01City Guide
Chishui Danxia Tourist Area - Great Waterfall
赤水丹霞旅游区·大瀑布
All Ages
Admission
Official admission CNY 80; sightseeing bus CNY 20 round trip or CNY 10 one way; elevator CNY 20 one way.
Typical Visit
2.5-4 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
Chishui Danxia combo ticket CNY 180; individual official tickets include Great Waterfall CNY 80, Buddha Light Rock CNY 80, and Swallow Rock CNY 45.
Hours
No single unified route schedule; main sections use daytime entry windows and official notices for weather or maintenance changes.
Transport
No metro. From Zunyi or Guiyang, travel first to Chishui, then use self-driving, hired car, taxi, or local tourist transport between scenic sections.
Duration
1-3 days depending on how many sections you visit
Best Time
Apr-Oct for waterfalls, forest, and Danxia routes; avoid rushing during heavy rain or temporary controls
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Plan Chishui Danxia as a group of separate scenic areas
Chishui Danxia is not a single park where you can enter once and walk through everything. The main sections are the Great Waterfall, Buddha Light Rock, and Swallow Rock, while Sidonggou, Bamboo Sea, and Bing'an Ancient Town are often added to the same trip.
Tip:Do not plan it as a half-day single-site visit. The attractions are spread out, so self-driving or hiring a car makes the trip much smoother.
2
Choose 1-2 core stops first
For a first visit, prioritize the Great Waterfall and Buddha Light Rock. Add Sidonggou if you want an easier waterfall walk, or Swallow Rock if you prefer forest, spinulose tree ferns, and quieter trails.
Tip:A combo ticket only makes sense if you will visit several sections. If you have only one day, buying tickets for the specific sites you will actually visit is safer.
3
Stay in Chishui city or near Bing'an Ancient Town
Chishui city has easier food and transport options, while Bing'an Ancient Town suits a slower overnight stay. If you plan to visit Buddha Light Rock or the Great Waterfall the next day, check the driving time and return transport in advance.
Tip:Public transport is possible, but transfers and waiting time add friction. Do not make the schedule too tight if you have luggage, older travelers, or children.
4
Allow 2-3 days for a fuller Chishui trip
A one-day visit usually covers only one major scenic area. Two days can fit the Great Waterfall, Buddha Light Rock, and one ancient town. With three days, adding Sidonggou, Swallow Rock, or Bamboo Sea feels much easier.
Tip:Waterfalls, Danxia cliffs, and bamboo forests are all weather-sensitive. After rain, the water flow is better, but the boardwalks are also more slippery.
Highlights
- Chishui Danxia combines red Danxia cliffs, waterfalls, and forest scenery, rather than offering only one type of landscape.
- The Great Waterfall is the most direct and powerful core sight.
- Buddha Light Rock is better for large red-cliff views and hiking routes.
- Sidonggou is easier than the Great Waterfall and suits travelers who want a lighter route.
- Bing'an Ancient Town works well as an overnight stop and slow-paced add-on between Chishui attractions.
Insider Tips
✦If you are not driving, confirm buses, tourist shuttles, or hired-car options from Chishui city before going to the attractions.
✦Chishui sights are spread out. It is better to skip one stop than to rush through too many in one day.
✦A raincoat, non-slip shoes, and simple food supplies matter more than stylish clothes.
✦Summer is good for escaping heat and seeing stronger water flow, but slippery paths, insects, and temporary controls are more likely.
✦Whether a combo ticket is worth it depends on how many scenic sections you will really visit.
More Zunyi Attractions
02City Guide
Chishui Danxia Tourist Area - Buddha Light Rock
赤水丹霞旅游区·佛光岩
All Ages
Admission
Official admission CNY 80; sightseeing bus CNY 25 round trip.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours; longer if adding higher viewpoints
03City Guide
Sidonggou Scenic Area
四洞沟景区
All Ages
Admission
Admission CNY 75; sightseeing bus CNY 30 round trip.
Typical Visit
3-4 hours
04City Guide
Chishui Danxia Tourist Area - Swallow Rock
赤水丹霞旅游区·燕子岩
Adults Focused
Admission
Official admission CNY 45; cableway pricing is separate when operating.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours if walking; shorter only if cableway is operating
05City Guide
Chishui Bamboo Sea National Forest Park
赤水竹海国家森林公园
All Ages
Admission
Admission CNY 45; sightseeing bus, water slide, speedboat, and uphill vehicle access cost extra when available.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours
06City Guide
Bing'an Ancient Town
丙安古镇
All Ages
Admission
Use CNY 10 as the basic admission reference; discounts and same-day entry rules may vary at the gate.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours; overnight if you want the old-town pace