Stop squeezing into crowded places! How beautiful is the "Little Lijiang of the North" hidden deep in the Taihang Mountains?

The moment I sailed through the canyon, I held my breath… You think the North only has loess and mountains? Then you’ve really missed out—📍Qingtian River Scenic Area, Jiaozuo, Henan! It’s not as popular as Yuntai Mountain, but it hides the gentlest Taihang mountain waters in China: emerald waters winding like silk ribbons, deep canyons like galleries, red cliffs towering on both sides, and the lake reflecting blue skies and white clouds. Taking a small boat slowly through it feels like stepping into a traditional Chinese ink painting! This is “the most beautiful secret of the southern Taihang,” and one of National Geographic’s recommended “Top Ten Tranquil Places in Central China.” I just came back from there and wholeheartedly recommend it: this seriously underrated treasure is worth a special trip! 📍 Itinerary suggestion: Qingtian River one-day highlights tour (suitable for families/couples/photographers) > ✅ Recommended way to play: depart from Zhengzhou/Luoyang/Jiaozuo for a weekend getaway > 🚗 Self-drive or high-speed train + bus available 🛫 Departure → Scenic area transportation info 🕘 8:30 AM departure from Zhengzhou (about 2.5 hours) 🚗 Navigation: “Qingtian River Scenic Area Visitor Center” - road conditions good, gentle mountain roads, even beginners can drive - free parking with ample space 🚄 High-speed train option: - arrive at [Jiaozuo Station] → transfer to tourist shuttle bus or carpool (about 1 hour) 🎫 Ticket reference (2024 latest): Adult ticket: 70 RMB/person - Boat combo ticket (must buy): 100 RMB/person (includes round-trip boat ride + shore attractions) 📌 Book tickets in advance via the “Qingtian River Tourism Official WeChat” and enter with ID card! 🌊 First stop: Dam Pier → Boat through Baliyah Gorge (a god-level experience!) ✅ This is the soul of Qingtian River! Board the boat and start a 40-minute water crossing journey—🌊 Before your eyes unfolds: cliffs thousands of feet high on both sides, carved like with knives and axes - lake water crystal clear and blue, reflecting continuous mountain ranges - egrets skim the water surface, fishing boats gently rowed, very much like Guilin’s Li River, but with a pure northern mountain water spirit! 📷 Must-shoot spots: 1️⃣ Stand at the bow with your back to the camera: wear a white long dress + straw hat, shoot “walking in a painting” 2️⃣ Water reflection: capture symmetrical composition when there’s no wind 3️⃣ Moment passing under the arch bridge: use slow shutter to capture water flow trails 💡 Tips: sit on the right window side (sunlight not direct, clearer photos) - remember to wear a hat + sunglasses when boarding! The lake surface is very reflective - you can bring your own snacks and drinks, none sold on the boat 🏞️ Second stop: Moon Bay & Natural Bridge (get off and hike check-in points) The boat stops mid-route, allowing you to get off and visit two stunning spots: 🌙 Moon Bay: a crescent-shaped lake nestled among mountains, surrounded by green trees, so quiet you can hear water dripping, perfect for meditation, sketching, or moody photography. 🌉 Natural Bridge: a huge stone bridge formed by natural limestone caves, 50 meters high, 60 meters span; standing under it looking up, you marvel at nature’s craftsmanship! 📌 Hiking distance about 1.2 km, gentle and easy, suitable for elderly and children! ⛰️ Third stop: Guanyin Gorge or Daqian Lake loop (choose one based on your stamina) Option A: Guanyin Gorge (recommended! light hiking + high photo success rate) About 2 km total, well-maintained boardwalk, walk and shoot along the way: - cliffside path built along the wall, thrilling yet safe - waterfalls and streams flow year-round, super refreshing in summer - “One Line Sky” light and shadow interplay, great for casual phone shots 🔹 Option B: Daqian Lake loop trail (quiet choice) Walk slowly along the lake, watch reeds sway and wild ducks play, perfect for vlog narration: “By this undisturbed lakeside, I found myself again.” 🍽️ What to eat for lunch? Authentic farmhouse flavors! Outside the scenic area, [Qingtian River Town] gathers many farm restaurants ✅ Recommended shops: [Lakeside Home], [Old Captain’s Restaurant] Must-try: - Huaifu Nao Soup Donkey Meat (Henan intangible cultural heritage, fragrant but not greasy) - Stir-fried river shrimp + grilled fish (freshly caught lake delicacies) - Mixed grain pancakes + millet porridge (healthy coarse grains) Around 50 RMB per person, satisfying and down-to-earth! 🏨 Staying overnight is even better! Recommended lakeside homestays If you have time, strongly suggest staying one night to experience how magical Qingtian River is in the morning! ✅ Recommended accommodations: Qingtian River Creekside Homestay: open the window to see the lake, fall asleep to the sound of water at night Taihang Cloud House: strong design sense, with terrace tea room, perfect for sunrise shots 💰 Price: 300–600 RMB/night (book at least 1 month in advance for holidays!) 🌅 Wake up at 6:30 AM, enjoy the empty pier alone, mist drifting over the lake, sunrise slowly rising—at this moment, you’ll feel all the travel was worth it. 📌 Super practical tips to help you avoid detours! ✅ Best seasons: - Spring (April–May): mountain flowers bloom, moderate water flow - Autumn (September–October): colorful forests, pleasant climate - Summer is perfect for cooling off (5–8°C cooler than city) - Winter offers quiet snowy scenes, but boats may not operate ✅ Clothing guide: - Big temperature difference in mountains, recommend “shell jacket + thin sweater” combo - Wear non-slip sports shoes! Some sections are slippery ✅ Photography tips: Use a polarizing filter to reduce water glare - For reflections: turn off flash, shoot low and close to water - For people: use wide-angle to stretch space, more stunning background ✅ Pitfall warnings: ❌ Don’t go last minute! Peak seasons (National Day/Red Leaf Festival) require advance booking of rooms + tickets ❌ Food inside the scenic area is expensive, bring your own simple meals on the boat ❌ Last boat usually at 4:30 PM, don’t miss the return time! How many “pretending to be wild” travel photos have you seen? Have you ever sat on a slow boat, watching the green mountains on both sides recede, and suddenly realized: true healing is not escaping the city, but learning to quietly watch a river again. Qingtian River is not noisy; it tells you with a lake of clear water—that northern mountains and waters can be so gentle. This autumn, stop scrolling short videos, go to Qingtian River, and let your heart drift for a while. 📌 Follow me to discover the ultimate hidden beauty of Central China!