Last-Minute Summer Escape: Avoid the Crowds

### ⛰️ **Essential Guide to Taihang Mountains: 3-Day Adventure Through Cliffs & Canyons**
**——Cliffside Highways·Ancient Cliff Villages·Sea of Clouds at Sunrise, the Pinnacle of Northern Landscapes!**

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🗺️ **Streamlined Itinerary**
**Day 1: South Taihang Core—Guoliang Village + Cliffside Highway**
- **Morning**: Arrive at **Wanxian Mountain Scenic Area**, hike the **Guoliang Cliffside Highway** (1.3km cliff corridor, stunning red rock valleys).
- **Afternoon**: Explore **Guoliang Village** (ancient stone hamlet), visit filming locations of *Raise the Red Lantern*, and climb the **Viewing Platform** for a panoramic view of the highway.
- **Stay**: Cliffside homestay in Guoliang Village (stargazing and sea of clouds from your window).

**Day 2: Wangmangling Sea of Clouds + Xiyagou**
- **Dawn**: Summit **Wangmangling** (Taihang’s highest peak) for sunrise and sea of clouds, marvel at the "stone forest peaks."
- **Noon**: Descend to **Xiyagou**, see the zigzagging "Ladder to Heaven" cliff road.
- **Afternoon**: Discover **Xiyagou Waterfalls** (red rock canyon + 100m silver cascades).

**Day 3: Baquan Gorge or Return**
- **Option A** (Nature Lovers): **Baquan Gorge** (Northern "Little Jiuzhaigou"), boat through canyons, ascend the Sky City glass platform.
- **Option B** (Culture Buffs): Drive the **Taihang Sky Road**, visit **Yuejia Village** (cliffside stone village, descendants of General Yue Fei).

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🌄 **Must-Visit Spots**
| **Attraction** | **Highlights** | **Keywords** |
|------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| **Guoliang Cliffside Highway** | Man-made cliff corridor, driving feels like floating | World wonder, film location |
| **Wangmangling** | Sea of clouds + karst stone forest, overlooking Taihang peaks | Taihang’s crown, photography paradise |
| **Baquan Gorge** | Lake cruise, cable car over "heart-shaped canyon" | Northern Three Gorges, emerald waterways |
| **Yuejia Village** | 600-year-old cliff village, stone houses in the clouds | Sky village, legacy of Yue Fei |
| **Xiyagou Waterfalls** | 100m falls plunging into red rocks, frequent rainbows | Canyon spectacle, natural oxygen bar |

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🌟 **Unique Experiences**
- **Cliffside Highway Drive**: Guoliang section bans private cars (shuttle required); Xiyagou/Kunshan sections allow driving (experts only).
- **Cliff Homestay Nights**: Stay in Guoliang/Yuejia Village, savor **Taihang wild cuisine** (stir-fried local eggs with toon, wild mushroom chicken stew).
- **Taihang Sky Road Ride**: Challenge "Z-bends" by motorbike/bike—adrenaline rush guaranteed!

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💡 **Pro Tips**
- **Transport**:
- High-speed rail to **Xinxiang East Station**/Zhengzhou, transfer to bus to **Huixian** (Guoliang entry), then scenic shuttle.
- Self-drive to "Wanxian Mountain Scenic Area"—winding mountain roads, not for beginners.
- **Tickets**:
- Wanxian Mountain ≈¥120 (includes Guoliang + Nanping), Baquan Gorge ≈¥180 (includes boat + cable car).
- Wangmangling ≈¥110, Yuejia Village sanitation fee ¥10.
- **Accommodation**:
- Guoliang Village: Cliff homestays (~¥150–300/night, book early in peak season).
- Baquan Gorge: Hotels near entrance (better amenities).
- **Best Season**:
**May–Oct** (cool greenery)｜ **Late Oct–Nov** (autumn foliage)｜ **Winter** (snow-clad cliffs, fewer crowds).
- **Gear**:
▶️ Essentials: Non-slip hiking shoes, windproof jacket (windy peaks), camera.
▶️ Optional: Trekking poles (lots of hiking), motion sickness pills (winding roads).

> 🌿 **Hidden Gem**: Rise early to enjoy the cliff highway in solitude; join villagers in autumn to pick persimmons and dry them!

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**Taihang’s beauty lies in the defiance of its cliff-piercing roads, the grandeur of Wangmangling’s cloud-swallowed peaks, and the wild aroma of mushroom soup—come worship its autumn glory now!** 🚗💨