Maling River Gorge (马岭河峡谷), located in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, is a breathtaking natural wonder renowned for its grandeur, uniqueness, and danger. Spanning 70 kilometers, the gorge features a width ranging from 50 to 150 meters and depths of 120 to 280 meters. It is adorned with over a hundred cascading waterfalls of various sizes and magnificent formations of calcified rocks.
The Maling River originates from the Baiguo Ridge in the Wumeng Mountain Range, initially known as the Qingshui River. As it flows through the region, flanked by the imposing Mabie Village and Maling Village, it earns its name as the Maling River. Along its approximately 100-kilometer course to the mouth, the river descends nearly a kilometer in elevation.
Covering a distance of over 50 kilometers, the Maling River offers thrilling rafting experiences, navigating through more than 80 dangerous rapids, over 70 deep pools, and around 60 meandering bends. It has earned the title of “China’s Number One Rafting Destination” and serves as the “National Whitewater Kayaking Training Base.”
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Maling River Gorge
- Other Attractions in Xingyi
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | 80 RMB (1st March – 31st October) 60 RMB (1st November – 28th February) |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.30 (1st March – 31st October) 8.00 – 17.00 (1st November – 28th February) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0859-3374058 0086-0859-3646118 |
Location and Transportation
Maling River Gorge is located in the northeastern part of Xingyi City, the capital of the Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province, China. Situated just 5 kilometers away from the city center, it is easily accessible for tourists.
Visitors can take public transportation options such as Bus No. 4, Bus No. 4 Tourist Special Line, Xingyi 301 Bus, or Xingyi Tourist Special Line 1 to reach the Maling River Gorge Scenic Area stop (马岭河峡谷景区站). From there, it is a short walk to the entrance of the gorge.
Highlights of Maling River Gorge
Maling River Rafting
Maling River rafting offers four distinct sections, each with its own unique features and levels of excitement:
- Qingshui River Rafting: This section spans from the Qingshui River Bridge to the Maling Ancient Bridge, covering 26 kilometers with a descent of 108 meters. The relatively gentle waters make for a leisurely 2-3 hour journey. Being upstream, this stretch is least affected by pollution and boasts the best water quality.
- Maling Ancient Bridge to Baili Gallery: Stretching approximately 14 kilometers, this segment takes around an hour to traverse. With fewer rapids and scenic views including waterfalls, grazing sheep, and ancient stone bridges, it’s suitable for families and seniors seeking a relaxed experience.
- Tianxing Gallery to Zhaojiadu Bridge: Spanning about 22 kilometers, this section offers breathtaking scenery with steep drops and thrilling rapids, providing an exhilarating experience for adventure seekers.
- Zhaojiadu to Wanfeng Lake: This section features the most significant drops and numerous rapids, presenting the ultimate challenge and adventure. Currently, it is only open to professional rafters due to its high level of difficulty and danger.
Waterfall Group
Within the Tianxing Gallery of Maling River Gorge, there are over 20 waterfalls within a 1.7-kilometer stretch. Notable waterfalls include the Roaring of Ten Thousand Horses, Pearl Falls, and the intermittent Five-tiered Falls, ranging from 120 to 170 meters in height and 5 to 100 meters in width. These majestic cascades resemble gaps in the Milky Way, adding a surreal beauty to the landscape. Additionally, there are numerous lesser-known curtain waterfalls, adding to the allure of the gorge. The “Roaring of Ten Thousand Horses” waterfall stands at an impressive height of 176 meters, with another waterfall downstream estimated by experts to be approximately 280 meters tall.
