Why is Nanpanjiang River So Special?

Nanpanjiang River南盘江, also known as Wenshui温水 or Panjiang River盘江 in ancient time, is the main stream of Xijiang River西江. Nanpanjiang river originated from Maxiong Mountain马雄山 east foothill of Wumeng Mountain乌蒙山脉 in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, and is the source of the Pearl River. Nanpanjiang river specifically refers to the river reach before it arrives at Zhexiang village蔗香村 of Wangmo County望谟县 in Guizhou Province. Nanpangjiang river and Hongshui river红水河 constitute the upstream of Xijiang River. The total length of the river is 914 kilometers, the average slope of the river is 1.74 ‰, the basin area is 56809 square kilometers, including 5548 square kilometers in Guangxi, 7713 square kilometers in Guizhou and 43548 square kilometers in Yunnan. There are 44 primary tributaries over 100 square kilometers. In the middle and downstream of the Nanpanjiang River, with large longitudinal slopes, swift currents, dangerous shoals and abundant hydraulic resources, there are many hydropower stations such as Tianshengqiao Hydropower Station.

Nanpanjiang River Basin General Situation

Nanpanjiang river南盘江 is located in 102 ° 10 ‘- 106 ° 10’ east longitude, 23 ° 04 ‘- 26 ° 00’ north latitude. It flows through the whole or a part of Zhanyi沾益, Qujing曲靖, Luliang陆良, Yiliang宜良, Kaiyuan开远, Luoping罗平, Luxi泸西, Yanshan砚山, Jianshui建水, Mengzi蒙自, Qiubei丘北, Lunan路南, Chengjiang澄江, Shiping石屏, Shizong师宗, Xingyi兴义, Anlong安龙, Ceheng册亨, Xingren兴仁, Puan普安, Panxian盘县, Longlin隆林, Xilin西林 and other counties and cities in Yunnan province, Guizhou Province and Guangxi Province. In Yunnan province, the Nanpanjiang river runs through Qujing, Luliang, Yiliang, Kaiyuan, and Mile弥勒 and other counties and cities. Nanpanjiang River flows out Yunnan province after joining the Huangni river黄泥河 in Luoping county罗平县, and then has a confluence with Beipanjiang river北盘江 in Zhexiang village蔗香村 of Guizhou Province贵州. After Nanpanjiang river takes in Youjiang river右江 and Guijiang River桂江 in Guiping桂平 and Wuzhou梧州 of Guangxi, it is called Xijiang River.

Main Branches

Nanpanjiang River has 44 first grade tributaries. The drainage areas of these tributaries are all more than 100 square kilometers. Main tributaries include Qujiang River曲江, Nandong River南洞河, Jinma River金马河, Lujiang River泸江, Qingshuijiang River清水江, Huangni River黄泥河, Mabie River马别河 and so on. Among them, Huangni River is the largest one.

1. Dianxi River甸溪河, originated from Xiongbi Town of Shizong County in Qujing曲靖师宗县雄壁镇. The river is 215.7 kilometers long, with a drainage area of 2,905 square kilometers and a flow of 22.9 cubic meter per second. It belongs to left bank tributary.

2. Fabai River法白河, originated from Tinghu Lake of Yanshan County in Wenshan文山砚山县听湖. The river is 166.5 kilometers long, with a drainage area of 3,859 square kilometers and a flow of 50.3 cubic meter per second. It belongs to right bank tributary.

3. Huangni River黄泥河, originated from Panjiadong Village of Baishui Town in Qujing曲靖师白水镇潘家洞. The river is 220 kilometers long, with a drainage area of 7,416 square kilometers and a flow of 172 cubic meter per second. It belongs to left bank tributary.

Best Time to Visit

In Yunnan, travel is possible all the year round. You can visit Nanpangjiang River all the year over.

How to Get There

1. How to Get to Qujing

Nanpanjiang River originated from Wumeng Mountain of Zhanyi District in Qujing City, Yunnan.

Kunming-Qujing

Kunming Railway Station-Qujing Railway Station

Departure Time: 5:20-23:35

Price: 17.5-36.5 CNY

Distance: 158 kilometers

Consume Time: About 1.5 hours

Kunming South Railway Station-Qujing North Railway Station

Departure Time: 7:17-20:50

Price: 59 CNY

Distance: 165 kilometers

Consume Time: About 35 minutes

2. How to Get to Yanshan County of Wenshan

Nanpanjiang River flows through Yanshan County pf Wenshan.

Kunming-Yanshan County

Kunming East Bus Station-Yanshan Bus Terminal

Departure Time: 10:00, 11:30, 14:00, 20:30

Price: 113 CNY

Distance: 308 kilometers

Consume Time: 3.5-4 hours

Accommodation Around Nanpanjiang River

Accommodation in Qujing City

1. Qujing Longju Hotel曲靖龙聚大酒店

Address: The Crossroad of Dongfeng South Road and Dujuan Road, Zhanyi District, Qujing曲靖市沾益区东风南路与杜鹃路交汇处

Tel: 0874-3166666

Starting Price: 212 CNY

2. Yun Zhu Yuan Hotel曲靖云珠苑大酒店

Address: The Crossroad of Zhujiangyuan Avenue and Dongsheng East Road, Qilin District, Qujing曲靖市麒麟区珠江源大道与东盛东路交叉口

Tel: 0874-3082888

Starting Price: 163 CNY

Accommodation in Yanshan County of Wenshan

1. Yulan Hotel砚山御澜大酒店

Address: No.8, Xingcheng Avenue, Yanshan County, Wenshan文山州砚山县兴城大道8号

Tel: 0876-3121111

Starting Price: 158 CNY

2. Longhuyuan Hotel砚山龙湖元酒店

Address: Qixiang Avenue, Yanshan County, Wenshan文山州砚山县七乡大道

Tel: 0876-3891111

Starting Price: 145 CNY

Useful Travel Tips

1. The birthplace of Nanpanjiang river is in high altitude, the temperature difference between daytime and night is large.

2. Nanpanjiang river runs through three provinces, Yunnan Province, Guizhou Province and Guangxi Province.

Chinese Name: 丘北县六郎洞景区
English Name:Liulangdong River Scenic Area in Qiubei County, Wenshan

Location

Liulangdong Cave is situated 79 kilometers west of Qiubei County, Yunnan Province, near Xiaojiangkou Village in Chongtou Township.

Historical Background

The cave is renowned for being home to China’s first underground hydroelectric power station, the Liulangdong Hydropower Station. According to legend, the cave was named after Yang Liulang, a famous general of the Northern Song Dynasty who, after defending against the Khitan and facing betrayal by Pan Renmei, retreated to this cave.

Hydroelectric Power Station

The cave boasts a significant water flow, with a maximum rate of 92 cubic meters per second and an average annual flow rate of 23.2 cubic meters per second. In 1959, a dam was constructed inside the cave, creating a 30-meter-deep underground reservoir. This led to the establishment of a hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 12,500 kW × 2.

Cave Features

Liulangdong Cave features expansive chambers, with heights reaching up to 30 meters. The cave is adorned with an array of stalactites and stalagmites that resemble ceremonial vessels, bells, and mills, as well as lifelike figures of birds and animals. The cave is divided into two main chambers, which were originally connected but are now separated by the underground reservoir. The right chamber includes a 2-meter-high, 300-meter-long horizontal tunnel with lighting for easy access. The left chamber contains a stone trough used by Yang Liulang to feed his warhorses and a meeting hall, also known as a review platform.

Karst Landscape

Liulangdong Cave is a notable karst landform, featuring the intriguing “Wolong Cave” (or “Dinosaur Cave”), which is approximately 20 meters long and 1.5 meters high. The cave walls display distinct dragon bone traces and numerous dragon scale imprints, showcasing the remarkable natural formations.

Tourist Attractions

The Liulangdong Cave Scenic Area is renowned for its cave scenery, rich underground water resources, and unique karst landscapes. Visitors can explore the cave’s fascinating stalactites and stalagmites, experiencing the mystery and allure of the underground world. Additionally, the area features spectacular waterfalls and clear lakes, providing a serene retreat for visitors.

Chinese Name: 富宁县驮娘江景区
English Name: Tuoniangjiang River in Funing County, Wenshan

Overview:

The Tuoniangjiang River Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction located in Funing County, Wenshan. It combines the picturesque rural landscapes of the Zhuang ethnic region, subtropical rainforest climate, and unique lava valley topography into a natural reserve.

Attractions:

1. Bai’ai Seven Vinegar: Bai’ai Seven Vinegar is a rare intangible cultural heritage of Yunnan, with a brewing technique that dates back 300 years. This traditional product is made from glutinous rice through liquid fermentation. The vinegar has a rich taste and pure aroma.
2. Funing Low-Altitude Sports Training Base: This is the only high-altitude, low-altitude sports training base in Yunnan. Located in the Xiangsi Island area of Bai’sai Town, upstream of the Baise Water Conservancy Hub, the base covers 7,000 square meters at an altitude of 230 meters. It features natural scenery along the Zhening River, tropical seasonal rainforests, reservoir islands, riverside beaches, and nearby villages, integrating local natural landscapes and ecological culture.
3. Bo’ai Wharf: Bo’ai Wharf, located on the south bank of the Right Jiang River in Bai’ai Town, was built during the Daoguang period. The wharf is 44.4 meters long with 77 steps divided into eight sections. It is traditionally known as the “Ladder of Love,” where Zhuang ethnic men and women climb the steps to the riverside banyan tree on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month for a traditional swimming ritual, which signifies their commitment to marriage.
4. Bai’ai Ancient Town: Bai’ai Ancient Town is at the confluence of the Tuoniangjiang, Nama River, and Puting River, marking the starting point of the Right Jiang River. Historically, it was a vital trade route for southwestern China, connecting to Guangxi and coastal regions. Bai’ai has long been known as the “Eastern Gateway of Yunnan” and a major trade hub.
5. Yue Dong Guild Hall: Originally known as the Lingnan Guild Hall, it was renovated during the Ming Jiajing and Qing Kangxi periods (1894). The Yue Dong Guild Hall features a Lingnan-style four-courtyard, two-entry structure with a mixture of architectural styles. The building is encircled by high walls.
6. Yue Xi Guild Hall: Yue Xi Guild Hall, built in the Qianlong era and renovated during the Jiaqing and Guangxu periods, remains partially preserved with two doors. It features brick and timber construction with a hard mountain roof, though it is significantly damaged.
7. Jiangxi Guild Hall: The Jiangxi Guild Hall covers 72.04 square meters and shares similarities with the Yue Xi Guild Hall in architectural style. It is a county-level cultural relic protection unit.
8. Guanyin Temple: The Guanyin Temple consists of a mountain gate and a main hall. The mountain gate is oriented northeast with brick columns and a tiled roof, while the main hall has three bays and three deep sections, each with brick walls and archways. The temple, dedicated to the Guanyin deity, is elevated and accessed by steps, built in the Qing Dynasty and renovated during the Republic of China.
9. Poya Village: Poya Village is a traditional Zhuang village located along the Tuoniangjiang River, with 62 households and 278 residents. The village maintains its ancient customs and lifestyles, including traditional agricultural practices and rituals. The name “Poya” means “a place of blooming mountain flowers” in the Zhuang language. The village features traditional stilt-style houses and offers visitors a chance to experience Zhuang culture, including weaving, spinning, and local songs.

Administrative Division: The Tuoniangjiang Scenic Area is located in Funing County, southeastern Yunnan, bordering Guangxi. It is divided into three areas: Tuoniangjiang, Guichao, and Niwang Mountain, with 35 attractions and a total area of 130 square kilometers. The area is known for its picturesque, unique, and tranquil landscapes, including dense cave formations and numerous historical sites. It features rich ethnic culture and a favorable climate. The scenic area is classified as a national 2A-level scenic spot and a provincial-level famous scenic spot.

Features:

• Photography
• Hiking
• Canyon views
• Folk customs tours
• Ethnic minority villages
• River and canyon landscapes

Travel Tips:

• Funing County to Bai’ai Town is approximately 74.8 kilometers.
• To reach Funing County, you can fly, take a train, or travel by bus to Kunming. From there, take a bus to Funing County and rent a car to reach the destination.

Chinese Name:南溪河
English Name: Nanxihe River in Honghe and Wenshan

Nanxi River originates from Mingjiu Town in the eastern part of Mengzi County, Yunnan Province. Initially known as the Beixi River in its upper reaches, it becomes the Nanxi River after passing through the Zhuangzhai Reservoir in Zhicun Town. It is a secondary tributary of the Honghe River system and covers approximately 60 square kilometers in the southeastern part of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, and the southwestern part of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

From Zhicun Town onwards, the Nanxi River runs parallel to the Kunming-Hekou Railway. It eventually joins the Honghe River in Yao Autonomous County of Hekou, with more than 20 tributaries including the names such as Nanguo River.

Historical Evolution

Due to its strategic location as a frontier fortress, the area has been established as a county, district, and special administrative region since the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD). It has been heavily defended with troops throughout successive dynasties, boasting a long history and a proud tradition of ethnic struggles. In 1885, under the leadership of Miao leader Xiang Chongzhou, the local people fiercely repelled French aggressors invading from Maguan to Bantou with spears and swords, defending the sacred territory of their homeland. In 1908, at the command of Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing and others launched the famous “Hekou Uprising” here. During the War of Liberation, Yao and Miao people united to attack the Kuomintang forces, dealing them a heavy blow. During the self-defense counterattacks against Vietnam, people from all ethnic groups in Hekou responded actively to the calls of the party and government, making significant contributions.

Natural Resources

There are nearly 10 scenic spots along the Nanxi River, large and small, including places like Yuan Shidong, the Wujiazhai Man Bridge on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, Lianhua Cave Stone Carvings, Dawei Mountain National Nature Reserve, Huayu Cave National Forest Park, and Nanxi River Rafting, most of which are underdeveloped or awaiting development, with low tourist traffic and abundant natural beauty. Located at the junction of China and Vietnam, the magnificent Nanxi River Bridge spans two bridges: the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway Bridge and the Yunnan-Vietnam Highway Bridge, serving as the only exit from Hekou.

The tropical primitive valley rainforest landscape along both banks of the Nanxi River benefits from its low altitude, hot climate, abundant rainfall, and rich forest resources. The area is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including river valleys, caves, and Yao ethnic customs, leading to the establishment of the Nanxi River Provincial Scenic Area. The tourism department has also opened up tourist routes from Hekou to places like Vietnam’s Old Street, Gantang, Gonglou, Hanoi, and Haiphong, where visitors can enjoy sightseeing tours to places like the Sino-Vietnamese Railway Bridge and Old Street in Hanoi, making it a scenic area for sightseeing, border trade shopping, biological research, and cross-border tourism.

Nanxi River Rafting

The 32-kilometer rafting journey on the Nanxi River can be divided into three sections: upper, middle, and lower. Starting from Niulang Beach, it passes through the Nanxi River Scenic Area. The upper section spans about five to six kilometers, characterized by swift currents and numerous dangerous and rapid shoals. The middle section is calm with flat waters, while the lower section, spanning eight to nine kilometers, marks the border between China and Vietnam, ending at the Hekou County Sino-Vietnam Bridge.

Geographical Environment

Named for its location at the confluence of the Honghe and Nanxi Rivers, Hekou County’s town faces Vietnam’s Old Street across the river. It serves as the southern gateway to Yunnan and is one of China’s key frontier towns. Due to its natural geographical conditions, the climate varies significantly within its borders. The highest temperature can reach 40.9°C, while the lowest can drop to 2.1°C. Summers are long with high humidity and abundant rainfall. The high-altitude areas are densely forested with valuable timber such as spruce, teak, and beautiful wood, home to rare birds and animals like tigers, leopards, bears, deer, silver pheasants, and golden monkeys. In the river valley areas, crops such as rice with two harvests per year, maize, soybeans, peanuts, rubber, pepper, cinnamon, bananas, pineapples, and other economic trees and fruits are cultivated. The area is renowned nationwide for its rubber production, with state-owned farms established here.

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Rivers in Wenshan

Nanpanjiang River in Qujing and Wenshan

Why is Nanpanjiang River So Special? Nanpanjiang River南盘江, also known as Wenshui温水 or Panjiang River盘江 in ancient time, is the main stream of Xijiang River西江. Nanpanjiang river originated from...

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Liulangdong River Scenic Area in Qiubei County, Wenshan

Chinese Name: 丘北县六郎洞景区 English Name:Liulangdong River Scenic Area in Qiubei County, Wenshan Location Liulangdong Cave is situated 79 kilometers west of Qiubei County, Yunnan Province, near Xiaojiangkou Village in...

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Tuoniangjiang River in Funing County, Wenshan

Chinese Name: 富宁县驮娘江景区 English Name: Tuoniangjiang River in Funing County, Wenshan Overview: The Tuoniangjiang River Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction located in Funing County, Wenshan. It...

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Nanxihe River in Honghe and Wenshan

Chinese Name:南溪河 English Name: Nanxihe River in Honghe and Wenshan Nanxi River originates from Mingjiu Town in the eastern part of Mengzi County, Yunnan Province. Initially known as the...

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• Hekou County
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