Unlock Hukou Waterfall with Kids! An Easy Self-Driving Guide to Avoid 90% of the Pitfalls

❤️ Family Road Trip — Stop 12: Hukou Waterfall ❤️ Tried and tested tips to avoid pitfalls! Each one saves you time and effort❗️❗️❗️⬇️⬇️⬇️ 1️⃣ Be sure to arrive before dark! Don’t drive at night! When we left Houtu Temple at 7 PM, it was still light, so we didn’t think much of it. But the closer we got to Hukou Waterfall, the darker it became. The road is narrow mountain paths, so tight that you have to be very careful when passing other cars. We saw very few vehicles, and when a large vehicle appeared, we had to be fully focused. Honestly, if your car breaks down on this kind of road, it’s hard to get help⛑️. We recommend either leaving early to reach near the waterfall while it’s still daylight or, if you can’t make it in time, find a safe place to stay overnight along the way and set off again the next day. Safety always comes first! 2️⃣ Buy tickets one day in advance! Don’t choose the wrong side: Shanxi vs Shaanxi! This time I chose the Shanxi side, and seeing the waterfall’s powerful flow in person was truly spectacular! Although I didn’t visit the Shaanxi side, many online reviews recommend Shanxi more for its wider views and a more direct experience of the waterfall’s grandeur. Important to remember: the entrances and ticket purchase channels on both sides are completely different! 👉 Shanxi side: If you buy tickets on the day, you can only get a combined ticket for “admission + shuttle bus” at 120 RMB; but if you buy one day in advance, you can purchase just the admission ticket for 100 RMB! The shuttle bus isn’t really necessary, and I’ll explain how to save that cost in tip 👉 Shaanxi side: Admission is 100 RMB, no shuttle bus needed, and if you have an ID from the four provinces along the Yellow River or Shaanxi, you can get tickets for 80 RMB. But for family viewing experience, Shanxi side is still more recommended. 3️⃣ Choose the right parking spot when driving! Save the shuttle bus fee! Don’t navigate to “Hukou Waterfall Parking Lot”! Otherwise, you’ll be directed to the South Gate parking lot, where staff will require you to buy the shuttle bus ticket (40 RMB separately). But the shuttle bus’s endpoint is actually the North Gate! So you end up paying extra and taking a detour🥲. The correct approach is to navigate directly to “Huanglong Temple” or “Hukou Inn” and park near the North Gate. After parking, scan your pre-purchased e-ticket to enter directly—no paper ticket needed. Just a few steps and you’ll see the waterfall. It’s very important to avoid unnecessary walking with kids! 4️⃣ Follow the signs! Get to the North Gate without detours! Navigating to Huanglong Temple or Hukou Inn is just the first step. Along the way, there are many signs directing you toward the South Gate parking lot—stay calm! You’ll see several signs for “Hukou Inn”; follow those signs. If you don’t see them, you’ve probably taken a wrong turn. Previously, it was said you could walk from the South Gate parking lot to the North Gate, but now that route is blocked. So be sure to follow the “Huanglong Temple - Hukou Inn” route and the guidance in pictures 5-10 in the guide to reach the North Gate smoothly! 5️⃣ Must-have items for kids! Don’t forget these! First, bring an umbrella or disposable raincoat! The mist near the waterfall is so heavy it feels like rain, and without protection, both adults and kids will get wet easily. The ground is slippery due to constant moisture, so make sure kids wear non-slip shoes and hold their hands tightly while walking slowly. Also, hold your phone securely—it’s easy to get bumped and drop it in the water when it’s crowded. Secure hats tightly too, as the wind near the waterfall is strong and can blow them away. And! Don’t bring a stroller—there are many steps and slippery spots. If you can’t carry your baby, use a baby carrier to keep them safely on your body! 6️⃣ Check waterfall conditions before you go! Don’t go for nothing! No matter when you read this guide, always check the real-time water flow of Hukou Waterfall before your trip to avoid dry seasons! If you arrive during a dry period, you won’t see the spectacular “Yellow River water rushing from the sky” scene, and it’ll be a wasted trip, especially tiring with kids. Checking in advance ensures a smoother trip~ 7️⃣ Choose the right accommodation for peace of mind! Top nearby luxury glamping hotel recommendation! If you don’t want to tire yourself out on a family road trip, we recommend staying at the top luxury glamping hotel near the waterfall—Hukou Waterfall Canglongshan Luxury Glamping Resort. It’s only a 10-minute drive from the North Gate, very convenient by car, surrounded by mountains and forests with a very peaceful environment. Open the window and enjoy natural scenery; it’s especially quiet at night so kids can sleep soundly. The rooms are spacious with special family rooms that include small tents, children’s toys, and cribs—attention to detail is excellent. Breakfast is buffet style with porridge, eggs, small buns suitable for kids, and local specialty noodles that taste amazing. Staying here not only lets you rest well but also lets you get up early the next day to visit the waterfall and avoid peak crowds, making it easier to enjoy with kids~