Chishui is the only national scenic area in China named after an administrative region by the State Council. It features waterfalls, bamboo seas, lakes, forests, tree ferns and Danxia landforms, alongside ancient cultural sites and relics of the Red Army's Long March. Praised by experts at home and abroad, it earns five reputations: City of a Thousand Waterfalls, Crown of Danxia Landforms, Hometown of Bamboo, Kingdom of Tree Ferns and Long March Heritage Site.

A host of scenic spots are open to visitors, including natural attractions such as Chishui Great Waterfall, Sidonggou, Wuzhu Peak, Red Stone Wild Valley, China Jurassic Park, Yanziyan National Forest Park and Bamboo Sea National Forest Park. Cultural sites include Datong Ancient Town, Bing’an Ancient Town and Long March relics. Meanwhile, a number of scenic areas are under development, namely Tiantai Mountain, Jiujiao Cave, Moon Lake, Jiuqu Lake, Changqian Valley, Renyou Stream, Yuantai, Baoyuan and Panlong.

Located 15 li from downtown Chishui, Sidonggou Scenic Area is China’s first national nature reserve established to protect tree ferns and their ecological environment.

The valley boasts quiet paths and bamboo groves lining the streams. Four waterfalls of distinctive shapes stand elegant and graceful. Rare protected plants including tree ferns and golden camellias fascinate tourists. Visitors can also admire natural aquatic bonsais, endless green bamboo forests, as well as marvelous Danxia landscapes of Shiding Mountain and Duxian Bridge, making it hard to leave.

Admission Fee: 30 yuan

Situated in Taoyuan Town, Qingxin County, Yanziyan is a large limestone cave complex with three entrances arranged in a triangular shape. The caves twist and turn and are interconnected. There are 20 major caverns stretching over one thousand meters each, adorned with vivid natural rock formations resembling a crowing golden rooster and a stretching ape.

The most famous sight here is the Heavenly Jade Pool, a crescent-shaped water pond 7 meters wide suspended in mid-air. Facing the cave entrance and backed by stone cliffs, it features natural wavy rock patterns around the edge. The pool holds clear icy water all year round.

Nearby lies Xulongdai Reservoir, also known as Green Dragon Pond. Its dam stands 68 meters high, 205 meters long and 8 meters wide. Surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, the reservoir presents stunning scenery.

Admission Fee: 25 yuan

Nestled in the upper reaches of Fengxi River in southern Chishui City, over 30 kilometers from the urban area, this is the core attraction of Chishui National Scenic Area. Apart from the renowned Shizhangdong Great Waterfall, the group also includes Panlong Waterfalls, Jifeiyan Waterfalls, Renyouxi Waterfalls, Zhongdong Waterfall and hidden waterfalls in the vicinity.

As the flagship scenic spot of Chishui National Key Scenic Area, it is 39 kilometers from downtown Chishui and covers an area of 30 square kilometers.

Admission Fee: 40 yuan Half price for students and military personnel

Yangjiayan Scenic Area lies on the Huaping River in Datong Ancient Town, southwestern Chishui City, 16 kilometers from the downtown area. Covering 10 square kilometers, it retains its pristine and rustic charm with a forest coverage rate of over 90%. It is an ideal resort for leisure, popular science, sightseeing and vacation.

The scenic area consists of two major parts: the Danxia Cliff Carving Corridor and the Guanyin Valley Primeval Ecological Waterfall Kingdom. It fully showcases the four wonders of Chishui scenery: vast bamboo seas, the mysterious kingdom of tree ferns, the charm of countless waterfalls, spectacular Danxia landforms and natural cliff carvings. Highlights include tree ferns beside gurgling springs and bamboo forests set against Danxia landscapes.

Admission Fee: 30 yuan

Chishui Bamboo Sea National Forest Park is situated more than 40 kilometers east of downtown Chishui, alongside the Chishui–Tongzi Highway. Dominated by expansive bamboo forests, the park has 170,000 mu of moso bamboo covering rolling mountains.

Climb up the Sea View Tower and look out over boundless green bamboo stretching across hills and ridges. When the mountain wind blows, the bamboo sways like surging green waves. Unique natural sights here include Heavenly Drum, Ground Waterfall, Eight Immortals Tree and Husband-and-Wife Tree.

Blending bamboo vistas, waterfall groups, primeval forests, wild animals and Danxia wonders, the park is perfect for summer retreats, leisure, holidays and recuperation. It is also a favorite destination for poets and painters seeking inspiration.

Admission Fee: 25 yuan

Located within Chishui City, Chishui Danxia represents the early youth stage of Danxia landforms. Spanning over 1,200 square kilometers, it is the largest and most magnificent well-developed Danxia landscape across China.

Together with Langshan in Hunan, Danxia Mountain in Guangdong, Taining in Fujian, Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi and Jianglang Mountain in Zhejiang, it forms the collective China Danxia. The site was approved as China’s 8th World Natural Heritage at the 34th Session of the World Heritage Committee.