Gaoji Ecological Scenic Area

Gaoji Ecological Scenic Area

Gaoji Ecological Scenic Area

Gaoji Yao Ethnic Township is located 27 kilometers from the county town, bordering Sanmen Town of Longsheng County to the east, Banlan Town of Rong'an County to the south, and adjacent to Doujiang Town and Heping Township of the same county to the north and west. The total land area of the township is 138.71 square kilometers, including 65,000 mu of natural forest, 36,000 mu of bamboo forests, and 21,000 mu of economic forests, with a forest coverage rate of 86.7%. The county's ecological forest resources are mainly concentrated in the Longtang Primitive Forest Area of Chonggan Village and the Yudian Waterfall Basin of Majiang Village, offering abundant eco-tourism resources.

Longtang Scenic Area

Longtang Scenic Area is located 20 kilometers from the township government seat, bordering Banlan Town of Rong'an County to the south and Sanmen Town of Longsheng County to the east. The scenic area is covered with dense primitive forests, with grotesque rocks lining the canyons. Towering ancient trees, vines like dragons, exotic flowers and plants, and crystal-clear rivers create a landscape of continuous waterfalls, rushing rapids, majestic momentum, misty clouds, fresh air, pleasant climate, lush unique bamboos, and sightings of rare birds and animals. The ecological environment forms a unique harmony with nature. "Gaoji Longtang is little known, its spectacular scenery a wonder under heaven; cliffs rise perpendicularly from both banks as if piercing the clouds, a thread of blue sky flows like a stream; towering stone curtains hang above hundred-zhang waterfalls, ancient vines dangle like strange beards; cold waves shimmer with drizzling rain, yet in June one longs for a cotton-padded coat." This verse truly captures the essence of the area. The scenic area features 15 attractions: Longtan Waterfall, Mayitan, Mountain Goat Jump, Shimenlou, Kongming Pond, Underground River, Guodi Pond, Liandao Pond, Miyu Pond, Xiangfenpu, Iron Man, Jigong Rock, Sanxiao Cave, Tiger Rock, and Pinghe Waterfall.

Upon first arriving at the pond, looking up at the waterfall, you see a river cascading down from a rocky crevice on the cliff.

The water plunges into the pond with a thunderous roar. The waterfall is about 50 meters high, resembling a white silk ribbon hanging from the sky, with pearls of water splashing and a curtain of droplets spraying. The rising mist refracts sunlight, creating a dazzling spectrum of colors and a magical illusion. A cool breeze blows, while white clouds float overhead. Even in the peak of summer heat, the refreshing gusts instantly dissipate the sweltering warmth. In front of the pond lies a coarse sandy beach where dozens can sit to admire the spectacular waterfall. Towering boulders rise on both banks, with steep cliffs and mist-shrouded valleys. The depths of the gorge glow dimly, with twisting vines and floating moss, as if dragons emerging from the earth and soaring into the clouds. The pond surface spans about 1,000 square meters, with fish playing and crabs crawling about. Birdsong and floral scents surround you, making you feel as though you’ve entered a fairyland.

Additionally, the rich and colorful Yao ethnic customs will leave you with an irresistible urge to "live it up" here. The unique wedding customs of the Pan Yao, Yao taboos and festivals, and the Slope Festival will broaden your horizons, while the distinctive traditional communal medicinal herbal baths will soothe your tired body and mind.

Tongle Scenic Area

Tongle Miao Ethnic Township boasts picturesque landscapes, especially the scenery of Guiyangchong (a place name), which is the most stunning.

Guiyangchong is located two kilometers northwest of Tongle Street, covering an area of 3.5 square kilometers. It is one of the water source forest areas of Tongle Township and a key forest reserve. The mountains of Guiyang are layered with steep cliffs, lush forests, and green grassy meadows. The area is filled with the sound of springs year-round, with clear streams and verdant paths, earning it the nickname "Little Guilin." Attractions within the scenic area such as "Shimen," "Guirenchong," "Luohanyan," "Jishui Wayu Pond," and "Houzishan" possess uniquely mystical charm.

Shimen: Traveling 2 kilometers north from Tongle Street toward Guiyang, you’ll arrive at a 30-meter-high cliff that stands erect due to the stream being sandwiched between two cliffs, forming a natural gate—hence the name Shimen (Stone Gate). Fifty meters outside the gate, three large rocks are neatly arranged across the stream. Legend says these three rocks were moved here from atop Shimen by Wang Mian (a figure in Miao and Dong legends, also known as Wu Mian Wang), who intended to use them for fishing. Sixty meters inside the gate lies another smaller stone gate, said to be Wang Mian’s doorway. The two gates complement each other like mountains within mountains and gates within gates. There are no paths between the cliffs, so visitors must wade through water to enter. Standing in the stream, a cool breeze brushes against you. Looking up, the perilous cliffs, stacked bizarre rocks, elegant pines, ancient vines, red flowers, and green grass create a scene so breathtaking it feels like stepping into a heavenly realm.

Luohanyan: Looking up from the Guiyang Stream, located 800 meters east of Guirenchong, you’ll see layers of emerald-green mountains with towering peaks. Among them is a 50-meter-high overhanging cliff. Legend has it that a young couple from Guirenchong, deeply in love and wishing to marry, were forbidden by their families. Defying feudal traditions, they tragically jumped off this cliff together, leaving behind the sorrowful and heroic tale of Luohanyan.

Houzishan (Monkey Mountain): Located 1 kilometer upstream from the Jishui Wayu Pond. This area features perilous mountain enclosures, narrow forest paths, dense rocky outcrops, and lush greenery, with steep cliffs. In spring and summer, the hills bloom red with flowers; in autumn and winter, wild fruits hang from the branches. Houzishan is surrounded by high terrain, low in the middle, long from north to south, and narrow from east to west, resembling the shape of a boat. In the low-lying center are many small rock hills and caves where monkeys often play, hence the name. If visitors are lucky enough to encounter monkey troops leaping and playing on the cliffs, climbing trees, and picking fruit, it’s as if they’ve stepped into the Flower-Fruit Mountain of Wu Cheng'en’s imagination.