3 Days 2 Nights Ultimate Sanmenxia Autumn Travel Guide｜Includes Food Map

Sanmenxia in autumn is breathtakingly beautiful!✨ Golden ginkgo leaves, crystal-clear lake water, and endless red leaves—every snapshot looks like a masterpiece. Save this ultimate guide for a complete eat, drink, and play experience!

📍 Day 1 Itinerary:
⏰ 8:00-11:00 Sanmenxia Dam (Address: Daba Road, Hubin District)
Asia’s largest dam is truly stunning!💦 The autumn mist creates a fairyland atmosphere. We recommend wearing Hanfu for photos—you’ll go viral in no time!
🚗 Transportation tip: Taxi from downtown takes 20 minutes, about 30 RMB

🍜 11:30-13:00 Shanzhou Old Bowl Noodles (Address: No. 18 Shanzhou Road)
Must-try belt noodles!🌶️ The chili oil is so fragrant it brings tears to your eyes. Only 15 RMB per person for a full meal! Don’t forget to add a marinated egg~
🚌 Transport: Take Bus No. 1 from the dam entrance to Shanzhou Middle School stop

🦢 14:00-17:00 Swan Lake Wetland Park (North Shanzhou Avenue)
Winter home to tens of thousands of white swans!🕊️ Bring a telephoto lens; the golden lake at sunset is magical✨
🅿️ Parking: Free parking lot at the east gate of the park

🌃 18:00-21:00 Guo State Night Market (Address: Huanghe Road, Hubin District)
Lamb paste bun + stone bread carb bomb!🍢 Highly recommend the 10 RMB for 3 skewers barbecue, a paradise for night snack lovers!
🚶 15-minute walk

📍 Day 2 Itinerary:
⏰ 9:00-11:30 Hangu Pass (Hangu Pass Town, Lingbao City)
The place where Laozi wrote the Tao Te Ching!📜 Rent Hanfu for 30 RMB/set, perfect for ancient-style photos on the city wall!
🚍 Tourist shuttle: Departs from Sanmenxia Bus Station at 8:30

🍲 12:00-13:30 Lingbao Lamb Soup (Inside Hangu Pass Scenic Area)
8-hour simmered milky white broth!🍵 Eat with baked flatbread soaked in soup, warming and nourishing~
💡 Tip: Free soup refills available

⛰️ 14:30-17:00 Huangdi Casting Cauldron Site (Yangping Town, Lingbao City)
Climb to the top for a panoramic view of red leaves covering the mountains!🏞️ Legend says this is where the Yellow Emperor ascended to immortality. The autumn sea of clouds looks like an ink painting.
🚗 Recommended to charter a car: about 150 RMB/day

♨️ 18:30-21:30 Gaoyang Mountain Hot Springs (Gaoyang Road, Shanzhou District)
Genuine sulfur hot springs!💦 Soak under the starry sky with ginger sugar water to wash away the day’s fatigue~
💰 Admission: 98 RMB/person

📍 Day 3 Itinerary:
⏰ 8:30-11:00 Underground Courtyard (Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District)
Amazing underground siheyuan (courtyard houses)!🛖 Watch villagers’ "underground life" and enjoy folk performances—super interesting~
🚌 Direct access via Shanzhou Bus No. 1

🍱 11:30-13:30 Ten Bowl Banquet (Folk Village in Underground Courtyard)
Intense ritual atmosphere of intangible cultural heritage feast!🎋 Eight cold and eight hot dishes for only 158 RMB, highly recommend the Yellow River big carp!
📍 Located inside the scenic area

🚢 14:30-17:00 Yellow River Danxia Gorge (Potou Township, Mianchi County)
Boat ride through the red leaf canyon!🍁 Feels like entering an oil painting world. Don’t forget your camera for vlogging.
💡 Best viewing period: Late October

💰 Money-saving tips:
✔️ Student ID gets full ticket discounts
✔️ Night market snacks fill you up for 30 RMB per person
✔️ Stay at guesthouses in Hubin District for 150 RMB/night

📸 Photo essentials:
Hanfu, red leaves, Swan Lake morning mist
Tag your foodie buddy and come play together!