Successful reverse travel during National Day! 5 days and 4 nights exploring an autumn secret realm wilder than Zhangjiajie

Strongly recommended this off-the-beaten-path treasure during National Day — the 800-li Chijin Canyon!

See towering cliffs bathed in autumn sunlight turning into a reddish-brown canopy🏜️

The cliff-hanging road remains perilous but now adds the sight of wild macaques on Tinan Mountain enjoying the fiery maple leaves🐒

Traverse the primitive folds certified by National Geographic, the heart-shaped canyon edged in gold, and deep in the wild paths, hawthorn and persimmon branches bow under their fruit🌰

5 days and 4 nights, venture into an autumn secret realm wilder than Zhangjiajie—

Here there are no man-made plank roads, only the romance poured out by the earth!

How beautiful is it? You have to come see it yourself, no matter high or low!

Transportation Guide
✈️ Fly to: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, airport bus/subway direct to downtown (about 40 minutes)

🚄 High-speed rail: Zhengzhou East Station, direct trains from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing (fastest 3 hours)!!

Itinerary Highlights (with food + photo spots)
✅ D1: Gather in Zhengzhou

Stay in a city hotel with convenient transportation, must-try Henan cuisine!

Attractions: Henan Museum, Yellow River Scenic Area, Shaolin Temple

Food: Huimian noodles, Daokou roast chicken, spicy soup🍜

✅ D2: Guoliang Village - Ladder Mountain - Watchtower

Drive to Wanxian Mountain Scenic Area, hike the Guoliang cliff-hanging road, challenge the cliff plank road!

Cliffside home viewing platform overlooks 200-meter Taihang cliffs

✔️ The “man-made miracle” on the cliff

✔️ Photo spot of the watchtower from the movie "Raise Your Hands"📸

✅ D3: Tinan Mountain Taihang Ancient Trail Hike - Grand Canyon

Hike the Hukou Taihang Grand Canyon, climb along Peach Blossom Leak, sea of clouds surging☁️

Descend via Zhangyun Ladder Ancient Trail, pass Great Man Peak, Ghost Gate, and encounter wild macaques!

✔️ Traverse the thousand-year-old Taihang secret path

✔️ Stunning views overlooking the Grand Canyon

✅ D4: Cat Road - Natural Bridge - Yinggu Canyon

Hike the classic West Taihang route “Cat Road Yinggu Canyon,” zigzag stone steps embedded in cliffs!

Arrive at the largest natural stone arch in the north, the Natural Bridge, explore the “1-meter wide” suspended wonder

Descend to the “Northern Zhangjiajie” Yinggu Canyon, pristine karst landform undeveloped

✔️ Wild route crossing 18km, using hands and feet to climb the “cat path”

✔️ Calm your mind at Wanfo Temple, shoot epic photos at Yinggu Canyon🏞️

✅ D5: Shibanyan - Painter’s Village - Return

Leisurely tour Painter’s Village, backed by green mountains and babbling streams, super artsy photo ops📷

Chuan Di Village, surrounded by cliffs, sunbathe and drink coffee under Shibanyan☕

✔️ Colorful town under red rock cliffs

✔️ Relaxed and photogenic finale to the trip!