01City Guide
Wanfenglin Scenic Area
万峰林景区
All Ages
Admission
Peak-season admission CNY 70, low-season admission CNY 60, plus CNY 50 for the Guanfeng Road sightseeing bus.
Typical Visit
Half day to full day
Quick Facts
Ticket
Peak-season admission CNY 70, low-season admission CNY 60; sightseeing elevator CNY 30 one way or CNY 40 round trip.
Hours
Use daytime scenic-area hours and check same-day entry notices before going into the canyon.
Transport
No metro. From Xingyi city, use taxi, car, or local bus connections to Maling River Canyon.
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Time
Jun-Sep for stronger waterfalls; drier months for clearer canyon texture
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Choose the entrance before you go
For Maling River Canyon, the common easier route is to enter and exit from Xiaoqingshan, using the sightseeing elevator to reach the canyon floor. Stronger walkers who want less backtracking can consider a one-way route between Dachaiwo and Xiaoqingshan. For a first visit or with older visitors and children, prioritize Xiaoqingshan and the elevator.
Tip:Do not judge only by map distance. This is a canyon with vertical drop, so the wrong entrance can strongly affect effort and return logistics.
2
Budget the ticket and elevator separately
The official Guizhou price list shows Maling River Canyon admission as CNY 70 in peak season and CNY 60 in low season. The sightseeing elevator is CNY 30 one way or CNY 40 round trip. The elevator is not the main scenery, but it saves a lot of climbing in and out of the canyon.
Tip:If you also plan Wanfenglin or Wanfeng Lake that day, treat the elevator as an energy-saving tool rather than a luxury.
3
Plan around the canyon-floor waterfalls and travertine walls
The best parts are the canyon-floor boardwalk, waterfalls, mist, travertine wall formations, and bridge views. Allow 2-3 hours for a normal visit. Queues, photos, and wet paths can all make the visit slower in peak season.
Tip:Do not treat Maling River Canyon like a roadside viewpoint. Once inside, steps, boardwalks, and slippery sections require a slower pace.
4
Rainy season gives force; dry season gives detail
June to September usually brings stronger water flow, more waterfall mist, and more impact. With lower water, the rock walls, travertine texture, and canyon structure are easier to see. The seasons are not simply better or worse; they highlight different things.
Tip:During heavy rain, storm warnings, or temporary scenic-area controls, do not force a canyon-floor visit. Safety comes first.
Highlights
- Maling River Canyon is Xingyi's most developed canyon attraction and deserves a dedicated half day.
- The canyon-floor boardwalk brings you close to waterfalls, mist, cliff walls, and travertine formations, not just distant canyon views.
- Wanma Benteng Waterfall, Huanglong Waterfall, Sea Lion Suspension Bridge, and Bigua Cliff are the easiest areas to remember.
- The sightseeing elevator makes the canyon practical for ordinary visitors without spending all energy on stairs.
- The canyon is cooler in summer, but wet paths, mist, and crowds are also more noticeable.
Insider Tips
✦Wear shoes with grip before entering. Flip-flops and smooth soles are risky on wet boardwalks.
✦Near waterfalls, mist can wet you quickly, so protect phones, cameras, and documents.
✦Suspension bridges and elevators have capacity limits, so do not push or rush in queues.
✦If you only want a quick sense of the canyon's scale, first look from the canyon bridge area before deciding whether to enter.
✦Do not enter closed areas, go down to the river, or cross railings.
More Xingyi Attractions
02City Guide
Bagua Field
八卦田
All Ages
Admission
Seen from Wanfenglin's paid observation route; Wanfenglin admission is CNY 70 in peak season or CNY 60 in low season, plus CNY 50 for the sightseeing bus.
Typical Visit
20-40 minutes as part of Wanfenglin; longer if paired with village riding
03City Guide
Xianahui Village
下纳灰村
All Ages
Admission
Free to walk around the village; Wanfenglin mountain viewpoints and sightseeing bus require separate tickets.
Typical Visit
1-3 hours; overnight if using it as a village base
04City Guide
Shangnahui Village
上纳灰村
All Ages
Admission
Free to walk around the village; Wanfenglin mountain viewpoints and sightseeing bus require separate tickets.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours; overnight if staying in a view guesthouse
05City Guide
Wanfo Temple
万佛寺
All Ages
Admission
Free entry for the temple visit; paid Wanfenglin viewpoints and sightseeing bus are separate.
Typical Visit
1-1.5 hours
06City Guide
Yuhuangding Scenic Area
玉皇顶景区
Adults Focused
Admission
Free outdoor viewpoint.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours, plus mountain-road transfer time