Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

Chinese Name:罗平多依河
English Name: Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

Duo Yi River is located in Luoping County, Yunnan Province, at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces, connecting to the national scenic spot of Malong River Canyon in Xingyi City, Guizhou. Passing through the forests of the Ten Thousand Peaks, it leads to Duo Yi Village and enters the scenic area. From Duo Yi Village to the “Three Provinces’ Rooster Call” confluence of the three rivers, there are nearly 40 waterfalls along the 12-kilometer riverbed, flanked by ancient trees and bamboo, offering rich colors and clear layers. Duo Yi River merges with the Nanpan River near the triple junction of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou provinces.

Overview
At the “One Look, Ten Beaches,” countless layers of calcareous beach deposits form naturally, intricately arranged. The river water is crystal clear and azure year-round. Particularly notable are the ancient trees along both banks, their roots twisting intricately like a vast natural root carving art gallery. The river meanders through the landscape, with Bai villages dotting the banks, their stilted houses peeking through the trees and bamboo groves, creating a picturesque tropical scene. The phenomenon of three rivers merging, with the Qing River on one side and the murky waters on the other, creates a unique and stunning spectacle. On the western bank of the triple junction, Duo Yi River cascades down in seven tiers, totaling 15 meters in height and 80 meters in width, with consistently clear water.

The Xinzhai Waterfall group consists of three waterfalls: one measuring 3 meters high and 35 meters wide, another 2 meters high and 40 meters wide, and the third 2 meters high and 15 meters wide, spread over approximately 300 meters of river channel. Further downstream are other attractions like the Langwai Waterfall group, Leigongtan Waterfall group, and Bantai Waterfall group.

Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing
Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

The movie “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 2” was filmed here.

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Duo Yi River
Duo Yi River is situated on the border of Yunnan, where it merges with the three rivers, offering a natural, rustic, and pristine landscape. Due to its remote location, appreciating its beauty requires a full day of hiking.

Duo Yi River, located in Luoping County, Yunnan Province, at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces, connects with the national scenic area of Malong River Canyon in Xingyi City, Guizhou. Passing through the forests of the Ten Thousand Peaks, it leads to Duo Yi Village and enters the scenic area. From Duo Yi Village to the confluence known as “Three Provinces’ Rooster Call,” the riverbed stretches 12 kilometers with nearly 40 waterfalls, flanked by ancient trees and bamboo, offering rich colors and clear layers. Duo Yi River merges into the Nanpan River near the triple junction of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou provinces.

Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing
Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

Highlights
Duo Yi River boasts beautiful landscapes, serene environments, rich cultural flavors, dense waterfall clusters, and diverse formations, captivating visitors at every turn. The area’s Bouyei ethnic culture adds a deeply intoxicating charm, especially during the third lunar month when Bouyei youths in traditional attire gather along the riverbanks for festivities like bamboo raft races, egg-wrapped competitions, water splashing games, and courtship singing, creating a scene reminiscent of a paradise. Visitors can also savor ethnic delicacies such as colorful rice, sour bamboo shoots with fish, palm cake, and “horse leg pole,” all tantalizingly delicious.

Scenic Views
Above Bantai, the riverbed widens and straightens, offering expansive vistas. Picturesque Bouyei villages line the riverbanks, surrounded by towering ancient trees, dense bamboo groves, and banana trees, with clear springs flowing by. Walking along the river, the fragrance of orchids fills the air, and bamboo covers the hills and streams. Distant mountains reflect in the water, while primitive water wheels slowly turn, and golden rice waves roll on both banks, presenting a tranquil and mesmerizing pastoral landscape that visitors will find difficult to leave.

Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing
Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

Bantai Waterfall Group
Located below Bantai Village, along the river are winding paths like Jinguitan, Yinhuatan, and Gorongtan. The Bantai Waterfall Group consists of six waterfalls, ranging from 1 to 3 meters in height and 30 to 50 meters in width, spread over approximately 100 meters of river channel. The curved stone dam shapes the water into cascades, resembling overflowing silver basins or pearls spewing emerald, showcasing serene and elegant scenery.

Mandarin Ducks Waterfall
Known in Bouyei as “Zhongzhang,” located about 500 meters below the Leigongtan Waterfall Group, consists of three waterfalls ranging from 0.6 to 8 meters in height and 20 to 40 meters in width. The largest waterfall, Zhongzhang Waterfall, is 8 meters high and 60 meters wide, divided into left, middle, and right sections by vegetation and huge rocks, with swift-flowing water in the central part. The splashing waterfall, with its thunderous roar and magnificent momentum, stirs the emotions of visitors.

Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing
Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

Dragon Bone Water Wheel
Located in the World Natural Waterwheel Expo Park within the Duo Yi River Scenic Area, the Dragon Bone Water Wheel, also known as the “turning cart,” was created by Bi Gang during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 168-189). For thousands of years, it has been used for irrigation and drainage, driven by the principle of chain wheel transmission powered by human or animal force. The Dragon Bone Water Wheel includes hand-cranked and foot-operated models, accommodating from two to seven individuals, each contributing to the irrigation and drainage needs of farmland.

Travel Guide
To reach Duo Yi River, there are limited morning bus services from Fengzha, or alternatively, visitors can travel via Rubuge Gorge, then take a bus from Rubuge Power Station through Xinzhai and Bajiaoqing to Duo Yi River, returning to Luoping County to avoid retracing steps. For groups, renting a car from Luoping County to travel by mini-van or bread van costs approximately ¥120-260.

Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing
Duoyi River in Luoping County, Qujing

Culinary Recommendations
When visiting Luoping, enjoying the local Bouyei-made Five-color Flower Rice in the Duo Yi River and Rubuge scenic areas is a rare delight. Luoping, located in northeast Yunnan, enjoys convenient transportation due to its proximity to the mainland and extensive communication with the Central Plains, sharing culinary similarities with Sichuan cuisine. Opposite the Xinhua Bookstore on Zhenxing Road, there are many snack stalls in the pedestrian street at night, offering delicious flavors at reasonable prices.

Travel Transportation
From Kunming East Passenger Station to Luoping, there are 17 daily buses from 7:00 to 18:20, with a journey time of about 4 hours.
From Qujing High-speed Bus Station to Luoping, multiple services are available.
From Luoping Passenger Station to Duo Yi River Scenic Area (40 kilometers), rural passenger vehicles operate with rolling departures.
Alternatively, taking a tourist special line, chartering, or carpooling is also viable.