Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 12-Mar-19 -

On first sight I would definitely lean towards "it's just a waterfall" but with the extensive new documentation written and inclusion of a lot of other places that I haven't seen there could be something unique. Just a mention of the superlatives "deepest, biggest volume" etc and the use of "scenic spot" makes me think a AAAAA site (China is quite generous to give away the top mark for scenic spots but that's another discussion) is trying to inscribe to attract more tourists. Huangguoshu is already very popular, the no.1 thing to do in Guiyang only an hour away, combined with cave visits (one of those that are just illuminated, has a light show, you are forced to take pictures for the option to buy later and a very generic karst site in general), you can spend the whole day here.

It also claims to be the biggest waterfalls in the world although I find that claim questionable. Large is measured width x height and even then it doesn't look that grande. What I found "cool" was the grotto one can walk through behind the waterfall (you will get wet) but again I don't think this is unique.

With other mentions of farming communities (can't really spot this), cave coffins similar to the ones in Guangxi, Fujian. Overall I get the idea that the combination of many factors is kind of what the state party thinks is unique but for one I dismiss any "rare natural beauty" claims as subjective and the other criteria is easily surpassed by other karst areas existing in the world including China's own karst inscriptions.

A worthy visit but not worthy WHS.