https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/dayao-1446269-137080518
LiamMcCormick80United States

Yunnan Chuxiong Santan Waterfalls - Yunnan's Ultra-Underrated Hidden Waterfall Treasure

📍Location: It is located in Dayao County, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, also known as Shuangou Waterfall. It is one of the ancient Eight Views of Dayao and is renowned as the "Highest Waterfall in Southwest China." 🌊Scenic Features: This is not an ordinary waterfall; it is a spectacular waterfall group! Within a river channel less than 4 kilometers long, there are 33 tiers of waterfalls. The most impressive are the three-tiered waterfalls: from top to bottom, the first tier is 19 meters high, gracefully shaped with mist swirling around, like a fairyland emerging; the second tier is 121 meters high, and the third tier is 82 meters high. These two tiers have water balls flying all day, shrouded in mist, with thunderous waterfall sounds and magnificent momentum. The three-tiered waterfalls form a seamless whole, with river water rushing down the cliff face like thousands of galloping horses, unstoppable, with a total drop of 220.28 meters, creating an extremely stunning scene. 💖In different seasons, Santan Waterfalls show completely different beauties. During the rainy season, the waterfalls are majestic and grand, like a dragon emerging from the sea or thousands of horses galloping, with roaring waves audible from a kilometer away, breathtakingly powerful. In winter and spring, the waterfall water looks like three white silk ribbons hanging between the mountains, with rolling pearls and shattered jade falling into the deep pools, like ornaments or pearl curtains. "The waterfall plunges straight down three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way is falling from the Ninth Heaven." The waterfalls cascade down, stirring countless jade-like water droplets, and the shimmering emerald waves in the deep pools reflect the green mountains on both sides like a precious mirror. 🚗Transportation Guide: You can first reach Dayao County, then navigate to "Santan Scenic Area." If departing from Kunming, it is about over 200 kilometers. There are two parking and descent options: 1. Park at the parking spot on the left side of the highway before the Santan Tunnel, then hike down. The path is stairs and boardwalk, very easy to walk, and it takes about an hour to reach the bottom of the waterfall. 2. After passing the Santan Tunnel, keep driving forward. On the right side, there is an entrance; follow the road down to a mid-mountain parking lot. From there, it takes about half an hour to walk down to the waterfall. 🎫Tickets: Currently free of charge, which is incredibly generous! 📸Photo Tips: 1. It is recommended to wear a camisole, a windbreaker, or more fitted clothes for great photos. 2. Stand below the waterfall with the waterfall as the background for striking portrait shots. 3. Use the mist splashed by the waterfall to capture photos with a dreamy, soft-focus effect. ❗Precautions: 1. Some parts of the scenic area may be under road construction, and some sections may be difficult to walk. Please pay attention to safety. 2. When viewing the waterfall, do not get too close to avoid getting wet or encountering danger.
View original text
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: Oct 21, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Santan Waterfall

4.7/511 reviews | Natural scenery
Dayao
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Shiyang Ancient Town

More Serene Than Dali! Dayao, the Millennial Salt Capital, is as Beautiful as Forgotten by Time!

_TI***d6
Santan Waterfall

Double Ditch Waterfall.

emmelineraeburn91
Santan Waterfall

Baizhang Waterfall in Yunnan! ! ! .

MARIAH LOPEZ
Santan Waterfall

The beautiful scenery of the waterfall in the mountains of Yaoan, the highest waterfall in Yunnan, Santan Waterfall

Radiate_123_Reed
Santan Waterfall

Dayao County's Zhaojiadian Town in Chuxiong, Yunnan welcomes hikers

JUDE SALAZAR
Dayao eternity reach hotel

Dayao Hengji Hotel

Amelia Gray&96
Dayao eternity reach hotel

Ancient Tea Horse Road - A Journey Through Time

3l.z@b3th N3ls0n
Dayao eternity reach hotel

Fall in love with nature and encounter the beauty of the Three Pools

NINA CUMMINGS
Dayao eternity reach hotel

Explore a luxurious secret in the city - Hengji Hotel

AsherShadowblade71
Dayao eternity reach hotel

Dayao Hengji Hotel | A fairy hotel by Dongta Lake

ALISHA RAMSEY
Dayao eternity reach hotel

I can't believe there's such a good hotel hidden in Dayao!

RAEGAN WEBSTER
Dayao eternity reach hotel

Going to Dayao this is the best value hotel I've ever stayed in...

456Nova~Foster^