Wangfenglin, or Forest of 10,000 Peaks, is one of "Top Six Most Beautiful Peak Forests in China" ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazine. Photo by a photographer nicknamed as 'bg8azc' on pconline.com.cn.

Wanfenglin or "10,000 Peak" Forest is a part of the State-level Maling River Canyon scenic area in Xingyi city in Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Guizhou province.

The area is noted for its karst outcrops and famous for its deep rift, waterfalls and curtains of calcium deposits.

Tourists can spend the better part of a day following a winding path through the lush canyon, crossing bridges up to - and behind - high, cascading waterfalls.

The canyon has about 100 waterfalls, including the noted Pearl and the Rainbow Falls.

Pearl Falls cascades over a 100-m-high cliff, with its spray rising in all directions like pearls in the air.

Rainbow Falls has eight sections that reach the canyon floor in a mist of that creates rainbows.

Miles of calcium sediments are visible on the two faces of the canyon. Some look like hanging tapestries while others resemble waterfalls. They vary in color and shape, creating colorful and vivid pictures.

Tourists can either float along the river at the bottom of the canyon or enjoy the scenery on foot along a planked trail. The river in this section is turbulent and narrow with several dangerous shoals.

Xingyi is at the intersection of Guizhou, Yunnan and Guangxi, and about 334 km southwest of Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province.

To accommodate visitors, the province has developed a transportation network integrating road, railroad, aviation and water that also provides important channels for transport of goods in southwest China.

Xingyi's other scenic attractions include a national geological park, a national agriculture demonstration area, scenic Xiawu village, Qixiang Garden Guizhouchun Wine Factory, two provincial-level tourist areas, Putty Pit Stone Forest and Lubuge Canyon Lake, as well as other 80 natural attractions.

With some of the finest weather in Guizhou, the town's sights include a minorities museum and some nearby karst scenery. Its rich resources attract numerous domestic and foreign tourists every year.

More than 360 years ago, Xu Xiake (1586-1641), a well-known Chinese traveler, geologist and writer during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), journeyed to Wanfenglin and highly praised its scenery.

Wanfenglin is 200 km in length and 30-50 km in width, covering an area of 2,000 sq km within Xingyi city, accounting for two-thirds of the city's total area.

Its western sector is open to tourists, where they can enjoy the mountains, fields, winding rivers and verdant villages.

Travel tips:

Drift on Malinghe Valley is a local characteristic and a must.

Pull on sports-shoes because there is much cragged and steep road.

There is no air-conditioner on many hostels in Guizhou because of cool weather in summer.

You had better listen music by Buyi nationality and eat Buyi dishes.

Be sure to respect local customs and traditions.

Please take raincoat, enough clothes, bathing costumes, sunbonnet, sunglass, and suntan oil in summer.

Best time to go

From May to October especially July and August

Ticket

Wanfenglin: 40 yuan, Jar-bus 15 yuan (one way)
Malinghe Valley: 33 yuan
Drift on Malinghe Valley: 138 yuan(upriver 13.8 km lasting 2.5 hours)
Drift on Malinghe Valley: 168 yuan (downriver 22 km lasting 3 hours)

Nearby attractions

Feilongdong (Flying Dragon) Cave, Malinghe Valley, Wanfeng Lake, ZHengwu Mountain Park, Zhengfen Shuangru Peak, The Tomb of East Han Dynasty.

Local Snacks and Specialties

Chicken with Tangyuan, Shuanbatou, Gangzimian, Juanfen, Guizhou Battik, Traditional Miao and Buyi embroidery, Cross-Stitch and Jeweler etc.

Traffic guide

Distance: Beijing (2536 km) Guiyang city (389 km) Xingyi (6 km)

Train: Wangfenglin Area is 20 km from the Dingxiao Railway Station, which can be reached within six hours from Kunming.

Flight: Daily flight from Guiyang to Xingyi, Weekly flight from Shenzhen to Xingyi.

Car: Five hours driving from Guiyang, Kuming and Nanning.

(China.org.cn April 9, 2009)