Zaduo Waterfall

　　Zaduo Waterfall   “Layered waters soft as cotton, no bow needed to make blossoms scatter.” Zaduo Waterfall resembles a vast white silk banner dancing in the wind, with snow-like spray and surging clouds between towering peaks and cliffs, accompanied by thunderous roars. Below the waterfall, hot springs emerge, creating a truly unique landscape.

　　Zaduo Waterfall is located within the Moli Gorge at the junction of Ruili, Longchuan, and Luxi—one county and two cities—situated 15 kilometers northeast of Ruili. It lies on the Zaduo River, a tributary of the Ruili River, hidden deep in the subtropical rainforest between the lush, densely forested, and peak-facing Guangnong Mountain and Guangma Mountain. Crystal-clear spring water cascades down from a 40-meter-high cliff, splashing into the pool below and sending mist swirling through the valley. The area surrounding the waterfall is densely forested and tranquil.

　　Nestled among the emerald peaks, lush forests, and opposing summits of Fangnong Mountain and Guangma Mountain, the waterfall plunges from a 60-meter-high cliff, spanning about 5 meters wide, creating the scene described as “layered waters soft as cotton, no bow needed to make blossoms scatter.” In addition to the waterfall, the Zaduo River basin also features a subtropical rainforest, hot springs, Buddha’s footprints, clear streams, peculiar rocks, blooming flowers, and rare birds. About one kilometer below the waterfall, there is a natural hot spring with crystal-clear, bubbling waters—a spectacular sight. On a large rock near the hot spring, a naturally formed “immortal’s footprint,” about a foot wide, adds an air of mystical wonder. Like a vast white silk banner hanging far across the river, the thunderous roar of the waterfall can be heard from a distance. Its majestic momentum stirs the soul, truly a sight of breathtaking grandeur. If you walk up the river to the large rocks in front of the waterfall, you’ll see snow-like sprays and silver-like silks gushing from the cliff face, resembling misty rain. Below the cliff lies a bottomless pool where the waters churn and boil like waves stirred by a great bird, or countless pearls sinking into a jade sea—truly embodying the image of “layered waters soft as cotton, no bow needed to make blossoms scatter.” On bright, crisp mornings when the fog has lifted, rainbows often rise. This area has been developed into an emerging tourist destination in Dehong. Due to the steep, rugged riverbed terrain with winding currents and turbulent waters, the river occasionally surges with foamy white waves or races like a herd of beasts darting among the rocks, forming many thrilling and perilous landscapes—giving the feeling of a “winding path leading to a secluded paradise.”

　　The scenic area is renowned for its stunning natural and cultural landscapes, as well as its Buddhist holy sites: the murmuring brook winds like a jade ribbon through the deep mountains and dense forests, with simple and elegant bridges crossing the meandering waters. Bizarre mountains and perilous rocks rise majestically, while silver-like waterfalls cascade from the sky. The area boasts dense forests with ancient towering trees, preserving dozens of rare plant species such as large-leaf banyan, small-leaf banyan, tall banyan, seven-leaf vine, the “forest overlord” strangling fig, and tree ferns known as “living fossils hundreds of millions of years old.” In addition to free-ranging animals, the scenic area is home to wild species such as wild boar, bear, deer, pythons, peacocks, horned pheasants, and green monkeys. Moreover, the legendary “Buddha’s footprint” beneath the feet of Sakyamuni, the holy water blessed by the Buddha with a surface temperature of 50°C, and the glistening copper-cast seated Buddha attract countless devout worshippers. This is a poetic painting of harmony between humanity and nature.