Just 1 Hour from Guiyang! The Ultimate Guide to Nanjiang Grand Canyon – Scream with Excitement in This Karst Wonderland

Who said Guizhou only has Huangguoshu? Hidden near Guiyang, Nanjiang Grand Canyon is the locals' secret "mountain and water playground"! Just 39 kilometers away, a quick drive plunges you into the folds of karst landscapes—where heart-pounding thrills surpass rafting, breaths are fresher than waterfalls, and millennia-old stories hide in the cliffs, promising a weekend packed with joy!

🌿 First, Get to Know It: Why Is Nanjiang Grand Canyon So "Wild"?

As a "living specimen" of Guizhou's karst terrain, Nanjiang Grand Canyon is a masterpiece of 60 million years of tectonic movement. The 18.4-kilometer canyon looks like it was split by a giant axe, with travertine formations on cliffs resembling natural "pavilions and towers." Waterfalls crash from hundred-meter cliffs into emerald pools, and even the air is sweet with negative oxygen ions.

This area was once the fringe of the ancient Yelang Kingdom. Legend says the ancestors of the Gelao people gathered herbs and fished along the canyon. Today, ancient trees and vines still whisper their wisdom of living in harmony with nature. Walking on the suspended plank roads, with the roaring Nanjiang River below, you might even hear the murmurs of mountain winds from millennia ago.

🔥 Must-Do List: From Screams to Serenity, One Day Isn’t Enough!

1. Summer’s Hottest Attraction: Canyon Rafting (June–September, a must!)

- Thrill Level: ★★★★☆
Guizhou’s "wildest rafting" is no exaggeration! The 8-kilometer route features whirlpools that spin your raft 360° and calm "jade-green zones" where you can spot macaques leaping through trees. The moment waves hit your face, all the summer heat washes away—just hold tight to your paddle, as a spontaneous water battle with fellow rafters might break out!

- Pro Tip: Wear quick-dry clothes and bring a change. Lockers are available, and showers are at the endpoint.

2. Hiking Paradise: Suspended Plank Roads + Waterfall Cluster

- Relaxation Level: ★★★★★
Walk the cliff-hugging plank roads with vertical rock faces on one side and deep emerald valleys on the other. Along the way, encounter over 10 waterfalls like "Celestial Fairy" and "Golden Bell Falls," their mist cooling your skin. At the "Glowworm Rock" section during rainy season, you might spot fireflies at dusk, like stars scattered across the cliffs.

3. Daredevil Challenges: Glass Bridge + Rock Climbing

- Adrenaline Level: ★★★★☆
The glass bridge spanning the canyon will make your legs wobble—look down to see the Nanjiang River winding like a green ribbon below. Prefer hardcore thrills? Try the via ferrata, scaling the cliffs with professional guidance. The view from the top is pure triumph!

📍 Practical Guide: All the Details for a Smooth Trip!

- Transportation:
- By car: From Guiyang, take the Guiyang-Zunyi Expressway to "Nanjiang Grand Canyon Scenic Area" (1 hour). Parking: ¥10/day.
- Public transit: Take a high-speed train from Guiyang North Station to Kaiyang Station (19 minutes), then a 15-minute taxi to the scenic area.

- Tickets:
- Scenic entry + shuttle: ¥80/person
- Rafting combo (includes entry): ¥198/person (slightly pricier on weekends—book early on Trip.com!)

- Accommodation:
- For convenience: Stay at the canyon hotel inside the park—wake up to mountain views and birdsong.
- Budget option: Return to Guiyang (1-hour drive) for more lodging choices.

- Hidden Gems:
- Fishing at Yuanyang Lake: Cast a line at dusk as the sunset turns the water gold—pure magic!
- Bonfire party: Weekends feature BBQ and bonfires—sing with strangers under the stars, the mountain breeze carrying the scent of smoke.

✨ Final Truth Bomb:

Nanjiang Grand Canyon’s magic lies in how it lets you scream yourself hoarse rafting with friends, then sit alone on a plank road watching clouds drift across cliffs. So close to the city, yet it feels like another world—that’s the spell of Guizhou’s landscapes.

Skip the couch this weekend! Grab your swimsuit and courage, and turn life into poetry here. 🚗💨

(P.S.: Don’t miss the "sour fish soup" at the park entrance—fish cooked in Nanjiang River water, so fresh you’ll lick the plate clean!)