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Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
The Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River is located on the riverbed of the Yellow River in the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon, where the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi face each other across the river. The main stream of the Yellow River, originally hundreds of m wide, suddenly narrows to dozens of m and plunges into a deep trough with a drop of 20–30 m, resembling water being poured from a giant pot—hence the name "Hukou" (Pot Mouth). Due to the large amount of sediment carried by the river, the waterfall presents a rare golden-yellow view: the turbid waves roar down with a sound like distant thunder rolling through the valley, while the rising mist lingers before the cliff, earning the nickname "smoke rising from the water." On sunny days, sunlight casts a rainbow over the waterfall, known as "a rainbow playing in the water." The mist may drench visitors even without wind or rain, creating the wonder called "rainfall under a clear sky." Hukou waterfall is regarded as the symbol of the "soul of the Yellow River" and the spirit of the Chinese nation. In 1938, when poet Guang Weiran crossed the Yellow River, he witnessed the roaring waves of Hukou and the boatmen's chants, which inspired him to create the now-legendary Yellow River Cantata. Liang Heng's essay of the same name was selected for middle school Chinese textbooks, and the back of the fourth series CNY 50 banknote also features this scene. Many first learned about it through textbooks and currency before visiting in person. In the past, cargo ships had to leave the water and bypass the waterfall here, leaving behind the maritime memory of "sailing on dry land." The scenery here varies with the seasons: In early spring, the upstream ice melts and the water level rises sharply, coinciding with the blooming of mountain peach blossoms on both banks, known as the "March peach blossom flood." In midsummer, the rainy season brings abundant water, with muddy waves towering into the sky. After fall begins, the rainy season subsides, and the water becomes high and steady. As the fall breeze sweeps by, rainbows often appear, earning the name "Hukou autumn breeze." In deep winter, layers of ice form along the banks, and overflow freezes into inverted ice peaks, glistening under the sunlight, creating the spectacular "upside-down ice peaks." The viewing platform on the Shaanxi side stretches along the cliff top on the western bank, offering a commanding view of the "thousand-mile Yellow River funneled into one pot" and the ten-mile-long Dragon Trough below the waterfall. During high-water seasons, the mist is heavy, and clothes get soaked quickly, so remember to protect your camera and phone; the boardwalk is slippery, so watch your step while walking and taking photos.Yichuan · 26.6 km from downtown
Hukou Waterfall National Geopark
Hukou Waterfall National Geopark is located on the banks of the Yellow River, facing Ji County, Shanxi, across the river. The main stream of the Yellow River rushes here, suddenly narrowing from a riverbed hundreds of meters wide into a stone trough 40–50 m wide, before plunging from a cliff over 20 m high, resembling water being poured into a giant kettle—this is exactly what the saying "the thousand-mile Yellow River is gathered into one kettle" refers to. The geological highlights are hidden at the foot of the waterfall: the Ten-Mile Dragon Trough carved deep by the rapids winds downstream, and the waterfall itself is still slowly retreating upstream. It is one of the few mobile, latent large waterfalls in the world, and this long-term struggle between river water and rock is the unique foundation of its status as a geopark. The Eight Scenes of Hukou within the park each have their own unique appearance: during the summer and fall flood seasons, the water volume is abundant, and the rising mist creates the smoke rising from the water bottom scene; on sunny days, rainbows often span across the waterfall, creating the rainbow playing with water scene. In the dry winter season, the cliffs are covered with icicles, turning it into a silver-white world of inverted ice peaks. This place is also the inspiration for the Yellow River Cantata—in 1938, the poet Guang Weiran was deeply moved while crossing the river and watching the waterfall near Hukou, and the long poem he subsequently wrote was set to music by Xian Xinghai and has been sung ever since. Today, the park still uses the waterfall as a natural backdrop and regularly hosts a landscape performance of the same name, presenting chapters such as trackers, Hukou war drums, and Defend the Yellow River to the audience standing amidst the sound of the waves. The pattern on the back of the 50-yuan banknote of the fourth series of RMB is taken from Hukou Waterfall National Geopark. The viewing platform on the Shaanxi side offers an expansive view, suitable for taking panoramic photos; the scenic area on the opposite Shanxi side is closer to the main current, and both sides offer different perspectives of the same waterfall.Yichuan · 26.7 km from downtown
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
The Hukou Waterfall is a famous waterfall on the Yellow River. The roiling water of the Yellow River roars downward here with great power. The Hukou Waterfall area is divided by the Yellow River. On the west side is Yichuan County, Shaanxi, and on the east side is Ji County, Shanxi. The waterfall is also divided into the Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shaanxi) and the Shanxi Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shanxi). Separate tickets are sold for each area. The Shanxi section of the Hukou Waterfall is located 45 kilometers west of the seat of Ji County in Linfen City, Shanxi.Ji County · 27.1 km from Yichuan
Beijing Educated Youth Former Residence
The former residence of Beijing educated youth is located in the cave group on the north side of the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site, which completely preserves the living scenes in 1969. In the existing 12-hole stone cave, the kang, kerosene lamps and handwritten quotation walls restore the details of collective household life. The display cabinet displays more than 300 items such as work points and homemade musical instruments. There is an agricultural tool experience area in the front yard of the cave, where you can try spinning and weaving. The scenic area provides AR guide glasses with positioning. Scan the cave number to watch the oral images of the educated youth. Take K6 bus from the city to Zaoyuan Station, and walk along the stone slab road on the back mountain. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes in the rainy season. The adjacent educated youth memory hall holds a Shaanxi folk song learning activity every Wednesday, which needs to be booked by phone one day in advance. After the visit, you can experience a simple meal of cornmeal steamed bread with sauerkraut soup in the "educated youth canteen" at the foot of the mountain, with an average per capita consumption of about 25 yuan. It is recommended to reserve 2 hours for the tour. There is no heating equipment in the cave in winter, so please add clothes to keep warm.Yichuan · 26.7 km from downtown
Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall 50 RMB Viewpoint
In Yichuan, Shaanxi, Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River is renowned for its majestic power, and one spot there has become the viewpoint featured on the 50 RMB banknote, carrying special significance.Hukou Waterfall National Geoparkgets its name from its shape: at this point the Yellow River is channeled by cliffs on both banks, and the wide river suddenly narrows to only 20–30m, forming a waterfall up to 15m high that pours like a giant pot, hence the name Hukou. The waterfall's volume changes with the seasons; during the high-water season the flow can reach up to 700 cubic meters per second, creating an imposing sight with a thunderous roar.Hukou Waterfall scenic areais divided into Shaanxi and Shanxi sides, and the viewing point on the Shaanxi side is considered the ideal location for the 50 RMB scene. Visitors can experience the waterfall's power up close, especially when the water is abundant and both the main and secondary falls are running, making the scene especially spectacular. Standing at Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall 50 RMB Viewpoint, you can truly feel nature's masterful handiwork and understand why it became the classic image on the banknote, drawing countless visitors to visit and admire the majesty of the Yellow River, the mother river.Yichuan · 27.3 km from downtown
Shaanxi Gudukou Town Scenic Area
The Shaanxi Ancient Ferry Town Scenic Area is located in the southern part of a section of the core scenic area of Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Shaanxi Province. Built on the site of the ancient market town of Gezhentan, it features a terraced layout of traditional Shaanxi cave dwellings, preserving the original village fabric and layout to the greatest extent possible, and recreating the once bustling market town of the Yellow River ferry. The Shaanxi Ancient Ferry Town Scenic Area enjoys a superior geographical location, approximately 5 kilometers north of Hukou Waterfall. To the north lies Mengmen Mountain, to the west is the G309 National Highway, to the east is the Yellow River, and to the south is the Yellow River Hotel. The layout is designed with two entrances for reception and service (north and south), a central village for leisure and vacation, and an eastern riverside sightseeing area. The overall space is divided into a reception and service area, a themed inn area, and a riverside experience area, providing tourists with local specialty dining, boutique guesthouses, unique souvenirs, and folk experience services. It is an important part of the Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area, effectively diverting peak tourist traffic and further enriching and deepening the cultural significance of the Hukou Waterfall's main landscape. In early summer, the scenic area is lush with flowers and trees. Standing at the "Ancient Ferry Pavilion", you can enjoy the scenery of the Yellow River, the original appearance of the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon, the wonder of the Ten-Mile Dragon Gorge, the ancient ferry site, the Mengmen Strange Stones in the close view, and the distant view of Nüjiao waiting for her husband. You can truly feel the love of Nüjiao, the wife of Yu the Great, who leaned on the ferry and longed for her husband's return.Yichuan · 27 km from downtown
Mengmen Mountain
In the riverbed at the bottom of the Yellow River valley, there are two spindle-shaped boulders, standing tall in the mighty current, forming two river islands. They are the Mengmen Mountain, which was called "the stepping stone of the nine rivers" in ancient times, also called Mengmen Island. Mengmen Mountain is not only charming, with the beauty of "Mengmen Night Moon", but also has important scientific value in studying the development history of the Yellow River. It is said that the two islands were originally a mountain, which blocked the river and caused floods. When Dayu was controlling the flood, he split the mountain into two to guide the water to flow freely. The two islands look like boats from a distance, like mountains from a close distance, and like gates from a distance. The Great Mengmen Island is about 300 meters long and about 10 meters above the water. On the cliff to the south, there are four characters "Lying to suppress the raging flow" inscribed during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. The Small Mengmen Island is more than 10 meters upstream of the Great Mengmen Island and is only 50 to 60 meters long. Mengmen faces the surging water of the Yellow River and never submerges all year round. Its majestic appearance, Longmen and Hukou form the three wonders of the Yellow River, and it is famous for its unique style. There is a beautiful sentence in ancient poetry: "Fog and rain confuse Hukou in all seasons, and waves on both sides shake Mengmen".Yichuan · 26.8 km from downtown
Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
Yichuan · 3.4 km from downtown
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, also known as the Terracotta Army, is located about 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and forms part of the extensive necropolis. There were more than a thousand terracotta soldiers unearthed here, each with a different facial expression. Standing before the massive underground army, you will feel the extraordinary might of the Qin Emperor that enabled him to unify six warring states two thousand years ago. The Qin Emperor Ying Zheng began building the mausoleum for himself at the age of 13. Nearly 720000 men and 38 years were required to complete this vast project.China · Xi'an
Shaanxi History Museum
Historical background: The Shaanxi History Museum is located to the northwest of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and is one of Xi'an's signature attractions. Planning for the museum began in 1977, the foundation stone was laid in November 1986, and it was officially completed and opened on June 20, 1991, when it was named the Shaanxi History Museum. In 2016, it was selected by the Chinese Cultural Relics Society and the Architectural Society of China for inclusion in the "Architectural Heritage of China in the 20th Century." Museum features: It is a large modern museum, and its completion marked a new milestone in the development of China's museum industry. This building complex features Tang-style architecture with a "central hall and four corner towers," arranged in an orderly hierarchy with varied heights, presenting a solemn grandeur that integrates national tradition, local characteristics, and the spirit of the era. The museum covers an area of 65,000 square meters and houses over 1.7 million cultural relics, ranging from simple stone tools used in the earliest stages of ancient humans to various artifacts from social life before 1840, spanning more than one million years. The cultural relics are not only numerous and diverse in type, but also of high quality and broad value. The collection is a dazzling array of treasures. It is an art palace showcasing Shaanxi's history and culture and ancient Chinese civilization, and is known as the "pearl of the ancient capital and treasure house of China." The museum houses many treasures, including bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, pottery figurines from various dynasties, gold and silverware from the Han and Tang dynasties, and murals from Tang tombs, most of which are treasures from the prosperous periods of the Han and Tang dynasties, and among them are fine pieces that the state prohibits from being taken out of the country. Treasures in the collection: There are three exhibition halls in the center of the museum. The first exhibition hall displays cultural relics from the prehistoric civilization of the Lantian Man 1.15 million years ago to the Qin Dynasty; the second exhibition hall displays cultural relics from the Han Dynasty and the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties; the third exhibition hall mainly features cultural relics from the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Each exhibition hall has its own treasure. Special exhibition halls are located on both the east and west sides of the central hall. The west side houses the "Special Exhibition of Tang Dynasty Treasures (Treasures gallery, artifacts unearthed from Hejiacun)", and many fine gold and silverware pieces from the High Tang period have been moved here for display. The east side houses the "Exhibition of Tang Dynasty Mural Treasures," which displays a number of authentic Tang tomb murals. Yu Ding The Yu ding is placed in the first exhibition hall at the museum entrance, and can be regarded as the treasure of the first exhibition hall. What is placed here is a replica; the genuine artifact is kept in storage. Inscription on the outer wall: The inscription reads "Under the vast heaven, there is no land that is not the king's; within the shores of the land, there is no one who is not the king's subject," reflecting the land ownership system of the Western Zhou period. The inner wall of the Yu Ding bears a four-line inscription of 28 characters, the gist of which is: in the early eighth month of a certain year, Wang Jiang took back the land originally granted to Shi Lu and regranted it to Yu, whereupon Yu had this ding cast to commemorate the event. Empress's jade seal: One of the treasures worth seeing in Exhibition Hall 2 is this jade seal of a Han dynasty empress, displayed on its own. The seal is made entirely of Hetian mutton-fat jade from Xinjiang, and is carved on top with a chi tiger, symbolizing royal power. Tri-colored glazed pottery figurine of a camel carrying musicians: This world-famous tri-colored glazed pottery figurine of a camel carrying musicians is located in the third exhibition hall of the museum, and its overall appearance and colors are well preserved. Seven men are seated on the camel's back, holding different musical instruments. Among them, the figurine holding clappers has its ear inclined and its attention focused, as if intoxicated by the beautiful music. In the middle, a woman is performing, and the camel has its mouth wide open, gazing upward toward the sky, as if also joining its master in singing loudly. Gold-inlaid agate cup with animal-head design: This artifact, located in the special exhibition "Special Exhibition of Tang Dynasty Treasures," is one of the first sixty-four national treasures listed by the National Cultural Heritage Administration that are permanently prohibited from being exhibited abroad. In addition, there are a black-glazed oil-spot bowl, a celadon-glazed ewer with a handle and bottom-fill design, a gilt silver bamboo-joint bronze incense burner,Gold bowl with mandarin duck and lotus petal designAnd many other treasures.China · Xi'an
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What travelers say about Yichuan
蓝蓝姐姐October 26, 2026
5.0
The scenic area said the water flow was decent, but seeing it in person was still quite breathtaking and spectacular.
One ticket allows you to see both sides of the river, but we were short on time and only saw the Shaanxi side. It's a pity we didn't get to see the Shanxi section. There are free performances of the Yellow River Cantata at 2 PM and 4 PM, which are definitely worth seeing. The scenery along the drive was also beautiful.
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
M82***77January 21, 2026
5.0
The Yellow River, the cradle of Chinese agricultural culture, is a place every Chinese person should visit. Although it carries a large amount of silt and is mostly muddy, it is still magnificent. On the surging waters of the Yellow River, rainbows can be faintly seen…
Hukou Waterfall National Geopark
蓝水悠悠October 25, 2026
5.0
Hukou Waterfall is truly a must-see in person; photos simply can't capture its breathtaking beauty. We explored the west side this time, and the Dragon Cave is a must-see – the 20 yuan entrance fee is well worth it! Standing at the bottom of the cave, looking up at the Yellow River crashing down overhead, the spray hitting your face, the deafening roar, you're completely enveloped – an experience you can't fully grasp from above. However, it is indeed very wet inside the cave, so it's best to put your phone in a waterproof case. In the morning, when the light is good, you can even see a rainbow, and if you're lucky, the photos will be stunning. Parking in the scenic area is quite convenient, and the shuttle bus service is smooth.
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
芳芳330June 22, 2020
4.0
If you are going to Hukou Waterfall from Yan'an by charter or self-driving, it is recommended to stop here. This is a free attraction, but it is quite interesting for people living in big cities. You can see the cave dwellings where the educated youth lived. It is really warm in winter and cool in summer. There is a sign on the wall saying "Yan'an Spirit Shines Forever". You can also see the green trucks that transported the educated youth. It is quite fun to take pictures inside.
Beijing Educated Youth Former Residence
M53***95April 18, 2025
5.0
The scenery is pleasant, the water is fast and the water is large, the momentum is magnificent, and it is really spectacular! Helicopter low-altitude viewing, the curved screen 3D cinema, and the Gudukou Town B&B are worth experiencing!
Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall 50 RMB Viewpoint
_We***56June 21, 2020
5.0
Walking on the stone steps of the ancient ferry town, listening to the sound of the Yellow River, the lights seem to travel through time and space, making people feel like they have returned to the past. The ferry inn is a pleasant surprise. The impression of ordinary inns and homestays is always hard to describe.
I chose the ferry inn because the online rating is quite high and the price is suitable. It costs more than 1,000 yuan to stay in a pit room in Pingyao for one night, and the cheapest one costs 700 or 800☺. So I booked a big pit room without hesitation. 😃😃😃. Very satisfied: the hygiene is the cleanest homestay I have ever stayed in, the pit is the most comfortable, and the room design and layout is the best👍👍👍. Of course, the feeling of tranquility, comfort, close to nature, and the fragrance of birds and flowers makes people indulge in it and unforgettable.
In short, it was a very good trip!!!
Shaanxi Gudukou Town Scenic Area
petitedragonApril 10, 2026
4.0
The hotel originally included a visit to Mengmenshan Scenic Area 🎫, but it's under construction, so we can only view it from across the river 👀
Mengmenshan Scenic Area is located in the center of the Yellow River channel, consisting of two spindle-shaped sandstone boulders forming a river island, creating the unique landscape of "Nine Rivers' Steps".
On its south bank cliff, there is an inscription from the early Qing Dynasty (early Yongzheng period) of the four characters "卧镇狂流" (Lying Down to Control the Raging Torrent), which was once the original location of Hukou Waterfall. Due to crustal uplift and upstream erosion, the waterfall has receded.
Mengmen Mountain
爱旅游的杨小晓April 27, 2025
5.0
Hukou Waterfall in the mobile phone. Hukou Waterfall is named because the Yellow River converges here, shaped like a pot mouth. The waterfall is a kilometer wide, with turbulent water, thunderous waves, and magnificent momentum. It is known as the "Heart of the Yellow River and the Soul of the Nation". This place is not only the pattern on the back of the 50-yuan bill of the fourth set of RMB, but also famous because Ke Shouliang once flew over the Yellow River here.
Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
Anonymous userOctober 28, 2026
5.0
This was my fourth visit, and I'm always awestruck. The main gate has been moved, but the area itself is well-maintained. The bronze chariot has been moved to Lishan Garden, which is also quite nicely renovated. Different people give me different perspectives.
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
Anonymous userOctober 28, 2026
5.0
The Shaanxi History Museum is unique in China; reservations are virtually impossible without advance booking. To finally see it again, I decided to pay for more time, but I still didn't expect so many visitors on a weekday afternoon. Without the guide's explanations, I probably would have gotten lost in the crowds. The guide was very professional, knowledgeable, and humorous, making what could have been a rather dry visit an excellent experience. Thank you so much!
Shaanxi History Museum
