Golden Ridge Slope Taihang Art Town

Golden Ridge Slope Taihang Art Town

Golden Ridge Slope Taihang Art Town is a National AAA-level tourist attraction.

Deep in the Taihang Mountains of Jiaozuo City lies an award-winning tourist town rated as a National AAA-level scenic area—Taihang Art Town. Here, you’ll find Qing-style bricks and tiles, moss-covered alleys, walls draped in creeping vines, and a variety of charming courtyards that leave visitors in awe. But what’s truly surprising is that just a few years ago, this place was a declining small mountain village, where generation after generation of young people left one after another, leaving behind only overgrown weeds and dilapidated stone houses.

In 2016, an architect named Peng Zhihua came to Jinlingpo Village in Xicun Township, Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo. Although the area was almost abandoned, a centuries-old locust tree deeply captivated him. With funding from the government, Peng Zhihua led his team to create art-themed homestays deep in the mountains, naming them "Courtyards in the Clouds."

The newly built homestays are not only tranquil and elegant but also remarkably preserve the traditional craftsmanship that was nearly lost, maintaining the original rural charm and character. This gives the entire property a distinctive allure.

For instance, this once-crumbling archway was transformed into the entrance gate of the homestay—neither out of place nor devoid of its most original features.

The formerly run-down courtyards were remade into unique guesthouses, the overgrown weeds along the streets gave way to green trees and flowers, and local stone houses, stone mills, stone fences, and ancient wells have been preserved as distinctive rural landscape elements, offering visitors a uniquely charming experience.

Moreover, being situated deep in the mountains, the houses and courtyards are embraced by peaks all around. On a typical day, you can gaze out at the breathtaking landscapes of Mount Yuntai, and in the early morning, simply open your window to witness the sunrise and the rolling sea of clouds.

"Courtyards in the Clouds" sits at an altitude of over 700 meters. Additionally, much of the homestay was constructed from original stone houses, giving it excellent thermal insulation—it's warm in winter and cool in summer, making it a perfect summer retreat. During holidays, rooms are often in high demand and hard to come by.

Covering an area of 246 acres, "Courtyards in the Clouds" includes courtyard-style accommodations, garden-style guestrooms, a nighttime lounge bar, dining areas, and more. In the future, it will continue to expand, with nearby streets turning into a food street and the entire Golden Ridge Slope area being transformed into an art-themed town.

Furthermore, the local government invested 35 million yuan to construct a “sky road” through the mountains—the Jinyun Road—reducing the journey from Mount Yuntai to Golden Ridge Slope to just 10 minutes, making travel to and from the area much more convenient for tourists.

Since the transformation of Jinlingpo Village is not yet fully complete, visitor numbers remain relatively low. With its beautiful scenery and peaceful environment, it’s an ideal destination for family trips, road trips, and weekend getaways. If you have the time, be sure to come and experience it for yourself.

Transportation Routes:

By Car: Experienced drivers can take the Zhengyun Expressway (Zhengzhou–Mount Yuntai) and arrive in just 40 minutes, exiting at the Mount Yuntai toll station.

By Public Transport: Take the Zhengjiao Intercity Railway to Xiuwu West Station, then transfer to a direct tourist shuttle bus; or get off at Jiaozuo Station and transfer to Bus No. 3.

Source: Tourism in Jiaozuo