Tianxing

The Natural Bonsai of Guizhou

Located within the renowned Huangguoshu National Scenic Area in Zhenning Bouyei and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, the Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area (Tianxingqiao) is a masterpiece of Karst geology. Situated approximately 6 kilometers downstream from the massive Huangguoshu Waterfall, this 10-square-kilometer area offers a contrasting experience: while the Great Waterfall represents power and grandeur, Tianxing Bridge embodies delicacy and intricacy. It is widely praised as a "Natural Bonsai Garden" and a "Karst Aquatic Stone Forest," where water, stones, forests, and caves merge into a surreal, miniature fairyland.

A Landscape of Stone and Water

The scenic area is divided into three distinct sections: the Tianxing Potted Landscape (Tianxing Penjing), the Tianxing Cave, and the Aquatic Stone Forest.

• 1.The Tianxing Potted Landscape: Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the "Shushengbu" (Counting Steps) bridge. These stone steps, set in the water, wind through the stone forest. Local Bouyei legends suggest that walking these steps can bring longevity, as the stone formations here resemble a "Longevity Star" (Shouxing) guardian.
• 2.The Aquatic Stone Forest: This is the most unique feature of the park. Unlike typical stone forests that stand on dry land, the rocks here rise from the water. Trees and vines cling tenaciously to the rocks, creating a symbiotic landscape where "roots grasp the rocks, and rocks embrace the trees".
• 3.Tianxing Cave: Located in the middle section, this large karst cave stretches for hundreds of meters. Inside, visitors find a "Crystal Palace" of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes, which local Miao folklore claims were carved by immortals. It serves as a natural air-conditioned retreat during the summer heat.

The Silver Chain Falling Pool Waterfall

4.The crown jewel of Tianxing: Bridge is the Silver Chain Falling Pool Waterfall (Yinlian Zhuitan). Unlike the vertical crash of the Huangguoshu Waterfall, this waterfall is shaped like a funnel. The water flows over the calcified (travertine) rocks, separating into thousands of fine streams that resemble hanging silver chains or pearls before converging into the deep pool below. The sound is melodic and soft, often described as the "sound of nature," and the visual effect is mesmerizingly silky, making it a favorite for photographers.

Cultural Heritage and Legends

The name "Tianxing" (Heavenly Star) comes from a local legend that a celestial deity scattered stars to protect the human realm, which turned into the stone forest we see today. The area is also deeply connected to Chinese pop culture as a filming location for the sequel to the classic TV series Journey to the West. The "Gao Lao Zhuang" (Gao Family Village), where the character Pigsy took a wife, is located here among the bizarre rock formations, adding a layer of literary myth to the geological wonders.

Culturally, the area is a sanctuary for the Bouyei and Miao people. Historically, local tribes worshipped the mountains and waters here. Today, traditions continue with the "Chabai Singing Festival" in the sixth lunar month, where Bouyei youth gather near the stone forest to sing folk songs and dance the bamboo dance.