Maling River Canyon Scenic Spot

Maling River Canyon Scenic Spot is a state-level scenic spot. It is located at the juncture of Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou Provinces in Xingyi City of Guizhou Province, about 334 kilometers (around 208 miles) southwest of Guiyang, the capital city. This scenic spot is a display of karst features with multiple stratifications and categories. It is famous for its deep rift, waterfalls and calcium tapestries.

Maling River Canyon is a long, deep rift cut by the surging Maling River and the groundwater. It has a length of about 74.8 kilometers (around 46.5 miles) and an average depth of 200-400 meters (about 219-437 yards). The narrowest point of it is just 50 meters (about 55 yards) wide. Overlooking from above it looks just like a narrow crack while looking up from the bottom one can only see a strip of the sky. It is indeed a rare scene. It has been given the title of 'A Beautiful Scar of the Earth' by seasoned travelers.

It is said that the Maling River Canyon consists of around 100 waterfalls, each 100 meters (about 109 yards) high or more. The most beautiful waterfalls are the Pearl Waterfall and the Rainbow Waterfall. The Pearl Waterfall is a group of waterfalls dropping from a 100-meter (about 109 yards) high cliff. Droplets of these waterfalls splutter in all directions like abundant pearls in the air. The Rainbow Waterfall consists of eight waterfalls pouring down at the same time. As they arrive at the bottom, a mist of water rises and rainbows appear in the sunshine.

On the two faces of the canyon, there are miles of calcium sediments. Some calcium sediments are like hanging tapestries while some are like waterfalls. Local people call them calcium tapestries or calcium falls. These sediments vary in color and shape. Colorful and vivid pictures form on two sides. This natural gallery is too marvelous to imagine!

Tourists can either drift at the bottom of the canyon along the river or enjoy the scenery on foot along the man-made plank trail. Of course the canyon drift is much more exciting. Drifting at Maling River Canyon is more than exciting. It is thrilling! The river at this part is turbulent and narrow with several dangerous shoals. While drifting, tourists can appreciate waterfalls and calcium falls on the way.

Attention: the best time to drift along Maling River is from June to October. During this period, at the main spot one can take in sights of 13 waterfalls at one time.