A spot where mountain, water, forest and cave meet
Tianxingqiao lies some 6 km from the main fall, planned over about 7 square kilometres and split into three linked zones — the Tianxing penjing area, the Tianxing cave area and the water stone-forest area. Dense stone pinnacles, lush plants and water-shaped scenery make it a wild, karst-flavoured route.
Sheshengbu: walking your birthday
In the penjing area a stone path threads through rock walls, clefts and seams. Its "sheshengbu" (life-counting steps) is made of 365 stepping stones, one for each day of the year. Stepping on "your" birthday stone is both fun and the route's most popular photo stop.
The second half is the essence
Many turn back at the penjing area, yet the real highlight lies in the water stone-forest zone: a broad riverbed with stone forest growing within it, scoured year-round — stone with running water, water over stone, and trees on the stone.
- Silver-chain Falling Pool waterfall: funnel-shaped, like thousands of silver chains tumbling into a jade pool — for many, the unmissable sight of Tianxingqiao;
- Water stone forest: cacti and shrubs dot the stones, green all year;
- Tianxing cave: worthwhile inside and out, with a narrow, tall "one-line sky" nearby.
Practical notes
- Route: split into an upper and lower half; to dodge crowds you can also walk it in reverse;
- Time: about 2–3 hours for the whole route, the essence in the later half;
- Gear: slippery steps and waterside — wear non-slip shoes, and bring rain gear and insect repellent in summer;
- Tip: keep to open paths; do not climb the stone forest or cross barriers.
