Wanfeng-See Hongchun-Anlegesteg

Hongchun Pier is one of the two main cruise departure points on Wanfeng Lake near Xingyi in southwestern Guizhou, the other being the larger Wanfeng Lake Tourist Pier. Set on a quieter inlet on the southern side of the lake, Hongchun is the preferred launch for visitors who want a less crowded and more flexible boat experience on the flooded karst reservoir that straddles the borders of Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi.

Wanfeng Lake was formed by the damming of the Nanpanjiang River for hydropower, and its shoreline is one of the most distinctive karst landscapes in southwest China: thousands of conical limestone peaks rising from emerald water, with hidden Bouyei, Miao, and Zhuang minority villages along the shore. From Hongchun Pier, private and shared boats can be hired for cruises that follow the lake's fjord-like inlets between the peaks, with itineraries that typically include the water stone forest, the Gothic-style Jilongbao castle resort on its island, and the narrow cliff-walled "Little Three Gorges" stretch.

Compared with the main tourist pier, Hongchun offers a more local experience. The boats tend to be smaller, the operators more flexible, and the schedule less rigid — visitors can often negotiate the length of the cruise, the stops, and the photo pauses. The setting is also popular with anglers: Wanfeng Lake is one of southwest China's better freshwater fisheries, and shore-based fishing platforms are available for visitors who want to spend a half-day with rod and line.

The pier area has a handful of simple restaurants serving freshwater fish from the lake — typically grilled, or in the regional specialty sour-and-spicy soup — along with the usual small vendors and snack stalls. Floating restaurants anchored just offshore are popular for lunch after a morning on the water.

For independent travelers, Hongchun is the better choice for visitors who prefer a quieter, more negotiated cruise experience, while the main tourist pier suits travelers who want a fixed circuit and larger boats. Both offer essentially the same lake, but the character of the visit is different. Allow a half-day either way.