Holiday in Liupanshui

What makes Liupanshui special as a destination?

Liupanshui carries the official nickname Cool City of China (Zhongguo Liangdu) — thanks to its location at an altitude of 1,800 meters in the Guizhou Plateau, the average temperature in summer remains a pleasant 19 °C, while the rest of China suffers from heat. This climatic peculiarity has made Liupanshui an emerging summer retreat destination that attracts more visitors each year from the hot lowland cities. The karst landscape around Liupanshui is among the most spectacular in all of Guizhou: The Wumeng Mountains to the north offer deep gorges, underground river systems, and cave systems that are partially still unexplored. The Niulan River has carved a 300-meter-deep gorge through the limestone over millions of years, making it one of the most impressive canyons in Southwest China. The Minghu Wetland Park (Minghu National Wetland Park) is a green oasis in the city center: The park stretches around a lake with lotus fields, wooden walkways, and a rich variety of birdlife. In summer, it is the city's most popular recreational spot, combining urban life with nature. The Yushe National Forest region south of the city is home to ancient subtropical forests with rare plant species: Tree ferns, wild azaleas, and rhododendrons bloom in spring in a riot of colors that transform the mountain slopes into shades of pink, white, and purple. Liupanshui is home to several ethnic minorities, including Miao, Yi, and Buyi, who together make up almost 30 percent of the population. The Yi Torch Festival (Huoba Jie) in July is one of the most spectacular ethnic festivals in China: For three days, huge torches are lit, there is dancing, singing, and traditional wrestling — an experience of archaic power.