Things to do in Jiangkou

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Tongren

Tongren Ancient City

Tongren Ancient City is located in the heart of Tongren, surrounded by water on the east, south, and west sides, with only the north side backed by mountains. Its strategic terrain makes it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Covering a total area of 37,000 square meters, the ancient residential buildings span 26,000 square meters, representing Tongren's original historical district that reflects the ancient city's charm and its unique ethnic cultural resource. As a well-preserved ancient city, Tongren Ancient City not only showcases rich historical relics and traditional architecture but also offers visitors an ideal place to explore local culture and enjoy leisure time. According to historical records, Tongren Ancient City was born from the convergence of two rivers. During the Yuan Dynasty, fishermen discovered three bronze statues representing Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism at the confluence of the rivers outside the city, which gave Tongren its name. Recent archaeological findings reveal that as early as 3,000 years ago, the banks of the Jinjiang River in Tongren were already densely populated and culturally vibrant. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the city had become a bustling hub of commerce, with boats shuttling back and forth and merchant guilds flourishing, earning it the title "Eastern Guizhou's Commercial Hub." Construction of the earthen city walls began in 1451 during the Ming Dynasty, following the river's course. Over time, successive administrations reinforced the walls with stone, forming a layout of nine gates, three main streets, and six alleys. Remarkably well-preserved, Tongren Ancient City was designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2006. The city retains its ancient streets, alleys, walls, water docks, wells, trees, and traditional courtyard houses, with rows of blue-brick buildings and black-tiled roofs standing as rare physical archives of urban development. Tongren Ancient City runs north-southZhongshan RoadThe main axis runs vertically, with buildings lining both sides of the road, interconnected by countless east-west alleys. Watchtowers, ancestral halls, residences, shops, lanes, city walls, and docks gradually unfold in sequence, boasting a large quantity and complete variety of structures. According to surveys, most buildings in Tongren Ancient City are 200–300 years old, where ethnic residential architecture, religious buildings, and commercial structures harmoniously blend. Here, the cultures of eastern Guizhou, central China, and Huizhou merchants converge, vividly reflecting the city's historical development. With the opening of the "Taoyuan Tongren·Ming-Qing Ancient City" cultural tourism festival in Tongren Ancient City, the area now radiates fresh vitality, offering exceptional sightseeing and experiential value. Visitors can immerse themselves in Tongren's local charm and cultural heritage while exploring its streets.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is where Zhangjiajie tourism starts. "The world knows Zhangjiajie, but who knows Wulingyuan?" Many travelers cannot distinguish the relationship between Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan. Generally, Zhangjiajie has two concepts: Zhangjiajie City and Zhangjiajie Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie Scenic Area refers to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which together with Tianzi Mountain, Suoxiyu, and Yangjiajie forms the Wulingyuan attraction. Because Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was developed early and is well-known, even Zhangjiajie City was renamed after it, and people are accustomed to using Zhangjiajie National Forest Park or Zhangjiajie Scenic Area to refer to the Wulingyuan attraction. "Three thousand exotic peaks and eight hundred beautiful waters." The three thousand exotic peaks, in particular, are renowned worldwide. The mountains of Wulingyuan are entirely different from famous mountains around the world. Within its 398-square-kilometer area, more than 3,000 dense and intact sandstone peak pillars are scattered throughout, including 243 peak pillars over 1,000 meters tall. When the sea of clouds surges, these peak pillars appear to have no base, rising abruptly from the ground and piercing straight into the sky. Together with the redwood forests of North America and the glacial landscapes of Greenland, they constitute one of the world's four major natural geological wonders. Wulingyuan has a low elevation and is located in the subtropical zone. The area features lush forests and abundant water sources, and is home to a large number of endangered animal and plant species. Every peak pillar is full of vitality. Peak pillars, natural bridges, gorges, waterfalls, streams, pools, caves, and dense broad-leaved forests are often shrouded in mist and clouds on site, enhancing the beauty of the view. Together with the unique landforms, they form a distinctive view characterized by "steep mountains, elegant waters, wondrous peaks, secluded gorges, and beautiful caves," and are hailed as "an enlarged bonsai and a miniature fairyland." On December 14, 1992, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee unanimously approved the inclusion of Wulingyuan in the World Heritage List, filling the gap of China having no World Natural Heritage sites. The recognized outstanding universal value is: the quartz sandstone peak forest landform is rare in the world and has extremely high aesthetic value. UNESCO points out: "In terms of scenery, Wulingyuan can be compared with several national parks and monuments in the United States, such as the Grand Canyon, and can also be compared with the prominent sandstone peak areas of the Kimberley in Western Australia. However, because Wulingyuan has a lower elevation and is located in the subtropics, it has lush forests and abundant water sources. It also possesses a large number of peaks, displaying a more vertical profile than the heritage sites of the United States and Australia." At the end of 2009, the mesmerizing planet Pandora in the globally popular movie "Avatar" attracted countless viewers, and the prototype of its floating mountains originated from Wulingyuan. Meanwhile, Wulingyuan is also a live-action filming location for the Chinese classics "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Journey to the West," as well as for films and TV dramas such as "Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal" and "Monster Hunt." In 2010, the unique landform of Wulingyuan was named "Zhangjiajie landform," becoming a globally recognized term and a rare landform type in the world named after a region. Attraction highlights Yuanjiajie: Landing on Pandora, the planet of Avatar Yuanjiajie is the filming location for the "Hallelujah Mountain" in the movie "Avatar," where you can explore the magical world of floating and scattered mountains from the film. If you happen to encounter a light rain in the mountains, or wait until the sky clears after the rain, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of misty fog and layered peaks even more. The Mihun Platform is an ideal viewing spot; standing on it, you are surrounded by hundreds of towering stone peaks with magnificent momentum. Tianzi Mountain: once you've seen Tianzi, no other mountain will do When visiting Tianzi Mountain, you will see various uniquely shaped geological views and oddly formed peaks, such as Yubi Peak, Fairy Presenting Flowers, Dianjiang Terrace, Hanging Garden, and Immortal Bridge. There is no need to worry too much about whether these natural formations resemble what they are named after, because "the primitive scenery and natural beauty" are what make Tianzi Mountain so captivating. Especially in the hazy fog after a fresh rain, it feels as if you are in a fairyland. By winter, when the mountain is covered in silvery white, the scenery becomes even more enchanting. Huangshizhai: see all the other mountains as small from the summit "If you don't climb Huangshizhai, your trip to Zhangjiajie is in vain." Huangshizhai is a viewing platform in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, surrounded by sheer cliffs and lush trees, and the top of the village is often shrouded in mist and clouds. Standing atop Huangshizhai and looking around, you can experience the lofty sentiment of "seeing all the other mountains as small." Yangjiajie: Thrills found in danger Yangjiajie is primarily known for its pristine natural beauty. With high mountains and narrow paths, it is famous for being "perilous" and is deeply favored by backpackers and adventurers. Wulong Village within the attraction is a very magical place in Zhangjiajie. It was once inhabited by bandits from western Hunan, and was later renamed after the TV series "Tales of Suppressing Bandits in Wulong Mountain." The village is built along the mountain, and there is a path up and down the mountain that requires using both hands and feet to climb to the summit. Suoxiyu: A natural ink wash landscape painting Suoxiyu is also called Suoxi, named because the stream within the attraction is shaped like a rope. Unlike other parts of the forest park, which are so steep and rugged, this place is shrouded in mist and clouds year-round, with clear streams flowing continuously through all four seasons and graceful peaks visible everywhere. Ten-Mile Gallery is the highlight attraction of Suoxiyu; within the 5 km-long gorge, wildflowers fragrance the air and fantastic peaks and unusual rocks abound. Walking through it is like stepping into a natural landscape painting. Golden Whip Stream: filming location of Journey to the West Jinbian Stream Gorge is the earliest developed area in the attraction. A clear stream runs through the valley, with towering peaks on both sides and lush greenery as far as the eye can see. This is also one of the filming locations for the classic version of Journey to the West, where fans can come and see iconic scenes such as the Water Curtain Cave and Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother.

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is located among the peaks in the southern part of Libo County and is named after a seven-arch stone bridge built during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty over the Xiangshui River. Set against a karst landscape, the scenic area brings together mountains, waters, forests, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, and is known as the "emerald on the Earth's belt." The Xiaoqikong ancient bridge is the attraction's signature view. The seven-arch stone arch bridge, built of bluestone, spans the Xiangshui River. Beneath the bridge, the water of Hanbi Pond is deep blue, and ancient trees tower on both banks, making it a classic photo spot. Following the Xiangshui River downstream, the 68-tier waterfall cascades in overlapping layers, with the river water dropping step by step over the karst rock surface with a roaring sound. Nearby, the Laya Waterfall pours down from the cliff beside the path, and visitors can feel the mist on their faces up close. The water forest is another unique view in the attraction, where trees take root among the streams in the water. Visitors walk along the stone stepping path through the forest, with babbling water beneath their feet and a canopy of green shade overhead. Mandarin Duck Lake is formed by two large lakes, the Male Mandarin Duck Lake and the Female Mandarin Duck Lake, connected with several small lakes. The lake surface is emerald green and serene, and boats can pass through the trees growing in the water. Wolong Pond is the surface outlet of an underground karst river. An arc-shaped stone embankment encloses the underground river water into a deep pond, and the water is as green as jade. Where the water overflows the stone embankment, a rolling-water waterfall forms, creating a striking contrast between the still pond and the moving waterfall. The area around the attraction is home to ethnic minorities such as the Bouyei and Yao, and villages like Yaoshan Ancient Village retain traditional dwellings and ethnic customs, adding cultural richness to the natural scenery. The attractions are distributed along the Xiangshui River; touring from Wolong Pond and Yuanyang Lake all the way down to the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, walking along the stream is relatively effortless.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is a collection of over ten natural villages built along the mountainside, inhabited by the "Xi" clan of the Miao people. The village features layers of wooden stilt houses on the slopes, with coffee-colored old houses nestled against lush green mountains. The Baishui River divides the village in two. The side of the river (to the left after entering the Xiaobei Gate for travelers) is mainly a commercial pedestrian street, while the opposite side (to the right after entering the Xiaobei Gate for travelers) is primarily the viewing platform overlooking the village. Upon arriving at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, you'll see a gate with the plaque "Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village" after getting off at the parking lot. From this gate to the village is a 1.5 km walk, which you can cover either by electric bikes or on foot. After this 1.5 km stretch, you'll encounter another gate similar to the one at the parking lot, also bearing the "Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village" plaque—this marks the true entrance to the village. First drink the welcoming wine, then enter the village. The first thing you see is the commercial pedestrian street, selling a dazzling array of Miao ethnic specialty products. The most eye-catching are the Miao silver ornaments. Kongbai in Xijiang town of Leishan near the Miao village is a well-known silversmith village, where almost all the men master the silver ornament making techniques, and the craftsmanship of Miao silver is exquisite. The performance venue in the pedestrian street area offers Miao ethnic song and dance shows. You can also visit the Xijiang Miao Ethnic Museum and the Drum Head's House (the Miao king's residence, where a bronze drum is enshrined). Alternatively, take a stroll along the Baishui River to see the wind-and-rain bridges with roofed eaves sheltering from the elements, or the low, narrow wooden plank bridges. At the end of the village lies a pastoral landscape, where even during peak season few visitors come. Across the river is a station for electric bikes to the viewing platform, but walking there isn't far, and several spots along the way offer excellent views. Upon reaching the viewing platform, wait for nightfall—the grand spectacle of Xijiang is just beginning. Thousands of lights illuminate from beneath the eaves of wooden stilt houses, dotted like stars to outline the entire Miao village in the shape of an ox head. It's hard to imagine such a brilliantly lit scene in a mountain village. Returning to the viewing platform at dawn, the Miao village is shrouded in mist as the first sunlight gilds the wooden houses golden. Smoke curls up from chimneys, marking the start of a new day. In Miao villages, you can often see Miao women with their hair buns coiled on top of their heads and adorned with large flowers. Just looking isn't enough—you can also rent a few sets of Miao costumes to dress up as a Miao woman yourself. It's especially beautiful and very popular among young women. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village has mature tourism development, with no worries about food and accommodation. For dining, the famous option is the long-table banquet. Restaurants in the village will often ask if you'd like to try it—simply joining tables to make them longer counts as a long-table banquet, serving as a fun experience. The authentic long-table banquet is held outdoors, with dozens of tables connected end-to-end, sometimes so long that you can't see from one end to the other. These are set up during important festivals or when significant group tours visit, so don't miss the chance if you encounter one. The cuisine of southeastern Guizhou tends to be sour, and the village's specialty dishes include sour fish soup, pickled vegetables, and cured meat.

Taiping River

The Taiping River has a total length of 63.7 kilometers. The forest vegetation is lush and well-protected. The atmosphere and water are not polluted. It is rich in wild animal and plant resources. It is praised as a rafting resort by tourists.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Fenghuang Ancient Town

The ancient town of Fenghuang is located in the southwest of Xiangxi, Hunan Province. The ancient city was built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with the Tuojiang River running through the city. The red sandstone walls stand on the shore, and the Nanhua Mountain is set against the city towers from the Qing Dynasty. A narrow wooden bridge with stone piers is across the river under the north gate of the ancient city. It was the passage out of the city in those days. The bluestone streets in the city, the stilt houses by the Tuojiang River, the numerous ancient buildings and the rich customs constitute the unique charm of western Hunan. The main attractions include the former residence of Shen Congwen, the ancient city museum, Chongde Hall, etc., which are worth visiting.

Shenlongtan

Wulong Karst Tourism Area

Wulong Karst Tourism Area is located in Wulong District, Chongqing, downstream of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. It features a typical karst landscape, with magnificent natural bridges, vast sinkholes, and steep, deep gorges. You can descend into a 100 m deep sinkhole and look up at the towering cliffs surrounding you like clouds. Alternatively, you can explore the valley floor within the gorges, following the underground river along the rock walls, and experience the wonders of nature. Tiankeng attractionIt features natural bridge clusters and sinkhole clusters. The area gained widespread recognition after serving as a filming location for the movie Curse of the Golden Flower. It was also used as a filming location for Transformers: Age of Extinction. Longshuixia ground fissure offers a distinct experience: first take the sightseeing elevator down to the mountainside, then hike deep into the valley bottom, following the underground river along cliffside walkways with waterfalls and streams accompanying the journey, their sounds echoing between steep walls. Xiannü mountain presents a rare alpine grassland in southern China, averaging nearly 2 km in elevation where forests meet meadows, with summer temperatures around 20°C and winter ski opportunities; Furong cave is renowned for its cave deposition views, featuring stalactite marvels like Coral jade pool and Giant curtain waterfall, each displaying unique formations.

No. 2 of Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Chongqing

Three Natural Bridges

Three Natural Bridges is located in Xiannüshan Town, Wulong, Chongqing, and is a typical karst landscape attraction. The three natural stone arch bridges—Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge—are arranged longitudinally and span the Yangshui River gorge in parallel, with each bridge standing more than 200 m tall, connecting the mountain masses on both banks into one whole and forming the unique view known as "three bridges flanking two pits." The huge depressions enclosed between the bridges are what people commonly call "heavenly pits." It is quite rare to find three giant natural bridges appearing in succession within such a short stretch of gorge—such a bridge cluster view is truly uncommon. The three bridges each have a distinct form: Tianlong Bridge is tall and massive, with a through-cave developed beneath it; after rain, waterfalls often cascade down from the deck of Qinglong Bridge, and the mist catches the sunlight to form a rainbow—hence the bridge's name; Heilong Bridge takes its name from its deep, dark arch cave, with several mountain springs hanging along its walls. At the bottom of the pits, streams murmur and trees are lush and green; looking up, you see nearly vertical cliff faces, with mountain springs plunging down from the cliff tops—walking through feels like passing through a gorge at the center of the earth. Tours usually begin by taking the sightseeing elevator down to the bottom of the sinkhole, then following the valley-floor trail through three bridge arches in succession, looking up at the bridge arches and cliff faces. Tianfu Post Station at the bottom of Tianlong Bridge sinkhole is a faux-antique quadrangle courtyard with gray-tiled roofs, gray walls, and upturned eaves. A post station once stood here during the Tang Dynasty, and the courtyard has been restored to its original appearance. Director Zhang Yimou's film "Curse of the Golden Flower" was shot on location here, and it is also a filming location for "Transformers: Age of Extinction" and the film adaptation of "Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms." After the tour, visitors can walk up the trail to exit the attraction and transfer to a shuttle bus back to Xiannüshan Town Visitor Center, or make a side trip to the adjacent Longshuixia Ground Fissure to see both karst landscapes—the "sinkhole" and the "ground fissure"—in one visit.

Fanjingshan Buddhist Culture Park

Guizhou Fanjingshan Buddhist Cultural Park is located in the Shasha Group of Fanjingshan Village, Taiping Township, 30 kilometers away from the county seat. The main positioning is to promote Buddhist culture and leisure vacation tourist attractions. The main construction content is to rebuild the Maitreya Dojo on Mount Fanjing, to create magnificent landscapes such as "Golden Dome, Golden Hall, and Golden Buddha"; more than 200 kilograms of gold, precious jewelry and jadeite are used to forge the world's largest Maitreya Buddha statue with a height of 5 meters. The Wind and Rain Bridge is the entrance to the scenic spot. The construction of the Wind and Rain Bridge started on December 16, 2009. The total length of the bridge is 67.5 meters and the width is 9.9 meters. After the Wind and Rain Bridge, it is a lotus square that can accommodate thousands of people. There will be bells and drum towers on both sides of the square in the release pool; further ahead is the Wenshu Hall on the left, and the Puxian Hall on the right. After walking through the Mahavira Hall, the mountain rises sharply. The devout worshippers have to walk 168 stone steps, which symbolizes Buddhist practice. It takes a long road and untold hardships to achieve positive results. After passing through three stone arches, you will travel through the past, present, and future to reach the future world of Buddha Maitreya.