Chishui Danxia

赤水丹霞

A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring striking red sandstone formations, bamboo forests, and multiple waterfalls across four scenic areas including Fenghuang Ravine and Shizhang Gorge. The landscape is dramatically colored and offers excellent hiking through lush vegetation contrasting with crimson cliffs.

Things to do

• Hike Fenghuang Ravine Trail — Trek through the most iconic red sandstone formations with cascading waterfalls and dense bamboo groves, taking 2–3 hours for the main loop.
• Visit Shizhang Gorge — Explore the second major scenic area featuring towering crimson cliffs, a suspension bridge, and the Shizhang waterfall plunging 100 meters.
• Bamboo Forest Walk at Yangxi Gorge — Stroll through a tranquil bamboo forest interspersed with red rock formations and smaller waterfalls in the quieter Yangxi scenic zone.
• Photography at Sunset Ridge — Capture the glowing red sandstone at golden hour from elevated vantage points overlooking multiple gorges and valleys.
• Explore Hongshi Gorge by Boardwalk — Walk the elevated wooden pathways through the most dramatic crimson cliffs, with minimal elevation gain and excellent geological interpretation.
• Visit Chishui Bamboo Sea — Tour the protected bamboo plantation covering thousands of hectares adjacent to the Danxia formations, offering immersive forest canopy views.
• Rock Climbing and Via Ferrata — Tackle guided climbs on the red sandstone cliffs for experienced climbers seeking adrenaline and unique aerial perspectives of the landscape.

Food to try

• Chishui Bamboo Shoots (赤水竹笋) — Fresh spring bamboo shoots harvested from local forests, prepared grilled, steamed, or in soups, offering delicate flavor unique to Guizhou.
• Guizhou Sour Fish Soup (酸汤鱼) — A signature regional dish featuring fresh local fish in a sour broth made from fermented tomatoes and chilies, served piping hot.
• Rice Noodles with Chishui Spring Water (赤水米粉) — Fine rice noodles made with mineral-rich spring water from local sources, served in clear broths with local vegetables and preserved meats.
• Bamboo Leaf Wrapped Sticky Rice (竹筒饭) — Glutinous rice cooked inside bamboo segments with local ingredients, infusing the rice with subtle bamboo fragrance.
• Wild Mushroom Hotpot — A mountain specialty featuring freshly foraged wild mushrooms from the surrounding forest, cooked communally in a traditional hotpot with local herbs.
• Chishui River Snails (螺蛳粉) — Small river snails in a complex broth with rice noodles, garlic, and chili, representing authentic Guizhou street food culture.

Local customs & good to know

• Wear proper hiking boots — The red sandstone becomes extremely slippery when wet, and trails feature uneven terrain requiring sturdy footwear even during dry season.
• Respect bamboo forest customs — Local communities depend on bamboo harvesting; stay on marked paths and do not damage plants or remove specimens as souvenirs.
• Start hikes early — Begin trekking by 7–8 AM to avoid afternoon crowds, intense heat, and to maximize light quality for photography of red formations.
• Learn basic Mandarin for local vendors — English is rarely spoken outside major visitor centers; learning numbers and basic phrases helps when purchasing local crafts and food from small shops.