[2025 Dayao Attraction] Travel Guide for Santan Waterfall (Updated Apr)

[Introduction to the Waterfall] The waterfall in the picture is the Three Pools Waterfall, also known as the Double Ditch Waterfall. It is located about 25 kilometers northeast of Dayao County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Specifically, it is located on the right side of the蜻蛉River on the Nanhuato Yongren Secondary Road, within the territory of Zhaojiadian Township. It is the famous "Southwest First High Waterfall" and one of the Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Dayao. The Three Pools Waterfall is a group of waterfalls. There are 33 waterfalls in a river course less than 4 kilometers long. The most famous three-level waterfall has a total drop of 220.28 meters. The surrounding vegetation is rich, and the rocks around the waterfall pool are entwined with ancient vines. Old trees stand tall and proud, with their roots spreading and intertwining. - 🚗【Transportation】 Transportation is very convenient, with two expressways leading directly from Kunming. Navigate to "Three Pools Waterfall", and it takes about 260 kilometers to drive from Kunming. 1⃣ You can choose the Kunming-Chuxiong Expressway or the Beijing-Kunming Expressway, which are both expressways. Get off at the Three Pools Toll Station and follow the national highway for another 10 minutes to reach the destination. The toll is about 180 yuan. 2⃣ The 190-kilometer Hangzhou-Rui Expressway + 100-kilometer national highway section, the toll is about 80 yuan, it takes about 4 hours to get there, it is recommended to take the expressway all the way. - ⚠️The waterfall has a large volume of water only during the rainy season. The water volume has gradually decreased in autumn, and the water volume will decrease or even dry up in winter and spring. Please note that if you plan to visit, don't miss it.

📍Address of the attraction: Santan Scenic Area, free parking, no entrance fee, Santan Waterfall, Zhaojiadian Township, Dayao County, Chuxiong City, Yunnan Province 🚗Transportation to the attraction: You can drive to Santan Waterfall by yourself or follow the local hiking organization. 👍️Must-see attractions: Santan Waterfall is a group of waterfalls. There are 33 waterfalls in a river less than 4 kilometers long, arranged in order from upstream to downstream. The first level is 19 meters high, with a pool of misty water and beautiful shape; the second level is 121 meters high, and the third level is 82 meters high. The second and third pools are full of water balls dancing all day long, shrouded in mist, with continuous drizzle, and the sound of waterfalls filling the ears. The three waterfalls are integrated into one, and the river water rushes down along the section with great force, forming three deep pools, hence the name "Three Pools". The total drop of Santan Waterfall is 220.28 meters, making it the highest waterfall in the southwest. 💗Other tips: Key points: The typical mountain road in Yunnan has 18 bends and many S-bends. Those who are not good at driving should choose carefully and pay attention to safety! 📸When traveling on sunny days, please take precautions against the sun. You can also wear Hanfu or ethnic costumes. The ancient pavilion that is currently under construction will definitely be photographed with a waterfall in the future.

Santan Waterfall is located at the junction of Dayao and Yongren in Chuxiong. It is said to be the highest waterfall in the southwest! It’s higher than Gasa Nan’en Waterfall! A highly recommended place to visit during the flood season! 🌟Highlights: The Santan Waterfall Grand Canyon Scenic Area is located beside the Nanyong Highway in Zhaojiadian Town, Dayao County, 24 kilometers away from Dayao County. It is famous for its strange and steep cliffs, magical legends, flocks of birds and beautiful and colorful wild animals and plants. It is the place where the Golden Horse and Jade Rooster first appeared, the birthplace of the Torch Festival, the passing place of the Southern Silk Road, and the former site of Zhuge Kongming's southern expedition. It consists of the Santan Waterfall, Stone Bell Cave, Zhuge Camp, Yugong Cave, Bai Ren Rock, Ziqiu Mountain and Jiangdi River Bridge and other attractions. Santan Waterfall, also known as Shuanggou Waterfall, is one of the eight ancient scenic spots in Dayao. Santan Waterfall is not just three pools, it is a group of waterfalls with a total of 33 waterfalls in a river less than 4 kilometers long. The so-called Three Pools refer to the three waterfalls with the largest drop in the waterfall group. From upstream to downstream, the first level is 19 meters high, the second level is 121 meters high, and the third level is 82 meters high. The three waterfalls are integrated into one, forming three deep pools respectively, hence the name Three Pools, which has the reputation of "the highest waterfall in the southwest." The scenic area is a half-developed, semi-wild scenic area that is currently being developed. No tickets are required, and you can even see excavators at work. Just follow the main road in the village down toward the waterfall; the road is very obvious! It’s impossible not to find it, there’s even a wooden pedestrian gate as shown in Figure 14! 📍Detailed address: Chuxiong Yaoan Sandietan Waterfall If you are departing from Kunming, it is recommended that you search "Dayao Zhaojiadian Town Santan Scenic Area" on Gaode Navigation and get off the highway at the Yijiu Town Expressway Exit. Do not follow the navigation to exit at the Santan Toll Station. This can save you a lot of distance and time. 📝Note tips: The environment is very good, so you can wear sunscreen and mosquito repellent. If you bring a drone, you can take great pictures. If you have a raincoat, bring it with you. A waterproof jacket is also OK.

During the May Day holiday, a hiking event that traverses the Qingliuchuan Grand Canyon and explores the Santan Waterfalls kicked off in Zhaojiadian Town, Dayao County. More than 100 hiking enthusiasts participated in this energetic and challenging event. At 9:00 AM, with the bright sunshine, the hiking team set off from the upstream river trail of Santan, passing through the Luangling East Trail, Longtan Trail, Qingliuchuan Trail, and the parallel trail, finally arriving at the village road of Yaowan River. The scenery along the way was beautiful, with undulating mountains. Hiking on the more than 10-kilometer track, everyone encouraged, cared for, and helped each other, fully enjoying the natural beauty, breathing fresh air, and indulging in the joy brought by the healthy hiking activity. The Santan Waterfalls, also known as the Shuanggou Waterfalls, are one of the ancient eight scenic spots of Dayao. Within a river course less than 4 kilometers long, there are 33 cascades. In order from upstream to downstream, the first cascade is 19 meters high, the second is 121 meters, and the third is 81 meters, with a total drop of 221 meters. The three cascades merge into one, with the river water flowing down the cliff face, powerful as a mighty force, forming three deep pools, hence the name Santan, and it is known as the 'highest waterfall in the southwest'. After nearly 5 hours of walking, the hikers successively reached the endpoint, and everyone expressed that the hiking event not only exercised their bodies, brought them closer to nature, but also gained friendships. Hiking enthusiast Yang Zhenhua said, 'I have been to Santan many times, and since last September, I feel that there have been significant changes, not only the waterfall is spectacular, but many of the infrastructure facilities in the scenic area are quite well constructed. It is very suitable for hiking activities.' It is reported that in recent years, Dayao County has deeply excavated the tourism resources of the Santan Waterfalls scenic area, intensified development efforts, and highlighted the natural endowment of the Santan Waterfalls as 'strange, dangerous, and beautiful'. With the themes of extreme experience, cultural appreciation, leisure vacation, and health and wellness travel, they aim to build the brand 'Homeland of the Torch Festival, Beautiful Santan' and turn the Santan Waterfalls scenic area into a health and adventure travel resort, making it an important node in the Chuxiong State's beautiful mountain and water corridor, and the excellent Yi culture corridor. By the May Day holiday, the construction of various facilities was nearing completion and will soon be put into use. The preliminarily completed flower corridors and trails left a deep impression on the tourists participating in this hiking event. During the May Day period, Zhaojiadian Town also held a series of Yangmei Festival activities, including tasting bayberries, catching ducks and fishing, a special trade street, and an exciting basketball competition. By May 2nd, the entire Zhaojiadian Town had received 30,000 visitors.