Dishuiyan Waterfall in Huaping County, Lijiang

Chinese Name: 华坪县滴水岩瀑布
English Name: Dishuiyan Waterfall in Huaping County, Lijiang

Dripping Water Rock Waterfall

Dripping Water Rock Waterfall is located in Qingsong Village, Xingquan Town, Huaping County, Lijiang, Yunnan Province, just 11 kilometers from the county seat. The mountain rocks form a fan shape, with water cascading from a height of over 100 meters, famously described as “falling straight down three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way has descended from the heavens.”

During the rainy season, the waterfall is particularly majestic, with powerful water flows creating mist and a thunderous roar. If sunlight hits just right, rainbows may appear, adding to the breathtaking scenery.

At the base of the waterfall, there is a cave with two passages connecting to a spacious chamber of approximately 500 square meters. The hall is adorned with stone pillars in various shapes, while the ceiling is decorated with stalactites that resemble a starry sky, with water droplets falling like musical notes.

The water from the waterfall flows about 20 meters into a large pool, known locally as "Washing Eye Spring." The Lisu and Miao people regard this spring as holy water, visiting annually to wash their eyes, believing it can cure eye diseases. There is a legend associated with this practice: after the deity Ersa created the world, he made seven pairs of people each day. One day, a demon named Chang Wang, who feasted on people's eyes, caused Ersa's creations to become blind. To remedy this, Ersa drew a stream of divine water from the heavenly river, and when people washed their faces with it, their eyesight was restored. This divine water is said to be the same that flows from Qingsong Waterfall today.

The area surrounding Dripping Water Rock Waterfall is picturesque. In the dense forest to the southwest lies the command center of the Lisu people's uprising led by Tang Gui, known as Diwangping. In January of the first year of the Daoguang era (1821), the Lisu people rose in rebellion, electing Tang Gui as the "Earth King" to oppose the feudal lords who sold their cultivated land. With over 10,000 supporters, they captured territories including Yongbei and Dayao. The Qing government dispatched over 30,000 troops from Yunnan and Guizhou to suppress the uprising. By September of that year, the rebellion failed, and Tang Gui was killed. In recent years, remnants of iron spears and other artifacts from the rebel forces have been discovered in the area, and Diwangping has been designated as a county-level cultural heritage protection site.

To get to Dripping Water Rock Waterfall (滴水岩瀑布) from Huaping County, you can follow these steps:

By Car

Starting Point: Begin at the center of Huaping County.

Route:

• Head southwest on the S217 road towards Xingquan Town.
• Continue on the S217 for approximately 10-11 kilometers until you reach the vicinity of Qingsong Village.

Navigation: Use a GPS or map app for real-time navigation to ensure you stay on the right path. The waterfall is well-marked, and local signs may guide you as you get closer.

By Public Transport

Bus or Minivan:

• Check local transportation options, such as buses or shared minivans that run from Huaping County to Xingquan Town or directly to Qingsong Village.
• Once you arrive in Qingsong Village, you may need to walk or arrange for a local taxi to take you to the waterfall.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit: The waterfall is especially stunning during the rainy season when water flow is at its peak.

What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.

Local Guidance: If you’re unsure, consider asking locals for directions or hiring a local guide who can help you navigate the area.

Enjoy your visit to Dripping Water Rock Waterfall!