Southwest China
Xiaoqikong — the Small Seven Arches scenic area — is a seven-kilometre valley where the river runs over travertine steps in a colour that photographs badly because it looks edited. The surrounding Maolan karst forest is the other half of the story.
The case for going
The 1836 stone bridge at the head of the valley, best at opening time before the coaches.
A chain of travertine cascades along the wooden walkway.
Spring-fed, unreally blue-green, with the rare trees growing straight out of the water.
The largest karst forest in the world at this latitude; guided walks with local naturalists.
A Shui minority village on the Zhangjiang, with the traditional horse-tail embroidery.
Practical
Subtropical monsoon. Warm and wet from May to September, mild and clear in winter.
Libo (LLB) has flights from Guiyang and Guangzhou. By rail, take the HSR to Duyun East or Libo station, then 40 minutes by road.
Airport. Libo Airport (LLB)
Rail. Libo station on the Guiyang–Nanning line puts the scenic gate 40 minutes away by car.
In pictures
Questions travellers ask
Two days for Xiaoqikong's bridge and the emerald river trail, with Daqikong's gorge on the second. It is the quiet heart of the Guizhou loop.
At Xiaoqikong's east gate for the early start, or in Libo county town. The park is a linear walk-and-shuttle route; staying in-park buys the light.
Drive from Guiyang, about 3 hours, or the rail to Duyun with a car transfer. It pairs with Xijiang's Miao villages on the standard Guizhou circuit.
Yes — the karst water here is the emerald version of what Guilin does in grey, and the visitor numbers are a fraction. It is the connoisseur's stop in the province.
Routes through here
Southwest & Western China
6days
Guizhou is what Yunnan looked like twenty years ago: waterfalls without barriers, karst rivers that run green over stone, and Miao villages where the silver is still made by hand. Six days does the three highlights without a wasted transfer.
From US$1,600per person
Combine it with
Where to stay
Steigenberger · Luxury
A river-loop property ten minutes from the Xiaoqikong gate, built around a bend of the Zhangjiang where the water is the colour of jade. Pools, spa and a German-run service standard — unusual in a county town like Libo.
From US$230 per night
Valid to 2027-03-31
