The Chishui (red water) River is named after its red water. It runs along the border of Guizhou and Sichuan provinces, originating from Zhenxiong County of Yunnan Province. The river runs 500 kilometers from Chishui County in Guizhou Province to Hejiang County of Sichuan Province, covering an area of 20,000 square kilometers. The Chishui River is the water source of Maotai, Langjiu and many other famous Chinese alcoholic drinks so it is reputed as the River of Wine. During the Long March of Chinese Red Army, the troops crossed the river four times in order to avoid the chase of enemy. There is a monument at the Maotai Ferry to honor them.

Along the upper and middle reaches of the river, it is abundant in water resources. The downstream water is wide, deep, and calm, suitable for transportation. It used to be a major pass for the transportation of salt in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, and now the 120-ton ship can run on the river. It is warm and humid, suitable for growing paddy, sugar cane and cole. Along the river, agriculture is quite developed, and the region is densely populated. The region is also a major production area of bamboo and pine fir. Mines of natural gas, coal, iron, and sulphur are of great capacity.

Along the river, there are thick forest and beautiful views as well as historical relics. The Shizhangdong Fall is on the upper stream of the Fengxi River, the branch of the Chishui River. It falls 1.5 meters and is of 68 meters in width, a very typical shade fall. The Wugongyan Shili (five kilometers) Shoal is the most dangerous gorge of the middle stream, a nice place for rock climbing and drifting.