West Taihang Hiking

❤ Recommended reasons: The West Taihang Scenic Area spans Changzhi and Jincheng in Shanxi, and Xinxiang in Henan. Known for its steep canyons, cliff-hanging roads, and original villages, it’s a paradise for hiking, photography, and self-driving tours. 🌟 Highlights: [One] Changzhi Huguan Section Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon [○] Baquan Gorge (5A): Take a boat through the "Northern Three Gorges," then transfer to a cable car and sightseeing elevator to reach the "Sky City," overlooking the Taihang peaks. Round-trip boat ticket is 60 CNY, elevator one-way 30 CNY; a recommended 180 CNY combo ticket includes electric car, boat, cable car, and elevator. [○] Hongdou Gorge: Famous for its canyon, waterfall, and rare Chinese yew trees. The hiking loop takes about 4 hrs, perfect for summer cooling. [○] Qinglong Gorge: A rock climbing hotspot with a high-altitude zipline experience (80 CNY). In autumn, the hills are covered in red leaves. Ewu Village Secret Realm [○] Tiansheng Bridge: The largest natural stone arch bridge in northern China, spanning 50 meters. Standing on the bridge offers a breathtaking view of the deep valley below. [○] Yinggu Gorge: An undeveloped karst landscape with towering peaks like the "Northern Zhangjiajie." The hiking route is about 6 km and takes 3–4 hrs. [○] Cat Road: Ancient plank road ruins, narrow and steep. Legend says Yang Liulang escaped along this path. Ideal for adventure lovers. [Two] Jincheng Lingchuan Section [○] Wangmangling Sea of Clouds Spectacle: Climb to the summit early morning to watch the sea of clouds. At sunrise, the cliff walls glow red. Best viewing spots are "Unforgettable Love" and "Taihang Corridor." Xiyagou Cliff-Hanging Road: Drive through man-made cliff tunnels, a "miracle of new China." The interplay of light and shadow inside the tunnels is perfect for creative photos. Hiking route: Wangmangling North Gate → Xiyagou (approx. 10 km, 5 hrs), with views of the Red Rock Grand Canyon along the way. [○] Huangweishan Lingqiu Cave: Stalactites of various shapes inside the cave, enhanced by a light show that creates a fairyland atmosphere. Ticket 50 CNY. Taihang No.1 Road: Starting from Zheshuicun, drive through the "Taihang Sky Road," and check in at the "0 km Mark Station" and "Qizishan Viewing Platform." 🗓 In-depth travel itinerary 3-day highlights tour Day 1: Huguan Taihang Grand Canyon Morning: Baquan Gorge (boat + cable car + elevator, 4 hrs) Afternoon: Hongdou Gorge (hiking + waterfall, 3 hrs) Overnight: Qinglong Gorge guesthouse (recommended "Taihang Family," approx. 150 CNY/night including breakfast) Day 2: Wangmangling + Xiyagou Morning: Watch sea of clouds at Wangmangling, hike Taihang Corridor Afternoon: Drive Xiyagou cliff-hanging road, visit Xiyagou Village History Museum Overnight: Xiyagou "Xishanju Boutique Inn" (panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, approx. 300 CNY/night) Day 3: Ewu Village Secret Realm Morning: Tiansheng Bridge → Wanfo Temple (cliffside small temple) Afternoon: Yinggu Gorge hike → Cat Road adventure Return: Evening private car from Ewu to Changzhi (approx. 2 hrs) 📝 Tips to note: [One] Preparation before travel Hiking gear: Non-slip hiking shoes, knee pads, trekking poles (Cat Road and Yinggu Gorge sections are steep) Photography gear: Wide-angle lens for canyons, telephoto for cliff-hanging road details Documents: Student and senior IDs offer ticket discounts; Huguan residents are exempt from the first entrance fee [Two] Pitfalls to avoid Wangmangling scenic area charges a mandatory sightseeing bus fee (50 CNY/person); self-driving cars must park outside the scenic area Baquan Gorge cable car may be closed for maintenance (e.g., March 27, 2025); check the official website in advance Some sections of Xiyagou cliff-hanging road are narrow; be cautious when passing other vehicles [Three] Recommended combined tours Henan section: Guoliang Village (cliff-hanging road), Bali Valley (waterfall clusters), ideal for cross-province Shanxi-Henan trips Shanxi section: Pingyao Ancient City (high-speed rail to Taigu West then transfer, approx. 3 hrs), Huangcheng Xiangfu (2 hrs by car)