Maling River Canyon

The Maling river has cut a slot around seventy metres wide and up to a hundred and twenty deep through soft rock outside Xingyi, and the particular character of the gorge comes from the tributaries: streams reaching the rim have nowhere to go but over, so dozens of waterfalls drop the full height of the walls, more after rain, plastering the rock with travertine and moss in reds and greens. A path is cut into the cliff partway down, running behind several of the falls so walkers pass through the spray. Rafting runs the lower river, and a bridge crosses high above the gorge.

What you actually see

• The wall waterfalls - dozens of streams dropping the full cliff height.
• The cliff path - a cut ledge running behind several of the falls.
• The travertine colours - red and green mineral crusts on the rock.
• The high bridge - the crossing far above the gorge floor.

When to go

May to October when the falls run strongest, particularly after summer rain; the dry winter reduces many to trickles. The path is wet and slippery in any season and spray soaks walkers.

Honest expectations

Steps down and back up are numerous and steep, or a lift for a fee. The path is genuinely wet, so cameras and phones need protection. Falls are much reduced in the dry season.

Nearby

Wanfenglin lies nearby; Xingyi is north.