A military fortress even Qin Shi Huang visited! Sanmenxia holds the secrets to rewriting history
by Penelope.Morris.59
Apr 17, 2025
🔥 "Sanmenxia isn't just Sanmenxia? This small city in Henan hides underground wonders even more spectacular than the Terracotta Army!😱" As a drone sweeps across the Loess Plateau, the camera suddenly captures a brightly lit scene beneath the surface—not a sci-fi movie, but a real "underground courtyard" village! Today, we'll unveil the mysteries of this pearl on the Yellow River.
🏞️Top 5 Must-See Attractions:
1️⃣ Swan Lake National Wetland Park: Every winter, tens of thousands of swans migrate from Siberia. On the snow-covered lake, these elegant white spirits will interact closely with you. It's a paradise for photography enthusiasts! The best viewing period is from December to February of the following year.
2️⃣ Guo State Museum: Unearthed from the tombs of Western Zhou Dynasty princes, the "world's first sword," a bronze and jade-handled iron sword, predates the Sword of Goujian by 200 years! Here, you can also touch the wheel hubs of chariots from the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
3️⃣ Shaanzhou Dizhikeng: Cave dwellings dug 8 meters below ground, a miracle of architecture that's warm in winter and cool in summer! Wander through the "underground labyrinth" adorned with red lanterns, and you might encounter a paper-cutting inheritor giving a live demonstration.
4️⃣ Hangu Pass: The true embodiment of "one man holds the pass, ten thousand cannot break through"! Standing by the Taiji Holy Lake where Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, the sounds of war drums seem to echo through time.
5️⃣ Yellow River Dam: The first large-scale water conservancy project in New China. Stand on the viewing platform and experience the majestic "Yellow River's water comes from the sky." With a bit of luck, you might even see a rainbow spanning the canyon🌈
🗺️Three-Day In-Depth Itinerary:
DAY 1: Swan Lake sunrise → Guo State Museum → Shaanzhou Old Street for mutton soup → Overnight stay at a Dizhikeng homestay
DAY 2: Hangu Pass morning mist → Lao Tzu Cultural Park → Yellow River Danxia Canyon hike → Bonfire party
DAY 3: Sanmenxia Dam → Yellow River rafting → Guo State Chariot Pit VR experience → Return trip
🏨Accommodation Guide:
[Luxury] Swan Lake International Hotel (Lake view rooms 500+ RMB per person, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the swans)
[Unique] Shaanzhou Dizhikeng Homestay (Warm in winter and cool in summer cave experience, 150 RMB per person including three meals)
[Budget] Super 8 Hotel Huanghe Road Branch (Clean and convenient, 80 RMB per person, near the food street)
⚠️Hard-Learned Tips:
1️⃣ Wear waterproof boots to see the swans in winter! The greedy swans will chase corn kernels to the shore.
2️⃣ Navigation to Dizhikeng can be confusing. Look for the "village entrance" marked with yellow lanterns.
3️⃣ Must-try "Shaanzhou Ten Bowls Feast," but don't eat it in the scenic area! We recommend "Wang Ji Eight Bowls" in the old city.
4️⃣ It's recommended to hire a guide at Hangu Pass (80 RMB/hour), otherwise, you won't understand the military formations.
5️⃣ Choose the 4 pm slot for Yellow River rafting. The Mother River at sunset is breathtakingly beautiful.
💡"It turns out that the courtyard of every Dizhikeng hides the directional code of the Big Dipper!" When the 73-year-old caretaker revealed this secret, I finally understood the wisdom of survival on the Loess Plateau. This is not just a tourist spot, but a living geography textbook.
🎯Sanmenxia is like a glimpse into the Shan Hai Jing, with the cold sharpness of Western Zhou bronzes hidden underground and the pure romance of Siberian swans dancing above. A 3-day trip costs less than 1,000 RMB, but you'll gain an understanding of half of Chinese civilization. The most worthwhile hidden gem to unlock in 2024, waiting for you to decipher more secrets of the earth!🚀
Post by Penelope.Morris.59 | Apr 17, 2025












