This is a village that still willingly remains tucked away in the depths of a valley, and has declared “no roads built here.” In fact, it’s not too far from us,located at the border between Shanxi and Henan, called “Baodu Village.”
△Photo: Hiker @Manman Shanjian
Baodu Village
Baodu Village belongs to Guxiao Township, Lingchuan County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. It is situated in a perilous canyon deep in the Taihang Mountains...
With fewer than ten households in the entire village, in consideration of ecological protection, Baodu Village still has no road access. All goods transportation in the village relies on a crane built on the edge of a cliff for loading and unloading.
△Photo: Hiker @Manman Shanjian
Difficult access isn’t the only characteristic here—the most captivating thing about Baodu Village is its dramatic and rugged scenery.
This is the mountain path used for entering and exiting:
△Photo: Hiker @Manman Shanjian
△Photo: Hiker @Mengyou Shanshui
The earthen path along the cliff face is already considered one of the easier routes. The hardest part is walking up stone steps without guardrails, with sheer cliffs and abysses right beside you.
△Photo: Hiker @Lao K de Licheng
The stunning views deep in the canyon are even more irresistible.
Layered red rock formations:
△Photo: Hiker @xiyangyang588
△Photo: Hiker @Mengyou Shanshui
Breathtaking cliffside waterfalls, which are rare and only appear during times of ample rainfall:
The challenging One-Line Sky canyon:
The serene and crystal-clear Seven Star Pools:
△Photo: Hiker @xiyangyang588
Diverse rock cliffs and formations:
△Photo: Hiker @Mengyou Shanshui
△Photo: Hiker @Mengyou Shanshui
The canyon where Baodu Village is located lies at the border between Shanxi and Henan. One side leads to Mawuzhai in Lingchuan County, Shanxi, and the other connects to Baliugou in Huixian County, Henan. Therefore, hikers usually start from Shuangdi Village and take the “Mawuzhai--Baodu Village--Baliugou” route.
The following route map is shared by Lùzhijiǎo user @Fengqing Mantian for the “NanTaihang Shuangdi - Yew Valley Gorge - Mawuzhai - Baodugou - Baoducun - Baligou”Trail route — hikers interested in going can refer to it:
Friendly reminder: Download the Lùzújiǎo (Six Feet Foot) APP, search for “8073” to view the relevant trail route.
Tips:
1. In Baoducun, you can stay at local farm stays, so food and accommodation are not a concern. However, be sure to prepare food supplies for the journey, as trekking through the mountains consumes a lot of energy, and bring enough water.
2. The hiking trail can be quite desolate, and it's easy to get lost — never hike alone.
3. Be sure to wear professional outdoor shoes with good slip resistance and grip. Trekking poles are also essential gear.
4. Look where you walk, and don’t look at scenery while walking. If you want to take photos, find a safe spot, stand still, then take your photo. Absolutely do not walk and take photos halfway up the mountain or near cliff edges. Loose rocks and slips can cause dangerous falls.
The surrounding areas of Baoducun — such as the Guoliang Hanging Road, Wangmangling, and Xiyagou — have all been developed into relatively large-scale tourist attractions. But this small village still maintains its pristine appearance. In recent years, although the mountains and waters here have gradually gained some “fame,” and a few households in the village have started offering farm stay services, due to the treacherous roads, not many hikers come here. If hikers choose to organize a trip on their own, it is recommended to hire a local guide or a professional outdoor leader. After all, the more pristine the natural beauty, the more hidden dangers it may hold. While enjoying the outdoors, everyone must pay attention to safety.