China's highest natural waterfall, the Yuntai Sky Fall, has recently become the center of a social media storm.
A viral video posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, revealed water gushing from a pipe embedded in the rock face of the famous waterfall (via NBC News).
A viral TikTok video reveals China's highest waterfall, Yuntai Sky Fall, supplemented by a pipe, sparking mixed reactions and prompting an official investigation.Image via Douyin
Video Reveals Famous 'Skyfall' in China Comes from Installed Pipe
The Yuntai Sky Fall, located in the Yuntai Mountain Geopark in Henan Province, is an impressive tourist attraction standing over 1,000 feet tall. Known for soaking visitors with its mist as they view it from a platform near its base, the waterfall is a popular destination for millions of tourists each year.
However, the enchanting experience was called into question when a hiker, identified by the username "Farisvov," shared a video showing that the waterfall's flow was supplemented by a man-made pipe.
The video, captioned "The one about how I went through all the hardship to the source of Yuntai Waterfall only to see a pipe," quickly gained traction online.
Operators Working to Keep Falls Running Amid Dry Season
The operators of Yuntai Mountain Geopark were swift to respond. They admitted to making a "small enhancement" to the waterfall during the dry season to ensure that visitors could enjoy the sight of the falls year-round.
In a statement, they said, "To enrich the visiting experience of our friends, and to ensure that you who have traveled from afar do not come in vain, I have made a small enhancement during the dry season, solely to be able to present myself in a better state when meeting with my friends."
The video and the park's admission of using a pipe to sustain the waterfall's flow became a trending topic on social media, particularly on Douyin and Weibo, China's largest microblogging site.
It received over 14 million views on Weibo and nearly 10 million on Douyin, prompting local government officials to launch an investigation.
Users Online React to Viral Chinese Waterfalls Video
As the controversy unfolded, social media users voiced mixed reactions. Some users were supportive, expressing understanding and appreciation for the park's efforts to maintain the waterfall.
Conversely, others were less forgiving. Critics argued that the park was deceiving tourists and profiting unfairly. A Weibo user remarked, "They are just so accustomed to fabricating things," and another questioned, "How could it be called the No.1 waterfall anymore?"
Under Article 48 of the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China, websites releasing information on tourism operations must ensure the authenticity and accuracy of such information. Before the video surfaced, the pipe was not mentioned on the park's website or social media accounts.
Despite the controversy, the park emphasized that the water used to supplement the falls is spring water, ensuring no damage to the natural landscape.
