Taihang Shuixiang Scenic Area

Taihang Shuixiang Scenic Area

Taihang Shuixiang Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Taihang Shuixiang is located on the banks of the Zhuozhang River in the northeast of Pingshun County, stretching 53 kilometers in length. Here, towering cliffs rise sheer, waterfalls cascade down, and nature’s craftsmanship is on full display—forming high gorges and serene lakes, with turbulent yellow waters that embody both the rugged masculinity of the Loess Plateau and the delicate femininity of southern water towns. As the saying goes, “A mountain need not be high to be spiritual, as long as there is water.” The spirit of the majestic Taihang Mountains gradually reveals itself as the winding Zhuozhang River flows eastward. Descending about 200 meters along the path beside the dam, you hear a thunderous roar. Then, rounding a rocky outcrop along a muddy trail, I was utterly stunned by the sight before me. The torrential yellow waters here roar as they plunge into the valley, sending up plumes of mist—a spectacle that rivals even the Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River.

Traveling 5 kilometers east from Swan Lake, you’ll reach the “Taihang Three Gorges,” also known as the “Little Three Gorges.” Due to flooding that covered the road, this stunning scenery will have to wait for another visit. Further downstream along the river lies the highlight of the Taihang Shuixiang Scenic Area—Dinosaur Valley. Gazing at the roaring waters of the Zhuozhang River, one can’t help but recall the ancient poetic line: “Turbid waves surge to the sky, crashing against the shore, churning up thousands of piles of snow.” It’s an incredibly vivid description. Here, the muddy waters of the Zhuozhang River frantically squeeze their way into the deep valley. Like a herd of wild, untamed horses charging forth, they are eventually tamed in the valley’s depths, then quietly emerge at the valley’s end. One can’t help but marvel at the wonders crafted by nature. After exiting the valley, the river suddenly widens. On the right side of the river appears an artificial dam tunnel, through which a small portion of the river water flows into a man-made canal. Upon closer inspection, the words “Hongqi Canal Source” are painted in red above the tunnel entrance. This is, in fact, the world-renowned Hongqi Canal—an extraordinary feat of human engineering built in the 1960s when Chinese farmers fought against nature to conquer the land and the elements.