Site du Palais du Dragon

Dragon Palace Scenic Area sits on the southern outskirts of Anshun, close to the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall, and ranks among the region's premier karst attractions with a 5A national scenic rating. The site is really three linked landscapes in one: a western zone built around a long cave system carved by an underground river, an eastern zone called Xiangtang known for gentle pastoral scenery, and a hilly valley area in between called Qunfang Valley that connects the two.

Visitors typically board a boat to drift through the illuminated cave passages, where centuries of water flow have sculpted stalactites, stalagmites, and chambers into fantastical shapes. After the cave section, many travelers continue on foot through Qunfang Valley's low hills and gullies before rejoining the water for a second boat ride across Xiangtang, whose open, farmland-fringed scenery contrasts with the enclosed drama of the caves.

Because the full route can be walked or boated in either direction, Dragon Palace works well as a half-day or full-day outing depending on how much of the complex a visitor wants to see. During peak holiday periods the site draws large tour groups, so travelers who prefer a quieter pace sometimes choose to reverse the usual order of the route to avoid the busiest crowds.

As one of the signature stops in the Huangguoshu scenic cluster, Dragon Palace pairs naturally with a visit to the waterfall itself, making it a convenient addition to any Anshun itinerary focused on the region's karst landscapes. The boat ride through the cave is the highlight for most visitors, offering a cooler, quieter counterpoint to the roar of nearby Huangguoshu, and it gives a good sense of why this part of Guizhou is considered one of China's premier karst destinations.