Social media is awash with controversy after a hiker posted a video
showing the flow of Yuntai Mountain Waterfall - billed as China's
tallest uninterrupted waterfall at 312 metrres - appearing to come from
pipes built into the rockface.
The hiker who shared the video on Douyin, "Farisvov", expressed
disappointment at discovering the waterfall's source was merely pipes
after making the difficult journey there.
The topic of the waterfall's true origins has gone viral, receiving
over 14 million views on Weibo and nearly 10 million on Douyin.
Operators of the Yuntai Mountain Geopark, a UNESCO site in Henan
province that is home to the waterfall, admitted to the artificial
enhancement so visitors wouldn't feel let down by a diminished waterflow
during dry seasons, especially when tourists have to pay 120 yuan
(US$17) to access the park.
They explained in a post from the waterfall's perspective that as a
seasonal attraction, it cannot always appear at its most spectacular, so
they boosted the flow to put on a better show for guests.
Park officials told CCTV the supplemental water was from springs and
would not harm the environment. Many seemed to understand, leaving
comments like "It prevents disappointment if there's no natural flow to
see."
However, others felt deceived, with one writing "It disrespects
nature and the tourists. How can it be considered the top waterfall
now?"