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Important notice! Starting May 15, 2025, the entire South Taihang Mountains will be reopened! Tourists can enjoy the South Taihang Mountains again!
Another new regulation: an additional sanitation fee of 15 yuan will be charged per person on the road from Mawuzhai to Baodui.
The South Taihang Mountains were once closed due to wildfires, but after two months of silence, they were finally reopened. It stretches across China from north to south, and is known as the "backbone of China" and also has the title of "the ninth wonder of the world."
There are towering cliffs here, which are thousands of feet high and majestic. However, there are also rich vegetation and beautiful scenery everywhere.
What kind of mountain range is this, with both the grandeur of "the world's most magnificent and bizarre" and the elegance of "rushing waterfalls and lush greenery"?
Let’s talk about this today: Why is South Taihang so outstanding?
There are 7 existing cliff-hanging roads in the Taihang Mountains, 6 of which are located in the southern Taihang Mountains and 1 in Pingshun County, Shanxi Province, on the edge of the northern Taihang Mountains. 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
These roads connect the magnificent mountains and rivers and cultural wonders of Shanxi and Henan provinces, and can be called living fossils in the history of human engineering!
Image source: @Bojin
Among them, the "Guoliang Cliff Highway" is the best in the southern Taihang Mountains and is praised as "the ninth wonder of the world", "one of the ten most dangerous highways in the world", and "one of the eighteen most peculiar highways in the world"!
Thirteen villagers spent five years carving a 1,300-meter tunnel, 5 meters high and 4 meters wide. It's a true-life example of "Yugong moving mountains!" The skylight observation deck offers a 110-meter vertical drop, offering a breathtaking view of the canyon's sheer sheerness. Those who haven't been to the Taihang Mountains can hardly grasp the awe-inspiring sheerness of these towering cliffs.
One of the largest seasonal waterfalls in the southern Taihang Mountains, it lies at the junction of Baodu Village in Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province, and Baligou in Huixian County, Henan Province. With a drop of over 200 meters, it resembles a "liquid galaxy" plunging into the canyon, its sound resonating throughout the valley. When surrounded by mist, it appears even more magical.
It is considered the No. 1 waterfall in North China! Located in the Baligou Scenic Area in Huixian County, Henan Province, it is a core scenic spot in the southern Taihang Mountains. It has a drop of 170 meters and the water flows continuously all year round.
During the flood season, the Tianhegou Waterfall cascades down like a jade belt, roaring and rushing, echoing through the mountains and valleys. The Water Curtain Cave below is remarkably cool, and the cascading water cascades down like a curtain of jade beads suspended from windows formed by stalactites.
Have you ever seen an ancient village perched on a cliff? Baodu Village is one such example, and it's the only village in Shanxi that's not accessible by road. Just eight households and 32 people guard this century-old secret, a "paradise" accessible only on foot.
At the summit of the Guoliang Cliff Highway lies a village called Guoliang, home to 200-year-old stone houses. Guoliang Village boasts a rich history and is renowned for its filming locations, including "Hands Up" and "War Corner."
At night, you can also go to the cliff corridor to enjoy the night view of Guoliang Cave. Through the intermittent holes, the light and shadow are slanted, sometimes bright and sometimes dark, which is quite unique.
Image source of the lights in Guoliang Cave @柏瑾
The majestic Taihang Mountains, with their steep peaks, span four provinces, namely Beijing, Shanxi, Hebei and Henan, and extend from the land of Youyan to the banks of the Yellow River. It is about 400 kilometers long, or 800 miles, so it is known as the "Eight Hundred Li Taihang".
There's a saying: "Of the 800-li Taihang Mountains, the most beautiful section is reserved for the southern part." Southern Taihang Mountains not only boasts a rich variety of topography and landforms, offering scenic views in all seasons, but also offers diverse hiking routes, often crossing Henan and Shanxi provinces:
You might savor morning tea in Baodui Village (Jincheng, Shanxi) in the morning, marvel at the bizarre rocks and ravines of Baligou (Xinxiang, Henan) in the afternoon. You might also visit the natural bridge, known as the "Holy Gate to Heaven," at Wangmangling (Jincheng, Shanxi) in the morning, and admire the flickering nightscape of Guoliang Cave in Guoliang Village (Huixian, Henan) in the evening.
May to August in the southern Taihang Mountains is the golden season for enjoying both grandeur and coolness!
The average temperature is 18-28℃, 5-8℃ lower than in the city. The mountains at an altitude of one thousand meters have become "natural air-conditioned rooms"!
Cross Ridge Image Source @Bo Jin
The probability of sea of clouds is higher in the rainy season, and the water volume is abundant. The Tianhe Waterfall in Baligou hangs down like a white silk thread from the sky, and the 200-meter waterfall in Laolongkou roars like thunder. You may even be able to capture a rainbow with just a casual shot.
With 90% of its forests covered, the southern Taihang Mountains have quietly transformed into a green landscape.
Avoid the crowds and enjoy the tranquility of Wangmangling's ten thousand mu pine forest and the night view of the cliff-hanging highway. Come to the Southern Taihang Mountains for a "mountain and water feast" and make the most of this wildest summer in North China!
This is an advanced path suitable for most outdoor people.
①【Journey to Southern Taihang·Classic Edition】Difficulty level 4, approximately 50km of hiking.
The strange, dangerous, secluded and unique Longpan Ladder, the smooth cliffs of the "Little Via Ferrata" in Baodui Grand Canyon, and the grandeur of climbing to the top of the highest peak, Shiziling, are the only way for novice hikers to become outdoor masters!
What are the differences between the various packages of the [Zhengtu Southern Taihang Classic Edition]? A comparison is below:
②【Tourists Wind·The 3rd South Taihang Hiking Conference】
The cool start of the hike is July 10th! The difficulty is only 3.5 stars, and the hike is about 40km.
✅Super cost-effective, the group fee is cheaper than the regular batch
✅Ultra-low travel cost, avoid the crowds, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Taihang Mountain in private
▪️Add exclusive celebration banquet and free mountain goat grazing banquet
▪️Add photography and videography leader to record activities
▪️Add a sense of ceremony, fancy group photos, and a sense of ceremony
▪️Add summer vacation parent-child itinerary package, which is less difficult
The 3rd South Taihang Hiking Conference, featuring the "Summer Vacation Family Package" (Light Outdoor Experience), has been added to the new offerings this year. The differences between the two packages are as follows:
The product manager said, "We have been deeply involved in the Taihang Mountains for more than a decade. Every year, we take time out to personally lead the tour. Over the years, we have visited the Taihang Mountains countless times, witnessing their spring blossoms, autumn leaves, summer waterfalls, and winter snows. We continuously improve, update, and meticulously polish our products! We strive to showcase the beauty of the Taihang Mountains to every tourist!"
All team leaders are experienced outdoor leaders who have been walking in Taihang Mountains for many years. They are familiar with local conditions, topography and landforms and are very reliable.
We will adjust our itinerary in a timely manner based on seasonal weather, road conditions, and other factors to avoid risks. We will also enrich our emergency response plans, preserve the beautiful scenery, and pay more attention to the safety of our team members.
The whole process is operated independently, and a group of 4 people can be formed to eliminate the problem of individual group travel. We carefully select hotels/farmhouses and the team leader ratio is 1:15 to ensure your outdoor safety and save you worry and effort.
Stay at Guoliang Village, the Pearl of Taihang Mountains, or Baodu Village, a paradise on earth. Enjoy open-air KTV, fireside chats, summer stargazing/Milky Way viewing, and photo opportunities. Enjoy Taihang Mountains!
Stay at the paradise village of Baodu and enjoy a free-range or high-altitude goat feast, including grilled, stewed, and braised goats in three ways.
Add the sunrise viewing experience at Guoliang Village in Wanxian Mountain, and feel the shock of a red sun bursting out from the sea of clouds among the strange peaks!
Arrange luggage check-in so you can travel light! Experience the unique natural scenery and local customs with ease!
Note: There is no road access to Baodu Village, so your luggage will not be seen that night. You need to carry a small backpack of 15-20 liters with you. Your luggage will be transported directly to Zhanggou Village where you will stay the next night.
When you register, you will receive a customized tourist-style badge and headscarf; trekking poles are provided (free of charge and must be returned after use); and a South Taihang exclusive commemorative medal and certificate of honor will be provided upon completion of the hike.
Regular batches:
The 3rd South Taihang Hiking Conference:
Super cost-effective, the group fee is cheaper than the regular batch, ultra-low travel cost, avoid the crowds, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Taihang Mountain in private
Added exclusive celebration banquet and free mountain goat grazing banquet
Add photography and videography team leaders to record activities
Increase the sense of ceremony, take fancy photos, and go on a ceremonial expedition
Add summer vacation parent-child packages, which are easier to use
I often receive inquiries from tourists, such as "Is the South Taihang Mountains difficult? What kind of physical fitness is suitable for it?", "What equipment do I need to hike in the South Taihang Mountains?", "Are there any supplies along the way?", "What are the accommodations like?", "Can I bring a trolley case?", "Can I store my unused luggage during the hike?", etc. Here are the answers:
