The Wuyang River gorge running east from Zhenyuan is one of the great scenic routes of Guizhou: a narrow corridor of karst limestone, some of it rising nearly vertically from the water, winding through a landscape of extraordinary geological drama. The gorge is best experienced by boat, with trips departing from the pier near the old town and running downstream through the narrowest and most dramatic sections. The journey takes two to three hours and includes sections where the cliffs close in to within a few metres of the boat on both sides.
The gorge landscape shows the full range of karst topography: overhangs, caves penetrating deep into the cliff, rock formations rising from the water, and occasional rapids where the river steepens between walls. Herons and cormorants work the shallows. The return trip is typically by bus on the road above the gorge, which offers its own views looking down. Spring (March–May) brings higher water and greener vegetation; autumn gives clearer visibility and cooler temperatures for the boat ride.