A complete guide to the 7 cliff-hanging roads in Taihang Mountains: discover the roads carved out of the cliffs by hand

Preface

The towering Taihang Mountains, stretching 800 miles across, are a maze of mountains and ravines, with jagged cliffs. They block both traffic and information, but they cannot stop the unyielding faith and tenacity of the mountain dwellers.

The people of Taihang Mountain used their hands to "carve" out a series of connected mountain roads on the cliffs. From then on, the natural barriers became thoroughfares, and the heavenly roads passed through the mountains between the cliffs. From then on, the sun and the moon changed into a new sky. Later generations sighed for you!

The Past and Present of the Hanging Wall Highway

What is a cliff road?

Hanging wall roads are a unique type of highway, carved into sheer cliffs (escarpments and high mountains). Transportation experts say this type of construction is incredibly dangerous and difficult, rarely seen in China's road construction history. To facilitate construction and to allow for natural lighting after opening, hanging wall roads are often carved close to the wall, with side windows spaced about ten meters apart. From a distance, this line of windows outlines the tunnel's path.

▲Photography - China-TravelNote tour leader Kehang

What are the cliff roads?

There are seven cliff-hanging roads mainly located in the southern Taihang Mountains and southeastern Shanxi. They are:

Lingchuan, Shanxi: Xiyagou Cliff Road, Kunshan Cliff Road, Chenjiayuan Cliff Road

Pingshun, Shanxi: Hongtiguan Cliff-hanging Road, Jingdi Cliff-hanging Road

Huixian County, Henan Province: Guoliang Cliff Road, Huilong Village Cliff Road

Construction of the cliff-hanging highway

The formation of the cliff road has natural geographical reasons as well as historical reasons.

At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, a peasant uprising took refuge on the cliffs of the southern Taihang Mountains. After the rebellion subsided, the remaining inhabitants quarried stones and built houses, establishing a village they named "Guo Liang" after the uprising's leader. For over 2,000 years, the inhabitants of the clifftop lived in isolation, their only means of communication being stone steps carved into the vertical rock face. As the population grew, the scarcity of arable land and the constricted mountain roads became increasingly apparent, and the villagers' lives became increasingly difficult.

In 1972, shortly after the Spring Festival, thirteen strong men from Guoliang Village faced the wall, raised their fists, and vowed to carve a path through the cliffs and out of the mountains. This was the era of Mao Zedong, when the Chinese nation was bursting with confidence. Inspired by the spirit of "man conquers nature," no one considered this a fantasy. Thus, one after another, cliff-hanging roads were created in the Taihang Mountains, with the Red Flag Canal being the most important.

The Taihang Mountains separated the Zhuozhang River, so there was the Red Flag Canal; the Taihang Mountains blocked the road, so there was the Cliff Road; the two are connected and consistent in spirit!

▲Split the Taihang Mountains, the Zhang River flows through the mountains

Distribution of Taihang Cliff Roads

Introduction to the Seven Cliff-Strewn Highways

Kunshan hanging wall

——Connecting Shanxi and Henan, the most spectacular cliff-hanging road in the southern Taihang Mountains

Kunshan Cliff Road is one of the main attractions of Wangmangling Scenic Area in Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province. It is an important part of Wangmangling and an important road connecting Wangmangling Scenic Area and Wanxianshan Scenic Area. Its magnificent scenery, convenient length and suitable passability have made it one of the first choices for many self-driving enthusiasts and outdoor hiking enthusiasts.

To the north of Wangmang Ridge lies Kunshan Village, surrounded on three sides by mountains. In 1992, Shanxi Province implemented its "Village-to-Village" project, deciding to open a southbound tunnel north of Wangmang Ridge for Kunshan residents. Seven construction teams worked simultaneously, securing cables to the mountaintop and lowering workers down to the mountainside to drill a tunnel. Working in sections, they quickly completed the 3-kilometer-long Kunshan Tunnel. Of the seven cliff-hanging roads in the Taihang Mountains, the Kunshan Cliff-hanging Road is the youngest, yet also the most dangerous and narrow. At the other end of the road lies the renowned Guoliang Village.

This road, opened to serve local villagers, is narrow, best suited for agricultural vehicles. Even so, passing is almost impossible inside the tunnel, with slightly wider areas just outside. When oncoming vehicles are approaching, the driver with the easier route backing up will consciously back off, seeking a suitable position to avoid them. The precarious location creates a breathtaking natural beauty, resembling a majestic Chinese landscape scroll from afar. Looking out the tunnel windows is like admiring a series of landscape paintings in a gallery, breathtakingly beautiful.

Huilong Hanging Wall

——The most meticulously crafted cliff-hanging road that moved China

As the name suggests, the Huilong Cliff Road, built by Huilong Village, is the only road leading to the outside world. Previously, the only access route, the "Laoye Tianti" (Laoye Tianti) was dangerous and resulted in 18 villagers falling to their deaths. Learning from this painful experience, in 1997, the village Party branch led the villagers to carve an 8-kilometer-long cliff road through the cliffs, connecting it to the Xiyagou Highway and creating a smoother route between Shanxi and Henan.

Huilong Tunnel features a cement pavement and concrete roof, and neatly arranged stone slabs adorn the side windows, making it a most meticulously crafted cliff-hanging highway. Even more astonishing is the tunnel's "S" shape within the mountainside, stretching over a thousand meters, reaching the summit of the mountain's other side. Zhang Rongsuo, one of CCTV's "Ten Touching Figures of China" in 2002 and a National People's Congress representative, has been hailed as a "modern Yugong." He led Party members, militia, and villagers in the construction of the winding mountain road and the cliff-hanging tunnel, creating a miracle in road construction history.

The winding mountain road soars like a giant dragon, winding for eight kilometers to the Motian Cliff. S-shaped tunnels, sometimes hidden, twist and turn, soaring straight up to Qingfeng Pass. These tunnels are not only the necessary routes to the summit, but also an inspiring red landscape. At the tunnel exits, large photos hang, showing the pioneers being received by central leaders and the villagers digging the tunnels. The most impressive village chief is Zhang Rongsuo!

Xiyagou Hanging Wall

——Three layers of winding, hanging road carved out with fingers

Xiyagou, a small village at the easternmost border of Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province, and Henan Province, is said to have been named after immortals who once smelted tin and made elixirs here. The area is a place steeped in legend, with crisscrossing paths, towering terraces, gurgling streams, and ancient bridges. However, the mountains, with their barrier of access, not only did it fail to attract brides, but even the village girls were forced to marry far away. Beginning in 1962, the village of over 800 people painstakingly worked for 30 years, carving a 7.5-kilometer-long road through the sheer cliffs of Wangmangling Mountain to the north. The cliff-hanging road zigzags through the mountain in three layers, forming a zigzag pattern as it climbs to the summit. It represents a miracle in China's rural road construction history and is considered a world wonder.

Over 830 villagers, 30 years, 7.5 kilometers of zigzagging, three-layered road, carved with their fingers. When I connect these words with the blood and sweat, I am overwhelmed and moved again and again. The Xiyagou Cliff Road is renowned for its largest construction effort, longest construction time, and most spectacular spectacle. Its zigzag shape, suspended in three layers on the vertical cliff face, gives it a more venerable feel than the Guoliang and Kunshan Cliff Roads.

The path inside the cave is narrow, barely wide enough for a car to scrape by. Drill marks still remain on the jagged rocks. Light filtering in through the side windows looks, from afar, like a row of gleaming piano keys playing a majestic melody. "A thousand-foot-high wall overhead, a bottomless abyss beneath" is the most accurate description of this place.

▲Photography by Momorui

This photo clearly shows the Xiyagou Cliff Road, divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower. This nearly 8-kilometer-long road was carved entirely by the Xiyagou people themselves, using hammers and chisels. Because the road is very narrow and unsuitable for public access, it is currently only accessible by scenic area bus, with no parking for photos.

Guo Liang Wall Hanging

——Cliff Corridor, the most famous cliff road

Without the cliff-hanging road, you'd be airdropped into the precipitous cliffs, nestled amidst the ravines. Guoliang Village, Shayao Township, Huixian County, Henan Province, sits high atop the Taihang Mountains. The villagers' ancestors sought refuge in this desolate landscape. Previously, the village's access was a series of stone steps carved into the nearly 90-degree cliff face, known as the "Heavenly Ladder." The path was steep and narrow, barely wide enough for one person, and lacking any protective measures, making entry and exit extremely dangerous. The village was essentially isolated. People often carried mountain goods from the "Heavenly Ladder" out of the mountains in exchange for essential, scarce daily necessities.

In 1972, villagers spontaneously sold their goats and yams and raised funds to buy steel hammers and steel files. Under harsh conditions without electricity and machinery, a drilling team consisting of 13 strong laborers in the village braved the wind and snow, tied hemp ropes around their waists, hung on the cliffs, and used steel drills and hammers to drill rows of blastholes on the red rock cliffs, creating a road leading out of the mountain.

Without any mechanical equipment, the people of Guoliang worked entirely by hand for five years, hammering away 26,000 cubic meters of rock from the cliffs, wearing out 12 tons of steel chisels and breaking 4,000 eight-pound hammers. On May 1, 1977, the Guoliang Cave, nicknamed the "Cliff Corridor," was officially opened to traffic. It showcases the Taihang people's endurance and the remarkable feats they have created.

The Guoliang Cliff Road is the most famous of the Southern Taihang Cliffs. Those who haven't been to the Taihang Mountains find it difficult to comprehend the awe-inspiring sheerness of the cliffs. Guoliang Village, nestled atop this cliff, has been hailed as "the ninth wonder of the world," "one of the world's ten most dangerous roads," and "one of the world's eighteen most extraordinary roads."

▲Photography by China-TravelNote leader Beiwei

Chenjiayuan Wall Hanging

——The Waterfall Corridor, a cliff-hanging road carved on the edge of the reservoir

Because this cliff-hanging road runs near the Chenjiayuan Reservoir, it's called the Chenjiayuan Cliff-hanging Road. When Shanxi first opened this road, former Shanxi Provincial Party Secretary Hu Fuguo inscribed a memorial on a monument. It's the widest cliff-hanging road used for coal transportation, and now it's a busy, often congested road. However, because the road is mostly black, thanks to the coal trucks, it offers a unique and fascinating sight.

The most eye-catching feature is the cascading waterfall at the exit of the highway, earning it the unique name "Waterfall Corridor." The Chenjiayuan Hanging Wall differs greatly from other hanging walls in that it is carved into the cliffs beside the reservoir. The sheer cliffs and the clear water complement each other beautifully, creating a graceful and magnificent scene.

Hongtiguan Wall Hanging

——Seek out the ancient paths and dangerous passes, and explore the primitive and wild cliff-hanging roads

Hongti Pass, located in Hongtiguan Township, Pingshun County, Shanxi Province, on the ancient Shanxi-Henan trade route eastward from Henan, is one of Shanxi's "Eight Ancient Passes." If held firmly, the pass would offer a formidable defense, like "one man guarding the pass, ten thousand unable to break through." The route through Hongti Pass offers breathtaking scenery, dotted with waterfalls, clear springs, and tranquil villages. The Hongtiguan Cliff Road runs between Tihou Village in Hongtiguan Township and Hongtiguan Pass.

In 1968, 800 villagers from Fulanyan Township, Pingshun County (merged with Hongtiguan Township in 2000, collectively known as Hongtiguan Township) brought their own bedding, set up stoves and tents, and lived and ate at the construction site. They worked hard for two years, using the most primitive tools such as iron chisels and hammers to dig five culverts from the northern cliff of Tihou Village, split seven mountains, filled three large ditches, and opened up this cliff road.

The Hongtiguan Cliff Road is the most pristine of the seven cliffs and the first dirt, gravel, and rock road in the northernmost reaches of the Southern Taihang Mountains. It is renowned for its precipitousness, even to the point of appearing menacing. Due to the opening of the Changping Expressway, the cliff road has been neglected, revealing a certain wildness within its precariousness. The five culverts atop the Taihang cliffs have a significant drop, with the top and bottom culverts exceeding 200 meters apart, and the road slope exceeds 30 degrees.

Bottom wall hanging

——The Sky Road reaches the clouds, a cliff-hanging road with excellent road conditions

Jingdi Village, Pingshun County, Shanxi Province, is a small village nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains. Surrounded by mountains, it resembles the bottom of a well, hence its name. Previously, there was no road to the outside world, and villagers had to walk along mountain roads to reach the county seat. To escape this "bottom of the well," the villagers of Jingdi Village spent 15 years carving a 1,500-meter-long road through the cliffs.

The Pingshun Well Bottom Hanging Wall Road is completely suspended halfway up the mountain, hundreds of meters away from the top of the mountain and the bottom of the ditch, and is drilled in sections between the cliffs halfway up the mountain.

The "Hanging Wall Highway" has 39 tunnel openings. From a distance, the tunnels resemble windows. On one side of the highway lies the solid mountain, while on the other, the sheer cliffs, seemingly cut by a knife, create a sense of trepidation as you drive along. The view from the tunnel entrance is breathtakingly picturesque. Peaks towering into the clouds, while the sheer cliffs, seemingly carved by a knife, evoke a sense of wonder at nature's uncanny craftsmanship.

▲Photography by China-TravelNote tour leader Kehang

Enjoy the Taihang Cliff Road

Amidst the vast blue skies, towering cliffs, and crisscrossing ravines, humans seem so insignificant and insignificant. Traversing this winding cliff-hanging road, we are captivated by the unyielding faith, tenacity, and wisdom of the mountain dwellers. This road allows the world to appreciate the grandeur of the Taihang Mountains and the wonder of their inhabitants.

It also makes the wall hanging become the white moonlight in the minds of many self-driving people, and a place that many travelers yearn for!

Self-driving through

Recommended time: five days

The recommended order is: go through Guoliangdong, pass Kunshan Hanging Wall, arrive at Xiyagou, then Chenjiayuan Hanging Wall, to Huilong Hanging Wall, then Jingdi Hanging Wall, and finally end at Hongti Hanging Wall Road.

Self-driving tips:

1. The cliff road is a cave carved out of a mountain. The road is very narrow, with many bends and steep slopes. Pay attention to the distance between oncoming vehicles and the cave wall.

2. Drive along the lane, turn on the headlights, and honk the horn when turning.

3. Rockfalls are common on cliff roads, so be sure to pass as quickly as possible and do not stay too long.

4. It is difficult to find a gas station in the mountains. Please check the fuel gauge, tires, brakes, etc. to see if they are normal before departure.

5. Accommodation conditions on the mountain are average, but generally there is hot water and Wi-Fi. If it is winter, many inns will stop operating, so reservations need to be made in advance.

6. Some cliff roads are only wide enough for one car to pass through. There may be traffic restrictions or private cars may be prohibited from entering. Please understand and comply with the arrangements in advance. Vehicles that are too high or too large are prohibited from passing.

7. Spring and autumn are the best time to travel, and March to November is the peak tourist season.

Tips:

Special Note:

1. The road surface of the cliff road is narrow and the situation is complicated. It is not recommended for novices to drive there, and experienced drivers should also be cautious.

2. The Guoliang Hanging Wall, Kunshan Hanging Wall and Xiyagou Hanging Wall belong to the Wanxian Mountain and Wangmangling Scenic Areas respectively. They are temporarily not open to private cars. Please contact the scenic area and apply separately.

3. Currently, you can drive to the Well Bottom Hanging Wall, Hongtiguan Hanging Wall, and Chenjiayuan Hanging Wall by private car without charging an entrance fee. However, please confirm again before traveling just in case.

Group check-in

If you are visiting Taihang for the first time, we recommend visiting the more famous Guoliang Cave. Purchase a ticket at the Xinxiang Wanxianshan Scenic Area Ticket Office, take the scenic shuttle bus through Guoliang Cave, and arrive at Guoliang Village. There are many accommodation options on the mountain. Then, visit Guoliang Cave and the Cliff House on foot.

2. The Kunshan Hanging Wall is 7.5 kilometers long, has the most windows, magnificent scenery, and neatly built roads. It is one of the most suitable hanging wall roads for hiking. It is recommended to stay in Guoliang Village the night before, and then spend half a day the next morning crossing the Kunshan Hanging Wall to reach the Wangmangling Scenic Area for sightseeing.

3. The Xiyagou Cliffs are part of the Wangmangling Scenic Area. You can take the scenic shuttle bus to Xiyagou and see them from there. We recommend visiting the Red Rock Cliff Grand Canyon in Xiyagou.

4. The hanging walls at the bottom of the well are also very suitable for hiking. There are many scenic spots in Pingshun, Linzhou Taihang, Shanxi Province, where you can visit Jingdi Village, Taihang Pinghu, Taihang Grand Canyon and many other attractions.

5. The beauty of the Taihang Mountains is multifaceted and multi-layered. A five-day itinerary is recommended. In the Linzhou area, you can visit the Jingdi Hanging Wall, the Taihang Grand Canyon, Hongti Pass, and Tongtian Gorge. In the Xinxiang area, you can visit Guoliang Cave, Wangmang Ridge, Kunshan Hanging Wall, and Xiyagou Hanging Wall.

The beauty of the Taihang Mountains is three-dimensional and rich in layers. Not only are there cliff-hanging roads, but there are also various famous mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and canyons. You need to visit and experience this beauty in person!

▲The Taihang Mountains in autumn, with bright red persimmons

▲The Taihang Grand Canyon is filled with vibrant colors and the Sky Road winds along its banks.

▲Baligou Scenic Area, with its spectacular cliff waterfalls

▲Wangmangling Scenic Area, the highest point in Taihang Mountains, with an unparalleled view

Conclusion

I once read a story about children deep in the mountains who longed to see the sea and later blamed their father for not taking them. When their own children grew up, they, too, blamed their father for not taking them to see the sea. Thus, their ancestors lived in the mountains for centuries. We've heard of the Taihang Mountains and read about the Red Flag Canal, but only when you stand on the cliff-hanging highway can you truly appreciate that the scenery we're witnessing is a path carved out by others, through decades of blood, sweat, and life!