SanTai JiuQuan Waterfall in Shiping County, Honghe
The San Tai Jiu Quan Waterfall石屏县龙武镇昌明九台瀑布三台九泉瀑布, located in Changming Village, Longwu Town, Shiping County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, consists of eight scenic spots. According to local villagers, the waterfall has three main tiers, with many smaller tiers in between. The water flows into the Changming River; this area also features a mountain, which is the second highest peak in Shiping at over 2,250 meters above sea level, while the Changming River is at over 1,300 meters. Therefore, the maximum drop of this waterfall is approximately 800 meters.
Hidden within a dense primordial forest canyon, the waterfall is composed of a group of nine waterfalls of varying sizes, hence the name “Jiu Tai Waterfall.” The water flows delicately like threads, producing a melodious sound as if playing a delightful tune, with ever-changing and captivating forms.
Best Viewing Time
The best time to visit the Jiu Tai Waterfall is from June to August each year. From a distance, the surrounding green mountains and the waterfall complement each other beautifully, creating a harmonious and picturesque scene.
Tour Route
Drive south from Longwu Town for 13 kilometers to reach Changming Village, where you will see the most spectacular San Tai Jiu Quan Waterfall. From afar, the waterfall looks like a long white jade belt flowing from the mountainside, disappearing into the mountain, making it unclear where it continues.
Walking through the dense forest, you will arrive at the second tier, which is about 200 meters above the ground, with a drop of over 30 meters. Follow the river to reach the highest tier, which has a drop of over 50 meters and splits into two streams with a span of nearly 20 meters. The first and second tiers create pools, while the third tier flows into the Changming River. Along the waterfall’s path, you will find rugged rocks and sheer cliffs, creating a magnificent sight.
Tourism Development
According to the guiding villagers, the waterfall, along with two others to the east and five more to the west, spans a straight-line distance of about 3 kilometers. Deputy Secretary Wang mentioned that, although he has been working in Longwu for nearly two years, he had never heard of the waterfall group in Changming Village, which was a real eye-opener for him.
Deputy Secretary Wang also noted that in addition to the waterfall group, Longwu features attractions such as Yunshan Misty Sea, Fabei Chong Grand Canyon, Dalongtan, and the Ancient Tea Horse Road. To visit all these sites would require at least four to five days.
It is understood that very few tourists have visited this area, and some artists have come to sketch. Based on these observations, the area seems to have potential for tourism development, though further expert evaluation is needed.
