Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
⭐ 4.70
Xiaoqikong Town, Libo County, Qiannan Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China
The signature landmark, the Seven-Arch Bridge, was completed in 1836 during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty—a period contemporary with Queen Victoria's accession and the dawn of the railway age in Europe. Built from local bluestone with seven perfectly proportioned arches, it has carried travelers across the Xiangshui River for nearly two centuries. Today, draped in wild creepers and mirrored in jade-green water, it remains the most iconic photo stop in the park, beloved by Chinese and international photographers alike.
The water itself is the real showstopper. In Wolongtan (Crouching Dragon Pool), mineral-rich underground springs produce a luminous blue-green hue often likened to the famed lakes of Slovenia or the lagoons of Palawan. Nearby Yuanyang Lake (Mandarin Duck Lake) offers a labyrinth of forest channels where visitors can drift by boat through a maze of mossy trees and still water—reminiscent of a Monet canvas come to life.
The 68-Level Waterfall chain stretches 1.6 kilometers along the Xiangshui River with a cumulative drop of 110 meters, augmented by the thunderous Laya Falls and the gentle Cuigu Falls. During the wet summer months (May–October), the entire corridor shimmers with mist, providing natural air-conditioning that has earned the area a reputation as a premier refuge from China's summer heat.
One of the most unusual features is the Water Forest, where hardwood trees grow directly from limestone boulders and shallow streams weave between them—a karst phenomenon found in few other places on Earth. Sturdy water shoes are recommended for the gentle boulder-hopping trail, which rewards visitors with intimate encounters with ferns, orchids, and unfiltered forest silence.
Practicalities favor a half-day to full-day visit. The recommended west-to-east route (downhill all the way) covers Wolongtan, Yuanyang Lake, Cuigu Falls, the Water Forest, the 68-Level Waterfalls, Laya Falls, and finally the historic bridge. Allow 4–5 hours for a brisk tour or 6–8 hours for relaxed exploration. The high-speed rail station at Libo is just a 35-yuan taxi ride from the west gate. Peak-season admission is 120 yuan plus a 40-yuan sightseeing shuttle; advance booking through the "云游荔波" WeChat mini-program is strongly advised, as is arriving before 8:00 a.m. to beat the crowds.