Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is located in LiBo county in Southern Guizhou Province of China, neighboring Quangxi Province. The name Xiaoqikong is the name of a bridge build in 1835 to cross the Xiangshui River in order for ease of trade. The name Xiaoqikong means seven little holes, formed by seven arches. (See Pictures below)
Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is along the Xiangshui River and is where the Miao ethnic minority of China live. The Yao’s village still maintains their traditional way of life within their autonomous area. The Southern Karst, a UNESCO world heritage site, the landscape created many scenic sights along the way and also many recreational areas for boating, rafting, and caverns to explore.
The first area is the Crouching Tiger Pond (卧龍潭) formed from water spring up from underground. The power generating dam that was built formed a pond and the beautiful waterfall.
Then we come to Yuanyan (Mandarin Duck) Lake
is the only aquatic forest of the Karst landscape at this latitude in the world. Due to the various minerals in the water gives it special color and often gives off many different colors due to reflecting lights. One can rent a boat and have a close-up look and personal experience of the aquatic forest.
Next–Laguane Lake Wetland Area-Shooting place of the TV show Survival Games in Sept. 2015
The lake water is clean and lots of algae grow in it to give off a special color. The reflections from the clear water created colorful picturesque scenes at various angle and lighting. The lake surrounded by water falls and mountain peaks and wetlands as well as a very comfortable and clean hotel.
Next stop Emerald Valley Water Fall
Water falls among the lush green trees a rare scene.
From the Emerald Valley Water Fall to Xiaoqikong Bridge is the Water Forest. Its trail is approximately 2000 meters along the flow of Xiangshui River. Its water bed flows over rocks as if the rocks grew out from the water just as the trees grow from the rocks with its leaves drape over the water. This is a cool refreshing walk. No wonder, legend has it, even the fairies frequently bath in these waters.
awesome retirement 