The Hongshi Valley (Red Stone Valley, 红石野谷), located in Chishui City, Guizhou Province, is renowned for its rare Danxia landscapes. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a gallery of red honeycomb-like Danxia rock formations, each rock taking on unique and fantastical shapes. Against the backdrop of fiery red cliffs, the valley is adorned with lush greenery, and crystal-clear streams and waterfalls can be spotted throughout. The entire area gives the impression of being transported back to a primordial Jurassic Park.
Covering over 95% of the valley, the forest is home to more than 10 rare plant species, including endangered species like the “Suo Guo,” first-class protected plants like the Small Golden Tea, Chishui Tan Shu (Iron Clamp), and Ge Zhang Qiu, among others.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Hongshi Valley
- Vlog about Hongshi Valley
- Attractions near Hongshi Valley
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 30 RMB |
| Rafting | 120 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0851-22998891 0086-0851-22911202 |
Location and Transportation
The Hongshi Valley is located on the banks of the Huaping River in Datong Ancient Town, Chishui City, Zunyi, Guizhou Province. It is situated approximately 16 kilometers away from the city center. Visitors can reach the valley by taking a bus from Chishui City Passenger Transport Station (Tourist Bus Station) to Huaping or Baoyuan, and alight at the stop for Hongshi Valley along the way.
Highlights of Hongshi Valley
Danxia Rock Paintings
The Hongshi Valley boasts a 200-meter-long, 40-meter-high, and 15-meter-deep corridor of Danxia rock paintings, showcasing numerous peculiar landscapes. Among them, visitors can spot a stone dragon lying gracefully, with lifelike features of the head, body, and tail. Additionally, there are stone formations resembling a golden frog and a golden turtle. The rocks in the Danxia landforms contain abundant iron and manganese oxides, which, under the influence of various natural forces like sunlight, rain, temperature changes, and geological movements, have sculpted an array of vivid Danxia rock formations and bizarre landforms.
Waterfall Group of Guanyin Gully
The waterfall group in Guanyin Gully offers a spectacular display of cascades.
- Welcome Waterfall: The first waterfall in the group, standing 20 meters tall and 18 meters wide, flows year-round, creating a picturesque scene, often adorned with rainbows.
- Rock Climbing Waterfall: With its cascades flowing down 24 levels of rocks resembling a climbing route, this waterfall aptly earns its name.
- Buddha Head Waterfall: Stretching 30 meters high and approximately 20 meters wide, this waterfall originates from the Buddha’s shoulder, creating a misty and serene atmosphere amidst lush vegetation.
- Weaving Girl Waterfall: Spanning 30 meters wide and 10 meters high, this waterfall features overlapping tiers, resembling a weaving girl in motion. The water flows continuously throughout the year, presenting a mesmerizing and mysterious spectacle.
- Guanyin Waterfall: This final waterfall in the group stands at a majestic height of 60 meters and is over 2 meters wide. It gracefully descends from a cliff, embodying elegance and grandeur. The waterfall is named after the Guanyin Bodhisattva statue atop the cliff, adding a touch of spirituality to its splendor.
The entire attraction features an elevation gain of about 800 meters. Right at the entrance, there is a section of steep steps (not suitable for elderly individuals with mobility issues), but overall, the incline is relatively easy.
There are two routes available; we took the one that involves a one-and-a-half-hour hike. You can also choose a four-hour loop. I highly recommend taking the downhill slide for the descent, as there are staff to assist with the slide.
The rafting experience is about 3.5 kilometers long, it’s really fun, and the scenery is wonderful.
Recently, it’s not recommended to go to the Red Stone Valley for river tracing, as the stream has nearly dried up due to several days of high temperatures.
Red Rock Wild Valley, paradise for adventurers! The towering waterfall is magnificent, and the white-water rafting is extremely thrilling.
After the rain, the Hongshi Valley was a bit muddy, making the road slippery and the grass and broken woods troublesome. However, the temperature was quite suitable. I heard that someone else was stung by wasps today and had to be taken to the ambulance. When hiking outdoors, safety should be a priority.
There are many small scenic spots with waterfalls, during holidays the tourist crowds flock to other attractions, making this place secluded and peaceful. It’s perfect for a leisurely 3-hour stroll, without any traffic jams or big crowds.
On the third day in Chishui, I visited Si Dong Gou in the morning and Red Stone Wild Valley in the afternoon. Initially, I thought it might just be a small rock, but climbing up was truly breathtaking. The red Danxia landform was extremely stunning. Unfortunately, as we reached the mountaintop, the rain started pouring heavily. The staff, worried about safety, urged us to descend. We only had about ten minutes up there, which was not enough time to fully… Read more »