Leisure in Southern Taihang Mountains | Baodu Roasted Lamb, Werewolf Killing, Laolongkou Waterfall Viewing, Super Highlights

Day 1 Zhengzhou → Mawu Village → Baodu Line Sky → Qixiantan → Baodu Village

All day

Meeting point (boarding point):

7:30 am, at the entrance of Xi'an Hotel, Zhengzhou East High-speed Railway Station (no long-term parking, please arrive early)

8:00 Zijingshan Subway Station Exit C (departs on time, please arrive early)

8:30 Liuzhuang Subway Station Exit D2 (departs on time, please arrive early)

Please abide by the boarding time. If you are late, we will not wait for you. Please go to the next stop or the last stop on your own.

We gathered and got on the bus to go to Mawu Village, an ancient village deep in the canyon.

According to legend, Mawu Village got its name from the village built by Ma Wu in the late Western Han Dynasty. The village is rich in primitive atmosphere and is a rare natural ecological park.

We bid farewell to Mawu Village and set off for Baodu Village. Along the way, we passed through rolling hills, peaks competing for breathtaking beauty, and then we entered a canyon, where both sides were lined with peaks and towering ancient trees.

Around 12:30, we arrived at the famous Baodugou Line Sky after a short walk.

This is a narrow valley with three drops. In the flood season, the stream forms beautiful waterfalls here.

Below is a smooth stone wall formed by the erosion of waterfalls over billions of years. The entire terrain has a small mouth, a round belly and a deep bottom, just like two large water tanks arranged at different heights and created by nature.

We took photos here and marveled at the canyon scenery and magical landforms of Taihang Mountains.

Afterwards we headed to a farmhouse deep in the mountains, the only village in Shanxi Province without access to a road - Baodui Village, known as a paradise on earth.

We arrived at Baodu Village around 4:30 PM. If we arrived early, we could visit the nearby Laolongkou, a magical red rock canyon. The river, dripping through the rock, has carved deep grooves into the rock. The unique, smooth, germanium-red landscape is breathtaking, a marvel of nature's uncanny handiwork. During the flood season, we can also witness the majestic Longsui Waterfall, which plunges over 300 meters. We enjoyed ourselves, took photos, and returned to Baodu Village.

For dinner, we split the bill and had lamb. The local, wild-raised lamb is renowned far and wide, attracting foodies from far away provinces who travel across mountains and rivers just to feast on it. "Lamb is as good as ginseng in winter, and it's also good for health in spring, summer, and autumn," and having come so far, we couldn't miss this opportunity. If we arrived early, we'd catch lamb! (˙<>˙)/; if we arrived late, we'd call the farmers and have them prepare the lamb, ready for us to enjoy in braised, stewed, or grilled dishes. (ˉ ▽ ˉ)

According to everyone's mood during the trip, after dinner, the team leader will lead everyone to organize a karaoke party, and we will sing and dance happily~

At night, we admired the moon, the stars and the Milky Way. Baodui Village is an ancient village with less light pollution. We could lie in rows on the rooftop platform and watch together, which was very atmospheric.

The accommodation conditions at the farmhouse are simple, with multiple rooms and separate rooms for men and women.


Enjoy a relaxing trip to the South Taihang Mountains, exploring only the highlights! Perfect for beginners looking to experience the charm of the South Taihang Mountains!

Qianglu can also sign up for this route and choose more interesting attractions and meal experiences. The last time Qianglu measured it with his watch, he walked 32 kilometers in two days on this route!

Driving time: 2 hours

Hiking: 8 km in total, with the highest altitude of 1301m, D1 cumulative climb of 145m, cumulative descent of 588m

Day 2: Baodui Village → Laolongkou → Baligou Cliff Ladder → Tianhe Waterfall → Scenic Area Visitor Center → Zhengzhou City

All day

Around 08:00, after breakfast, we bid farewell to Baodu Village and pass through the magical Red Stone Canyon Laolongkou. The river water cuts deep grooves on the rocks, and the unique landform of the smooth red cross-section of germanium is beautiful and magnificent, which makes people marvel at the wonders of nature.

We bid farewell to Laolongkou around 8:50 AM and continue on a magnificent journey to the Baodui Village boundary marker, experiencing the grandeur of straddling two provinces. We can also visit popular check-in platforms to take stunning photos of the cliffs.

After taking pictures, we followed the mountain trail, descended the Longpan Ladder on the cliff to the bottom of the valley, and arrived at Baligou, where the essence of Taihang Mountains and waters gather.

Here, there are towering peaks, strange and secluded ravines, roaring waterfalls and gurgling springs. It is a rare scenic spot in Taihang Mountains.

At the bottom of the valley we will see the Tianhe Waterfall with a drop of 170 meters. This is the waterfall with the largest drop in North China and is known as the "No. 1 Waterfall in North China."

During the flood season, a jade belt descends from the sky, roaring and rushing, echoing in the mountains and valleys. We can also visit the Water Curtain Cave under the waterfall in person, where the rushing water flows down like a jade curtain hanging from a window made of stalactites.

After bidding farewell to Tianhe Waterfall, we continued our hike. Baligou is a place where beautiful mountains, unique rocks, clear water, lush forests and secluded pools blend together.

Many Taihang macaques are active here, preserving the pure, tranquil, and pristine natural landscape. The valley is dotted with bizarre rock formations, rich in exotic flowers and plants, and boasts year-round gurgling water. Along the way, you'll find towering peaks, secluded ravines, roaring waterfalls, and gurgling springs.

Around 12:00, we left the gate of Baligou Scenic Area, found a farmhouse for lunch, and then returned to Zhengzhou (meal expenses were split).

Arriving in Zhengzhou city around 16:00, the bus will stop at the boarding point and kiss goodbye with tears

If you are catching a high-speed train and your trip is approaching, the bus will prioritize the fastest speed (elevated throughout the journey) and reach Zhengzhou High-speed Railway Station first to provide convenience for out-of-town tourists!

It is recommended to buy high-speed rail tickets after 17:00


Enjoy a relaxing trip to the South Taihang Mountains, exploring only the highlights! Perfect for beginners looking to experience the charm of the South Taihang Mountains!

Qianglu can also sign up for this route and choose more interesting attractions and meal experiences. The last time Qianglu measured it with his watch, he walked 32 kilometers in two days on this route!

Driving time: 2.5 hours

Hiking: 5-10km, maximum altitude 860 meters, cumulative ascent 129 meters

Note: There are elevators, slides, sightseeing buses, and scenic shuttle
buses. The routes can be long or short, suitable for different groups of people.

Southern Taihang: Described by China National Geographic as the most beautiful section of the Taihang Mountains, it's a little-known area nestled deep in the mountains. This location, combined with its numerous traversal routes, makes it a rare outdoor destination in northern China.

Guoliang Village: Founded in the late Western Han Dynasty. Deep in the Taihang Mountains, 60 kilometers northwest of Huixian County in Henan Province, perched high on a cliff 1,700 meters above sea level, lies a village renowned for its unique terrain. Its peaks and ridges overlap, its waters and mountains are picturesque, its caves and waterfalls beautiful, its pools and streams deep and long. Here, rustic stone houses and simple mountain dwellings are home to the simple people. Stone millstones, stone walls, stone tables, stone benches, and stone kangs are among the farmhouses, each row upon row, nestled against the sheer cliffs. This unique charm has attracted numerous tourists from China and abroad, and has also been a favorite of filmmakers and artists.

Wangmangling, known as the "King of Taihang Mountains", is located at the junction of Huixian County, Henan Province and Lingchuan City, Shanxi Province. It is located on the geological fault zone between the Loess Plateau and the North China Plain. It consists of more than 60 peaks and is one of the representatives of Taihang Mountain scenery. The highest peak is 1,762 meters above sea level. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the majestic Taihang Mountains.

At 1,780 meters above sea level, Shiziling is the highest peak in the southern Taihang Mountains and is known as the Little Emei of the Taihang Mountains. Surrounded by plunging cliffs, Shiziling's summit offers a vast open area dotted with a diverse array of stone forests.

The Shuangling Crossing in the Taihang Mountains is a hiking journey between Shiziling and Wangmangling. The route is long, involves significant climbing, and is complex, encompassing all the typical terrain of the southern Taihang Mountains: canyon crossings, mountain descents, "ladder-to-the-sky" climbing, cliffside walks, and grassland treks. The Shuangling Crossing, with its combination of beauty, brutality, and danger, is considered the premier outdoor hiking route in Xinxiang.