Maolan Ecotourism Zone (Maolan Karst Forest Reserve)

Maolan Ecotourism Zone (Maolan Karst Forest Reserve)

Maolan, the core area of the South China Karst UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, is also a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and a national nature reserve. It is one of the four major tourist attractions in Libo. The area features rolling peaks, crisscrossing streams, dense primeval forests, and a karst landscape where mountains, water, forests, caves, waterfalls, and rocks blend seamlessly, presenting a perfect unity of karst forest ecological environment. It is an ecological wonder found nowhere else on Earth at similar latitudes or within global karst regions. Covering over 200 square kilometers with a forest coverage rate exceeding 91%, Maolan has been ranked among China’s “Top Ten Most Beautiful Forests” by Chinese National Geography magazine.

Maolan is also a hidden paradise for local ethnic minorities. In this vast expanse of primeval forest live indigenous groups such as the Buyi, Shui, and Yao peoples. For centuries, they have lived in harmony with the mountains and rivers, working from sunrise to sunset, with men farming and women weaving, passing down generations of simple yet distinctive ethnic cultures.

As one of the four major tourist attractions in Libo, Maolan offers the most authentic eco-experience, ideal for sightseeing, eco-leisure, cultural homestays, and outdoor adventures. It is also a haven for road-trippers, featuring a 100-kilometer green lung-cleansing route that lets travelers drive through lush virgin forests, fully immersing themselves in the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity. In 2010, Maolan was named one of the best classic self-drive routes in western China.

When exploring Libo, you must visit Maolan to experience a true earthly paradise. There is no noise, no crowds, no ostentatious embellishment, and no commercial intrusion. This is a beautiful home where humans and nature coexist harmoniously—everything is simple and natural, as if lost in another time...

Entrance fee: 50 RMB (all-inclusive ticket), insurance 5 RMB;

Free admission for journalists, qualified travel agency general managers, tour guides, people with disabilities, seniors over 70, and children under 1.2 meters tall;

Half-price tickets for students, seniors over 60, and active-duty military personnel.

1. Buses from Libo Bus Station to Jinpingjiang, Huanjiang, Huada, Jiarong, and Pingzhai all pass through Maolan Scenic Area. Departures are available from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM, at 12 RMB per person, with a travel time of about 1.5 hours.

2. If you miss the bus, follow this route: Libo – Maolan (bus or minibus) – Lihua (minibus) – Reserve Entrance (motorcycle). Chartering a vehicle is cost-effective for groups. Tell locals to drop you off at the Maolan Forest Protection Station or at the junction for the Jingshi Cave. If all goes smoothly, it takes just an hour and a half to reach the forest protection station from Libo.

3. The Maolan Nature Reserve has roads connecting to Dushan and Mawei in Guizhou, and Hechi and Nandan in Guangxi. You can also take a train to Jinchengjiang Railway Station in Hechi, Guangxi—the nearest station to the scenic area—and then transfer to a bus. For the return trip, take a bus from Jinchengjiang to Libo, which passes near the reserve around 8:00–8:30 AM.

Self-drive Route: Yaogu Papermaking Workshop – Yaosuo Ancient Bridge – Huangyang Gully – Forest in Water – Latan Waterfall – Qinglong Ravine – Qinglong Waterfall – Qinglong Pool – Forest on Stone

Hiking Route: Wangtong – Sanchahe Checkpoint – Forest in Water – Crab Gully – Latan Waterfall – Cave Valley – Huangyang Gully – Yaosuo Ancient Bridge – Qinglong Ravine – Qinglong Waterfall – Qinglong Pool – Wuyan Bridge – Dongsaishuibei – Black Cave – Fairy Cave – Jiudongtian – Golden Lion Cave – Swallow Cave – Zaogu Forest – Wild Orchid Valley – Funnel Forest – Wangpaishan Viewpoint – Return via Gaowang

Special Tips: The breathtaking 100-kilometer landscape painting that is Maolan is both its greatest joy and its biggest challenge. The wealth and breadth of experiences make it incredibly rewarding, but the challenge lies in the vast distances between sites and the lack of internal transport. The area is thus best explored by self-driving or private car hire. Hikers and campers can take a bus toward Jinpingjiang or from Libo to the Bake Checkpoint or Wangtong, then hike into the reserve—an arduous but immensely rewarding journey. It’s highly recommended to go with a guide or join a local tour group.

Scenic Spot Location

Libo County, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province