Qianlonggou Grand Waterfall is located in Jin Village, Liangkou Town, Conghua District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. Situated in the upper‑reach area of Liuxi River, it is an ecological scenic spot centered on primitive‑ecology waterfalls, bamboo‑sea and mountain‑forest landscapes. With an in‑depth length of about 3 kilometres, the scenic area features ultra‑wide waterfalls, valley stream trekking and bamboo scenery. Qianlong Grand Waterfall boasts a total drop of around 80 metres and a maximum width of 290 metres, making it a well‑known wide‑span waterfall around Guangzhou. Developed based on primitive mountain river valleys, the site is dominated by mountain canyons, clear brooks and continuous bamboo forests. It features high air humidity, luxuriant vegetation and abundant negative‑oxygen ions, and serves as a popular summer‑resort, hiking and sightseeing destination in northern Guangzhou.
History and Culture
The Jin Village area where Qianlonggou lies is a traditional settlement of Hakka villages in the Conghua mountainous region. Local residents have long preserved the Hakka rural history of farming and fetching water from mountain forests. In ancient times, the waterfalls and streams in the valley supplied vital water resources for mountain villagers. River valleys and bamboo forests have coexisted for generations. Locals named this multi‑drop waterfall Qianlong, with "Long" meaning torrential waterfall.
Folk legends have been passed down in the scenic area that an immortal left a footprint here and a young dragon swam upstream into the valley, adding mythical charm to the mountain‑and‑water scenery. In the early days, this area was an undeveloped remote mountain valley rarely visited by travellers. Later, local authorities leveraged its exceptional waterfall resources for tourism development and built Qianlonggou Grand Waterfall Scenic Area. After opening to the public, it gradually grew into a well‑liked natural‑sightseeing site in northern Conghua. No large‑scale cultural relics remain inside the scenic zone. Its cultural connotation mainly consists of Hakka mountain‑village culture and natural‑ecology landscape culture of northern Guangdong mountain areas.
Main Attractions
Qianlong Grand Waterfall
As the core landscape of the whole scenic area, Qianlong Grand Waterfall cascades down the high cliff and spreads out broadly, with a total drop of about 80 metres and a maximum width of 290 metres. A deep pool is formed beneath the waterfall where water mist rises. Visitors can enjoy a full close‑up view of the waterfall from the viewing platform. Steep rocks and dense vegetation surround the waterfall. The water flow is powerful in rainy seasons and mild during dry periods. Rainbows may appear above the waterfall on sunny days.
Bamboo‑Sea Warbler Singing
Bamboo‑Sea Warbler Singing lies alongside the mountain‑entrance hiking trail. Large‑scale moso‑bamboo groves grow on both sides of the path, forming an extensive bamboo sea. The trail winds through the cool and well‑ventilated bamboo woods. The primitive thick bamboo forest provides habitats for birds whose songs echo through the woods. It is an important rest‑and‑sightseeing zone on the way to the waterfall.
Green Valley Brook
Green Valley Brook is the upper‑reaches stream section of the waterfall. Winding water flows through the valley strewn with natural boulders of various sizes. The current is gentle with shallow waters suitable for wading and stream trekking. Lush trees cover both banks of the primitive valley. Wooden boardwalks have been built along the brook for upstream sightseeing.
Hundred‑step Cloud Stairway
The Hundred‑step Cloud Stairway is a stone hiking path built along the mountainside. The stone steps climb upwards following the canyon slope. This section is steeper than other trails, offering overlook views of the brook valley and bamboo sea during the ascent.
Convergent‑Dragon Pool Waterfall
Convergent‑Dragon Pool Waterfall is a small cascading waterfall halfway up the mountain. Multiple mountain streams converge and drop here into a crystal‑green pool. It serves as an intermediate waterscape on the route to the main waterfall.
Tour Route
Scenic‑area Entrance → Bamboo‑Sea Warbler Singing → Green Valley Brook → Hundred‑step Cloud Stairway → Convergent‑Dragon Pool Waterfall → Qianlong Grand Waterfall → Return to the entrance by the original route (shuttle‑bus ride downhill is optional)
Travel Suggestions
- Plan 2‑3 hours for your visit and reserve enough time for the round‑trip hike.
- Set off in the morning during summer to avoid midday heat, ideal for summer escape and wading.
- Waterfall views are most spectacular in rainy seasons; check the weather forecast before departure.
- Visitors with limited physical strength may view the waterfall from the hillside platform without descending to its base.
- After touring this site, you can extend your trip to nearby attractions such as Xitou Village and Liuxihe National Forest Park.
Precautions
- Most hiking trails are stone mountain paths with steep sections. Wear anti‑slip sports shoes; slippers or sandals are not recommended for mountain climbing.
- Submerged stones in wading zones are slippery. Take care while wading and keep away from fast‑flowing deep‑water sections.
- Bring insect repellent for protection against mosquitoes in mountain forests in summer.
- Mobile‑phone signal may be unstable in mountain areas; download offline navigation maps beforehand.
- Protect the natural environment and do not litter.
- Stay away from waterfalls and tall trees during thunderstorms and watch out for flash floods.
Transportation
- Self‑driving: Navigate for "Qianlonggou Grand Waterfall". From downtown Guangzhou, drive along the Daqing Expressway and then take National Highway 105 to Liangkou Town, then follow rural roads to Jin Village. A car‑parking lot is available with separate parking fees.
- Public Transport: Take metro or inter‑city coach to Conghua Bus Station, transfer to a coach bound for Liangkou Town, then take a taxi to the scenic spot. No direct public‑bus service is available, so self‑driving is highly recommended.
Opening Hours
The regular opening hours of Qianlonggou Grand Waterfall are 08:30‑17:30, with the latest admission time generally at 16:30. The scenic area may close temporarily in bad‑weather conditions such as heavy rain, flash floods or typhoons. Visitors are advised to check the latest official announcements before travelling.
Ticket Information
Admission Ticket: 68 CNY per person. Search the WeChat official service account "千泷沟大瀑布" for the latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.