Published : 26/05/2026
Dubbed an "emerald on the Earth's belt", Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in Libo, Guizhou, is famed for its stunning mix of mountains, forests, lakes, caves and waterfalls.
Add the rich cultural flavour of the Buyi, Miao and Yao ethnic groups, and it is easy to see why the area draws visitors from around the world each year. Enough of the hype — let us take a virtual trip and discover some of Xiaoqikong’s most popular sights.
Libo's most famous "Xiaoqikong" ancient bridge
Since the scenic area is called "Libo Xiaoqikong" (荔波小七孔), the first stop must of course be the Xiaoqikong Bridge for a photo!
The Xiaoqikong Bridge (小七孔橋) is a famous ancient bridge built from bluestone. It was originally built in the 15th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1835 AD). It once served as a key transport route from Guizhou to Guangxi in ancient times.
The bridge has seven stone arches and spans the Xiangshui River.
If you come to the ancient bridge and stop to watch the river water softly glowing green, the shimmering ripples on its surface appear very tranquil, and the water is so clear you can almost see the bottom. Simply gazing at the river scenery is in itself a pleasant and gratifying experience.
During the day, you can take a boat trip on the river at Xiaoqikong Bridge. Some boat operators offer ethnic costumes for hire, and ladies can dress up to instantly look just like a local ethnic minority girl.
Besides dressing up as an ethnic minority, you can also admire the antique-style buildings on both banks while boating on the river. You can quietly inhale the fragrance wafting from the flower bushes by the riverbank, adding more poetic and picturesque memories to your heart.
At sunset, you can stand on the bridge and admire the beautiful mountains and rivers bathed in the warm sunlight and watch the small fish swimming leisurely in the river, which is a very pleasant sight.
If you stay until the evening, with a bit of luck you might even see a sky full of stars and the vast Milky Way, creating a truly romantic atmosphere!
Wolongtan becomes another popular attraction at Xiaoqikong
After enjoying the romantic scenery on a boat trip, we turn to another popular photo spot in the Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area—Wolongtan (臥龍潭).
Wolongtan is located at the western end of the scenic area and is also the outlet for the karst underground river and the Wolong River; an artificial dam has turned it into a pool and a waterfall.
The surface of Wolongtan appears calm and serene, but looking up at the Wolong Waterfall, the scene suddenly becomes powerful and dynamic.
Strolling to the front of Wolong Pool, you will find a curved dam blocking the upstream flow. The water continuously flows down the curved dam, forming an endless curtain of water, which is magnificent and very spectacular.
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On the other hand, the surface of Wolong Pool is as calm as a mirror and jade-coloured, forming a stark contrast with the powerful, surging waterfall.
The stillness and the movement interestingly complement each other. No wonder some say the Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is hailed as the "green jewel on Earth"; Wolong Pool must have contributed significantly to this.
The water forest of Xiaoqikong
Have you seen those streams in fir forests from National Geographic magazine that are as beautiful as oil paintings? In fact, there is also an incredibly beautiful Water Forest in the Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area.
The Water Forest in the Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is about 600 metres long and is divided into upper and lower sections.
As dense trees and shrubs grow in the river valley, they form a jade-green barrier, while the river water gushes down through the assorted woodland on the riverbed, which over time has created the spectacle of "water flowing over rocks, and trees growing in water".
Thousands of trees grow here, including nearly a hundred species of rare and precious trees, all rooted on sturdy rocks in the water before taking root in the riverbed below, evolving into a rare water forest area.
Seeing these photos that are as beautiful as oil paintings, your mind must be filled with images of waterfalls, pools, small boats and ancient bridges.
The next time you have the opportunity to travel to Guizhou, don't forget to take a trip to the Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, and keep more memories of the beautiful scenery!
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