Detian Waterfall: The Spectacular China–Vietnam Border Waterfall
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Table of Contents
- 1. Highlight Attractions - What to See
- 2. Best Things to Do in Detian Waterfall
- 3. Best time to Visit Detian Waterfall
- 4. How to Get to Detian Waterfall from Nanning
- 5. Detian Waterfall Hotels - Accommodation Options
- 6. Essential Travel Tips
Daxin County, where the Detian Waterfall is located, is under the jurisdiction of Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and shares over 40 kilometers of its southern border with Vietnam. The Detian Waterfall in Guangxi, China connected to the Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam, creates the largest waterfall in Asia and the second largest transnational waterfall in the world.
The Detian–Ban Gioc Waterfall is over 200 meters wide and has a drop of more than 70 meters. The fall is awe-inspiring, and its thunder is audible before it even comes into view. Its water rushes down a four-tiered cliff with tremendous force. Why Detian Waterfall is famous? It is huge in size, and also beautiful in its karst landscape. It is one of the top tourist attraction to visit on a China tour to Guangxi.
Quick Detian Waterfall Facts
How was it Formed
The strata at the location of the Detian Waterfall are mainly of the Devonian dolomitic limestone. Therefore, it is a typical karst waterfall.
The upper part of the waterfall is the Gui Chun River that flows through Vietnam. This section of the river is a meandering riverbed. When approaching the Detian Waterfall, the difference in height between the riverbed downstream of the waterfall and the riverbed at the top of the waterfall is approximately 6 meters. The river, in order to find the shortest path to reach the downstream water surface, causes the water flow of the Gui Chun River to take a detour through the dolomite rock buds in the riverbed of the waterfall, forming islands such as Putang Island.
These river islands divide the river into multiple streams, flowing from different parts to the cliff edge of the waterfall, resulting in the waterfall's water flow appearing in multiple streams.
Highlight Attractions - What to See
It is one of the six most beautiful waterfalls in China, and one of the best nature attractions in Guangxi. The average annual water flow of the Detian Waterfall is three times that of the Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou Province (the biggest waterfall in China).
The charm of the Detian Waterfall lies not only in its grandeur and magnificence, but also in its nature of being a transnational water. When you stand in front of it, you can clearly see the border line between China and Vietnam - on one side is the picturesque and beautiful landscape of mountains and waters; on the other side is the peaceful and vibrant rural countryside scenery.
Gui Chun River
The Gui Chun River originates in Jingxi County, Guangxi Province, with a total length of 150 kilometers. It passes through Vietnam, meanders for 35 kilometers before re-entering the Shuanglong Town,Detian Waterfall in Daxin County, Guangxi Province. At a cliff, it pours down and forms the De Tian Waterfall.
Detian Waterfall (the Part in China)
The Detian Waterfall is about 120 meters wide, about 60 meters high, and about 70 meters deep. Around it are ancient trees towering. 38 different-sized rapids fly down from different angles, forming a three-level fall. The first level waterfall rushes through the jungle and falls into a "sky pool" that is like a giant basin, forming a semi-circular water curtain about 30 meters high and 75 meters wide.
From the left side of the "sky pool", there are several water curtains flowing down, forming the second level waterfall with a drop of about 23 meters. The third level waterfall is formed by several larger rapids intersecting and overlapping, flowing together into the large water pool below the Shuanglong Town, Daxin County, where the incoming water is collected - the Longtan. It forms a large waterfall surface about 12 meters high and 120 meters wide.
>> Recommended 4 Days Relaxing Winter Escape to Detian Waterfall & Mingshi
Longtan Pool
The Longtan Pool covers an area of about 6,000 square meters, with water depth of about six to seven meters. Tourists can take a boat to wander in the pool. On the edge of the three water curtain cliff walls of the Longtan, there is a "water curtain cave" or "immortal rock" about 3 meters wide, 4 meters high, and 20 meters deep. On the cliff wall, there is a winding cave passage, with stalactites and stalagmites all over.Pu Tang Island
The green and shady Pu Tang Island is located in the river water at the top of the Detian Waterfall, covering an area of about 15 mu, shared by China and Vietnam. The river flows down from both sides of the island and falls onto the cliff.The 53rd China-Vietnam Boundary Marker
About 50 meters to the right of Pu Tang Island, it was erected by the Qing government in 1896. Before the two countries redefined the border and erected a new marker, this marker was the border marker between China and Vietnam. After the two countries redefined the border and erected a new marker, this old marker became one of the main attractions in Detian Waterfall scenic area. The marker is 86 meters wide, 1.6 meters high, and 19 centimeters thick.Paotai Mountain
On the right side of the De Tian Waterfall, Paotai Mountain was a fort built by the border general Su Yuanchun in the late Qing Dynasty. It stands at an altitude of 754 meters. From the top of the fort, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the scenery both within and outside the border area over an area of several dozen miles.Best Things to Do in Detian Waterfall
Take a Bamboo Raft for a Close-up View of the Waterfall
Price: CNY 30 per person
Put on the orange life jacket and step onto the raft made by bundling seven or eight thick bamboo sticks together. The boatman gently taps the stone by the shore with a long bamboo pole, and your raft floats into the main channel of the Guichun River.
First, the raft takes you directly to the third tier of the largest curtain of the Daitian Waterfall. Looking up, the water seems to fall from the sky, and the roar is deafening. The water vapor instantly envelops you, and the rainbow is just within reach.
Then, your raft gently passes over the invisible border line in the middle of the river. On the left, is the Daitian Waterfall like a river pouring down from the sky; on the right, is the Vietnam’s Ban Gioc Falls flowing at the same speed.
Magic Carpet, Glass Walkway, Slide
Price: CNY 68 per person, free for children under 1.2 meters
Next, the most interesting part for children is the magic carpet and the slide! The magic carpet is actually a conveyor belt that can easily take you to a higher place and let you enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
After taking the magic carpet to the high place, come to the glass walkway and look down at the Daitian Waterfall and the vast surrounding hills. Don't forget to take photos to remember this moment.
Finally, it's the super exciting downhill slide. This slide is a bit like a large rapid slide, and you need to wear special pants, gloves and shoe covers to prevent injuries during the slide. For families with children, the slide is simply full of fun for the kids.
The Detian Waterfall vIewing platforms 3 to 5: During the slide, you can see the beautiful scenery of the Daitian Waterfall from different angles. The best photo-taking spots are these viewing platforms.
Scenic Nature Walk
Walking on the jungle walkway, the air is filled with an indescribable natural fragrance. You can capture the entire waterfall and the surrounding mountain scenery. What a wonderful scene of green mountains and clear waters, as well as the China's rural beauty.
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Best time to Visit Detian Waterfall
From June to November each year (the rainy season), the water flow is abundant, and this is when Detian Waterfall is at its most spectacular.The changing seasons transform the natural scenery of the waterfall throughout the year. In spring, the flame-red blossoms of the kapok trees that surround the waterfall are in full bloom, symbolizing success.
Throughout the autumn months, though, the area around the waterfall turns golden-yellow, creating a harvest scene.
In the summer, visitors feel a complete freedom of mind and ease of spirit as they see the waters of the fall cascade with the momentum force of an avalanche.
During winter, on the other hand, the fall's clear water drops slowly, making visitors feel even-tempered and good-humored. The Detian Waterfall appears to be a sculpture made by nature.
How to Get to Detian Waterfall from Nanning
The Degtian Waterfall is approximately 200 kilometers away from Nanning. Check out how to travel from Nanjing to Detian:- There is a tourist express bus departing from Fengling Passenger Station (next to Chongzuo South Station) at 9 a.m. every day. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach the scenic area. It returns to Nanning at 4 p.m.
- There is also a tourist express bus departing from Nanning Langdong Station at 9 a.m. It can directly reach the main entrance of the scenic area. However, if you want to take the same bus to Nanning, you must board at 3:30 p.m. If you miss it, you can take a bus to Danxin Passenger Station and transfer there.
- Every day, there are many bus services from Nanning Beida Bus Station to Daxin County. After arriving in Daxin, you can transfer to the Detian Waterfall Scenic Area.
Detian Waterfall Hotels - Accommodation Options
In the scenic area: The Old Kapok Resort Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the entrance of the scenic area. The price is CNY 600 - 800 yuan per night.
In Shenglong Town: You can find budget-style guesthouses, with the nightly price ranging from CNY 100 to 150 yuan. Some inns also offer pick-up and drop-off services.
In Daxin County: There are many hotel options. The nightly price is approximately CNY 150 - 400 yuan.
Essential Travel Tips
Nearby Attractions
Plan a Detian Waterfall Tour with Us
You can't talk about a Nanning travel without Detian Waterfall! While enjoying the falls, why not combine the nearby attractions or even extend your trip to Guilin, one of the best places to visit in China? From a Detian Waterfall day trip to a classic Guangxi tour package including Guilin, at Easy Tour China, we can customize something for everyone to enjoy.
>> Recommende 4 Days Nanning Group Tour to Detian Waterfall
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