Gaoguan Waterfall
Situated in Gaoguan Valley in Guifeng Mountain, about 50km (approximately 31mi) to Xi'an City, Gaoguan Waterfall is an ideal resort for visitors to spend their summertime due to its cool weather and spectacular natural scenery.
Gaoguan means “tall hat” in Chinese and the waterfall was so named because the nearby mountain peak resembles a giant with a top hat on. As a famous waterfall during the ancient time, Gaoguan Waterfall was a part of the royal garden called the Shanglin Garden during Qin (221BD-207BD) and Han (202BD-220AC) dynasties. A well-known Tang (618-907) poet by Cen Shen used to live here and wrote a series of poems to praise it.
Gaoguan Waterfall scenic area has an abundance of both natural scenery and cultural sites. Gaoguan Pool, Boji Pool, Cherry Blossom Pool, Pigeon Pool and Chexiang Pool, each with its distinguishing features, unique stones such as Toad Stone and Fuxiu Stone and caves including Niubi Cave, are beautiful and mysterious. On the giant stone on the west bank of the waterfall is the sitting statue of the poet enjoying the cascading water. And there is the Mingdao Pavilion, built in memory of the neo-Confucianist, Cheng Mingdao, who had been here during his tenure as the local magistrate. Famous contemporary calligrapher, Ru Gui, wrote his “Gaoguan Waterfall” here.
The Gaoguan Waterfall is the main spot in the area. The quiet Gaoguan River flows to the top of the waterfall and then gets squeezed by rocks into a spurt before dropping from a height of nearly 30m (32.8yd) to the deep Gaoguan Pool, creating a thunderous sound and a curtain of grand white mist. Walk along the stone path on the west bank of the waterfall, get through the Niubi Cave passing Mingdao Pavilion and climb onto the Yingzui Rock where there’s a viewing platform right above the Gaoguan Pool. Look down towards the sunshine and you’ll see the panorama of the waterfall with a rainbow over it and mist around you, making one feels like in a fairyland. Along the banks are many restaurants run by local peasants selling rural-style dishes that are worth trying.
500m (547yd) south of the Gaoguan Waterfall is Xiacui Lake. Surrounded by mountains, it is a quiet wavy lake. The lake derives its name from the soft blowing wind, the morning or evening sunlight together with the green mountain, reflected in the lake that resembles a piece of red and green rippling silk. Literally translated, the name means a red sunlight and emerald green reflection. Visitors can swim at the shallow upper river, while boating is suggested downstream.
Walk up along the Gaoguan River to an uncharted land. Fenghuang Zui, Happy Forest, Tongtian Bridge, Lord Laotse Pool and many other spots with natural beauty will revive your body and your heart. Furthermore, Quaternary period glacial relics can be found in the deep mountain.
1. Take bus No. 921 from Xi’an City Bus Station on Fengqing Road and get off at Lijiayan (Gaoguan Waterfall) Station. Walk for about 900m (984yd) southward.
2. Take bus No. 916 and get off at Fengyu Huanshan Road Roundabout. The major pick-up stops include Tang West Market, Northwestern University of Industry, or Xiwan Road Crossing. Then take a private local van to the Gaoguan Waterfall; fare costs about CNY10/person.
Xi'an Bus / Metro Search
Gaoguan means “tall hat” in Chinese and the waterfall was so named because the nearby mountain peak resembles a giant with a top hat on. As a famous waterfall during the ancient time, Gaoguan Waterfall was a part of the royal garden called the Shanglin Garden during Qin (221BD-207BD) and Han (202BD-220AC) dynasties. A well-known Tang (618-907) poet by Cen Shen used to live here and wrote a series of poems to praise it.
Gaoguan Waterfall scenic area has an abundance of both natural scenery and cultural sites. Gaoguan Pool, Boji Pool, Cherry Blossom Pool, Pigeon Pool and Chexiang Pool, each with its distinguishing features, unique stones such as Toad Stone and Fuxiu Stone and caves including Niubi Cave, are beautiful and mysterious. On the giant stone on the west bank of the waterfall is the sitting statue of the poet enjoying the cascading water. And there is the Mingdao Pavilion, built in memory of the neo-Confucianist, Cheng Mingdao, who had been here during his tenure as the local magistrate. Famous contemporary calligrapher, Ru Gui, wrote his “Gaoguan Waterfall” here.
The Gaoguan Waterfall is the main spot in the area. The quiet Gaoguan River flows to the top of the waterfall and then gets squeezed by rocks into a spurt before dropping from a height of nearly 30m (32.8yd) to the deep Gaoguan Pool, creating a thunderous sound and a curtain of grand white mist. Walk along the stone path on the west bank of the waterfall, get through the Niubi Cave passing Mingdao Pavilion and climb onto the Yingzui Rock where there’s a viewing platform right above the Gaoguan Pool. Look down towards the sunshine and you’ll see the panorama of the waterfall with a rainbow over it and mist around you, making one feels like in a fairyland. Along the banks are many restaurants run by local peasants selling rural-style dishes that are worth trying.
500m (547yd) south of the Gaoguan Waterfall is Xiacui Lake. Surrounded by mountains, it is a quiet wavy lake. The lake derives its name from the soft blowing wind, the morning or evening sunlight together with the green mountain, reflected in the lake that resembles a piece of red and green rippling silk. Literally translated, the name means a red sunlight and emerald green reflection. Visitors can swim at the shallow upper river, while boating is suggested downstream.
Walk up along the Gaoguan River to an uncharted land. Fenghuang Zui, Happy Forest, Tongtian Bridge, Lord Laotse Pool and many other spots with natural beauty will revive your body and your heart. Furthermore, Quaternary period glacial relics can be found in the deep mountain.
How to get to Gaoguan Waterfall
2. Take bus No. 916 and get off at Fengyu Huanshan Road Roundabout. The major pick-up stops include Tang West Market, Northwestern University of Industry, or Xiwan Road Crossing. Then take a private local van to the Gaoguan Waterfall; fare costs about CNY10/person.
Xi'an Bus / Metro Search
| Admission Fee | CNY20 |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | All Day |
| Best Time to Visit | May-October |
- Last updated on Aug. 15, 2024 by Catherine He -