Huangmanqi Waterfall Cluster

Huangmanqi Waterfall Cluster

The Huangmanqi Waterfall Cluster is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Huangmanqi Waterfall Cluster (also known as Huangmanzhai Waterfall Cluster) is located in Cukeng Village, Juxi Garden, Jiexi County, Jieyang City. Along a stretch of river over a kilometer long, there are multiple tiers of waterfalls. Among them, the Feihong Waterfall has a drop of about 60 meters and a width of approximately 80 meters. The Yinhe Waterfall stands at around 120 meters high, cascading in a concentrated flow. There are also the Sandie Waterfall, Changshou Waterfall, and others, where water droplets splash like pearls and jade, creating thunderous sounds that echo through the valleys. The waterfall surfaces resemble silver curtains hanging from the sky, while the pools below are crystal clear. The surrounding Turtle Stone and Sea Dragon Stone formations are remarkably lifelike. It enjoys the reputation of being the “No. 1 Waterfall in Lingnan.” Known as the largest waterfall in southeastern China, it is a national AAAA-level scenic area and a Guangdong Provincial Geopark.

The Huangmanzhai Waterfall Cluster is divided into five tiers from top to bottom: the Feihong Waterfall, Yinhekong Waterfall, Luojiutian Waterfall, Sandiegu Waterfall, and Doufangkong Waterfall. These five tiers of waterfalls rush down together, with an overall drop of more than 300 meters.

Each tier of the waterfall has a unique form, representing the best of waterfalls from around the world, creating a magnificent spectacle. The most majestic is the “Feihong Waterfall,” which is 80 meters wide and drops over 50 meters. Three streams of water cascade down separately from the top. During peak water flow, they merge into one, creating an especially spectacular view. Below the waterfall, the pool is crystal clear, and nearby rock formations such as the Turtle Stone and Sea Dragon Stone are strikingly lifelike.

The waterfall cluster is nestled within a deep mountain valley, surrounded by lush green mountains and dense forests, resembling a paradise on earth. There are eight natural villages within the tourist area, among which Cukeng Village was selected as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Guangdong” in 2006.

Surrounded by ancient vines, rugged rocks, and towering bamboo, it is a perfect destination for listening to, admiring, and playing with water. The valley where the Huangmanzhai Waterfall is located is relatively deep, with dense mountain forests often blocking the harsh sun, making it an ideal summer retreat. On a summer afternoon, lean against a large rock by the waterfall, listen to the roaring waters, read an unfinished book, and feel the dust of worldly concerns washed away, leaving your mind and body refreshed. For photography enthusiasts, the most beautiful side of the waterfall can be captured around 4–5 PM when the slanting sunlight hits the valley floor, casting a holy glow on the surrounding leaves. If you're lucky enough to spot a rainbow, this scene will not only be perfect for photos but also forever etched in your memories.

The Feihong Waterfall is the first tier of the Huangmanzhai Scenic Area, locally also called “Liyu Kong” (“Carp Cave”). With a drop of over 60 meters and a width of more than 80 meters, the Feihong Waterfall resembles a moving sky curtain between the green mountains and white clouds, truly spectacular. The water cascades down, sending up mist and splashing droplets everywhere. Between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM when sunlight shines through, you can often see rainbows arching over the falls—hence the name “Feihong” (Flying Rainbow). It’s truly as the saying goes: “White water falls like cotton, scattering without the need for a bow; rainbow hues appear like scenery, woven without the need for a heavenly loom.”

“Cliffs lean on blue peaks reaching the azure sky, Waterfalls hang like white silk descending from the dome.” The Yinhekong Waterfall is the second tier of the cluster. The rushing water hits the rocks, sending water droplets flying like stars scattered across the earth. This is also the area within the scenic zone with the highest concentration of negative oxygen ions, monitored at 100,000 ions per cubic meter.

Walking about 200 meters up along the winding plank walkway from the Sandiegu Waterfall leads to the Luojiutian Waterfall. As the third tier, it is also the waterfall with the greatest drop in the cluster. Resembling a Milky Way pouring down or a giant silk ribbon hanging from the sky, it has a drop of over 120 meters and can rival the Lushan Waterfall. It embodies the phrase “water plunges three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way fell from the ninth heaven,” exuding overwhelming grandeur—hence its name. Additionally, the long waterfall hanging down resembles a jade dragon reappearing, so the hillside pavilion opposite is called the “Jian (Xian) Long Ting” (See [Manifest] Dragon Pavilion). Truly: “Year-round bamboo breezes whisper like jade chimes, The Ninth Heaven Waterfall reveals the dragon’s roar.”

“Five-tier springs crafted by nature’s artistry, Three-fold stones display perilous beauty.” The Sandiegu Waterfall is the fourth tier of the cluster, consisting of three waterfalls each with a drop of 6–8 meters. The three tiers are staggered and interconnected, twisting and turning with graceful movement. The sound of the water is so loud it can be heard even from across the mountain. Surrounded by tall trees and ancient vines, it’s a great spot to view the waterfalls, admire the trees and vines, and get close to the water.

The Doufangkong is the fifth and final tier of the Huangmanzhai Waterfall Cluster. When viewed from the side, it looks like thousands of pearls poured into a “dou” (a type of measuring vessel), flowing into the emerald-green Guancai Pool—hence its name. Next to Doufangkong is a wall spring that remains neither dry nor flooded year-round, with crystal-clear water. Because the spring seeps out from the deep mountain stone walls, it is ice-cold and thus uninhabitable for fish.

A major feature of the Huangmanzhai Scenic Area is its abundance of corridors, bridges, and pavilions—there are roughly over 70 in total—all designed with simple architectural styles and clean lines. They mainly serve the purposes of providing passage for tourists, resting spots, and enhancing the scenery. Among the “corridors” are: Guanguan Corridor, Double-Decker Corridor, BBQ Corridor, and Rest Corridor. The “bridges” include: Fanylü Bridge, Chunhui Bridge, Lianxin Bridge, Yingcui Bridge, Wetland Curved Bridge, and Juyuan Bridge. The “pavilions” consist of: Garden Pavilion, Four-Corner Pavilion, Six-Corner Pavilion, and Eight-Corner Pavilion.

Address: Cukeng Village, Juxi Garden Town, Jiexi County, Jieyang City

Type: Waterfall

Rating: AAAA

Recommended visiting time: About 1 day

Phone: 0663-5851202

Opening hours: 8:30–17:30

Ticket price: 120 RMB

Parking fee: 10 RMB

Cukeng Village: Located in the southwestern part of Juxi Garden Town, Cukeng Village covers a total area of 11,000 mu with a population of 597 people. Local residents mainly rely on agriculture, growing tea, plum, ginger, and bamboo for income. In 2009, the village’s collective economic income was 38,000 RMB. In recent years, Juxi Garden Town has vigorously developed eco-tourism. As a revolutionary old base area, Cukeng Village has been rated by the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Bureau as the most naturally beautiful village, becoming a tourism highlight for the town. The area boasts the naturally gifted green tourism resource—the Huangmanqi Waterfall Cluster—renowned as the No. 1 Waterfall of Eastern Lingnan. In recent years, red... (Cukeng Village detailed information++)