Nine-Dragon Waterfall

　　Nine-Dragon Waterfall — the largest waterfall on Huangshan Mountain, and one of the major natural attractions of Huangshan, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in China. With a total length of 600 meters and a drop of 300 meters, the waterfall cascades in nine distinct falls, each followed by a pool, creating a magnificent spectacle of nine falls and nine pools. The area boasts rich biodiversity, often referred to as Huangshan’s natural botanical garden, and is also abundant in cultural heritage, featuring sites such as the Huangshan Shengjing Archway, the Qianlong Imperial Path, and the Meilin Study.

　　The main entrance to the Nine-Dragon Waterfall Scenic Area in Longyuan Valley is located at the valley’s mouth. The gate bears the inscription “Nine-Dragon Waterfall” on the outside, written by the renowned lyricist Qiao Yu, and on the inside by Zhang Maijian, former director of the Anhui Provincial Tourism Bureau.
　　The “Longyuan Gate” is situated inside the scenic area’s main gate at the valley entrance. Standing in front of the gate, you can see the towering and majestic Tiandu Peak at the top of the valley. The stream within the valley is called Longxi (Dragon Stream), originating from Lian Dan, Lotus, Yuping, and Tiandu peaks.
　　Huangshan’s Nine-Dragon Waterfall is remarkable for its uniqueness. First, its 600-meter length and nine-tiered descent form nine falls and nine pools, excelling in both waterfall and pool scenery. Second, its geological structure is extraordinary, with mysterious glacial relics. Third, the various wonders of Huangshan — its peaks, rocks, pines, clouds, and waters — are all represented here in the Nine-Dragon Waterfall Scenic Area, each with its own distinctive charm. Overall, it is acclaimed as the most unique waterfall in the world. Each of the nine falls and nine pools also has its own unique features.

　　Feature Highlights

　　Nine Tiers of One Waterfall

　　　　Huangshan’s Nine-Dragon Waterfall is located near the western ascent route of Yungu Valley. Its waters originate from Tiandu, Yuping, and Lian Dan peaks, converging into Yungu Stream before plunging down the cliffs between Xianglu and Luohan peaks.

　　Spanning 300 meters in length, the entire waterfall is divided into nine tiers — each tier forming a separate fall and pool, hence the name “Nine-Dragon Pools.” An ancient poem describes it: “The flying springs rival those of Mount Lu; sheer cliffs hold aloft nine dragons.” The “Hundred-Zhang Spring” is located along the descent route of the western Yungu Valley and can be viewed from the road leading to the hot spring area. During the rainy season, water cascades down the massive cliffs, falling a hundred meters straight down like a long white silk ribbon, as if the Milky Way had descended to earth — a truly spectacular sight. The Guanpu Pavilion offers the best vantage point to admire this waterfall.
　　“Flying springs rival those of Mount Lu; sheer cliffs hold aloft nine dragons.” This is how ancient poets praised the Nine-Dragon Waterfall, the crown jewel of Huangshan’s waterfalls. On the thousand-foot cliffs between Huangshan’s Xianglu Peak and Luohan Peak, the waterfall pours down in nine cascading tiers, each forming a pool — nine tiers, nine pools — creating a majestic and sinuous display. After heavy rain, the roaring waterfall echoes like thunder against the emerald cliffs and red rocks, resembling nine white dragons descending from the sky one after another — a breathtaking scene. Within the Nine-Dragon Waterfall Valley, there are two cultural sites: the Dragon Zen Temple and the ruins of the Meilin Study. Legend says the Dragon Zen Temple was originally a stone house built by a man named Yunyang, sent by the Yellow Emperor to raise dragons here. Later, after Emperor Qianlong visited incognito and meditated here, it was rebuilt as a temple integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in his honor. In front of the temple, incense smoke curls upward, and red ribbons hang from the tree branches, creating a special atmosphere. The Meilin Study ruins are believed to have been where the Qing-era father-and-son prime ministers Cao Zhenyong and Cao Wenxiang of She County studied diligently. The study had earthen walls and a tree-bark roof, but collapsed by the end of the Qing Dynasty. Today, only a pile of rubble remains.

　　Xuanyuan Dragon Pool

　　　　In the lower section of Huangshan’s Prime Minister Valley, within the vast 6-kilometer-long canyon between Xianglu Peak and Luohan Peak, lies an area known as Longyuan (Dragon Valley), said to be where the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan raised dragons. The valley contains numerous natural dragon-themed landscapes, making it a world of dragons. From bottom to top, these include the Dragon Maiden Pool, Jade Bead Pool, Dragon Herding Pool, Dragon Zen Temple, Twin Dragon Falls, Azure Dragon Stream, Nine-Bend Gorge, Nine-Dragon Waterfall, Dragon Boat Rock, Chi Dragon Pool, Dragon Coil Island, Horned Dragon Pool, Flood Dragon Pool, and Heavenly Drum Rock, among others. There are also vast primeval forests, bamboo seas, and countless rare birds and animals living within them. Waterfalls have always inspired awe with their surging, majestic beauty, but Huangshan’s Nine-Dragon Waterfall captivates adventurers even more with its “sheer cliffs holding aloft nine dragons” phenomenon. Compared to other famous waterfalls around the world, the Nine-Dragon Waterfall stands out for its uniqueness and is hailed as the most unique waterfall on Earth.

　　The Three Uniquenesses of the Nine Dragons

　　　　The Nine-Dragon Waterfall boasts “three unique features”: First, it is 600 meters long with a vertical drop of 360 meters, cascading in nine tiers — each tier a separate fall and pool — spiraling down the towering cliffs like nine white dragons piercing through clouds and mist, descending from the sky with overwhelming momentum. After heavy rains, flash floods surge with roaring waters and splashing droplets that can reach dozens of meters high, blending falls and pools into what seems like a giant dragon dancing between green peaks. When sunlight shines on it, rainbows appear, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene rarely seen in the world. Even during prolonged droughts, the waterfall continues to flow steadily, with clear, colorful waters in the pools that shift and shimmer like dragon scales, peony blossoms, or golden snakes — dazzling and enchanting.

　　Second, its geological structure is unique, with mysterious glacial relics. The Nine-Dragon Waterfall sits in a U-shaped valley, and its pools are dotted with numerous large and small potholes, forming a spectacular glacial pothole cluster.
　　Third, the various wonders of Huangshan — its pines, rocks, peaks, clouds, and waters — all shine with unique beauty around the Nine-Dragon Waterfall. From the waterfall’s edge, you can see Tiandu, Xianglu, and Luohan peaks floating above the clouds. The primeval forests around the waterfall are dense, with exotic pines clinging to the cliffs, blooming wildflowers, playful monkeys, and chirping birds, all contributing to the waterfall’s overall splendor. The Nine-Dragon Waterfall is the most magnificent sight in Longyuan. Other unique dragon-themed landscapes in the valley include the Dragon Maiden Pool, Azure Dragon Stream, Dragon Coil Island, Dragon Boat Rock, Clam Dragon Pool, and Horned Dragon Pool. As a result, dragon culture takes on an even more mystical allure here, giving rise to many beautiful legends such as the Yellow Emperor raising dragons, the Dragon Maiden offering pearls, the dragon having nine sons, the painting of the dragon’s eye, the Dragon Maiden repaying kindness, and the nine dragons controlling water. In ancient times, monks built the Dragon Zen Temple here. Ruins of the ancient temple remain, including a stone tablet inscribed with “Site of the Ancient Pagoda of the Dragon Zen Temple” and a small hut. Plans are underway to rebuild the Dragon Zen Temple as an exhibition center for dragon culture. The magical and magnificent Nine-Dragon Waterfall Scenic Area in Longyuan represents a wonderful fusion of China’s dragon culture and Huangshan’s natural landscape.

　　The most famous attraction in Longyuan is the Nine-Dragon Waterfall. Located in Tangkou Town, beside National Highway 205 and just 3 kilometers from the Huangshan entrance, it stretches over 600 meters. With nine cascading tiers — each a separate fall and pool — the waterfall and pools form a unified whole, combining the beauty of both cascading water and colorful pools. Like nine dragons dancing together, it is a major highlight of the “UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site — Huangshan, China,” and is also recognized as the world’s most unique waterfall.

　　 The Nine-Dragon Waterfall is situated in Prime Minister Valley, above Bitter Bamboo Stream. Its waters come from Tiandu, Yuping, Lian Dan, and Xianzhang peaks, flowing out from Prime Minister Valley before plummeting down the cliffs between Xianglu and Luohan peaks. The water sprays like scattered pearls and splashing jade, with surging currents tumbling down in nine separate falls, each forming a pool after nine turns. The cascading water resembles nine white dragons descending from the sky, hence the names “Nine-Dragon Waterfall” and “Nine-Dragon Pools.” The best spot to view the waterfall is the former site of the Nine-Dragon Pavilion, and the best time is right after heavy rain. At that time, the water bursts forth, tumbling down and gathering again, then cascading down the thousand-foot cliffs like nine white dragons soaring through the air — a truly majestic and spectacular sight. A poet once wrote: “The flying springs rival those of Mount Lu; sheer cliffs hold aloft nine dragons.” Ming Dynasty poet Yang Bu also wrote: “Desiring to descend the green peak, my feet hesitate; I lean on my staff by the cliff, unwavering. Straight ahead, nine streams plunge downward, dissolving into the hazy distance like smoke.” In dry weather, the waterfall becomes as fine as a silk thread, with a slender, unbroken flow of clear water in deep, mirror-like pools — a completely different scene.