Written by Clementine |
Wanfenglin, also known as the Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks, is a magnificent example of karst landforms located in the southwest region of China. It is acknowledged as the most representative and expansive karst peak forest in the country.Ā This natural wonder is situated approximately 45 kilometers away from Xingyi City in Qianxinan, Guizhou Province. Wanfenglin comprises of two peak forests, East and West, but only the West Peak Forest is accessible to the public.
The West Peak Forest of Wanfenglin is renowned for its picturesque peaks surrounded by lush green fields, meandering rivers, and charming villages. The area is a visual treat with its stunning natural beauty and serene surroundings. Besides the breathtaking scenery for your Guizhou tours to Wanfenglin, visitors can also explore several quaint Buoyei villages, including Erzhai, Leli, Shuangsheng, Yulong, and Nahui. These villages offer an opportunity to experience the unique customs and culture of the Buoyei people.
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- Fast Facts of Wanfenglin Scenic Area
- Why Visit Wanfenglin?
- What to see in Wanfenglin Scenic Area: Highlight Attractions
- Top Things to Do
- How to Explore Wanfenglin
- Tips for Visiting Wanfenglin in Guizhou
- Attractions Nearby Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks (Wanfenglin)
- Visiting the Wanfenglin with Chinaxiantour
Fast Facts of Wanfenglin Scenic Area
- Chinese Name: äøå³°ę (means Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks literally)
- Address: Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, south of Xingyi City, Guizhou
- Ticket price: CNY 70 for the entrance fee, CNY 50 for the sightseeing bus (which provides access to five viewing platforms on the mountain).
- Opening Hours: 08:30 am – 17:30 pm
- What to do: see nearly 20 thousand green peaks, experience Bouyei & Miao ethnic culture, photography, and hiking
- Time Needed: about 3-4 hours
- Best for: Nature & culture lovers, photography enthusiasts
Wanfenglin, called Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks literally, is located in the southeast of Xingyi City, Guizhou Province. It is very magnificent with nearly 20 thousand peculiar peaks in the whole scenic area, as one of the three grandest karst parks in southwestern China, and one of the five most beautiful peak forests all over China. Being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, it has been known as a museum of cone karst peaks. Apart from the incredible forest of peaks,Ā Wanfenglin houses many unique plants, springs, Tiankeng ā the natural sinkholes, and original BouyeiĀ ethnic villages in the surroundings.
How was it formed & Geological Features
According to the research of geologists, 200 million years ago, the area of Wanfenglin in Xingyi was still a vast ocean. Around 201 million years ago, at the end of the Triassic period, due to the influence of tectonic movements, the entire area of the Earth’s crust rose to become land. Over millions of years, it gradually formed peak forests.
Wanfenglin is mainly characterized by the conical peak forests and peak clusters of Triassic strata rocks, integrating various geological relics such as caves, funnels, underground rivers, and waterfalls. On the high and open river valley slopes, the conical peaks are stacked layer upon layer, reaching towards the sky.
Why Visit Wanfenglin?
Surreal Karst Landscape: Wanfenglin, called the Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks literally, is very magnificent with nearly 20 thousand peculiar peaks in the whole scenic area. Being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has been known as a museum of cone karst peaks and one of the three grandest karst parks in southwestern China. What’s more, Guizhou’s Wanfenglin is one of the five most beautiful peak forests all over China.
The idyllic countryside: The karst peaks of Wanfengling in themselves are sheer natural wonders. Apart from the incredible forest of peaks, Wanfenglin houses many unique plants, springs, Tiankeng ā the natural sinkholes, and original Bouyei ethnic villages in the surroundings. So its beauty lies more in the fact that the mountains are interspersed with rice fields, thousands of acres of sunflower fields (which bloom in spring), rivers, and villages.
Experience unique Bouyi ethnic culture: You can listen to the singing duets between Bouyi men and women by the wind bridge, have a taste of Bouyi “biang dang” wine, dye a piece of clothing by yourself, and watch a “Bouyi Sound and Picture” performance. However, in the Bouyi village, you mustn’t casually accept the “bark bags” from Bouyi girls. Why? Make a trip to the Bu Yi village of Wanfenglin and you’ll know all about it.
What to see in Wanfenglin Scenic Area: Highlight Attractions
Eight Trigrams Field
The distinctive Eight Trigrams Field is a landmark spot in Wanfenglin. The field is actually in a dish-shaped funnel terrain, with an underground river below. With the dissolution of surface water, the underground river caused a partial collapse of the ground. Then the local villagers plant grains and farm depending on the collapsed terrain in circles, making the field look like a colorful weaved eight trigrams image on the ground, so the field has been called an Eight Trigrams Field.
General Peak
General Peak is in front of the densest peak array in Wanfenglin. You will see the solitary karst peak in the “forest” soon after stepping into the scenic area. Resembling a human, it is just like a general standing alone in front of the army. On the left and right sides of the āgeneralā, there is a strange peak on each to guard and clear the way for him.
Dashun Peak
Wanfenglin has six mountain peaks that are in a straight-angled shape (like a pyramid), formed by the arrangement of karst cone peaks along the steep inclined rock layers. Together, they are called Dashun Peak, symbolizing “six great blessings”.
The formation strata are the Yalongjing Formation of the Middle Tertiary of the Triassic System. It develops four types of joints: north-eastward, north-northeastward, north-westward, and north-northwestward. During the processes of dissolution, disintegration, and collapse, there are also forward sliding landslides, eventually forming knife-shaped stone peaks with single-sided mountains.
Dashun Peak is a typical representative of high-angle peak cluster landform landscapes.
Po Nai Ancient Village
Po Nai is a Buyi ethnic village nestled deep in the mountains with over 600 years of history. It still retains the “Buyi Tunpu Culture” from the Hongwu period of the Ming DynastyĀ over 600 years ago.
Not far from Po Nai Ancient Village is Dazhai Village, another beautiful Buyi village in Guizhou, and the birthplace of the national intangible cultural heritage “Buyi Transit Dance” and the provincial intangible cultural heritage “High Platform Lion Dance.” Here, you can learn about the history of the Buyi people and discover the “Eight Ancient Features” of Buyi villages.
>> Learn about Top 12 Ethnic Villages in Guizhou
A Myriad of Stars Surround the Moon
There is a solitary peak embraced by mountains. Looking afar or overlooking, it is like a majestic bonsai, with exquisiteness and beauty. It has a special name called āA Myriad of Stars Surround the Moonā, and the surrounding peaks are said to represent the directions of eight planets in the solar system. Does it sound interesting?
The Sea of Rape FlowersĀ
Imagine a picture of an endless rape flower field in a sunny spring, surrounded by green mountains and peaks. That’s just what you could see in Wanfenglin. When the rape flowers are in full bloom in spring, youāll admire the sea of bright yellow rape fields, together with idyllic villages and karst peaks. You may feel like falling into a fairy tale in the endless field in spring.
Other attractions or peaks worth exploring or admiring in Wanfenglin Scenic Area include Xianahui Village, Ma Ling River, Wanfu Village, and Wanfenglin Sinkhole.
Top Things to Do
Cycling Around the Forest of Peaks
In addition to taking the sightseeing vehicle to visit the vast area, freecycling is also a popular activity to stroll around the place, to see the pretty charming peaks, villages, and rice fields. In the scenic area, you can find many bicycles to rent here and there, taking about RMB 10-30 for day; and there are different bicycle types for one or more riders. You can go along the road with the Bouyei villages in the fields.
Enjoy Bouyei Culture and Local Food
Bouyei nationality is a large ethnic group in China, especially in the southwest. As some Bouyei villages scatter in Wanfenglin, you may learn about the ethnic culture and try their food while sightseeing. The Eight Bowls of Bouyei are the best eight dishes for Bouyei people to treat guests, which are stewed pig’s trotters with milled beans, braised pork with tofu, stewed pig skin, crispy pork with vermicelli, stewed ribs with radishes, vegetarian pumpkin, braised tofu, and colored glutinous rice. Visiting Wanfenglin, you can taste these dishes in Bouyei style, which may be exotic and tempting.
Nuo Opera is the religious sacrificial ceremony of the Bouyei people. At first glance, you may feel it is horrifying. The villagers wear masks and pretend to be ghosts and gods, in order to worship the gods with sacrifices and pray for blessings. Meanwhile, it is to expel the plagues and something evil. Except for the Nuo Opera performance, you can also watch the traditional talking and sing with the singers sitting down and eight folk instruments.
How to Explore Wanfenglin
Best Time to Visit Wanfenglin
Wanfenglin is suitable to travel in four seasons, and February to May is perhaps one of the most beautiful when the golden rape flowers are in full blossom, creating amazing scenery. June to August is also attractive when the rice gradually matures, some fields are lush green, and some are light yellow.
How to Get to Wanfenglin
From Xingyi downtown, the city bus No.19 and Tourist Bus Line 1 are available to take you to Wanfenglin. The price for the city bus No.19 is RMB 2; while the full price of the latter bus is RMB 10 between Malinghe Canyon and Wanfenglin.
You can also take a taxi to Wanfenglin, which is inexpensive and convenient, too.
Tips for Visiting Wanfenglin in Guizhou
- Recommended visiting route: General Peak – Upper Nahui Village – Lower Nahui Village – Luyintang – Liangjiaqiao – Zhanhongqiao – Tiankeng (Sinkhole)
- Accommodation within the scenic area is basic, mostly hostels, priced around CNY 100-300.
- Where are the restrooms in the Wanfenglin Scenic Area? There is one at the visitor center. For others, please look for clearly marked signs.
- The mother and baby room is located 200 meters straight ahead from the General Peak ticket office.
- Use a drone to take panoramic photos of the “Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks”.
Attractions Nearby Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks (Wanfenglin)
- Maling River Canyon: It is a stunning canyon located in Xingyi City, and known for its crystal-clear river and unique rock formations.
- Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its karst landscape and beautiful waterfalls.
- Huangguoshu Waterfall: The largest waterfall in Asia located in Anshun City, endowed with natural beauty and scenic hiking trails.
Visiting the Wanfenglin with Chinaxiantour
Whether you’re seeking a Guizhou ethnic adventure combining nature or just craving a summer escape to cool places, our Wanfenglin tours can be tailor-made to make your trip enjoyable. Youāll travel with a knowledgeable local guide who brings you in-depth exploration and a genuine connection. Letās design your itinerary today.
