The Baquan Scenic Area has hosted the Hiking China event organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association for four consecutive years since 2015, and this year it serves as the starting stop for Hiking China 2018. This timing coincides with the peak blooming seasons of tulips at the foot of the mountain and winter jasmine on the mountain within the Baquan area. Additionally, the over 100-kilometer hiking route traverses towering red cliffs carved like blades, offering an exceptionally spectacular landscape. Atop the red cliffs, along the paths lined with Forsythia flowers, over a thousand outdoor hiking enthusiasts from more than twenty provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country embarked on their cliffside hiking adventure full of vigor.
Meanwhile, leaders including Li Haojie, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Mountaineering Association; Li Ruixia, Vice Mayor of Xinxiang Municipal People’s Government; Qu Zhe, Deputy Director of the Mass Sports Department of the Henan Provincial Sports Bureau; Li Gang, Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Social Sports Management Center; Ma Yongjun, Deputy Director of the Xinxiang Foreign Affairs, Overseas Chinese Affairs and Tourism Bureau; Wang Jianhua, Deputy Director of the Xinxiang Sports Bureau; Jin Kaiwei, Member of the Standing Committee and Minister of Propaganda Department of Huixian Municipal Committee; Zhang Xiaoyin, Director of the Huixian Sports Commission; Wang Baoshun, General Manager of Neo (Beijing) Public Relations Planning Co., Ltd.; Zhang Hongmei, Chairwoman of Chunjiang Group; Zhang Haiming, Executive Vice President of Chunjiang Group and Head of Henan Baquan Tourist Resort, were all present to cheer on and encourage the hikers.
The Spirit of Taihang Endures Through the Ages; The Hiking Journey Begins at Baquan
From the fiery resistance against Japanese invaders during the War of Resistance, led by generals Chen Geng and Pi Dingjun, igniting the flames of battle across Taihang, to the glorious achievements of the people of Huixian during the construction of New China with their anthem “The People of Huixian Do It Well,” and on to the new era of reform and opening-up, embodied by the exemplary figures of Xinxiang such as Pei Chunliang, Secretary of the Party Branch of Peizhai Community in Huixian—these generations of heroic sons and daughters of Taihang have showcased a spirit that transcends time and remains ever fresh. This spirit is characterized by a brave and tenacious revolutionary conviction, a regional culture of fighting nature and pioneering through hard work, and a simple yet profound sentiment of vowing not to rest until fellow villagers prosper. In the context of the new era, the historical monument erected by the spirit of Taihang still serves as a beacon for this land. Together with the Taihang Mountains, it shines brightly through the ages and illuminates history.
The 52-kilometer Extreme Group of this "Cliffside Taihang" event selects the most distinctive and captivating section of the crisscrossing cliffside hiking routes at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains — within the Baquan Scenic Area. The Hiking Conference itself serves as a modern interpretation of the Taihang spirit: undaunted by hardships and striving courageously. Hikers set off from the entrance of the visitor center at the foot of Bopi Mountain in the Baquan Scenic Area, passing through beautiful Taihang villages such as Zhouzhuang, Mawuzhuang, and Wujianguang, and then onto Mazhishan. They trek over ten kilometers along the winding paths amid Mazhishan’s undulating peaks and sheer red cliffs, before continuing through unique cliffside villages including Nanzhai Village, Daxigou Village, Tantou Village, Pingdian Village, and Boyuzhang Village. Finally, they reach the endpoint at Baquan Village via the ancient Shanxi-Henan trade route — the Bai Xing Ancient Path — and its pass, Zixia Pass, as well as Yuan Shikai’s Former Residence. The other 35-kilometer Professional Group and 25-kilometer Experience Group set their respective finish lines at different points along this route based on distance.
Taihang Landforms Reflect Human Nature; Nature’s Green Path Perfect for Hiking
Moreover, it is Baquan’s unique landform features that make it especially favored by hikers from across the nation. A notable characteristic of the Taihang Mountain Zhangshiyan landform is the terraced steep cliffs that run throughout the region. Each terrace is commonly referred to locally as a “stack.” The bottom stack is composed of ancient metamorphic rocks formed 2.5 billion years ago; the second stack is made up of red Zhangshiyan rocks formed 1.8 billion years ago; and the top stack consists of white limestone formed 500 million years ago. At the junction between the red cliffs of the second stack and the peak forests of the top stack lies a green ecological path shaded by trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses. Through eons of geological shifts, wartime upheavals, merchant activity, and the impact of hooves and wheels, it has evolved into the winding ecological trail that now runs along the summits of red cliffs and beside forests. The unhardened dirt and gravel surface is a favorite among hikers, mountaineers, and trail runners. With every step, the path offers a full-foot massage, preventing blisters even on long treks — a true “foot massager.” Coupled with the rustic, pristine farmland scenery and the majestic, rugged natural landscapes, Baquan attracts outdoor sports enthusiasts from all over the country every spring. Comrade Zhang Zhijian, Secretary-General of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, remarked during his first survey of this route in 2015 that resources as pristine and ecological as the "Cliffside Taihang" hiking trail at Baquan are very rare nationwide.
Forsythia Weaves the Starting Line; Athletes Embrace a New Journey
The "Cliffside Taihang" hiking route is not only defined by its red cliffs and iron walls; today’s colorful and vibrant Baquan Scenic Area is the right way to experience the grandeur of Taihang. Beyond the rich tulips throughout the valley, it is the season for Forsythia blossoms among the peak forests. Vast stretches of tender yellow Forsythia are interspersed with trees of bright pink peach blossoms, along with many unnamed wildflowers also blooming in full splendor — hiking atop the cliffs feels like strolling through a sea of flowers.
Forsythia is extremely common in the Taihang Mountain region of northern Henan and is known locally as the “Taihang Welcoming Spring Flower.” On mountaintops, earthen slopes, ravines, cliffs — anywhere expected or unexpected — sudden bursts of dazzling golden-yellow clusters emerge in the cold early spring, heralding the arrival of spring. The Taihang Welcoming Spring Flower is not picky about soil and fears no harsh cold, demonstrating extraordinary vitality. This mirrors the enterprising spirit of the people of Baquan, who stride forward with determination amidst the triumphant new era, riding the wave of all-for-one tourism development. It also reflects the spirit of hikers who fear no difficulty, advance despite challenges, and challenge themselves — maintaining a passionate, driven, and enterprising mindset through extreme sports.
The starting line of this "Cliffside Taihang" Hiking Conference is woven from hundreds of golden Forsythia blooms. After witnessing the hikers’ proud strides into a new era and journey, it will be planted in more areas of the Baquan Scenic Area frequented by visitors, where it will bloom vibrantly in the spring breeze of 2019.