Fact Check: Compilation video of scenic spots shared as Kailash Mansarovar

A video featuring stills of waterfalls, lakes, mountainous terrain, and greeneries is going viral. NewsMeter received the video on its WhatsApp tipline number (7482830440) for verification if the video is from Kailash Mansarovar at the China-Tibet border.

The video is viral on Facebook since January, claiming it shows Kailash Mansarovar at the China-Tibet border. (Click here, here, here and here to view posts.)

It has also been uploaded on YouTube with the same claim.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the video is not from Kailash Mansarovar and is a compilation of several stills from different locations. We fragmented the video into keyframes using the InVid chrome extension and performed a reverse search image of each frame.

Frame 1

On performing a reverse image search of the frame, we found it in a video published by a Chinese state-controlled media, People’s Daily, on YouTube and Facebook. It said the video shows the blue river meandering through Jade Dragon snow mountain in China’s Yunnan.

Frame 2

A reverse image of the frame led us to a video posted by another Chinese state-controlled media, China Daily. The video shows identical visuals of the waterfall and bridge. In the caption, it stated that the video shows a spring bath near a waterfall at Luoji Mountain in Liangshan county.

Frame 3

A reverse image search of the frame of water gushing out from a dragon led us to a video showing the same visual published by People’s Daily, China, on YouTube. As per the description, the video shows a giant dragon head spewing water from a cliff in Longli County, in southwest China’s Guizhou Province.

Frame 4

A reverse image search of the frame led us to a video with the same visuals tweeted by People’s Daily, China. In the tweet, it was described as the largest man-made waterfall. It also said that the waterfall is situated in Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

Frame 5

A reverse image search of the frame led us to a video showing the same visuals posted on Facebook by China Daily. In the caption, it is mentioned that the video shows peaceful life in Zhangjiajie, in Central China’s Hunan province.

Frame 6

A reverse image search of the frame led us to another Facebook post by China Daily. The caption read, “Picturesque #Erhai lake attracted visitors with its breathtaking tranquillity in SW China’s Yunnan province. Enjoy a slower pace of life when strolling around its shores!”

Frame 7

A reverse image search of the frame led us to the same video uploaded on YouTube by the channel William Huang, titled “Huangguoshu waterfall.”

Taking this cue, we ran a keyword search about Huangguoshu waterfall and found a CNN article titled “Huangguoshu, China: Experience the world’s largest waterfall cluster.” The article carried images showing visuals as in the viral clip.

Frame 8

A reverse image search of the frame led us to a Facebook post by People’s Daily, China, which carried the exact frame. The caption read, “Feast your eyes on this endless colour green at Jinhu forest park in Huai’an, east China’s #Jiangsu province.”

Frame 9

A reverse image search of the frame showing people climbing the mountain led us to a video tweeted by China Xinhua News. The caption read, “Heaven on Earth: Enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Huangshan. #AmazingChina.”

Frame 10

A reverse image search of the frame led us to a tweet by People’s Daily, China, captioned, “Scenery of #azalea flowers on the Guifeng mountain in Macheng, central China’s Hubei Province.” It carried three pictures resembling the red flower visuals seen in the viral video.

We could not verify all the frames of the video but found the nine frames posted on the social media handles of Chinese state-affiliated media and one frame used in an article by CNN reporting about the world’s largest waterfall cluster.

We conclude that the viral video is a compilation of several stills from different locations. Hence, the claim that the video shows visuals from Kailash Mansarovar is false.