There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Detian Falls before – but that’s even more reason to visit.
If you have heard of this natural wonder, there’s a good chance it was referred to as Ban Gioc waterfall.
That’s because this transnational waterfall is more commonly visited from the Vietnamese side, and this is the name for falls on that side.
The Chinese side is called Detian Waterfall and together they are known as Ban Gioc-Detian Waterfall.
Detian Falls is much less popular than Ban Gioc Falls, especially with foreign tourists – which is even more reason to visit!
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Why visit ban gioc-detian waterfall
If you love nature, Guangxi should be top of your list of places to visit in China.
One of the country’s five autonomous regions, it boasts the double blessing unique culture and equally remarkable landscapes.
Admittedly, the South China Karst that dominates the region – and nearby provinces of Guizhou, Chongqing and Yunnan – is probably the most striking of the (many!) natural wonders here.
But, as the largest transnational waterfall in Asia, Detian Falls offers a unique kind of cultural insight set to a backdrop of truly stunning scenery.
why visit from china
As I mentioned earlier, most people who visit the Ban Gioc-Detian Falls do so from the other side.
That means the Chinese side has relatively few tourists – and the visiting area is HUGE so you never really feel like there’s a crowd.
Despite this, the Guangxi side is arguably the easier option since it’s much closer to transport hubs.
While the Ban Gioc waterfall takes around 8 hours to reach from Hanoi – and generally requires an overnight trip – the Chinese entrance is only three hours from Nanning.
Therefore, it’s possible to visit on a day trip. That said, I’d recommend staying in the nearby Old Kapok Hotel or Mingshi Scenic Area for at least one night if you can!
what to expect at detian falls
Whether you visit on a tour or independently, you won’t need to prepare everything before arriving at Detian Falls.
However, it helps to know what to expect if you want to make the most of your time there.
Even though the waterfall is the main attraction, the site covers a surprisingly large amount of ground!
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entrance
Entrance tickets can be bought on the day.
Note: you may need your passport to purchase them, but you’ll need this to enter the area anyway since it’s a border.
The area is open from 08h00-18h30, with ticket sales closing at 17h00.
That may seem early, but trust me – you definitely need at least 1h30 here!
The ticket costs 80RMB (around €9-10) and the shuttle bus – which is pretty essential – is an additional 45RMB (€5-6).
Visiting
Once you enter the park, there’s a pretty clear route to follow.
You can see the falls almost immediately. As Asia’s largest transnational water, that’ll probably come as no surprise!
Some of the best views are from the area just after you enter.
However, if you want to experience the waterfall in different ways – something I highly recommend, especially after travelling all the way here – then keep exploring.
As you climb stairs, you’ll find countless impressive from which to soak up the waterfall.
At the top of the stairs right next to the Detian falls, you’ll also find an unexpected temple – I had it all to myself! – as well as some shops (one with air conditioning!!) and cafes.
activities
If you really want to experience the Ban Gioc-Detian Falls to the fullest, there are two additional ways to do so.
The first is to take a bamboo raft right up to the falls.
It costs 48RMB (€5) to do so and you’ll need to be prepared to get a little wet!
The second option – which is sure to keep you dry – is the glass bridge that towers above the entire scenic area.
This isn’t one for anyone afraid of heights, but offers a totally unique aerial view of the impressive landscapes below.
It costs 88RMB (€9) to go up and, after visiting the glass bridge and viewing platform, you can take a magic carpet escalator down.
planning your trip
Given the waterfall’s remote location, Detian Falls isn’t the easiest place to get to (even though it’s totally worth it!).
If making your own travel arrangements, you’ll need to carefully consider how it will fit into your trip.
TOP TIP | If you plan to use wifi in China, ake sure you install a VPN (or two!) on your phone before you arrive – otherwise many sites and apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, etc will be blocked. We’ve had the most success with this one (and it’s super affordable too!).
how to get to detian falls
The easiest way to visit Detian Falls is on a day trip.
These mostly depart from Nanning so you may want to book an extra night in Guangxi’s capital on arrival or departure to make time for Detian. It’ll be worth it!
Organised small group day trips to Detian Falls usually include all tickets (so you won’t waste time or run into communication issues!).
This one comes with an English-speaking guide who will accompany you and explain everything.
Alternatively, if you don’t want a guide, you can get a round-trip transport and entry option like this for cheaper.
where to stay
If you don’t fancy a day tour, it’s also possible to stay in the nearby area of Mingshi or Daxin.
Old Kapok is a beautiful hotel with quirky features and a local vibe.
It’s not too far from the waterfall so you can easily take a taxi there (just ask the hotel to help!).
Tips for visiting Detian Falls
There are waterfalls where you can just rock up – but China’s Detian Falls isn’t really one of them.
Here are some bonus tips to make the most of your visit.
Wear good shoes
I can’t emphasise this enough!
With different viewing levels, a glass skywalk and even a temple on-site, you can cover more ground than you might expect.
There are lots of stairs on certain routes and the floor can be a little bit slippery in places.
As always, I wore my go-to travel shoes: my TropicFeel All Terrain X. They’re water-friendly, super comfy and easy to slip on and off.
You may also want to pack a light rain jacket or foldable poncho.
Enjoy some Vietnamese coffee
While it’s not quite the same as being in Vietnam, the area around the Detian scenic area is a great place to pick up some Vietnamese coffee.
Many of the cafes around the entrance offer it, while some of the nearby hotels (like this one!) even provide Vietname style coffee in the rooms.
Avoid buying illegal goods
On the topic of buying things from Vietnam… please, at all costs, do not be tempted by the people offering random goods as you admire the waterfall.
Yes, this is illegal!
The one thing you should never travel without
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I use Heymondo because it’s the most comprehensive cover I’ve found. They even cover the more adventurous activities that other insurers won’t, including hiking, rafting and many of the other adventures found in China.
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Give yourself time
You might not think you need much time to visit a waterfall – but this isn’t just any waterfall.
Remember: Ban Gioc-Detian Falls is the largest transnational waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest in the world.
Aside from the grandiosity of the waterfall itself, the visitor area is pretty immense.
And, with the plenty of activities and viewpoints to enjoy, you’ll want to give yourself at least several hours to make the most of it and avoid feeling rushed.
Try a themed ice cream
Need to cool off? Try a Detian Falls-themed ice cream!
Ice creams shaped like the attraction you’re visiting seem to be a thing in China, so it’s a great way to have a truly local experience.
Plus, given the hot and humid climate, it’ll be a welcome treat.
Bring your passport!
You cannot enter the area unless you have your passport, so do not forget this!
This is especially true if you’re joining a day trip or overnight trip from Nanning.
It would be quite frustrating to travel all the way to Southern Guangxi and not be able to visit the waterfall!
China cheat list
Travelling to China isn’t like travelling to other destinations.
While it’s totally worth the extra prep work, I know how overwhelming it can be – especially if it’s your first time travelling there!
Here are some of my go-to apps and resources for a smooth trip:
- Most things are done via WeChat – the Chinese equivalent of WhatsApp. It’s super helpful to download this before you go.
- Download a VPN such as ExpressVPN if you plan to use WiFi.
- Make sure you install your eSIM before you arrive in China! Otherwise you may not be able to activate. My recommended eSIMs for China are Nomad and HolaFly.
- You’ll want to make sure you have adequate travel insurance for China – not just any old policy! I use HeyMondo because they offer extensive coverage.
- Consider packing layers, even if you’re heading somewhere hot like Guangxi or Guizhou. Air conditioning can be strong indoors!
- Sites like Booking.com and Agoda aren’t widely used in China. Trip.com is the one with the greatest selection of Chinese hotels.