build this wind-and-rain bridge, which has since become a bridge of happiness and connection for the Yao people. The bridge is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, featuring benches where pedestrians can rest. At the bridgehead stands a large banyan tree with lush foliage, offering another enchanting view alongside the bridge.

The residences in Changping are full of charm. Each house is neat and bright, with beige exterior walls, beautiful lattice wood windows, and uniform gray tiles on the roofs. Scattered across the mountains, lakesides, and groves amid light mist, their reflections shimmer in Swan Lake, exuding elegance and uniqueness that tug at the heartstrings. The streets also have a distinct charm. Ancient stone-paved paths wind around the houses, while the wooden cabin farmhouses of Swan Lake, the cultural square, and Yao-style homes are adorned with strings of red lanterns. These sway gently in the moist, misty breeze, offering a deeper taste of the Yao people’s folk culture and charm. Thanks to this unique character, the Pingdong Yao Village in Changping was awarded the title of “China’s Ethnic Minority Characteristic Village” by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission.

Scenic Spot Location

Jinggangshan Xiankou Scenic Area