Taihang Grand Canyon Scenic Area

Taihang Grand Canyon Scenic Area

Taihang Grand Canyon Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Taihang Grand Canyon is situated in the northwest of Henan Province, on the western side of Linzhou City at the eastern foothills of the southern Taihang Mountains. It spans 100 Chinese miles from north to south and 2.5 Chinese miles from east to west, with elevations between 800 and 1,739 meters and a relative height difference exceeding 1,000 meters. The area is characterized by towering cliffs, rugged peaks, a bold and vigorous landscape, interlocking terraces and cliffs, and rushing mountain streams with waterfalls hanging in all directions. The peaks, ridges, terraces, cliffs, gorges, waterfalls, rock walls, and springs present a myriad of forms, making it a typical representation of the "majestic northern scenery" and renowned as the "Taihang Grand Canyon."

Here, verdant mountains embrace crystal-clear springs and pools, blessed with abundant natural resources and remarkable people.

The majestic Taihang Mountains have nurtured the descendants of Yan and Huang, who are especially simple, honest, sincere, and kind-hearted. Local residential architecture makes use of materials from the surrounding environment. Stone streets, courtyards, walls, pillars, stairs, and buildings blend seamlessly with nature, exuding an antique charm that invites contemplation. The scenic area covers a total of 120 square kilometers, with a vegetation coverage rate of 90%, a forest coverage rate of 80% — about 60% of which is original vegetation, and around 30% resulting from returning farmland to forest and artificial afforestation. The dense forests and well-preserved natural ecology boast rich tourism resources and have earned a reputation as a "natural oxygen bar."

The area features three major wonders: Peach Blossom Valley, where peach blossoms bloom even in the bitter cold of winter; Taiji Ice Mountain, where water freezes in the intense heat of summer; and the ancient mystery of the Pig-Calling Stone. There are also eight major attractions: the Soul of the Taihang Mountains — Wangxiang Rock; the serene and deep Blue Pool Valley; the miniature paradise of Jinpu Dragon Cave; the primeval forest of Taiji Mountain; the dreamlike and illusory Xiantai Mountain; the marvelously crafted Luban Gate; China’s one-and-only Peach Blossom Waterfall; and the southern cave of Taihang Pinghu (Liu Xiu Lake). Mr. Zhu Changzhong, an expert from the National Key Scenic Spots Evaluation Committee, highly praised Taihang Grand Canyon as a place where "the scenery changes with every step, a hundred-mile painting scroll, and a heavenly paradise on earth."

In addition, there is the Nanjiaochang International Gliding Base in Luban Village, the best in Asia and first-class in the world. Old records describe it as: "Emerald cliffs like flecks of emerald, red cliffs like morning glow, trees shading patterned birds, and pools of clear green water — a uniquely splendid scene praised throughout the world." In early spring, the weather is mild and sunny, with lush trees, birdsong, and fragrant flowers; in midsummer, green mountains and waters, lush forests, and deep shade provide cool relief; in autumn, red leaves blaze like fire, bean and grain crops scent the air, and mountain fruits abound, intoxicating the senses; in deep winter, the mountains are draped in white, covered with snow, and adorned with frozen waterfalls hundreds of feet high.

Taihang Grand Canyon is 72 km east of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway. A dedicated tourist cement road leads directly to the scenic spots within the area, standardized stepped hiking trails wind through the entire region, star-rated hotels are scattered throughout, and mobile phone and telephone communications are convenient. It is an excellent destination for health retreats, gliding and rock climbing, summer vacations, painting and sketching, exploring history and nature, and sightseeing.

Taihang Grand Canyon Scenic Area is a national key scenic spot, a national AAAA-level tourist area, and one of the top ten scenic spots in Henan Province. It is the birthplace of the "Shoulder-Pole Spirit" of the Shibanyan Supply and Marketing Cooperative — a shining example on the front lines of rural commerce in China. It is also the hometown of Comrade Gu Wenchang, the "Son of the Taihang Mountains," and serves as a creative training base for the Painting and Calligraphy Center of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Deputy Director Sun Gang of the National Tourism Administration, during his inspection of Taihang Grand Canyon, praised its majestic momentum and visual appeal as being among the world’s finest canyons. He noted that the area has the potential to become a top tourist destination in Henan and even across China. He urged local leaders to focus on key development, enhance comprehensive reception capacity, protect the ecological environment, and strengthen safety facilities, striving to build the canyon into a top-tier, nationally recognized green ecological corridor for nature retreats and leisure vacations.

Website: http://www.thdxg.com/

Address: Shibanyan Town, Linzhou City, Anyang City

Type: National Park, Canyon, Forest, Geological Landform, Mountain, Waterfall, River

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Phone: 0372-6082888

Official Website: http://www.thdxg.net/

Opening Hours:

7:00-18:00

Shibanyan Town: Located in the northwest of Linzhou City, Shibanyan Town borders Yao Village to the east, the Chengjiao Township to the southeast, Pingshun County of Shanxi Province to the west, and Ren Village to the north. The township stretches approximately 30 km from north to south and 4.5 km from east to west, covering a total area of about 114 square kilometers. It consists of 17 administrative villages and 326 natural villages, with a total population of 9,040 and over 3,000 households. The People's Government of Shibanyan Township is located in the northwest area of the Shibanyan town center, while the Shibanyan Supply and Marketing Cooperative — the birthplace of the "Shoulder-Pole Spirit" — is situated in the town center. The Taihang Grand Canyon Scenic Area within the township is a national key scenic spot... More details about Shibanyan Town ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Key Scenic Spots