Туристический причал живописного района озера Ваньфэн

The Wanfeng Lake Tourist Pier is the main departure point for cruises on Wanfeng Lake near Xingyi in southwestern Guizhou, and the practical starting point for almost every visit to the lake itself. Located roughly 30 kilometers from Xingyi's city center, the pier sits at the edge of a vast reservoir formed by the damming of the Nanpanjiang River, where the shoreline is walled by the same karst peaks that define the wider Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks.

The standard cruise loop from the pier takes in several of the lake's signature sights. Boats first pass the "water stone forest" — a cluster of karst needles and small islands rising directly out of the water — before continuing to the Hongchun Pier area, the Gothic-style Jilongbao castle resort perched on its island, and a narrow, cliff-walled stretch that local operators call the "Little Three Gorges." The full circuit offers a slowly changing panorama of flooded karst, hidden inlets, and Bouyei, Miao, and Zhuang minority villages along the shore.

Cruise duration and exact routing vary by operator and water level; independent travelers should expect a relaxed sightseeing trip rather than a fixed itinerary, and check at the pier for current schedules on the day. Boats range from small launches to larger covered vessels, and most have open decks for photography. Bring sun protection and a layer against wind on the water.

The pier area has a small cluster of facilities — ticket counters, simple restaurants, and a few vendors selling local snacks — including freshwater fish grilled or cooked in sour soup, a regional specialty from the lake itself. The floating fish restaurants near the pier are a popular lunch stop after a morning cruise.

For most visitors the pier works best as a half-day add-on to a Wanfenglin or Malinghe itinerary. With karst peaks rising from emerald water, the lake offers scenery closer to a Norwegian fjord or a drowned version of Yangshuo than to most Chinese reservoir tours — and the cruise is the easiest way to experience it.