Brief Introduction to Huajiang Grand Canyon Scenic Area in Guanling

Huajiang Grand Canyon, a provincial-level scenic area, lies in the southwest of Guanling County. Stretching 79 kilometres with a total area of 166.5 square kilometres, it consists of three scenic zones: the Paleontological Fossil Zone (Xinpu Fossil National Geopark), Panjiang Bridge Zone and Jiashan Gorge Zone. The scenic area features magnificent karst valley landscapes and charming waterscapes along the river, highlighted by rare and unique groups of ancient fossils. It enjoys convenient transportation: the Shanghai-Ruili Expressway, National Highway 320 and Provincial Highway 210 run across the zone, while the high-grade highway from Guanling to Xingyi cuts through the heart of the Jiashan Gorge. It serves as a transit hub connecting two national scenic spots — Huangguoshu Waterfall and Maling River Canyon, as well as the neighbouring Yunnan Province.

There are 27 natural and cultural attractions here, embodying the essence of karst landforms, mountains, caves, exotic rocks and historical relics. Blending majesty, grandeur, peril, mystery, primitive simplicity and exquisite beauty, it forms a flawless landscape painting and earns the reputation of a karst museum. Distinct from the rift valley of Maling River Canyon and the broad expanse of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, it is China’s only grand canyon known as the "Earth’s Crack". This breathtaking gorge now attracts numerous visitors with its unique charm.

So far, many sites have been opened to tourists, including the in-situ fossil exhibition hall in the Paleontological Fossil Zone (Xinpu Fossil National Geopark); historic landmarks in Jiashan Gorge such as Huajiang Chain Bridge, Beipan River Bridge and the ancient Falang Post Road; and the scenic viewing spot Sea of Mountains. Winding ridges line both banks, with jagged precipices and clusters of peak forests spreading like an ocean, while stone forests and stalagmites form a natural labyrinth. On the valley floor, shimmering lake water ripples gently; flocks of birds dance in the air, and the integration of sky and water creates ever-changing scenes. This is the longest lake area on the plateau in China. Vines cling to the sheer cliffs, and ancient trees grow thickly.

According to historical records, the Huajiang River basin was once a core region of the ancient Yelang Kingdom. Boasting a long history and abundant cultural relics, this area served as a shooting location for multiple scenes in the TV drama Journey to the West. It is an ideal destination for sightseeing, adventure, cultural exploration and scientific research.

Rolling mountains stretch endlessly like towering ocean waves, dotted with peak clusters. Red rock faces overlook villages and rice terraces clinging to the cliffs, presenting an idyllic poetic scene. Standing at the Huangyangpo Viewing Platform in Huajiang Grand Canyon, visitors can experience the artistic conception of Chairman Mao’s verses: "Our motherland is so rich in beauty" and "Blue mountains surge like an ocean". It is an ideal spot to photograph the sea of peaks.

Listed as a Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, this bridge spans the river with 14 massive iron chains (262 links on each chain) paved with wooden planks. It is 3 metres wide, 72 metres long and more than 70 metres above the water. First built in the 24th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1898), it looks like an inverted rainbow lying across the steep cliffs on both sides of the Beipan River, reaching up to the sky and touching the spray below. It is one of the most spectacular sights in Huajiang Grand Canyon of Guanling.

Located beside the Beipan River, it takes about 30 minutes to walk down the ancient post road from the platform to the riverbank, with a vertical drop of 580 metres and an 85-degree slope. From here, the entire valley unfolds before your eyes, allowing you to truly appreciate the charm of the "Earth’s Crack".

Also known as the Five-Foot Road, it dates back to the Qin and Han dynasties. This section of the ancient post road was a strategic thoroughfare linking Chang’an with Guizhou and further Yunnan in ancient times. Walking along the path, you can almost hear the shouts and bell chimes of horse caravans echoing through the mountains.

Situated at the Beipan River Bridge on the Guanling-Xingyi Highway, this gorge runs over one kilometre long. Steep cliffs rise nearly 1,000 metres on both sides, forming a terrifying narrow passage where barely any sky can be seen overhead. The gap on the cliff top is just like a crack in a door, hence the name "A Single Strip of Sky".

More than 170 cliff inscriptions and stone steles lie at both ends of the chain bridge, recording the history of Huajiang Grand Canyon and the construction of Huajiang Chain Bridge. These carvings feature elegant layouts, varied calligraphic styles and vigorous brushwork, making it a perfect place to admire ancient Chinese calligraphy masterpieces.

The Guanling-Xingyi High-Grade Highway spans the Jiashan Gorge on this magnificent bridge, once ranked Asia’s highest bridge. Its main span stretches 368 metres, with a vertical height of 488 metres above the river surface. With an elegant shape and imposing momentum, it offers stunning canyon views: sheer thousand-metre precipices and the winding river create a thrilling spectacle when viewed from the bridge.

The three bridges rank among the Eight Sights of Guanling, known as "Iron Bridge Straddling the River". This place has long been a strategic military stronghold since ancient times. The first iron bridge was built by Zhu Jiamin, an administrative commissioner, in the 3rd year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty. It was bombed and destroyed by Japanese warplanes in 1941, leaving only ruins. Between the 28th and 29th years of the Republic of China, a steel suspension bridge was erected 200 metres upstream; the bridge and its blockhouses are designated as Guizhou Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Units. In the 1970s, a large stone arch bridge was constructed 1,000 metres upstream from the iron bridge to connect National Highway 320. Together, the three bridges stand as witnesses to thousands of years of bridge-building history across the Beipan River.

Boat sightseeing is one of the greatest highlights of Huajiang Grand Canyon, presenting the most exquisite and magnificent landscape gallery along the waterway. Steep peaks tower on both banks, enclosing narrow, winding waterways and forming highland lakes embraced by mountains. At times, vertical cliffs stand opposite each other, seemingly leaning together. At other moments, jagged rocks jutt out from the river, with continuous mountains stretching on both sides. Layered crags are shrouded in mist, blocking sunlight from above.

In spring and winter, clear green pools reflect the surrounding scenery, while waterfalls splash down from the heights and trees overhang the banks, creating boundless delight. On sunny days, the forest grows cool and valleys turn quiet. Monkeys often cry and play among the trees; their prolonged howls reverberate through the empty gorges, sad and lingering.

The gorge features towering mountains, sheer cliffs and breathtaking natural scenery, with peaks rising over 1,000 metres above the river. The narrowest section of the river is merely 80 metres wide. Jagged rocks take on countless vivid human and animal shapes; caves here are deep, mysterious and irregular in form. The primitive ecosystem remains well-preserved, with lush trees turning crimson in autumn. Egrets inhabit the riverbanks beside grotesque precipices. Mountain streams gurgle and waterfalls roar, while wild blossoms bloom all over the cliffs. Every mountain, river and scene in the canyon is like a traditional Chinese painting, accompanied by countless beautiful myths and legends that captivate all visitors.

Guanling Buyi and Miao Autonomous County boasts a long history and numerous historical sites with profound ethnic traditions. The Buyi people have inhabited the Beipan River basin since ancient times, being one of the indigenous ethnic groups here. Their language, writing, costumes, folk songs, dances and festivals carry rich cultural connotations and ethnic memories.

Cultural attractions including Xiagua Buyi Village, Luomang Buyi Village and Panjiang Folk Ballads retain their original charm and distinctive ethnic flavours. The unique scenery formed by well-preserved ancient folk customs paired with gorgeous natural landscapes makes this area an ideal research base for tracing the origin and development of Buyi culture