Cangtou River Ecological Corridor

Cangtou River Ecological Corridor

The Cangtou River Ecological Corridor is a national-level wetland park.

“No peak on the mountain, water flows backward” are known as the two wonders of Youyu County. The backward-flowing water refers to the mighty flow of the Cangtou River, which, unlike other rivers that flow eastward or southward, moves northward. It travels 40 li through Inner Mongolia into the Honghe River before turning south into the Yellow River. The unique flow direction of the Cangtou River has brought it widespread fame. Traveling north along the Hushan Line, you’ll find a narrow stretch of land where “forests and grasslands stretch far and streams murmur gently”—this is the Cangtou River Ecological Corridor. As a plateau wetland, the scenic area features natural water systems, riverside grasslands, arboreal and shrubbery forest belts, and gently sloping farmland, creating a distinctive pastoral landscape on the Loess Plateau of northern China. Within the scenic area, you might spot chickens, rabbits, partridges, roe deer, Mongolian gazelles, foxes, and badgers from time to time. It's an ideal destination for camping, traditional agricultural eco-tourism, ecological wetland sightseeing, and a great place for leisure and summer retreat. The Cangtou River Scenic Area is the core eco-tourism site of Youyu County. The natural water systems, riverside grasslands, shrub and tree forest belts, and gently sloping farmland form the pristine foundation of the natural ecology, making it a rare pastoral landscape on the Loess Plateau of northern China.

Scenic Area Address

1.5 km northwest of Gaqiangkuang Village, Youyu County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province