Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is located in Libo County, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, covering a total area of 118.8 square kilometers. The scenic area is characterized by a rich variety of karst landforms, integrating mountains, waters, forests, caves, lakes, and waterfalls. It has unique landscape scenery and distinctive ethnic customs. The Zhangjiang River runs through it, with clear water and green mountains on both sides. The karst forest in the scenic area is a rare continuous patch of primary karst forest vegetation in China and even in the world at present, possessing extremely high scientific research value and ornamental value. The buildings in the scenic area mostly reflect the styles of local ethnic minorities such as the Buyi and Miao nationalities, which are simple and unique.
History and Culture
Libo County, where the Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is located, has a long history and is a place where multiple ethnic groups live in compact communities. Ethnic groups such as the Buyi, Miao, and Shui have lived here for generations, forming a rich and diverse ethnic culture.
The local ethnic minorities have unique traditional customs and festival activities. For example, the Duan Festival of the Shui nationality is the grandest traditional festival of the Shui people. During the festival, people hold activities such as ancestor worship, horse racing, and antiphonal singing. The "June 6th" of the Buyi nationality is a day when people dress in their finest clothes and hold activities such as sacrifices, antiphonal singing, and going to the song fair to celebrate the harvest and pray for peace.
In the process of historical development, the Libo area used to be an important transportation hub and commercial distribution center. Different ethnic cultures blended here, leaving behind many historical sites and cultural landscapes, adding a profound cultural heritage to the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area
The Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is one of the core scenic areas of the Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area, with a total length of 7 kilometers. There is the famous Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, which is 25 meters long, 4 meters wide on the bridge deck, and 4 meters high in the arch. It was built in the 15th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1835) and was an important transportation route from ancient Guizhou to Guangxi. There are 68 cascading waterfalls distributed on the Xiangshui River in the scenic area, with various shapes and majestic momentum. There is also the Laya Waterfall, which is 30 meters high and 10 meters wide. The waterfall is like a mountain collapsing, and the roar is like thunder, which is quite spectacular. The Water Forest is also a major feature. The trees have developed root systems and intertwined roots, forming a unique landscape of "water flowing on the stones and trees growing in the water". Tourists can take a stroll on the forest path and feel the magic of nature.
Daqikong Scenic Area
The Daqikong Scenic Area is characterized by primeval forests, valleys, underflow rivers, and underground lakes. The Daqikong Ancient Bridge in the scenic area is 35 meters long, 7 meters high, and 4.5 meters wide, echoing the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge from afar. The Horror Gorge is one of the most characteristic scenic spots in the Daqikong Scenic Area. Steep cliffs stand on both sides, with stacked dangerous rocks, and the gorge is narrow and deep, giving people a sense of mystery and horror. The Natural Bridge is a masterpiece of nature. It is 60 meters high, 10 meters thick, and the bridge hole is more than 20 meters wide, with a magnificent momentum, and is known as the "Oriental Arc de Triomphe". Tourists can take a boat tour to enjoy the strange peaks, rocks, and dense forests on both sides.
Shuichun River Scenic Area
The Shuichun River Scenic Area is a section of the Zhangjiang River in the upper reaches, with a total length of 6 kilometers. It is mainly characterized by rafting. The river water is clear, and the current is sometimes turbulent and sometimes gentle. Along the way, there are scenic spots such as Maniaotan, Sister Peaks, and Huashishao. The water at Maniaotan is calm, and there is a waterfall cascading down at the head of the beach, which is very spectacular. The Sister Peaks are shaped like two graceful girls, very lifelike. Huashishao is a Buyi ethnic village. Tourists can experience the rich ethnic customs here and taste local characteristic delicacies.
Delicacies
Libo Sour Meat
Libo Sour Meat is a local characteristic delicacy. Fresh pork is selected and processed through multiple procedures such as pickling and fermentation. The sour meat has a bright color, a sour and delicious taste, and a unique fermented aroma. It is usually eaten with seasonings such as chili peppers and Chinese prickly ash, and it is an appetizing dish for drinking.
Libo Pickled Sour Fish
Libo Pickled Sour Fish is a traditional delicacy loved by ethnic groups such as the Shui and Buyi nationalities. Fresh local fish is selected, washed, and then pickled in a special sour soup. After a period of time, the fish meat becomes sour and fragrant, with a unique flavor. The pickled sour fish can be eaten directly, or it can be fried, deep-fried, steamed, etc., with a rich variety of tastes.
Libo Rice Chips
Libo Rice Chips are a traditional snack. High-quality rice is used as the raw material and processed through procedures such as soaking, grinding into a pulp, steaming, slicing, and drying. The rice chips are golden in color and crispy in taste. They can be eaten directly or with various seasonings or dipping sauces, and they are a popular delicacy for both the young and the old in the local area.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance tickets of the Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area are sold as a combined ticket. The combined ticket price for the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, Daqikong Scenic Area, and Shuichun River Scenic Area is 170 yuan per person in the peak season (from March 1st to November 30th) and 130 yuan per person in the off-season (from December 1st to the end of February of the following year). The sightseeing bus ticket is 40 yuan per person (for the sightseeing bus in the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area). The scenic area sometimes offers preferential policies for specific groups of people (such as students, the elderly, and military personnel). For specific information, please pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or relevant ticketing platforms.
Opening Hours
The Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area is open throughout the year. In the peak season (from March 1st to November 30th), the opening hours are from 07:30 to 17:00 (ticket sales and admission stop at 16:00). In the off-season (from December 1st to the end of February of the following year), the opening hours are from 08:00 to 16:30 (ticket sales and admission stop at 15:30). During legal holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to the actual situation. Tourists can query the official information of the scenic area in advance and arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour routes: If you have enough time, it is recommended to spend two days visiting. On the first day, go to the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in the morning and visit attractions such as the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, 68 Cascading Waterfalls, Laya Waterfall, and Water Forest in sequence. Have lunch in the scenic area or around it, and continue to visit attractions such as Wolongtan and Mandarin Duck Lake in the afternoon. On the second day, go to the Daqikong Scenic Area in the morning and visit attractions such as the Daqikong Ancient Bridge, Horror Gorge, and Natural Bridge. After lunch, go to the Shuichun River Scenic Area in the afternoon to experience rafting or enjoy the scenery on both sides. If you are short of time, you can choose a one-day tour and give priority to visiting the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, focusing on visiting the essence attractions such as the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, 68 Cascading Waterfalls, Laya Waterfall, and Water Forest.
Transportation
- Public transportation: You can take a long-distance bus to Libo from Guiyang Longdongbao Airport or Guiyang Railway Station. The journey takes about 4 to 5 hours, and the ticket price is about 100 to 150 yuan. After arriving in Libo County, you can take a special line bus to the Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Area, and the ticket price is about 10 to 20 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from Guiyang, you can reach Libo County via the Guixin Expressway, Sanli Expressway, etc. The whole journey is about 280 kilometers, and the driving time is about 3 to 4 hours. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Libo County to the scenic area. Just follow the road signs.
- Tourist chartered car: You can book a tourist chartered car service at travel agencies or hotels in Libo County, which is convenient for freely arranging the itinerary, and the cost depends on the vehicle type and itinerary.
Must-visit Attractions
- Xiaoqikong Scenic Area: The scenic area has a rich variety of attractions. The Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge has a long history, the 68 Cascading Waterfalls have majestic momentum, the Laya Waterfall is spectacular, and the Water Forest has a unique landscape. It is an excellent place to experience the karst landscape scenery, with a total length of 7 kilometers.
- Daqikong Scenic Area: Characterized by primeval forests, valleys, etc. The Daqikong Ancient Bridge is simple and elegant, the Horror Gorge is mysterious and deep, and the Natural Bridge is magnificent. Taking a boat tour allows you to enjoy the unique natural scenery and feel the uncanny workmanship of nature.
- Shuichun River Scenic Area: A great place for rafting, with clear river water, beautiful scenery along the way, and a Buyi ethnic village where you can experience ethnic customs. With a total length of 6 kilometers, it can bring tourists a rich touring experience.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to go during the peak season from March to November. At this time, the vegetation in the scenic area is lush, the waterfall water is abundant, and the scenery is the most beautiful. Check the weather forecast in advance and avoid rainy days to avoid affecting the touring experience.
- Some attractions in the scenic area require walking for a long time. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or flat shoes. At the same time, prepare sun protection products and rain gear.
- You can go boating in the Mandarin Duck Lake in the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area. It is recommended to prepare some change in advance to pay for the boating fee.
- When rafting on the Shuichun River, follow the arrangements of the staff, put on a life jacket, and take safety protection measures.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to choosing regular restaurants to ensure food hygiene. At the same time, you can try some characteristic delicacies of ethnic minorities to experience the local food culture.
Notes
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not spit or litter, and put the garbage into the designated trash cans.
- When visiting in the scenic area, do not randomly damage the vegetation and natural landscape, and do not climb dangerous areas.
- When taking the sightseeing bus or cruise ship, follow the instructions of the staff, fasten the seat belt, and do not lean out of the window or over the side of the ship.
- Respect the culture and customs of the local ethnic minorities, and do not randomly disturb the lives of local residents.
- In case of an emergency, you can call the emergency rescue hotline of the scenic area or ask the nearby staff for help.