Xingyi Mountain and Water Secret Realm Hiking Guide

「🗺️3-Day Tour of Xingyi | Wanfenglin and Maling River・All-Age Friendly Guide」 Xingyi, a small city embraced by karst peak forests, features the poetic and picturesque countryside of Wanfenglin and the breathtaking gorges and waterfalls of Maling River. Bringing the whole family here, you can watch smoke curling among the peaks, listen to the flowing water while drifting, and experience the leisure and grandeur within this "mountain and water scroll." 🗓️Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Xingyi → Wanfenglin → Xiannahui Village Day 2: Maling River Gorge → Wanfeng Lake Day 3: Liu Family Manor → Guizhou Chun Scenic Area → Return ⛰️Day 1: Strolling the Peak Forests · Exploring the Countryside 📍Wanfenglin (4A, ticket 80 RMB + sightseeing bus 50 RMB, half price for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.2 meters) Core Highlights: One of "China’s Five Most Beautiful Peak Forests," with over 3,000 strange peaks rising like bamboo shoots after rain. Buyi villages are nestled among the fields, and the curves of the "Bagua Fields" are fascinating. Seniors can take the sightseeing bus for panoramic views, children can chase butterflies in the fields, see rapeseed flowers in spring, golden rice in autumn, beautiful in all seasons. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended arrival at 9 AM for soft lighting ideal for photos. 📸Photo Spots: General’s Peak Viewing Platform (for panoramic peak forest shots), Bagua Field Viewing Platform (for countryside curves). 💡Tips: If physically fit, rent a bike (20 RMB/hour) to ride the peak forest trails; with seniors, choose the "highlight section" sightseeing bus to reduce walking. 📍Xiannahui Village (free, included in Wanfenglin Scenic Area) Core Highlights: Ancient Buyi village with bluestone paths connecting stilted houses. Elders can listen to Buyi eight-tone singing under the banyan tree (10 RMB/person), children can learn to make five-color glutinous rice (20 RMB/session), and in the evening watch villagers lead cattle home, full of local life atmosphere. 🍖Recommended Dining: The village’s "Buyi Eight Big Bowls" restaurant serves sour bamboo shoot fish (mildly spicy) and Zhenfeng glutinous rice (fragrant and sweet), about 40 RMB per person; try freshly picked loquats (5 RMB/jin), sweet and juicy. 🏨Recommended Accommodation: Peak forest homestay in Xiannahui Village, with views of the peak forest from the window, family rooms, breakfast included (corn porridge, native eggs), priced 200-300 RMB/night, convenient for morning mist watching. 🌊Day 2: Exploring the Gorge · Boating on the Lake 📍Maling River Gorge (4A, ticket 70 RMB, elevator 40 RMB, half price for seniors over 60) Core Highlights: "The most beautiful scar on Earth," with clusters of waterfalls inside the gorge, including the "Galloping Horses Waterfall" and "Pearl Waterfall" cascading down. The plank road is built along the cliff, thrilling and scenic at every step. Seniors can take the elevator down the gorge (less stairs), children can see rainbows hanging between waterfalls, and in summer enjoy rafting (198 RMB/person, for those over 1.2 meters). 🕙Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended arrival at 10 AM to avoid the midday sun. 📸Photo Spots: Tianxing Gallery (for multiple waterfalls in one frame), Rainbow Bridge (for silhouette photos under the waterfall). 💡Tips: The plank road is wet, wear non-slip shoes; bring rain gear as waterfall mist can soak you; choose gentle rafting sections suitable for families. 📍Wanfeng Lake (ticket 60 RMB + boat 80 RMB) Core Highlights: A plateau lake reflecting the Wanfeng peaks, with maze-like bays. Boat rides offer views of the "water stone forest," and fishermen casting nets create picturesque scenes. Seniors can rest in the cabin and enjoy the view, children watch seagulls chasing the boat, and in the evening see the sunset dye the river red. 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00, recommended boat ride at 2 PM for fewer crowds and tranquility. 📸Photo Spots: Hongchun Pier (for lake and peak forest shots), boat deck (for people among mountains and water). 💡Tips: The boat trip lasts 2 hours, bring snacks; it’s windy by the lake, bring light jackets for elders and children. 🏡Day 3: Manor History Tasting · Flower Sea Strolling 📍Liu Family Manor (3A, free) Core Highlights: The manor of Liu Wencai, a Southwest warlord of the Republic of China, with grand architecture blending Chinese and Western styles. The collection of Republican-era furniture and weapons tells history. Elders reminisce over old items, children listen to "manor stories" to learn about Xingyi’s past. 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), recommended arrival at 9 AM. 📸Photo Spots: Manor main gate (for grand architecture), Miss’s Building (for fusion of Chinese and Western styles). 📍Guizhou Chun Scenic Area (free) Core Highlights: A park themed on liquor culture, with flower seas covering the hills (flowers all year round). The "Love Corridor" and "Mushroom House" are great for photos. Elders sunbathe on the lawn, children play on the small train (30 RMB/round), perfect for a relaxed family stroll. 🕙Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended arrival at 3 PM to avoid strong sun. 📸Photo Spots: Flower sea terraces (for photos among flowers), Swan Lake (for reflections). 🍖Recommended Dining: "Xingyi Flavor" restaurant outside the scenic area serves brush head dumplings (similar to shumai) and chicken rice balls (fresh and savory), about 30 RMB per person, authentic snacks that fill you up. ✨Xingyi Survival Guide 1️⃣Transportation: Taxi starting fare in Xingyi city is 6 RMB, bus 1 RMB; Wanfenglin is 12 km from downtown, taxi about 20 RMB; Maling River Gorge reachable by taxi for 10 RMB; for Wanfeng Lake, car rental recommended (round trip 80 RMB), suitable for elders and children. 2️⃣Clothing: Spring wear light jacket + long sleeves (rainy, bring umbrella); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection clothing (strong UV, cool in the gorge); autumn wear knitwear + windbreaker (cool mornings and evenings); winter wear down jacket (mountain area is a bit cold). 3️⃣Taboos: Do not touch sacred trees in Buyi villages; do not climb over plank road railings in Maling River Gorge; do not touch exhibits and keep quiet in the manor. 4️⃣Food: Xingyi cuisine is moderately sour and spicy, suitable for elders and children; must-try brush head dumplings, chicken rice balls, sour soup fish; can request "no spice" for children’s taste. 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs ①Xingyi Erkuai Rice Cake (10 RMB/bag, made of glutinous rice, can be fried or boiled) ②Zhenfeng Zongzi (15 RMB/bag, large meat zongzi, savory and soft) ③Buyi Wax-Dyed Small Square Scarf (30 RMB/each, handmade patterns, ethnic style) ④Guizhou Chun Liquor (80 RMB/bottle, local specialty, suitable as gift for elders) The beauty of Xingyi is the gentleness of the peak forest, the wildness of the gorge, and the poetry of the countryside. Whoever you come with, walking the stone paths and hearing the waterfall sounds, you will fall in love with this blend of "mountains, water, and life." If you come to Xingyi, would you most want to take your parents on the Wanfenglin sightseeing bus, or accompany your children rafting on the Maling River?