Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area Management Office announced that due to the ongoing quality and capacity expansion project at both Daqikong and Xiaoqikong Scenic Areas in Libo County, and in order to ensure the safety of visitors, with the approval of the Libo County People's Government, it has been decided to temporarily close the scenic areas for 20 days from September 5, 2017, to September 25, 2017, reopening on September 26, 2017.

The scenic area spans 7 kilometers and is named after the Xiaoqikong Bridge built over the Xiangshui River during the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang era. Its landscape bears some resemblance to Jiuzhaigou, especially the water color, which is no less stunning. The most Jiuzhaigou-like spots are “Wolong Pool” and “Wild Duck Pond” in the Guibeishan Forest Park.

Xiaoqikong Scenic Area integrates mountains, water, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, with dense forests, rugged rocks, leaping clear streams, and splashing waterfalls… all masterfully natural and exquisitely formed. The gentle and tranquil Hanbi Pool, the ancient-style Seven-Arch Bridge, the rushing Laya Waterfall, the interlaced pools and waterfalls of the 68-Rapids Waterfall, the melodious Xiangshui River, the gnarled roots of Guibeishan, the forested waters of Shuixi Forest, the vine-draped Wild Boar Forest, the marvelously carved Tianzhong Cave, the duckweed-laced Yuanyang Lake, the silver-chain splashes of Wolong Dam, and the deep blue serenity of Wolong Pool…

The magic and magnificence of Xiaoqikong await your discovery and appreciation.

Laya Waterfall: A first-tier attraction, originating from a mountain spring cave upstream of the Xiangshui River, it is intercepted and flows down along the steep cliff face, with a drop of 30 meters and a width of over 20 meters. “Laya” translates from the Buyi language as “beautiful goddess.”

The 68-Rapids Waterfall is located in the Xiangshui River valley, stretching 1.6 kilometers in total length with a cumulative drop of 110 meters and a maximum width of about 40 meters. Formed by intense uplift in the late plateau period causing the river to rapidly cut down 350–500 meters, it has created a spectacular series of waterfalls. Within less than 2 kilometers of winding river, there are densely packed 68 waterfalls and rapids of various forms, which is truly a rare sight in the world.

Shishang Senlin (Forest on Stone): A world-class scenic spot, located about 100 meters from Shuixi Forest, it is a highly pristine karst forest named for the wild Monstera plants covering the mountains. The forest is abundant with rare tree species and exotic flowers, with root systems growing entirely along rock fissures, cracks, and the nearly soil-less surface covered with fallen leaves and branches, creating a tangled, root-and-stone intertwined artistic world known as the “forest on stone.”

Shuixi Forest (Forest on Water) is situated on the karst trough valley forest riverbed of the Xiangshui River, named for the phenomenon of “trees growing among rocks and water flowing over stones.” Stretching approximately 2,000 meters, it includes the Shuixi Forest belt, Lajin Wetland, and Kuzhu Gully. All trees in the area grow their roots in the crevices of the riverbed rocks and remain lush despite being constantly immersed in rushing water, making this unique aquatic ecosystem unparalleled in global karst landscapes. Strolling through the forest with branches brushing your hands and waves lapping at your feet is endlessly delightful. The dense woods form a natural screen, the shallow waves are warm in winter and cool in summer, and legend says fairies often bathed here in ancient times, hence it’s also called “Yaochi” (Jade Pool).

Cuigu Waterfall: A first-tier attraction, Cuigu Waterfall is situated upstream of the Xiangshui River, adjacent to the Nüneijihai Wetland. With a drop of over 60 meters, it lies within a closed peak-cluster depression. Surrounded by emerald-green mountains and lush fields, it earns its name Cuigu (Emerald Valley).

Yuanyang Lake: A special-tier attraction, located about 5,000 meters from Wolong Pool, Yuanyang Lake is a typical karst blind-valley lake with a water surface area of about 20 hectares and a maximum depth of 40 meters. It is situated in the open-flow section downstream of the Huanghou underground river, mainly consisting of an upper and a lower large lake. The air here has a negative ion concentration as high as 182,500 per cm³, making it an ideal spot for “lung cleansing and wellness.” Boat tours last about 60 minutes.

Tianzhong Cave is located on the mountainside of Tangbashi Forest in Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, at an altitude of over 740 meters. The cave is nearly 1,000 meters long, has 12 chambers, and two entrances. Inside Tianzhong Cave stands a giant stalagmite nearly 10 meters tall, shaped like an upside-down heavenly bell standing firmly on the ground, from which the cave gets its name. Tianzhong Cave is a unique highlight among Xiaoqikong’s “natural garden,” featuring cave formations such as stone flowers, stone trees, stone curtains, stone pillars, and stone stalagmites. Enhanced by lighting and sound effects, they are dazzling and lifelike, making visitors feel as if they are in a fairyland like Yaolin.

Wolong Pool: The source of the Wolong River, where underground river water gushes out from the base of the cliff and cascades down over a dam built for water diversion and power generation, creating a thunderous roar and misty spray. Around the pool, bizarre rocks and strange woods stand tall, surrounded by enclosing high mountains, making the pool seem like a bottomless abyss with an atmosphere akin to a dragon’s lair. During heavy mountain floods, the surging waves truly resemble the display of a dragon’s might.

Xiaoqikong Scenic Area Ticket and Fee Standards:

Peak season: 110.00 RMB per person; Off-season: 90.00 RMB per person (from December 1 to February 28 each year)

Sightseeing bus ticket: 40.00 RMB per person

Wolong Valley Drift: 50.00 RMB per person

Yuanyang Lake Boat Ride: 30.00 RMB per person per hour

Tianzhong Cave Guide Service Fee: 8 RMB for groups under 10 people, 5 RMB for groups of 10–25 people

:

1. Take the Guiyang–Mawei tourist train from Guiyang Railway Station, get off at Mawei Railway Station, then transfer to a bus to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area.

2. Take a bus from Guiyang Jinyang Long-Distance Bus Station to Libo (110 RMB, but with limited schedules). Upon arriving in Libo, take a minibus or van to Mawei, and enter Xiaoqikong Scenic Area through the east gate.

3. Alternatively, take a bus or train from Guiyang to Duyun or Dushan, then transfer to a bus to Libo. After arriving in Libo, take a local van to Xiaoqikong (30 minutes). The route will pass by Daqikong.

4. For larger groups, it is recommended to hire a car from Libo to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, as the road follows the beautiful Zhangjiang scenery, allowing for stops to take photos. There are roads inside the scenic area leading directly to all attractions, making travel very convenient.

5. The bus from Libo to Mawei passes by Xiaoqikong around 16:00 daily, costing 10 RMB and taking 1.5 hours. This bus definitely travels through the scenic area, so you can enjoy the views along the way while on the bus.

6. If you wish to go directly from Xiaoqikong to Mawei, hiring a minibus costs approximately 180 RMB.

Address: Libo County, Qiannan Prefecture

Type: Canyon, Waterfall, River, Bridge

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0854-3615228

Opening Hours:

7:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

Peak season: 110 RMB (April 1 – December 31), Off-peak season: 90 RMB (January 1 – March 31); scenic area shuttle bus: 40 RMB.