Sanmenxia Yellow River Park

Sanmenxia Yellow River Park

Sanmenxia Yellow River Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Sanmenxia Yellow River Park is located in the northern part of Sanmenxia City, stretching from Maojin Ferry in the east to National Highway 209 in the west, connecting to North Ring Road in the south and extending to the Yellow River floodplains in the north. It is dedicated to protecting the ecological environment along the Yellow River and promoting Yellow River culture. Built upon the natural landforms such as gullies, plateaus, floodplains, and existing ground cover plants along the river, it is a large urban ecological park that combines sightseeing, leisure, entertainment, and cultural exhibitions.

The park covers a total area of 11,168 mu, including 3,668 mu of land area and 7,500 mu of water and floodplain areas. It stretches in a belt-like shape from east to west, approximately 5 kilometers in length and about 1.5 kilometers in width from north to south. The overall layout consists of “one belt, three zones, and eight key nodes.” The “one belt” refers to the Yellow River ecological landscape belt; the “three zones” are the eastern, central, and western scenic areas; the eight key nodes are, in order, Maojin Ancient Ferry, Huixing Huayuan, Taoyuan Secluded Valley, Reed Marsh Misty Rain, Yuntai Colorful Ribbon, Plateau Golden Waves, Pearl Spring Sunshine, and Famous Fruits Expo. A circular road cycling track encircles the park, spanning a total length of 10.03 kilometers, suitable for hosting national-level road cycling competitions. The Galaxy Amusement City is located in the western part of the park, covering a total area of 399 mu, divided into a children’s play area, a youth play area, and an adventure zone. It serves as an ideal venue for leisure, fitness, exploration, and self-challenge.

Pearl Spring Sunshine

Pearl Spring Sunshine is the western entrance square of the park. Sanmenxia has long been known as the “Pearl of the Yellow River,” and this scenic spot is named after that title. In the center of the square stands the “Pearl of the Yellow River” sculpture, symbolizing that the people of the Yellow River, under the radiance of this pearl, will carry forward traditions, create harmony, and strive for prosperity and development.

Famous Fruits Expo

The Famous Fruits Expo is located in the plateau area in the western part of the scenic zone and serves as an exhibition area for Sanmenxia’s specialty agricultural products. The expo park cultivates a variety of local fruits, such as Lingbao apples, jujubes, and Mianchi Yangshao apricots. In spring, pear blossoms blanket the trees like snow, and in autumn, the fragrance of ripe fruits fills the air, intoxicating visitors. While enjoying the beautiful scenery, guests can also pick specialty fruits within the park, experiencing firsthand the distinctive agriculture and farming culture of the Yellow River basin in the Sanmenxia area.

Yuntai Colorful Ribbon

Yuntai Colorful Ribbon is located in the central part of the park and features a natural plateau landscape along the Yellow River. The park features significant elevation changes from north to south, with complex terrain. In the central plateau area, various colorful plants—including plum blossoms, peach blossoms, ginkgo trees, maple trees, red-leaf plum trees, and golden silk locust trees—create layered blooms with shifting colors. “The flowers change with the seasons, offering different views all year round,” resembling a ribbon floating in the clouds, hence the name “Yuntai Colorful Ribbon.”

Plateau Golden Waves

Plateau Golden Waves is located in the central part of the park and serves as the main entrance square. The northern part of the square houses the visitor center, while the southern entrance features a cultural relief wall that showcases Yellow River culture and the history of Sanmenxia. Plateau Golden Waves is the highest point in the urban area and offers the best vantage point in the park for viewing the magnificent Yellow River. In spring and winter, the river spans over a thousand meters in width, with calm, jade-green waters gently stretching from west to east. Looking into the distance, the water and sky merge into one, presenting a vast and majestic scene. In summer, however, the river returns to its channel, surging with yellow silt, crashing against the banks with powerful waves—a spectacular and awe-inspiring sight.

Huixing Huayuan

Huixing Huayuan is located in the eastern part of the park and is divided into northern and southern sections. The southern area is the eastern entrance to the Yellow River Park, while the northern section includes a children’s playground, scenic walkways, and classical garden pavilions such as Guanlan Pavilion, making it a leisure and sightseeing area. From the Guanlan Pavilion at the northern end, visitors can take in a panoramic view of Reed Marsh Misty Rain Lake, with the flowing Yellow River complementing the ancient Maojin Ferry—it is one of the best scenic viewpoints in the park.

Taoyuan Secluded Valley

Taoyuan Secluded Valley is located in the eastern part of the park and is a unique natural gully landscape along the Yellow River. In early spring, the vegetation on both sides of the valley turns tender green, while the valley bottom is dotted with emerald bamboo groves and murmuring streams winding through the landscape. Winding stone paths pass through the bamboo forest, appearing and disappearing along the way, creating the illusion of entering the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming. It is an ideal destination for visitors seeking natural charm, relaxation, and leisure.

Reed Marsh Misty Rain

Reed Marsh Misty Rain is situated in the eastern part of the park and represents a typical wetland landscape in the Yellow River basin, covering a total area of 550 mu, including 320 mu of water area. The wetland is rich in unique vegetation such as aquatic irises, cattails, calamus, lythrum, and reeds, which are abundant and well-preserved. In spring, various species of irises bloom competitively in the water; in summer and autumn, reed flowers sway in the wind; and every winter, flocks of white swans come here to play. Adjacent to the Yellow River, Reed Marsh Misty Rain allows visitors to get up close to the river, experience its presence, and feel the great breadth of the mother river—an inspiring encounter.

Maojin Ancient Ferry

Also known as Huixing Ferry, Maojin Ancient Ferry is located in the easternmost area of the scenic zone. It is one of the three major ancient ferries of the Yellow River, with a history of over 2,700 years. Historical records indicate that from the Qin to the Tang dynasties, Maojin Ancient Ferry was an important dock for Yellow River water transport. Throughout history, many notable events took place here, such as the origin of historical allusions like “If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold” and “Using Yu to destroy Guo.” During the Liberation War, Maojin Ancient Ferry served as one of the key crossing points for Chen and Xie’s troops advancing into the Central Plains.