Plan at a glance
Location and entry
Gaogui Santan Scenic Area is on Pingsan Road in Caihe Town, Guangshui, Suizhou. Search for “Gaogui Santan Scenic Area” to navigate there. The visitor centre is at the main entrance, with ticketing, supplies, storage, and toilets; the car park is on the left and the ticket check is on the right.
The adult ticket is CNY 40 and the concession ticket is CNY 30. The current opening window is about 08:00–17:00, with ticketing and reservation requirements following the same-day arrangements. After buying a ticket, allow 1–2 hours for the waterfall short route or 4–5 hours for the Jinding highlights route.
The Biyu Lake shuttle
Biyu Lake is about 1.8 km from the visitor centre. The sightseeing cart costs CNY 10 one way or CNY 20 return, while walking takes about 28 minutes. Both the short and highlights routes begin at Biyu Lake, and the cart's same-day schedule affects the return plan.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Waterfalls and the old tree
Santan Dieyun is the core sight: its three-level waterfall is about 500 m beyond Biyu Lake along a relatively gentle path, making it suitable for visitors who mainly want water scenery and photos. Qingtan Wang (青檀王), an old qingtan tree (Pteroceltis tatarinowii), stands near the start of the climbing section before the steeper trail.
Jinding, caves, and photography
Dagui Shan Jinding (大贵山金顶) is about 908 m above sea level, with mountain views and a field of wind turbines. Ziteng Xiandong (紫藤仙洞) and Yixiantian offer different rock-wall and gorge scenery. Zhongtan Guanjingtai (中潭观景台) is good for photographing the three-level waterfall, Yixiantian for cliff views, and the Qingtan woodland path for observing the light and shade among the trees.
Build your day
1–2 hours: waterfall short route
Take the sightseeing cart from the visitor centre to Biyu Lake, then walk about 500 m along the gentle path to Santan Dieyun. Take photos and pause at the waterfall, return to Biyu Lake by the same route, and take the cart back to the visitor centre.
This route does not enter the steeper second half of the mountain trail and suits visitors with limited time or those who only want the three-level waterfall. If you walk to and from Biyu Lake, add about 28 minutes each way to the visit.
4–5 hours: Jinding highlights route
Take the sightseeing cart to Biyu Lake, then visit Santan Dieyun, Qingtan Wang, and Santan Quanyan (三潭泉眼) before following the gentler slope towards Dagui Shan Jinding. The summit return takes about 1.5–2 hours; after seeing the wind turbines and mountain views, return by the same route.
The second half of the trail to Jinding is steeper and involves continuous walking, so you still need to return to the visitor centre. Confirm the last sightseeing-cart time when you enter, and do not leave a long-route return until the closing time.
Get there
Driving and parking
The drive from Suizhou or Guangshui takes about 30–90 minutes. Driving or hiring a car is recommended; use “Gaogui Santan Scenic Area” as the navigation target. The car park is free and spacious, and you can go to the visitor centre after parking to handle tickets, supplies, and storage.
Public transport and the internal shuttle
Public transport is inconvenient, so visitors without a car should arrange their return vehicle in advance. Inside the attraction, take the sightseeing cart from the visitor centre to Biyu Lake or walk for about 28 minutes; there is no alternative public shuttle on the mountain.
Know before you go
Tickets and return timing
Seniors aged 60–69, children between 1.2 and 1.4 m, and students can buy the CNY 30 concession ticket. Visitors aged 70 and above, children under 1.2 m, active-duty military personnel, and visitors with disabilities may enter free with the required documents. The attraction currently opens about 08:00–17:00; confirm the day's arrangements on site.
The sightseeing cart costs CNY 20 return, and its last run should be confirmed on entry. The Jinding route takes about 1.5–2 hours for the summit return. Food choices inside are limited, so prepare water and high-energy snacks at the visitor centre or below the mountain.
Trail and weather
The path near Santan Waterfall is relatively gentle, while the second half of the trail to Jinding is steeper and has more steps. Wear shoes with good grip in wet weather. Summer brings more insects, and signal can be unstable on the climbing section and summit; families with children or visitors with limited stamina can stop at the waterfall area. When visibility is poor, return safely along the open trail.
After the visit, nearby farm restaurants such as Xiangshuwan Farm Restaurant are possible choices, with opening status confirmed for the day. Gaogui Santan, Dahong Mountain, Pipa Lake, and Tianwangzhai are separate attractions; the Biyu Lake sightseeing cart serves Gaogui Santan only.