Wangxian Grand Canyon

Wangxian Grand Canyon

The Wangxian Grand Canyon Scenic Area (short for Wangxian Scenic Area) is located in Wangxian Village, Lishan Town, Yuanqu County, 28 kilometers from the county seat. Its main resources are situated in the experimental zone of the southwestern part of the Lishan Primitive Forest, boasting beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. The scenic area features the renowned Wangxian Three Pools Waterfall, the vast Houhe Reservoir, the deep and steep Dahe Grand Canyon, and the Luyuan River Canyon. The total planned area of the scenic site covers 640 hectares, with an elevation ranging between 800 and 1,000 meters.

The Wangxian Scenic Area is an important part of the Lishan Yellow River Ecotourism Zone and is accessible via a fourth-grade highway. This area is not only home to the beautiful legends of Emperors Yao and Shun but also boasts uniquely beautiful immortal mountains and divine waters. Beneath Xuanquan Mountain and along Taojin River, nature has created a cluster of waterfall pools, forming a five-kilometer-long natural stone canyon that lines up over ten waterfalls and pools of varying sizes, depths, and shapes. Truly, there is a pool every few steps and a waterfall every few more—waterfalls connect to pools, pools connect to waterfalls, pools within pools, and waterfalls beneath waterfalls. Especially notable are the Rain Pool, Wind Pool, and Dragon Pool, each with its own distinctive charm. The surrounding canyons are as if cut by knives, with thickets forming forests and pines and cypresses layered in lush green. In spring, the Three Pools area is vibrant with blooming flowers, birdsong, and fragrant air; in summer, cool breezes drift across rippling green waters blending seamlessly with the sky; in autumn, the mountains are ablaze with the golden hues of smoke trees, resembling torches lighting up the horizon; in winter, the landscape is draped in silvery white, with snow-laden trees and icy peaks showcasing the quintessential northern scenery. The usually splashing waterfalls seem to suddenly come to a halt, offering a surreal sense of time standing still. Coupled with 19 natural attractions such as General Cliff, Water Curtain Cave, and Sword Peak, along with classic Chinese mountain gates, resplendent pavilions, soaring cable cars, well-placed waterfall viewing platforms, and fully serviced hotels, restaurants, and water amusement parks, the whole scene becomes even more enchanting.

The Houhe Reservoir Scenic Area is closely connected to the Three Pools Waterfall Scenic Area. It is located at the foot of the mountain in the northwest of the Lishan Natural Ecotourism Zone and consists of two sections: reservoir sightseeing and primitive forest exploration. The Houhe Reservoir is a compensation project for the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on the Yellow River. With a dam height of 72.6 meters and a total storage capacity of 13.75 million cubic meters, the dam presents a majestic and towering presence, resembling a cliff face when viewed from below. The three spillway gates at the top of the dam look like golden shields, ready to release water to protect the structure. During the water release season, the outpouring water resembles a dragon emerging from the earth. Climbing to the top of the dam, looking north at the rippling reservoir feels like being in the water towns of southern China; gazing south at the towering mountains creates the illusion of being in a fairyland. Boating on the water allows you to admire the shimmering reflections, ripples of green, and fish swimming near the surface. Being amidst these green mountains and clear waters offers the profound sensation described in the verse: “The misty waves lie still, shadows sink deep; no trace of blue, only endless jade-green. One might think it’s where a water nymph combs her hair, a single spiral of dark hills mirrored in a jade heart.”

The Wangxian Three Pools Waterfall Scenic Area is located in Lishan Town, 28 kilometers east of Yuanqu County and is accessible via a fourth-grade highway. This area is not only home to the beautiful legends of Emperors Yao and Shun but also boasts uniquely beautiful immortal mountains and divine waters. Beneath Xuanquan Mountain and along Taojin River, nature has created a cluster of waterfall pools, forming a five-kilometer-long natural stone canyon.

The scenic area features over ten waterfalls and pools of varying sizes and shapes. Some spray pearls and jade, others foam with snow, and some scatter like exquisite flowers. Some roar like thunder. There’s truly a pool every three steps and a waterfall every five, with waterfalls connecting to pools, pools to waterfalls, pools within pools, and waterfalls beneath waterfalls. Especially unique are the Rain Pool, Wind Pool, and Dragon Pool, each with distinct character. The canyon walls on either side are as if carved, lined with thickets forming forests and layers of lush green pines and cypresses.

Address: Wangxian Scenic Area, Wangxian Village, Lishan Town, Yuanqu County, Yuncheng City

Type: Canyon, Forest, Mountain, Waterfall

Phone: 0359-2669283

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 60.0 RMB

Lishan Town: "Lishan Town is located at the foot of the Zhongtiao Mountains, in the northeast of Yuanqu County, and is a well-known revolutionary base area. The town covers a total area of 395 square kilometers, governs 22 administrative villages, and has a population of over 14,000. The area is rich in mineral and tourism resources, with considerable reserves of coal and iron. It features complete landscapes including mountains, forests, water bodies, and caves. The main peak of Lishan Mountain stands at 2,358 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in southern Shanxi. The subalpine meadow atop the peak spans over 5,400 acres, which is rare in the country. The Lishan Nature Reserve contains the only well-preserved core area of primitive forest in North China, covering 12,000 acres, and is hailed as the 'Hu... Lishan Town Detailed Information++"