7 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in China: The Stunning Artworks of Nature

Written by Veronica | Updated November 10,2025

China is a large country with all kinds of stunning landscapes. If you’re one for natural wonders, China is the perfect destination for you. In this article, we’ll take you through the 7 most beautiful waterfalls in China. They scatter across different regions, so wherever your China tour takes you, you will not be disappointed.

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• 1. Huangguoshu Waterfall: The Biggest Waterfall in China
• 2. Hukou Waterfall: The Breathtaking Yellow Waterfall
• 3. Detian Waterfall: The Largest Transnational Waterfall in Asia
• 4. Jiuzhaigou Nuorilang Waterfall: The Alpine Wonder
• 5. Lushan Three-Tiered Waterfall: One of the Tallest Waterfalls in China
• 6. Luoping Jiulong Waterfalls: The Magnificent Wonder in Yunnan
• 7. Furong Waterfall: Home to Furong Ancient Town
• FAQs about Waterfalls in China
• Admire China’s Beautiful Waterfalls with China Xian Tour

1. Huangguoshu Waterfall: The Biggest Waterfall in China

Huangguoshu Waterfall is the largest waterfall in China. It is among China’s most celebrated natural wonders. It is 77.8 meters (255 feet) tall and 101 meters (331 feet) wide with lush forests surrounding it. It is part of a larger network of waterfalls and caves. A total of 18 waterfalls in the area form the largest waterfall cluster in the world, and Huangguoshu Waterfall is the most spectacular one among them.

• Location: Guizhou Province, Southwest China
• Best Time to Visit: June to August
• Time Needed: 6 – 7 hours
• Tickets: CNY 160
• Opening Hours: 07:00 – 18:00 (Mar. to Nov.); 07:30 – 18:00 (Dec. to Feb.)
• How to Get to: From Anshun: take a direct bus at Anshun West Bus Station or Anshun East Bus Station; From Guiyang: take a direct bus at Guiyang Old Bus Station or Guiyang North Bus Station
• Best Viewing Spots: Water Curtain Cave, the six official viewing platforms

Travel Tips

If you want to explore more scenic spots in Guizhou, 2 – 3 days is recommended to cover other natural and cultural highlights here. On the first day, completely immerse yourself in Huangguoshu Scenic Area. The recommended order is Huanghuoshu Waterfall – Doupotang Waterfall – Tianxingqiao Scenic Area. And you can also join in the night tour to feel the different charm of the waterfall under lights. On the second day, visit the nearby Dragon Palace, a karst landform wonder composed of water caves. It is like an underground Li River. In the afternoon, visit the Stone Village to experience the traditional art wax printing closely. On the last day, choose Getu River or Jiuzhou Old Town based on your likes.

Recommended Tours:

• 3-Day Guiyang City Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall
• 5 Days Guiyang – Huangguoshu – Fanjingshan Tour

2. Hukou Waterfall: The Breathtaking Yellow Waterfall

Hukou Waterfall, often referred to as the “Yellow Waterfall,” is the second largest waterfall in China. It is located on the Yellow River, the cradle of Chinese civilization. In the waterfall area, the originally 300-meter-wide (984 feet) Yellow River is suddenly narrowed to only 20 to 30 meters (66 to 98 feet).

As a result, the waterfall is formed as the river plunges through the narrow gorge, creating clouds of mists and great sounds. That’s why it’s named “Hukou,” which means the spout of a kettle in Chinese. The waterfall is about 98 meters (322 feet) wide with a drop of approximately 30 meters (98 feet).

Hukou Waterfall is located at the joint of Shanxi and Shaanxi Province, and you can visit it from both sides. The Shaanxi side is about 350 km (217 miles) from Xi’an, making it popular for side trips from Xi’an.

• Location: Shanxi and Shaanxi Province, Northwest China
• Best Time to Visit: April to May & September to November
• Time Needed: About 2 hours
• Tickets: CNY 90
• Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
• How to Get to: Xian Fangzhicheng Bus Station, Linfen Bus Station, and Yan’an South Bus Station all offer direct buses.
• Best Viewing Spots: The Shanxi side and the Shaanxi side offer different scenery, both are worth visiting.

Recommended Tours:

• 1 Day Hukou Waterfall Tour from Xian
• 2 Days Xi’an Yan’an Tour with Hukou Waterfall
• 4 Days Yucha Grand Canyon & Wave Valley Tour

3. Detian Waterfall: The Largest Transnational Waterfall in Asia

Another one of the best waterfalls in China, Detian Waterfall is a cross-border natural wonder between China and Vietnam. It is the largest transnational waterfall in Asia and the fourth in the world. On the Vietnamese side, it is called the Ban Gioc Waterfall. Rushing water plunges over three tiers, dropping over 70 meters (230 feet). It is definitely worth a visit on your China nature tour.

• Location: Guangxi Province, South China
• Best Time to Visit: May to November
• Time Needed: About 2 – 4 hours
• Tickets: CNY 115
• Opening Hours: 07:30-18:30
• How to Get to:Xining Langdong Bus Station and Chongzuo South Station have tourist buses to get there.
• Best Viewing Spots: 3 Viewing Platform, Daotian Cafe, Boundary Marker No. 53 between China and Vietnam

Travel Tips

Before going to the Detian Waterfall, you may want to spend some days in Nanning. Usually, 3 days is enough. The following itinerary is recommended. The first stop on the first day is Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area, where you will be healed by the natural environment. Try to board the Longxiang Tower to overlook the whole Nanning. In the afternoon, experience the various ethnic cultures in Guangxi Museum of Nationalities. On the second day, take a walk or cycle around the Nanhu Park in the morning. In the afternoon, feel the artistic atmosphere in The Uptown Scenic Area and Inner Street Cultural and Creative Park. Both of them are creative districts transformed from the old factory buildings. On the third day, Nanning Garden Expo Park is a good choice. It gathers numerous exquisite garden landscapes both at home and abroad. >> See How to Plan a Trip to Nanning and Surroundings

Recommended Tours:

• 3 Days Detian Waterfall Adventure Tour
• 7 Days Guangxi Tour of Detian Waterfall & Weizhou Island

4. Jiuzhaigou Nuorilang Waterfall: The Alpine Wonder

Nuorilang Waterfall is a highlight of the UNESCO-listed Jiuzhaigou National Park, one of the best national parks in China. It’s famous for its vibrant colors in different seasons and gorgeous, clear lakes. Against the backdrop of stunning alpine landscapes, the multi-tiered Nuorilang Waterfall is a famous waterfall in China. Jiuzhaigou is 420 kilometers (261 miles) north of Chengdu city.

You can visit Nuorilang Waterfall all year round and have a wonderful experience. In spring, the water runs freely against the lush green forests. You’ll see wildflowers on the vast green carpet of the earth. In the summer with more rainfall, the waterfall rushes down with greater force and thundering sound.

In the golden fall, the waterfall adds movement to the still picture of colorful foliage against the blue sky. And in the winter, the frozen water and snow-covered branches create a different kind of landscape.

• Location: Sichuan Province, Southwest China
• Best Time to Visit: all year round
• Time Needed: About 1 – 2hours
• Tickets: 1 – Nov. 15: CNY 169 (entrance ticket) + 90 (sightseeing bus); Nov. 15 – Mar. 31: CNY 80 (entrance ticket) + 80 (sightseeing bus)
• Opening Hours: Apr. 1 – Nov. 15: 07:30-17:30; Nov. 15 – Mar. 31: 08:30-17:30
• How to Get to: Take a tourist bus at Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station or Chadianzi Bus Station.
• Best Viewing Spots: the front observation deck, the path on the left

Travel Tips:

Jiuzhai Valley is at an altitude of 2,000 – 3,100 meters and Nuorilang Waterfall is about 2,400 meters high. Most people may have mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as shortness of breath. But you do not have to be nervous. Just keep a slow move. Drink more water and take the anti-altitude sickness drugs with you. Oxygen Inhalation is also effective, you can consider carrying a portable oxygen cylinder.

To enrich your travel experience, how about adding Huanglong Scenic Area on the following day? It is about 100 km from Jiuzhai Valley. The thousands of naturally formed travertin colored pools and splendid Karst landform make it renowned as the “Paradise Pools on Earth”. Then return to Chengdu and spend 2 – 3 days seeing the lovely pandas and exploring other famous landmarks and scenic spots in downtown area.

Recommended Tours:

• 4 Days Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong Highlights Tour
• 7 Days Chengdu Natural Exploration Tour with Mt. Emei & Jiuzhaigou

5. Lushan Three-Tiered Waterfall: One of the Tallest Waterfalls in China

The Three-Tiered Waterfall of Lushan Mountain is the most magnificent karst waterfall in the world. It is also called the Sandiequan Waterfall. Lushan Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its natural beauty and cultural significance, and the Three-Tiered Waterfall is praised as the “First Wonder of Mt. Lushan.”

There is a popular saying among the locals: “If you haven’t visited the Sandiequan Waterfall, you haven’t truly experienced Lushan Mountain.” With a total drop of 155 meters (509 feet), it is one of the tallest waterfalls in China. You can take a hike through the scenic trails surrounding the waterfall and take in the view.

• Location: Jiangxi Province, Southeast China
• Best Time to Visit: May to August
• Time Needed: About2 – 4 hours
• Tickets: CNY 63
• Opening Hours: May – Aug.: 07:00-17:30;Sep. – Apr.: 07:30-17:00
• How to Get to: At the parking lot in front of Jiujiang Railway Stationor Ten-mile Building, take the direct bus to Lushan Mountain East Gate.
• Best Viewing Spots: Waterfall Viewing Pavilion, the valley bottom, Cloud Viewing Terrace on Wulao Mountain

Recommended Tours:

• 2 Days Lushan Mountain Hiking Tour
• 4 Days Jiangxi Tour of Nanchang, Mt. Lu, Jingdezhen, Wuyaun

6. Luoping Jiulong Waterfalls: The Magnificent Wonder in Yunnan

Jiulong Waterfalls, or “Nine Dragon Waterfalls,” are a group of 10 tiers of waterfalls in Luoping County of Yunnan. These terraced falls, some tumble gently down the hillsides, like a graceful dance of water and stone, others plunge over with the force of nature. You can take a cable car to the viewing deck on top where you can overlook the entire area while hearing the thundering roar of the water.

Jiulong Waterfalls are even more captivating in the spring, as the surrounding fields are covered by rapeseed flowers. See the water run like silver waves in a sea of bright yellow when you travel to China.

• Location: Yunnan province, Southwest China
• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Time Needed: About 2 – 4 hours
• Tickets: CNY 60 – 65
• Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30
• How to Get to: There are direct buses at Buyi Folklore Garden in Luoping County.
• Best Viewing Spots: Panoramic Observation Deck, Shenlong Waterfall, Qingren Waterfall

Travel Tips:

Besides the waterfall, Luoping is also famous for the sea of rapeseed flowers. From Late February to early April, the flowers are in full bloom and the water volume of the waterfall is moderate. In lunar Feb. 2 and Mar. 3, the local Buyi ethnic group will also hold the Duet Festival and the Water-Sprinkling Festival. Travel there in this period, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the local minority culture.

7. Furong Waterfall: Home to Furong Ancient Town

There is an incredible site in China that will blow you away, the ancient town hanging on a waterfall, Furong Ancient Town. It is seated on the top of a cliff, with Furong Waterfall cascading in two tiers from the foot of the town. It is one of the most amazing waterfalls in China. From afar, it looks as if the earth gives away under the traditional stilted buildings of Tujia people, and the waterfall plunges straight down.

You can have a wonderful view of Furong Ancient Town and the waterfall from the nearby viewing deck or Tuwang Palace. There is also a path against the cliff that will lead you behind the waterfall where you’ll have a different perspective.

• Location: Hunan Province, South China
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Time Needed: 1 – 2 days
• Tickets: CNY 108
• Opening Hours: all day
• How to Get to: Take a high-speed train to Furongzhen Station and then transfer there by taxi.
• Best Viewing Spots: WaterfallObservation Deck, Tuwang Bridge, the plank road under the waterfall.

Travel Tips

The Furong Ancient Town is a hot scenic spot in Hunan and its highlight is the night scenery. So it is highly recommended to stay one night there. The stone roads there are wet and slippery, and a pair of anti-slippery sports shoes is necessary.

Create Your Own Customized China Tour to Furong Ancient Town!

FAQs about Waterfalls in China

What is the biggest waterfall in China?

Undoubtedly, it is Huangguoshu Waterfall.

Which waterfalls are suitable for families, children, or less-experienced hikers?

The most recommended is Huangguoshu Waterfall. The scenic area is equipped with sightseeing buses and a large escalator. The road is also flat. Besides, Jiuzhaigou Norilang Waterfall and Furong Waterfall are also nice choices.

How accessible are the waterfalls — do they require long hikes or special transport?

All the above 7 waterfalls can be reached by sightseeing bus or walking, so take it easy.

How do the heights, widths, or flows of these waterfalls compare with each other?

Admire China’s Beautiful Waterfalls with China Xian Tour

Besides the waterfalls, you must want to know the famous nearby attractions and how to plan a trip to include the attractions. China Xian Tour is glad to introduce to you. Just contact our travel consultant. She can recommend the scenic spots according to your preference and then tailor a perfect trip for you. Travel with us, you can enjoy a very comfortable experience and a considerate service. Do not hesitate to contact us.

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