A popular tourist attraction – a beauty spot in China; the Yuntai Falls – is sometimes fed with a water pipe in order to keep the waterfall running in dry weather.
National Park operators in Henan province in China have admitted that this “highest waterfall in Asia” is not the natural wonder that perhaps millions of people think it is.
The officials have been embarrassed by the revelation. They describe the water pipe as a “small enhancement” in order to keep the water flowing during the dry season.
This embarrassing fact came to light when a visitor to this picturesque spot noticed a large pipe protruding from the cliff face according to The Times report.
The visitor, a hiker, posted a drone video of the waterfall which is 1030 feet tall (314 m). In the video it appears that the waterfall is flowing from a “network of pipes” according to The Times report.
The video was posted on Douyin, a video sharing app similar to TikTok. It’s been shared by more than 48,000 viewers resulting in a “torrent” of criticism. A nice pun!
“The move does not respect the laws of nature nor the visitors”, said one Internet user on Weibo, China’s social media platform. Another supported the piped water by saying that it was “better than seeing no water at all”.
Seven million people visited the Yuntai Mountain scenic area. It has a AAAAA rating by China’s Minister of culture and tourism.
The Chinese officials who responded to this criticism about the water pipes anthropomorphised the waterfall and spoke on its behalf by saying: “I underwent a small enhancement so that I could meet my friends in better shape in the dry season.”
Comment: I’m thinking of global warming. This waterfall is likely to be drier in the future. There may come a time at some stage in the future when all the water is piped in and the whole picturesque spectacle becomes a fake.
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The BBC reports that this is not the first case of artificially supplying a natural tourist attraction. It said: “
“Huangguoshu Waterfall, a famous tourist destination in the southwestern Guizhou province, has been helped by a water diversion project from a nearby dam since 2006 to maintain its flow during the dry season.”
BBC
Google Gemini says this when asked for an opinion! AI bots cannot give opinions. It is beyond them.
There are arguments to be made on both sides of this issue. Here’s a breakdown to help you form your own opinion:
Arguments for using water pipes:
- Maintaining tourism: Waterfalls are a major draw for tourists, and a dry, trickle of water might be disappointing. Supplying extra water can ensure a more impressive sight and keep tourism revenue flowing.
- Preserving the ecosystem: Some waterfalls support unique ecosystems that rely on consistent water flow. During droughts, these ecosystems could be damaged if the waterfall dries up completely.
Arguments against using water pipes:
- Authenticity: Some people believe a waterfall should be natural and seasonal. Using pipes creates an artificial experience that some find deceptive.
- Water scarcity: China faces water shortages in some regions. Diverting water for a waterfall, even during dry spells, could be seen as wasteful.
Additional factors to consider:
- Transparency: If park authorities are upfront about using pipes, it reduces the feeling of deception.
- Water source: If the water comes from a sustainable source, like a reservoir, it might be more acceptable.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
