A beloved 1,000-foot waterfall in China is actually fed by water pipes, officials admit

Mia Jankowicz
·2 min read

  • A waterfall in China appears to be at least partly supplied by pipes, according to drone footage.

  • Officials confirmed that the site benefits from artificial enhancements, citing seasonal changes.

  • Yuntai Geo Park, known for its scenic views and attractions, draws millions of tourists a year.

A spectacular Chinese waterfall visited by millions of tourists every year has been getting an extra boost via some subtly located water pipes, officials appeared to admit on Tuesday.

Yuntai waterfall, in China's Henan province, attracts around seven million visitors a year, according to its official website.

At more than 1,000 feet high, it's also the tallest in Asia, the website said.

But drone footage taken by a hiker showed the waterfall from a lofty vantage point not normally accessible to visitors — and appeared to show water gushing out of a pipe over the edge.

"This is the source of the waterfall in Yuntai Mountain," the video's captions said, adding: "It's a big water pipe."

In a statement posted the same day, Chinese officials did not allude to any pipes but admitted that the waterfall benefited from a "small enhancement" to its workings in the "dry season," per The Washington Post's translation.

The statement, written from the perspective of the waterfall, added: "Depending on the season, I cannot guarantee that I am in my best condition whenever my friends come to see me."

The waterfall then expressed surprise at having to communicate with the public in this way.

No further details were given, leaving visitors unclear how much the waterfall relies on artificial support.

It's not the first time that the wider Yuntai Geo Park — a lush, mountainous region classified as "AAAAA" by Chinese authorities — has made the news.

In 2015, a cliffside glass walkway opened, allowing visitors to peer 3,500 feet down from one of its highest spots. The walkway was closed for repairs some weeks later, when cracks appeared in the glass, as CBS News reported at the time.

The park's mist-enshrouded mountains, steep valleys, and waterfall, make it a prime spot for Instagrammers to capture stunning views.

Read the original article on Business Insider