Hongshui River Promenade is a floating boardwalk on the Hongshui River in Luodian County, Qiannan Prefecture, Guizhou Province (near the Guangxi border). Completed in late 2016 and opened on January 1, 2017, it stretches approximately 5.13 kilometers (3.19 miles), making it the world’s longest floating walkway. (For scale: Guinness World Records confirms the floating walkway’s length as 5.13 km.) From above it is said to resemble a giant butterfly or two sweeping wings across the emerald water. The project was undertaken by Chengdu VENI Tourism Development Corporation and Shanghai Qihua Water Engineering Construction Co., Ltd.
The Promenade was built as part of a green tourism initiative: local government removed over 250,000 m² of old aquaculture pens from the river to restore the natural ecosystem and then developed a multi-part amusement park. The park now features not only the floating walkway, but also China’s largest floating pool/waterpark, a tropical botanical garden, a “night-flower” lit garden, zip-line swings, and more. Notably, the 40-meter “Hongshuige” observation tower (seven floors) in the garden offers panoramic views of the whole site.
The Hongshui River Promenade is essentially a floating pedestrian path built on the Hongshui (Red Water) River in southwestern China. It lies in Hongshuihe Town, Luodian County, within Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou. The river’s name literally means “Red Water” – an allusion to the iron-rich sandstone that tints the river brownish-red. The promenade itself consists of thousands of interlocking plastic pontoon modules. Official figures cite about 222,500 floats forming the walkway, anchored underwater and buoyant enough to support heavy loads. These modules create a flat, 2–3 meter wide boardwalk that snakes along several river inlets. Early reports gave its length as roughly 3.7 km; subsequent expansions put the total at about 5.13 km. The floating path loops around forested peninsulas to maximize scenic views. Today the entire Hongshui River Scenic Area is rated a 4A-level national park, with the Promenade as its marquee attraction.
The Promenade is located in Hongshuihe Town (红水河镇) of Luodian County, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. It lies along Provincial Highway 101 on the Hongshui River (古称“太阳河”因砂砾岩而得名). Across the river to the south are Tian’e and Leye counties of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In practical terms, the scenic area address is:
From Guiyang (capital of Guizhou), the distance is about 150 km by road. The closest major airports are Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE) and Guilin Liangjiang (KWL). From Guiyang Airport or city center, one can take a high-speed train or bus to Luodian county. (Guiyang–Luodian high-speed service takes roughly 2–3 hours.) By car, Guiyang–Luodian via the expressway is about 2–2.5 hours (高速直达). For example, public express buses run from Guiyang’s Jinyang Bus Station (~3 hours) or from Guangxi cities (e.g. Nanning→Hechi→Luodian). From Luodian town, local taxis or a short county bus ride will reach the promenade area (approx. 20–30 min).
Transportation Options (Guizhou Province → Hongshui River Promenade):
– By Air: Fly to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport (KWE). From there, take a train or coach.
– By Train: Guiyang–Luodian (via Pingtang) high-speed rail (~2.5 h). From Luodian station, taxi/bus to the scenic area.
– By Long-distance Bus: Direct buses run Guiyang (市中心 or 金阳站) → 罗甸 (Luodian) (2–3 h).
– By Car: Self-drive via Guizhou highways (Guizhou–Yinbei Highway); ~2–2.5 h from Guiyang. Parking is available at the site.
– Local Transfer: Within Luodian, county buses and taxis serve the Hongshui area (road signage in Chinese).
The promenade is not one straight path but a network of floating walkways connecting multiple peninsulas. It has a central platform (舞台) of about 50,000 m² and two long “wing” arms extending out over the water (hence the butterfly shape). In effect, guests can start at one end, walk over the water, cross a giant circular plaza, then return along the other arm. At intervals there are rest areas, and docking jetties for speedboat excursions. Highlights include:
Because the walkway is on water, the views along the route are striking: emerald river flanked by karst peaks and tropical vegetation. Plan to walk slowly (the full loop is long). Rest benches are located on the plazas and shore (but shade may be limited).
As dusk falls, the Promenade transforms into a luminescent spectacle. Thousands of LED fixtures installed along the walkway and gardens are lit up. According to visitors, “the floating walkway and gardens are fitted with colorful light strips – at night the twinkling lamps mirrored by the lake leaves a magical impression”. In practice:
Spotlight: For the best night-photos, go just after the lights come on. The central floating stage and floral displays look particularly “fairy-tale” under the LEDs.
The walkway is an impressive engineering feat. It is built entirely of modular floating pontoons rather than a fixed bridge. Key facts:
Environmental Impact: Because it’s a floating structure, there was minimal dredging or permanent foundations. In fact, the project removed fish-farm cages to improve the river’s health. According to the builders, the walkway’s foundation method means “no drift, no manual adjustment”. Overall, its impact on river flow is slight – water flows under it freely – and the landscaped gardens on the peninsulas are irrigated naturally by river water. The designers also built a unique “night-light botanical park” on the shore to integrate ecology with tourism.
The Promenade was born out of a bold local development plan. In the mid-2010s, Luodian officials decided to build a landmark attraction on the Hongshui River to spur tourism and lift the rural economy. By January 2017 the first phase was complete. The opening generated immediate buzz: as a Beijing visitor noted, after posting footage of the walkway on WeChat “many friends said that they also want to come”. Indeed, provincial press reported that over 60,000 tourists had arrived by early January – all within weeks of opening. The project was quickly branded as a national feat: it even earned Guinness World Records, touted as “the world’s longest floating walkway” and part of China’s largest floating waterpark. Such headlines put Luodian on the map overnight. Behind the scenes, engineers overcame major challenges (everything from building a stable pontoon structure on a deep, swift river to securing central funding). What was once a humble fishing river turned, virtually overnight, into a high-tech scenic attraction.
Local folklore adds a cultural layer to the Hongshui story. In Buyei (Bouyei) tradition – the dominant culture of this region – rivers are sacred and thought to harbor dragon spirits. The dragon is the Buyei’s chief totem; ancient origin myths say their ancestors arose from a union with a dragon-woman. Thus waterways like the Hongshui are often described as the domain of a Dragon King. While no single written legend survives for this exact spot, guides and villagers commonly speak of inviting dragon-spirit blessings during festivals. Ceremonies may involve offering food and wine by the river to “invite the dragon” for protection. Other tales – older and more poetic – blame bloody battles for staining the river red. (Geologists attribute the color to red sandstone, but storytellers like to invoke heroic myths.) In any case, the name and the lore are inseparable: visitors are reminded that every step on this “red water” has mythic resonance, a theme often highlighted in tour commentary.
This river valley is inhabited mainly by Buyei and Miao ethnic communities, each with a rich culture. The Buyei are known for their tie-dyed brocade and dragon-symbolic customs; their ancestral foods include sticky rice and bamboo shoots. Water is life to them: they host river festivals and often paint dragon motifs on boats. (In fact, one legend literally calls on the river dragon to “carry people across” in spirit during ceremonies.) The Miao in Luodian are celebrated for silver jewelry and reed-pipe music. During events like the Miao New Year (late summer/autumn), entire villages “dress formally in traditional costumes, sacrifice to ancestors… play the Lusheng [reed-pipe] and folk opera all night long”. Today, some of these cultural expressions have become part of the visitor experience. Near the promenade’s entrance, for example, you may encounter costumed performers singing old folk songs or women demonstrating embroidery. Ethnic craft stalls often sell local preserves and woven hats. In short, walking this path is also a walking through living heritage – and the guide here will point out those customs.
Getting there requires a bit of planning. The nearest major transport hub is Guiyang (capital of Guizhou Province). From Guiyang city you can take a 2–3 hour high-speed train to Luodian County (Luodian Station) or a 4–5 hour bus ride; from Luodian town it’s a 20–30 minute taxi to Hongshuihe Town. (Regular buses also run from Guiyang or from the neighboring Guangxi region into Luodian.) The scenic area itself is centered at Hongshuihe (红水河) Town, Luodian – use that name in maps.
Practical details: the Hongshui River Promenade is typically open daily from about 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry around 5:30 PM. Admission is roughly ¥50 per adult (often ~20% off for children, students, seniors); tickets can be bought on-site (there’s a convenient visitor center). The site offers basic visitor services: restrooms, a few snack kiosks, and a riverside café in a tropical-theme pavilion. For lodging, Luodian town has guesthouses and small hotels; it’s wise to book in advance during Chinese holidays. Mobile coverage is available, but GPS navigation can be spotty in narrow valleys – downloading an offline map (Baidu or Gaode) is recommended. Cash (or mobile-payment apps) is still King in this rural area: small vendors and drivers may not take credit cards.
The climate here is humid subtropical. Winters (December–February) are cool but usually dry (5–15°C); spring (March–April) is mild; summer (May–July) can be hot and rainy; autumn (August–October) is often sunny. For the clearest skies, autumn and early winter tend to be best. If you visit in summer, be prepared for sudden rain showers and mosquitoes; an umbrella and repellent are smart. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes – flip-flops or heels can be dangerous on the riverwalk surface. Finally, although modern in structure, the promenade is a rural site: don’t expect English signage or guides. Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases or carry a translation app.
Stepping onto the promenade, you’ll feel the gentle buoyancy underfoot. The floating deck is surprisingly stable, only rippling slightly under dozens of footsteps. In calm weather the water is so clear you may spot carp or catfish swimming beneath. The boardwalk winds around two peninsulas, offering ever-changing views of the river and jungle. Bamboo groves whisper on the banks and birdsong echoes across the water. As you walk, pause often: the sensation of looking down through glass (or plastic) at the moving river is unique. Most visitors go slowly here – cameras click nonstop, and you’ll see people lounging on the edge (waves lapping just centimeters below).
Aim to allot at least 1–2 hours for a full loop at leisure. The best photos often come near sunrise or late afternoon, when the light grazes the misty hills. In mid-morning it can get busy with tour groups; early entry (8:30–9:00) is quietest. Note the highlight of the site: the 40-meter Hongshuige observation tower at the eastern bank. It has seven levels (accessible by stairs) offering 360° panorama of the river, walkway, and distant mountains. Climbing it (admission is included) is highly recommended for a bird’s-eye view.
The promenade is open even in light rain (the anchoring allows it to rise with the water), but it will close under severe storms or lightning. Visitors cannot swim in the river channel itself for safety. However, next to the walkway there’s a designated floating pool – reportedly the country’s largest – where children splash under supervision. (“Swimming allowed in the pool only” is the rule posted.) Boat tours or bamboo rafts do run on the lower river, but these usually operate from Daxiaojing and don’t stop at the promenade dock.
It’s well worth extending your trip in this area. About 30–40 km away lies Daxiaojing Scenic Area, a green gorge with caves and sinkholes. Visitors there can board bamboo rafts and drift through towering limestone cliffs (dubbed the “Oriental Cave Museum”). Family-friendly trails lead to the dramatic sinkhole just upstream. Other Luodian highlights include traditional Buyei villages, where morning markets sell peppery rice wine and embroidered goods, and small Miao hamlets with swing bridges and wooden carvings. A longer Guizhou trip often pairs the Hongshui Promenade with Huangguoshu Waterfall (Guizhou’s famous 77m cascade, about 3h away) or Kaili (for ethnic folk culture). For lodging, Luodian County Seat (30 minutes by road) has modest hotels; there are few guesthouses near the river itself. Recommended itineraries often do the promenade in half a day and reserve another day for Daxiaojing or surrounding villages. Guided day tours can cover multiple spots, but having a car (rental or driver) gives the most flexibility.
The Promenade has become a linchpin of Luodian’s modern identity. Before its creation the county had little tourism; afterward, the figures skyrocketed. Provincial media reported that holiday tourism grew by nearly 50% over pre-2017 levels, with Luodian’s scenic parks hosting over 300,000 visitors in a single holiday season. The government points to Hongshui River as a showcase of poverty alleviation work: the project generated hundreds of jobs (in hospitality, transport, and entertainment) in a previously poor area. New infrastructure – better roads, signage, even the AAAA scenic rating – has followed the promenade’s success. Cultural preservation has also benefited: local festivals and crafts now attract tourist interest that wasn’t there before.
Of course, there are challenges: crowd management and environmental care must be balanced against growth. To address this, park officials have set visitor limits on peak days and conduct regular maintenance of the structures. Plans include expanding interpretation (more multilingual signage) and developing off-season attractions to spread the flow. In summary, the Hongshui River Promenade has done far more than provide a photo op; it has spun off a small tourism economy and put Luodian on the map. Village elders note with pride that a quiet fishing river now plays a key role in their children’s livelihoods – an outcome that will shape the region for years to come.
