Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (second batch) |
| Province | Guizhou |
| Location | Zhenyuan and Shibing counties, eastern Guizhou |
| Latitude, longitude | 27.0, 108.3 Google Maps |
| Highlights | A scroll of mountains and water |
| Area | 625 km² |
| Nearby cities | Zhenyuan (Guizhou), Guiyang |
| Nearby sites | Fanjingshan 102km, Liping Dong Villages 121km, Pingtang Scenic Area 170km, Red Maple Lake 198km Search nearby |
| Themes | River, Canyon, Rafting & boat trips, Ethnic cultures |
About
The Wuyang River scenic area in Zhenyuan and Shibing counties, eastern Guizhou, includes the river and its tributaries the Xiaotang and Shanmu, 625 km² in all.
It is divided into the upper and lower Wuyang: mountains above, gorges below. The upper river, about 50 km with the Tou, Wulu, Laodong and Guanyin gorges, is marked by the Taigong Fishing rock, with the Twin Flying Waters, the Moon Palace on the Water and the Widow Weeping for her Husband; the lower river, 50 km with the Zhuge Gorge in Shibing and the Longwang, West and East gorges in Zhenyuan, is marked by the Peacock Spreading its Tail, with the Burning of the Red Cliff and Gaobei Lake.
Qinglong Cave: east of old Zhenyuan, a complex of Ming and Qing buildings set against the cliff; a national key cultural relic site.
It is in the second batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1988.
Travel tips
Getting there: the main base is Zhenyuan old town, which has a railway station; from Guiyang it takes two to three hours by train or bus. Shibing county, west of Zhenyuan, is another starting point.
Zhenyuan old town: the town lies on both banks of the Wuyang River, with the Qinglong Cave, the Zhusheng Bridge and old streets; the riverside is lit at night, so a night here is worth it.
On the water: the lower Wuyang gorges can be toured by boat or raft, while the upper river is mainly scenery of hills; the two sections differ in character.
Shibing area: Yuntai Mountain and the Shanmu River are in Shibing county; Yuntai has walkways, and the Shanmu is a stream landscape in dolomite country that is part of a World Natural Heritage site.
Time: half a day for one section; one to two days for the old town plus a stretch of river.
Season: spring and summer have more water and better scenery; in winter water is low and some boat lines do not run.
Where to stay: inns and hotels line both banks in Zhenyuan old town, the first choice; Shibing town also has lodging.
Caution: boat trips and rafting may be suspended when the river rises after heavy rain; paths in the hills are damp, so wear non-slip shoes.
Travel information
The river rises at Weng’an and flows through Huangping, Shibing and Zhenyuan into the Yuan in Hunan; From Shibing, the upper river is 9 km west along the river, the lower river 25 km east, Yuntai Mountain 13 km, the Shanmu River 14 km and Heichong 20 km.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Shibing Karst (Yuntai Mountain) 27km, Fanjingshan 102km, Tusi Sites 171km, Libo and the Zhangjiang River 206km |
| National parks | Shiqian Hot Springs 53km, Jiangjie River, Weng’an 97km, Liping Dong Villages 121km, Nine Dragon Cave 122km |
| AAAAA attractions | Zhenyuan Ancient Town Scenic Area 10km, Wulingshan Grand Rift Valley Scenic Area 106km, Qingyan Ancient Town Scenic Area 180km, Chengyang Eight Villages Scenic Area 182km |
| AAAA attractions | Shidong Miao Culture Tourist Scenic Area 19km, Yuntai Mountain 27km, Gui Cave 46km, Huangping Jiuzhou Ancient City 54km |
| Historic cities | Zhenyuan County 11km |
| Historical sites | Site of Peace Village 10km, Zhenyuan City Wall 11km |
| Nature reserves | Fodingshan National Nature Reserve 41km, Leigongshan National Nature Reserve 73km, Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve 101km |