Xiaoqikong (Seven Small Arches): What to See and Do

Written by Veronica | Updated March 07,2026

Situated in Libo County, Guizhou, Xiaoqikong (Seven Small Arches Scenic Area) is a National Park included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There is a bridge with seven arches spanning the Xiangshui River, hence the name. In this scenic area, you will find many attractions with stunning sights, including Wolong Lake, Yuanyang Lake, Laya Waterfall, and Toanzhong Cave. Besides, you will also find water forests on your Guizhou tours to Seven Small Arches.

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• Facts of Xiaoqikong (Seven Small Arches Scenic Area)
• Overview of the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
• What to See and Do in Xiaoqikong
• Best Time to visit Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
• Attractions nearby Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
• Getting to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Facts of Xiaoqikong (Seven Small Arches Scenic Area)

• Location:Southern part of Libo County, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
• Opening time: 8:00–18:00
• Ticket price: CNY 170 per person (including sightseeing bus)
• Time needed: 3-4 hours
• Best time to visit:April to October
• Suited to:Nature lovers, photographers, and anyone interested in rafting

Overview of the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

As an important part of the Zhangjiang Scenic Area, Xiaoqikong Scenic Area offers an opportunity for nature lovers and adventurers to experience the picturesque scenery and cultural heritage of this region in Guizhou. You can find karst landscapes, clear lakes, magnificent waterfalls, and more.

Besides, as Seven Small Arches is located near the Mengliu Fengqing Town in Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, you can visit the residents there and explore more about the folk culture and customs.

Highlights of Xiaoqikong – Top Attractions to See

The Seven-arch Ancient Bridge – A landmark of Xiaoqiking Scenic Area

Built in 1835 during the Qing Dynasty, this seven-arch stone arch bridge was an important route for merchants traveling between Guizhou and Guangxi. The bridge is adorned with vines, and the water in the lower part of the bridge is a deep blue. On both sides, ancient trees tower above. It is regarded as the finishing touch of a “super bonsai”.

Insider’s tip: Take photos in the early morning or in the late afternoon when the light is soft.

Laya Waterfall – Waterfall Descending Adventure

In the local language, “Laya” means “beautiful goddess”. The waterfall has a drop of 30 meter and pours down the cliff wall. The water mist spreads everywhere, creating a fairyland-like scene. At the bottom of the waterfall, you can walk through it and feel the coolness of the water hitting the rocks.

Insiders’ recommendation: A new waterfall drop experience. Under the guidance of professional coaches, challenge the rapid descent from the top of the waterfall. This is suitable for thrill-seekers.

68 Tier Cascading Waterfall – a Karst Wonder

In a 1.6-kilometer river course, there are 68 tiers of waterfall clusters. The water cascade layer upon layer like a silver chain, each with a unique shape. During the rainy season, the water flow is abundant, creating a magnificent scene.

Insiders’ tip: From the viewing platform, take in the panoramic view.

Shangyiding Lake – Waterfront Experience

The most open area in the Seven Small Arches Scenic Area, the lake’s surface is like a mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains and vegetation – it looks like a natural landscape painting.

Insiders’ tip: Take a bamboo raft for an immersive tour of the lake surface, while also admiring the beauty of the karst landform.

Cui Gu Valley Waterfall – The Scene of a Green Fairyland

The waterfall hangs high between the greenish mountains, with water flowing like a white ribbon into the pool. The surrounding peak clusters and depressions are lush with vegetation, making it one of the filming locations for “Follow Me to Adventure”.

Wulong Pond – Emerald Blue Water Wonderland

A plateau lake formed by the outflow of an underground river, the water of the pond takes on a fantastical blue-green color, and is hailed as “the small Jiuzhai Valley of Guizhou”. The Baishang Waterfall hangs like a silver curtain, making it suitable for shooting mirror-like reflections.

Insider’s tip: Take a kayak or a transparent boat (30 yuan per person), and enjoy the changing water colors up close on the calm lake surface.

Yuan Yang Lake – a Karst Maze

This blind valley lake is composed of two lakes above and below. The water in the lake is crystal clear, and there are numerous islands in the lake, forming a natural water maze.

Photography tips: Have fun boating in the lake during summer; watch the red leaves reflected on both banks in autumn.

Tianzhong Cave – Underground Art Palace

The cave features various shapes of stalactites, with the most famous being the 10-meter-tall “Tianzhong” stalagmite. Under the illumination of lights, the stalactites, stalagmites, and pillars resemble a dream palace.

Top Things to Do at Seven Small Arches Scenic Area

Hiking the Scenic Trails

Xiaoqikong Scenic Area stretches seven kilometers. The wooden board trails makes it a good place for hiking. You can see beautiful scenery along the way, including green forests, spectacular waterfalls, and karst landscapes.

Take a Boat Ride

As Xiaoqikong is home to many lakes and gorges, you can take a boat ride or rafting on the water to experience the extreme beauty of nature. Generally, Wolong Lake and Yuanyang Lake are good options for starting. It will be exciting to paddle on the water by yourself on your travel to Guizhou.

Visit Ancient Buyei Villages

There are ancient Buyei villages in Libo Seven Small Arches Scenic area, including Xiaolong and Chuandong. The villages offer stunning views and good opportunities for you to explore the local culture and history.

Bird Watching

Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is home to a variety of species of birds, including the golden pheasant, black-necked crane, and white-backed vulture. Don’t forget to take a binocular with you and observe those rare birds.

Essential Tips for Visiting Seven Small Arches Scenic Area

Best Time to visit Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Seven Small Arches presents charming views over the year, and the best time to visit there is from April to October. During this time, the climate is pleasant for you to see stunning scenery and participate in outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.

Attractions nearby Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Near Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, there are many tourist attractions. Below are some of the top sites to visit on your trip to Libo.

• Libo Daqikong Scenic Area:This tourist attraction features a magnificent karst bridge with seven natural arches, spectacular waterfalls, dense forests, and ethnic villages.
• Libo Maolan National Nature Reserve:Located 30 kilomters from Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, Maolan National Nature Reserve is a rare karst forest. It greets tourists with diverse plant and animal species. You can see orchids, ferns, monkeys, and birds in this area.
• Libo Yaoshan Ancient Village:This ethnic village is located about 10 km from Xiaoqikong. Yao people there wear folk costumes and speak the Yao language. Besides, you can explore the well-preserved ancient architecture in the village to catch a glimpse of its history.

See many other popular attractions in Guizhou.

Getting to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

From Guiyang: If you find yourself in Guiyang, you can take a train to Libo and then get to Xiaoqikong easily. Just make your way to Guiyang Railway Station and take a train to Libo Railway Station. Afterward, you can take an express bus to the east gate of Seven Small Arches Scenic Area.

From Libo: If you are in Libo, it’s convenient for you to visit the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area by bus. Board Bus No.11 and it will take you to the area. It costs CNY 5 and takes about 20 minutes.

Where to Stay in Xiaoqikong – Accommodations

Based on the distance from the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, there are the hotels within the scenic area, those near the scenic area, and those further away. The hotels near the scenic area mainly include the East Gate and West Gate of Xiaoqikong. The hotels outside the scenic area include those near the high-speed railway station (Chaoyang Town) and Libo County.

• The hotels within the scenic areacan be reached by walking to the core attractions.
• The East Gate hotelsof Seven Small Arches Scenic Area are the second closest and are mostly located on the hillside. Be sure to choose a hotel or inn facing north (i.e., uphill direction). Otherwise, after checking out and carrying luggage towards the main road for a ride, it will be a strenuous uphill journey.
• The West Gateaccommodations of Seven Small Arches Scenic Area have a higher terrain on the west and lower on the east, and are best for starting the trip from the west gate.
• The accommodationsnear the high-speed railway station are suitable for tourists who need to arrive by early morning high-speed rail or leave by late-night high-speed rail.
• LiboCounty is the farthest from the scenic area. It is about 36 kilometers by taxi and takes about 40 This is the biggest disadvantage. However, there are more hotel choices and, usually, they are more affordable than those near the scenic area. Moreover, it is close to various food streets and restaurants.