Taihang Grand Canyon 太行山大峡谷Tàihángshān Dàxiágǔ

Why go to Taihang Grand Canyon

In the far east of Huguan County, near the border with Henan, the Taihang Grand Canyon is a national geopark of deep gorges cut into the Taihang Mountains, visited through separate scenic areas. Baquan Gorge combines a boat ride on a reservoir between cliffs with cliff-side walkways, a cable car and a cliff lift, while Hongdou Gorge, named after its Chinese yews, and Qinglong Gorge are walking routes past pools and waterfalls.

The story

The gorges formed as rivers cut down through red sandstone and limestone while the Taihang Mountains rose, leaving more than 3,400 ravines within the geopark. Baquan Gorge takes its name, 'Eight Springs', from eight streams that emerge from one spot in the canyon.

What to see at Taihang Grand Canyon

• Baquan Gorge 八泉峡: The middle gorge, about 11 km long, is the best developed: it has a reservoir between cliffs, and a 208-metre cliff lift.
• Hongdou Gorge 红豆峡: The gorge takes its name from the rare yew trees that grow here, and is a walking route beside the stream.
• Qinglong Gorge 青龙峡: Covering about 108 square kilometres, with a narrow 'line of sky' cleft, a waterfall and a climbing base.

How to visit Taihang Grand Canyon

The gorges are separate scenic areas, each with its own entrance. Baquan lies mid-canyon on the north side of the Yinlin road and fills a day by itself, with its reservoir, walkways, cable car and lift; Hongdou and Qinglong are the walking options for another day. The local tourism bureau's suggested route runs Hongdou, Baquan, Qinglong.

How to get to Taihang Grand Canyon

Take high-speed rail to Changzhi East (about 1–1.5 hours from Taiyuan South), then hire a car or take a taxi for the drive of about 1.5 hours to the visitor centre at Daxiagu town; buses via Huguan county town are slow.

Where to stay

Base yourself in Changzhi city, the rail hub, or in Huguan county town closer to the gorges; the scenic areas themselves are mostly day-visit sites.

What to eat

• Huguan lamb soup 壶关羊汤: The soup picked by Shanxi's culinary association to represent Huguan on the Taihang tourist highway, a hot lamb broth that suits cold mountain mornings.
• Persimmons 柿子: Persimmons are listed among the specialities of the Huguan canyon route and are at their best in autumn.

Tips for visiting Taihang Grand Canyon

• Tickets use real-name, timed reservations that open up to seven days ahead; book through the scenic area's official channels, especially for holidays.
• Baquan Gorge alone fills most of a day; Hongdou and Qinglong gorges are each 30–40 minutes' drive away, so allow a second day for them.
• Linzhou, on the Henan side of the range, has its own Taihang Grand Canyon; set your navigation to the Huguan (Shanxi) scenic areas.

Nearby

• Wanxian Mountain (Guoliang) 万仙山 20 km
  A village that hand-cut a road through the cliff face
• Yinxu 殷墟 70 km
  The last Shang capital, where China's earliest writing and Fu Hao's tomb came to light
• Huangcheng Xiangfu 皇城相府 100 km
  A walled hillside estate of courtyards, towers and gardens built by a family of officials

Also within 30 km: Jindeng Temple 金灯寺石窟 (10 km), Honggu Temple Pagoda and Qianfodong Grottoes 洪谷寺塔与千佛洞石窟 (10 km), Zhenze Erxian Palace 真泽二仙宫 (20 km), Chinese Ancient Chestnut Park 中华古板栗园 (20 km), Tianji Mountain 天脊山 (20 km), Nanzhao Confucian Temple 南召文庙 (30 km).

On the map

Open Taihang Grand Canyon on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia