Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area

Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area

Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area is located in Hongtiguan Township, 30 kilometers east of Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. It spans the border between Shanxi and Henan provinces, 50 kilometers west of the ancient city of Shangdang—Changzhi’s urban area—and connects to the north with red tourism destinations such as the Eighth Route Army Culture Park and Taihang Water Town, among other scenic spots. To the south, it lies 35 kilometers from Linzhou City and is adjacent to the Slate Rock Scenic Area, Linlu Mountain Scenic Area, and the renowned Hongqi Canal. With a total area of 56 square kilometers, its main gorge extends about 26 kilometers.

Alpine Lake — Tongtian Lake

As an old saying goes, the charm of a mountain lies in its water. Thanks to its water, Tongtian Gorge in Hongtiguan, Pingshun, Shanxi, possesses an added touch of grace and allure. Most northern waters are plain and unremarkable, but the water here in Tongtian Gorge is truly astonishing and breathtaking. Tongtian Lake gathers natural spring water from the gorge, covering an area of about 20,000 square meters with a maximum depth of 13 meters. The lake water is cool, pure, and rich in various minerals beneficial to the human body. Under different sunlight, it displays ever-changing hues—like jade, like sapphire, like a dreamy illusion—as if a piece of blue sky has fallen into the mountains. Towering green mountains surround the lake, piercing the clouds like swords, giving you the impression of a mountain pressing down on you when you look up. The majestic green peaks and ribbon-like blue waters resemble a man stretching out his arms to cradle his sleeping maiden. Spanning the lake are two wooden bridges, creating a scene so picturesque it’s hard to tell whether you’re wandering inside a painting or the painting is flowing beneath your feet. It’s utterly enchanting, making one linger and forget to return.

China’s No. 1 Screen — Shiping Mountain

In Tongtian Gorge of Hongtiguan, Pingshun, Shanxi, when the first ray of morning sunlight filters through the layers of mountains and spills onto the summit of the colossal Shiping Mountain, the golden peak radiates infinite warmth. Standing solemnly for hundreds of millions of years, Shiping Mountain is like a loyal sentinel guarding Tongtian Gorge, unmoved and eternal. The mountain is over 170 meters high and 200 meters long, with a surface as smooth and straight as if carved by knives and axes, resembling a natural screen that hides the entire valley’s scenery behind it. According to Chinese feng shui, placing a screen at home can ward off evil spirits, prevent disasters, and bring good fortune—so this natural screen is sure to bring luck to visitors. The mountain here is magical: viewed from the front, it looks like a screen, but from the side, it resembles a finger pointing straight to the sky, hence also called Divine Finger Peak. And if you stand atop the peak, it looks like a swimming fish. This is what “seen horizontally, it’s a screen; seen from the side, it’s a peak; distant or near, high or low, each view is different” truly means.

Taihang’s No. 1 Fort — Macaque Fort

In the middle of Tongtian Lake lies a small island hidden among lush trees. Though not large, it’s named Macaque Fort because it’s home to hundreds of macaques. Macaques are a common type of monkey in the Taihang Mountains and are close relatives of humans, sharing 99% genetic similarity. These macaques love playing in water, enjoy interacting with people, and are skilled at climbing, leaping, swimming, and imitating human actions. They display a range of emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. These monkeys swing leisurely by grasping tree branches with their long arms, while some pick up food offered by visitors, eyeing them warily before suddenly “flying” up the hillside to enjoy their meal, as if wary of a beautiful trap. Such greedy and cunning creatures, right? If you enjoy getting close to animals, these monkeys will put on a show—talented performers who never shy away from the spotlight, just waiting for your applause and encouragement.

Northern Mini Jiuzhaigou — Playful Water Square

The Playful Water Square features relatively flat and open terrain where the flow of water changes dramatically. Just a moment ago, it was a gentle stream, but after rounding a rock, it becomes a rushing waterfall. Climb a few steps, and you’ll encounter yet another scene: a wide, serene lake where clear waters allow you to see aquatic plants swaying gently underwater, along with the occasional small fish darting nimbly among them. The fish are tiny and said never to grow big. Both the water’s edge and the shallows are lined with willow trees, their red roots floating in the water, creating another scenic highlight. Various trees grow from rocks, cliffs, and even bare stone surfaces, their roots gripping the infertile soil tightly and clinging courageously and proudly to the rocks—like the simple people of Taihang, adapting to their environment and holding steadfast to their homeland for millennia.

Like Jade and Pearls — Triple Falls

The Triple Falls cascade down three tiers of cliffs, embodying the saying “a twist and turn at every step.” The glistening white water droplets…

…splash outward like handfuls of scattered pearls. The waterfall embraces the pool below with fervor, producing a passionate roar audible even hundreds of meters away. Looking beyond the top of the falls into the mountains, it seems as if the waterfall is surging forth from two distant peaks, stirring the blood and igniting a deep curiosity to witness the grandeur of the water.

A Wonder of the Gorge — Winter Ice Hangings

On the southern cliff of the Triple Falls hangs a natural ice formation, 66 meters long and 9.9 meters wide. This ice hanging remains intact from winter until May of the following year, lasting up to half a year. In summer, the spring water sprays like pearls and mist—if you cup some in your hands, it tastes sweet as nectar. If you visit before May, you’ll witness this marvelous sight: gleaming white ice hangings set against the sparkling, splashing waterfall, creating a contrast between movement and stillness, water and ice, that is nothing short of astonishing.

Mountain Fun — Playful Water Pool

The Playful Water Pool is like an introverted, elegant woman, quietly undisturbed, calming the excited hearts of visitors and bringing peace and serenity. The huge rocks in the water are as neatly cut as if by a knife. Willow trees droop gracefully along the shore, while aquatic grasses sway beneath the surface. Sit on the bank, dip your feet into the water, and even in the height of summer, the spring remains bone-chillingly cold. As the Book of Songs says, “The water of Canglang is clear; I can wash my tassel in it. The water of Canglang is muddy; I can wash my feet in it.” That’s precisely the feeling here. Sitting by the stream and looking up at the surrounding peaks, you’ll be delighted to find that the rocks aren’t ordinary either—some resemble monkeys keeping watch, others like war horses neighing to the skies, each in unique poses.

Mistaken for a Heavenly River Falling from the Sky — Tianhe Hukou

Unless you have a guide, upon arriving here, you’d surely think there’s no way forward. Before you looms a massive waterfall cave, accompanied by a deafening roar. On the right mountainside, a waterfall pours down from nowhere, its source unclear. Climb to the mountaintop, and a giant dragon roars and coils, blocking your path. The furious dragon roars as it crashes through the mountain, creating a massive whirlpool, then bursts through a hole and plunges downward like a thousand troops and horses—an unstoppable force. Standing before the waterfall, listening to its roar and watching its surge, you can’t help but wonder: who punched a hole in the sky, letting the heavenly river pour down to earth?

(Note: Segment 22 appears to be a continuation of 21; treated as part of the same descriptive passage.)

A Dreamy curtain — Water Curtain Cave

The Water Curtain Cave is over 20 meters high, 40 meters wide, and the cave extends more than 10 meters deep. Water flows down from the mountaintop, crystal clear, as if a string of pearl curtains hangs before the cave entrance, covering the opening. One might imagine a gentle maiden lives inside, perhaps lifting the bead curtain to peek out. Barefoot, standing on the stone steps in the water, breathing in the refreshing air, you might wish to become a stone, a tree, a fish, or a cloud in these mountains—or even just a tiny blade of grass, quietly standing on the cliff face, greeting the changing seasons.

Majestic — Tongtian Waterfall

Originating from Shen Gui Lake, this waterfall drops over 30 meters, like a dragon emerging from the sea, with a momentum as grand as a rainbow.

On the mountainside lies a massive stone mortar shaped like a basin. Legend says it’s where the Dragon King washes his face, commonly known as the Dragon Wash Basin. The waterfall takes a tumble in the basin, then surges through a cave and splits into two streams, plunging into a deep pool and sending up countless splashes. The deafening roar fills the air, and cool droplets spray outward. Standing at the waterfall’s edge, you dare not move, fearing the dragon’s might might sweep you into the depths below.

Secluded and Mysterious — Shen Gui Lake

Stepping into Shen Gui Lake, the surrounding mountains open up, with lush green trees and thick, vibrant grass, leaving behind the previous hustle and bustle.

Tense, a massive stone turtle lies quietly in the lake. Legend has it that this is the guardian turtle of Miaolun Temple at Dongsitou. By day, it turns into a stone turtle to guard the temple gate, but at night, it gains divine power to walk through rocks. The turtle disobeyed temple rules, often sneaking off to play in Tihou Village at night and returning before dawn. One night, however, it got so caught up in play that it lost track of time. When the rooster crowed and dawn broke, its divine power vanished, leaving it unable to cross the mountain back to the temple. It had no choice but to remain here forever, yet its head always faces the direction of the temple — as if longing for its home and regretting its mistake.

Geological treasure trove: Thousand-Page Rock

Neat brown shale layers, like thick history books, are quietly stacked on both sides of the canyon, as if you've stumbled into someone’s study. The canyon is serene, with a faint scent of books. I gently touch the first page with my fingers — the wear of time has made the pages fragile. Though the celestial scriptures are clear page by page, book by book, neatly arranged, they are not meant for us mortals to decipher. Their mysteries await their true owner. All we can grasp is their sense of age.

Attraction Introduction

Tongtian Gorge is exquisite, majestic, and beautiful. Its spirituality lies in its waters — highland lakes, deep pools, waterfalls, and murmuring streams have earned it the title “Little Jiuzhaigou of the North.” Its beauty is found in its forests — lush greenery and vibrant mountain hues create ever-changing scenery. Its grandeur is in its mountains — a fusion of majesty, wonder, danger, and steepness, truly giving the feeling that “the Three Mountains and Five Great Peaks converge in the Taihang Range; after visiting Tongtian Gorge, you won’t need to see any other mountains.” Here, the rugged masculinity of northern Chinese mountains blends seamlessly with the gentle femininity of southern water towns — offering both the elegance of the Jiangnan region and the imposing spirit of the north. Its charm is rooted in culture, with historical relics such as Hongti Pass, Yu Xia Pass, and the Pagoda of Master 0, along with myths, legends, and historical tales. The area also boasts rich geological wonders, resembling a grand geological museum where you can witness the primordial geological features from hundreds of millions of years ago. Visiting Tongtian Gorge is not just a journey through landscapes, but also an exploration of history and culture.

Tongtian Gorge enjoys a pleasant climate, making it an excellent summer retreat and health destination. It has a warm temperate, semi-humid continental climate — no severe cold in winter, no intense heat in summer, with rain and heat occurring in the same season. The annual average temperature is 9.5°C, similar to Chengde’s Imperial Summer Resort in Hebei. The air is fresh, and the scenery is delightful all year round. In summer, the valley is tranquil, with springs gushing like waterfalls — a perfect place to escape the heat. In autumn, the mountains are ablaze with colorful, vivid hues that are intoxicating. In winter, snow blankets the land and icefalls hang dramatically, offering a unique spectacle. The area grows precious medicinal herbs such as Codonopsis, Scutellaria, Bupleurum, and Forsythia, creating an ideal environment for wellness and health.

Tongtian Gorge offers endless fun, with more highlights than other scenic areas. It features what’s known as the “World’s No. 1 Screen” — a natural cliff face, the “No. 1 Cableway in Asia” — a large-angle inclined cable car, the “No. 1 Peak of the Taihang Mountains” — Immortal Peak, and a viewing platform hailed as a “World Wonder.”

What makes Tongtian Gorge unique is the variety of ways to explore the canyon — from hiking at the bottom of the valley, boating through the water for a canyon view, taking a cable car for an aerial perspective, walking along plank roads and through caves for close-up views, to standing atop Immortal Peak for a sweeping panorama. Each offers a different experience and a host of surprises.

Transportation Information

Located at the exit of Tongtian Gorge (Hongni Gorge) on the Chang’an Expressway, which intersects with the Da-Guang Expressway (G45), Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway (G4), and the Er-Guang Expressway (Tai-Chang Expressway).

Exit at Tongtian Gorge (Hongni Gorge) on the Chang’an Expressway to arrive.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Spring: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Summer: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Autumn: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area, Tihou Village, Hongtipass Township, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province

Ticket Information

100 RMB per person

Address: Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area, Hongtipass, Pingshun County, Changzhi City

Type: Canyon, Mountain, Waterfall

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–5 hours

Phone: 0355-8882999

Official Website: http://www.ttxly.com/index.php

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:00