2024 Sanmenxia Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Sanmenxia is situated in western Henan province. It is regarded one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization and is home to a number of historical attractions including Neolithic remains from the Yangshao era, Hangu Pass (mentioned in the classic text Tao Te Ching written by the Chinese philosopher Laozi) and Baolun Temple Pagoda, one of just four echo-producing structures in China. There are also several natural attractions including the Yellow River, Yawu Mountain and Sanmenxia Dam.
Today's Weather
Clear -1-7℃
Popular Attractions
Shan Zhou Silo-Cave
Hangu Pass
The Three Gorges Dam 🤩
The Three Gorges Dam is an impressive feat of engineering and a crucial part of China's effort to modernise its energy infrastructure.
Visiting the damn os definitely a must. There are different tours to see different part of the infrastructure.
The dam has had some positive effects, including reducing flooding risk and providing renewable hydroelectric power in the country.
#china #ThreeGorgesDam
Sanmenxia–Luoyang–Zhengzhou 10-Day In-Depth Tour: A Complete Guide.
Hey guys, here's a super detailed guide for a 10-day tour of Sanmenxia, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou! Get this treasure guide and start your journey to Henan!
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📅 Route Overview:
Day 1–2: Depart from Chengdu, arrive at Sanmenxia South, and start your journey to Henan.
Day 3: Head to Luoyang, visit Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, Peony Garden, and Lijing Gate, and feel the charm of the ancient capital.
Day 4: Continue your trip in Luoyang, head to Luanchuan to explore Laojun Mountain, climb to the top of the Golden Summit, and take aerial photos of the Golden Summit as a souvenir.
Day 5–6: Head to Jiaozuo, visit Shaolin Temple, and spend two days exploring Yuntai Mountain, enjoying the natural scenery of Red Stone Gorge and Tanpu Gorge.
Day 7–8: Head to Xinxiang, visit Wanxian Mountain and the cliff road in Guoliang Village, experience the local customs of Nanping and Hongqi Canal, then head to Linzhou to visit Taihang Grand Canyon, and visit Gulou Night Market in the evening.
Day 9: Visit Kaifeng on the way back to Zhengzhou, visit Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden and Baogong Temple, and enjoy the Song Dynasty style of Xiaosong City.
Day 10: End your pleasant journey to Henan and return to Chengdu.
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Must-visit attractions:
✨ Longmen Grottoes: An art treasure trove spanning thousands of years, the exquisite Buddha statues are breathtaking, a close combination of history and art.
🌄 Laojun Mountain Scenic Area: Climb high and look far, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea of clouds and sunrise, and experience the profound Taoist culture.
🥋 Shaolin Temple: The origin of Zen Buddhism and martial arts! Come here to feel the charm of martial arts, pray and make a wish, it's definitely worth a visit.
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Some tips:
- Photo spots📸: Sanmenxia Shanzhou Pit Courtyard, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, Zhengzhou Erqi Memorial Tower, don't miss them!
- Specialty prices💰: Sanmenxia apples, Luoyang peony cakes, affordable prices, suitable for taking away.
- Food recommendations🍜: Luoyang beef soup, Zhengzhou stewed noodles, authentic and delicious, a must-try!
- Local customs🎉: Experience the paper-cutting art of Sanmenxia and the Peony Culture Festival of Luoyang, and feel the charm of local culture.
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🎉The magnificence of Sanmenxia, the ancient charm of Luoyang, and the prosperity of Zhengzhou are waiting for you to explore one by one. Have a nice trip!✨
White swans dance gracefully, reflecting the sun's rays. Enjoy the elegance of nature.
Here's a guide for a one-day round trip from Xi'an to Sanmenxia to see the white swans 😊
### Transportation Guide 🚇
- **Xi'an to Sanmenxia**: Take a high-speed train from Xi'an North Railway Station to Sanmenxia South Railway Station. The journey takes about 1 hour 💨.
- **Sanmenxia to Swan Lake Wetland Park**: Take a taxi or bus. The journey takes about 10 minutes 🚌.
- **Swan Lake Wetland Park to Tongguan Ancient City**: Take a car. The journey takes about 1.5 hours 🚗.
### Itinerary ⏰
- **Morning**:
- 07:15 Meet at the north gate of the Conservatory of Music 📍.
- 07:30 Depart from the TV Tower Wujiafen 🏃♂️.
- 11:00 Arrive at Swan Lake Wetland Park, tour the park, and enjoy local delicacies 🍽️.
- **Noon**:
- 13:00-14:00 Take a cruise on Swan Lake 🚢.
- **Afternoon**:
- 14:30 Head to Tongguan Ancient City for a visit 🏰.
- 16:00 Arrive at Tongguan Ancient City.
- **Evening**:
- 18:00 Return to Xi'an 🚙.
- 20:00 Arrive in Xi'an 🏙️.
### Ticket Information 💰
- **Swan Lake Cruise**: Group ticket is CNY 60. The cruise takes about 60 minutes ⏳.
### Local Food Recommendations 🍴
- **Lingbao Roujiamo** 🥙
- **Lamb Soup** 🍲
- **Stone Baked Bread** 🥐
- **Dadao Noodles** 🍜
- **Pickled Eggs** 🥚
### Clothing Guide 👗
- It is recommended to choose clothes in light colors, such as white, gray, or light blue coats 🌈.
- You can bring a warm-colored scarf and a woolen hat 🧣🧤, which will look great in photos 📷!
I hope this guide helps you enjoy a one-day round trip from Xi'an to Sanmenxia and have a great time with the white swans 💕!
Beautiful Swan Lake.
🕙Opening Hours
Open all day for free
🌟Highlights:
Swan Lake's swans are mainly concentrated in the following areas: ① The north gate of Swan Lake, with the city as the background, has a large number of swans and red-billed gulls.
② The south gate of Swan Lake is the main entrance of the scenic area, and it has a special feeling of big white geese in the park.
You can walk from the north gate to the south gate along the wooden plank road around the island (more than 10,000 steps back and forth), and you will pass the black swan area on the north bank of Canglong Lake.
③ The east gate of Swan Lake allows you to get close to the swans, and you can stand next to them.
Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park
Xi'an High-speed Rail 1h Sanmenxia 1-day Round Trip to See Swans.
🦢 White swans, beautiful and elegant "water fairies", Sanmenxia is their second home. In autumn and winter, white swans fly over mountains and rivers, ❄️ from Siberia to spend the winter, the sky, lakes, rivers, wetlands...
⌚️ Swan watching time:
Winter December to the end of February
✅ Xi'an round-trip transportation
High-speed rail (Xi'an North - Sanmenxia South 115¥1h)
Train (Xi'an Station - Sanmenxia Station 48¥3.5h)
📍 Address: Located in the ecological area between the east and west urban areas of Sanmenxia City, Henan Province
🚘 Distance: 1h by high-speed rail from Xi'an
💰 Ticket: Free
✅ Swan watching area in Swan Lake Wetland Park:
✨① The north gate of Swan Lake is the area with the most swans, with the city as the background, and there are also "seagulls" (red-billed gulls)
✨② The south gate of Swan Lake is the main entrance of the scenic area, which has the feeling of a big white goose in the park. Walk along the wooden plank road from the north gate to the south gate for a deep tour around the island (more than 10,000 steps back and forth) through the black swan area on the north bank of Canglong Lake
✨③ The east gate of Swan Lake can get close to the swans, and you can stand next to the swans (the north gate is separated by a high platform and railing, and the south gate is separated by a railing)
✅ Travel tips
① It is recommended to arrive around 3 pm, no later than 4 pm
② Get off at the north gate and walk in, around the lake, first go to the left hand side there will be a reed marsh, and there are swans that can be close to, take half an hour left
Right
③ Then go straight to the right, along the main road (the side with the trestle bridge) forward, there will be a group of Siberian swans quacking (the first time to feel what is called noise) there are also people selling small food for feeding (in fact, you don't need to buy because there are many people next to you will feed the swans will come over) this side takes about an hour
④ This road goes to the end, go up a small slope to the right oblique direction, you will see the Three Gorges Dam, is also a great place to watch the sunset
⑤ Many people basically leave after watching the swans, there are not only few people but also thieves! You can set up a tripod here and wait quietly for the sun to set
✅ Bus one-day schedule
📍 Xi'an ➡️ Sanmenxia ➡️ Swan Lake Wetland Park ➡️ Tongguan Ancient City ➡️ Xi'an
06:45-07:30 Xi'an city center
11:00 Arrive at Swan Lake Wetland Park
11:00-13:00 Visit Swan Lake Wetland Park and taste local food
13:00-14:00 Take a cruise
14:30 Go to Tongguan Ancient City
16:00 Arrive at Tongguan Ancient City for a tour
18:00 Return to Xi'an
🚌 TV Tower ➡️ Swan Lake Wetland Park is about 238km, driving time is about 3.5h
🚌 Swan Lake Wetland Park ➡️ Tongguan Ancient City is about 94KM, driving time is about 1.5h
Xi'an to Sanmenxia in 1 hour by high-speed rail to see swans!
White swans, the beautiful and elegant "nymphs", Sanmenxia is their second home. As autumn ends and winter comes, white swans fly over mountains and rivers from Siberia to spend the winter here. The sky, lakes, rivers, and wetlands are all filled with the beautiful figures of white swans, and Sanmenxia welcomes the most beautiful season of the year.
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🕑Best time to see white swans: December to the end of February
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✅Round-trip transportation from Xi'an
👉High-speed rail🚄 (Xi'an North - Sanmenxia South 💰115🕑1h)
👉Train🚉 (Xi'an Station - Sanmenxia Station 💰48🕑3.5h)
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4⃣️Best places to see white swans in Sanmenxia:
1⃣️⭐⭐⭐Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park
📍Transportation: Take the No. 1 bus 🚌 to Swan Lake Park after arriving at the station/take a taxi (💰about 10 yuan)
🎫Ticket: Swan Lake cruise 95 yuan, cruise about 60 minutes.
🦢Swan viewing area in Swan Lake Wetland Park:
①Swan Lake North Gate is the area with the most swans, with the city as the background, and there are also "seagulls" (red-billed gulls)
②Swan Lake South Gate is the main entrance of the scenic area, with a special feeling of big white geese in the park. Walk along the boardwalk from the north gate to the south gate (more than 10,000 steps back and forth) and pass through the black swan area on the north bank of Canglong Lake
③Swan Lake East Gate allows you to get close to the swans, you can stand next to the swans (the north gate is separated by a high platform and railing, and the south gate is separated by a railing)
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❗Note: There is no parking lot at the east gate. If you need to park, it is recommended to park at the east gate of the Vocational and Technical College from north to south; it is recommended to park at the "Sports Park (next to the Cultural Expo City)" from south to north, then walk under the bridge and along the boardwalk to the east gate
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2⃣️⭐⭐⭐Wangguan Yellow River Wetland (Wangguan Village Swan Nature Reserve)
📍Address: Wangguan Yellow River Beach, Hubin District, Sanmenxia City
🚌Transportation: Jiaogu East Town Tourist Line
Self-driving: Navigate along the Yellow River Ecological Corridor to Wangguan Village Swan Reserve
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3⃣️⭐⭐Demonstration Area Dawang Town Houde Swan Bay
📍Address: Dawang Town, Demonstration Area, Sanmenxia City
🚗Self-driving: Navigate along the Yellow River Ecological Corridor to Lingbao Houde Swan Viewing Point
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4⃣️⭐⭐Yellow River Park
📍Address: North of Sanmenxia City
🦢Viewing point: Reed Lake
🚌Transportation: Bus No. 6/9
🚗Self-driving: Navigate along the Yellow River Ecological Corridor to Yellow River Park
Sanmenxia Pit Courtyard, a courtyard below the horizon!!!
Sanmenxia Pit Courtyard, a courtyard below the horizon!!!
😍Today, I want to share a very special place with you all—Sanmenxia Pit Courtyard.
🌟It is known as the "ancient village below the horizon, a living fossil in the history of residential buildings." When you come here, the first thing you see is a flat land, but who would have thought that there is a wonderful world hidden beneath your feet.
💕The architectural style of the pit courtyard is truly unique! It is a square or rectangular deep pit dug downwards on a flat loess surface, and then cave dwellings are dug out on the four walls of the pit. This unique landscape of "seeing trees but not the village, entering the village but not seeing houses, hearing voices but not seeing people" seems to take us to another time and space.
🎈The layout of the cave dwellings in the courtyard is also very particular, with cave dwellings for living, storage, and even kitchen. Each cave dwelling has a strong sense of life, and you can feel the bits and pieces of life of our ancestors here.
🌈Here, you can stroll around, admire exquisite paper-cutting, and taste local specialties. Whether it's taking photos or experiencing folk culture, Sanmenxia Pit Courtyard is definitely worth a visit.😘
[Autumn Feast] Luoyang Surrounding Tour: Red Leaf Ancient Village, Embrace Autumn Style.
[Autumn Feast] Luoyang Surrounding Tour: Red Leaf Ancient Village, Embrace Autumn Style
🍁🐕Autumn is strong, the heart is far away, autumn is the most poetic season of the four seasons, and I have a special love for this season. The fragrance of osmanthus flowers floats with the wind, and the colorful colors in the mountains and fields are like paintings. It is time to invite a few friends and bring your beloved pets to feel this autumn gift together.
🌈All the way by car, we were shocked by the palette of nature, red, blue, green, yellow... colorful, beautiful and intoxicating. The persimmon trees are full of lantern-like fruits, and the huge persimmons are amazing; the sweet and sour hawthorn is unforgettable. 🏡In front of the door of the villagers, the fruits of the autumn harvest are hung, and every smiling face is full of the joy of the harvest. Autumn is really a season that people can't help but love.
📅[Best time to enjoy red] Mid-October every year, but the colors in the mountains are unpredictable, and every visit in autumn is a visual feast.
📍[Departure location] Luoyang city, navigate to Potou Township, Mianchi County, Sanmenxia. There are many scenic spots along the way, and the paved road is suitable for all types of vehicles.
🚗[Highlights of the itinerary] After enjoying the red leaves, drive 25 kilometers to reach Zhaogou Ancient Village. This is a relic of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and there is a 2,500-year-old locust tree at the entrance of the village, and the sense of history is awe-inspiring.
🍲[Perfect Day] The whole trip can be easily completed in one day, enjoy red leaves, visit ancient villages, and taste farmhouse meals, the autumn atmosphere is perfectly interpreted here.
Half of Henan's history is China's history! "Traveling in Henan, understanding China" This time I came to Sanmenxia, touched the relics of Yangshao culture, and felt the civilization.
Half of Henan's history is China's history! "Traveling in Henan, understanding China" This time I came to Sanmenxia, touched the relics of Yangshao culture, and felt the civilization and heritage!
✅In Xianmen Mountain Scenic Area, feel the thrilling glass plank road, dry slide, water slide...!
✅At the Sanmenxia Dam, the "first dam of the Yellow River", feel the spirit of "the water of the Yellow River comes from the sky"!
✅"See trees but not villages, enter villages but not houses, enter houses but not doors, hear voices but not people" This is a spectacle of Shanzhou Dikengyuan.
✅Go to Hangu Pass, feel the majestic momentum of the millennium and the profound heritage of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"!
"Yu" see Henan, "Yu" see yourself...
Sanmenxia Dam/The First Dam of the Yellow River
Sanmenxia Dam Scenic Area, a 3A scenic area, is located in the northeast of Hubin District, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province. It is adjacent to Shanxi Province in the north and Shaanxi Province in the west, and is known as the "Golden Triangle" in western Henan. It was built in 1957 and is the first large-scale water conservancy hub project built on the main stream of the Yellow River in China. It is known as "The First Dam of the Yellow River".
Standing on the dam, you can feel the majestic momentum of the Yellow River, step across two provinces, and have a charming geographical location! You can also visit the construction process of the dam and understand its important role in the control of the Yellow River. Its unique landscapes in winter and summer attract countless tourists and are an ideal place for people to visit, travel, relax, and escape the summer heat. The Zhongliuzhizhu Scenic Area and the viewing platform are good places for taking photos, where you can take photos of the beautiful canyon scenery and the panoramic view of the dam.
🎫Ticket: CNY 30/person.
🕙Time: 08:30-18:30
📍Address: Wangda Road, Hubin District, Sanmenxia City.
🚌Transportation: It is about 20 km away from the downtown area. Take the bus route "Sanmenxia Dam-Vocational and Technical College". The driver drives very fast, and it takes about 30-40 minutes to get there from the downtown area. It is not easy to take a taxi around the scenic area. Only buses depart at every hour. You can check the bus station location on the map software.
2024 Self-driving in Shandong, Jiangsu, and Henan (17): Visit to the Shanxi Underground Courtyard.
Mostly, we detoured to Sanmenxia City from Luoyang for this Shanxi Underground Courtyard.
Sanmenxia Shanxi Underground Courtyard, also known as the Tianjing Kiln Courtyard, originated from early human cave dwellings. According to expert verification, it has a history of more than 4,000 years and is one of the most characteristic earth pit buildings in Chinese residences.
As an ancient and magical residential style, the earth pit courtyard contains rich culture. It is the only underground ancient residential building in the country and even the world, and it is one of the four unique ancient residential buildings in China. Known as the "ancient village under the horizon, living fossil in the history of residential buildings".
This magical underground village - you can't see the house when you enter the village, you can't see the village when you see the tree, the car passes over the roof, you can't hear people, this is the Shanxi Underground Courtyard. Located in the Shanxi District of Sanmenxia City, it is known as the "Four Jue" together with the Beijing Quadrangle, Fujian Tulou, and Shaanbei Cave.
The structure of the earth pit courtyard is actually to dig 6-7 meters deep on the flat ground, a rectangular or square earth pit 12-15 meters long as a courtyard, and then dig 10-14 caves in the four walls of the pit, with a project volume of about 2,000 cubic meters.
The cave is about 3 meters high, 8-12 meters deep, and about 4 meters wide. The wall below two meters of the cave is vertical, and the top is round arch. One of the caves is cut into a slope to form a step-shaped passage leading to the ground. It is a passage for people to travel, called a cave, which is the entrance of the earth pit courtyard.
The earth pit courtyard is located on the edge of the Loess Plateau, with thick and hard soil layers. The cave is also a natural temperature regulator, warm in winter and cool in summer, especially its simple and cheap construction. For the poor mountain people in the past, such a building is ideal.
Shanxi is dry and rainy, frozen, and the hurricane is piercing, which is not suitable for human habitation. The emergence of the earth pit courtyard just solved these problems.
Some people have studied the Fujian Hakka Tulou and found that the architectural style of the Tulou is in line with the Shanxi Underground Courtyard. The difference is that the earth building is built on the ground. This is because the south is humid and warm, and there is a lot of water underground, so it is impossible to dig the ground for pits and dig pits for houses like the Shanxi Underground Courtyard. In fact, the earth building has become a living fossil of the migration of northern ethnic groups to the south.
Two types of residences, one concave and one convex, one yin and one yang, are of the same origin.
I chatted with the aborigines, and they are basically relocated now. They don't miss the earth pit courtyard. No matter how they say it, the ground house is comfortable. The current earth pit courtyard has been built into a landscape, one is to protect the original appearance, and the other is to let more people see this unique residence. The original earth pit courtyards are not connected to each other, and a large family lives in a courtyard, which has now become various folk exhibition halls.
There is no commanding height, and the whole picture cannot be seen, which is a bit regrettable...
Shanxi Underground Courtyard
Underground Ancient Village - Shanxi Shanzhou Dikengyuan.
Stepping into Shanxi Shanzhou Dikengyuan is like stepping into a time tunnel. The sunken courtyards carry the weight and vicissitudes of history. In the Dikengyuan, the simple cave dwellings and quiet courtyards are intertwined into a beautiful picture full of rustic charm. Shanxi Shanzhou Dikengyuan, this unique underground residential wonder, attracts countless tourists to explore with its rich folk customs.
Western Zhou enforcers? Zhou Feng Guo Yun, Sanmenxia Guo State Museum
Spent two days in Sanmenxia, briefly visited a few attractions, today I will introduce the Guo State Museum, which is quite worth mentioning. The museum is currently a national 4A scenic spot and a national second-level museum.
Guo State, King Wen of Zhou enfeoffed his two brothers, Guo Zhong and Guo Shu, as the rulers of Eastern Guo and Western Guo. Eastern Guo was located in Xingyang, Henan, while Western Guo was located in Baoji, Shaanxi, guarding the Western Zhou from both sides. The people of Guo State were skilled in battle and participated in many significant historical events from the Western Zhou to the early Spring and Autumn period. Over time, Eastern Guo was destroyed by the State of Zheng in the early Spring and Autumn period, and Western Guo migrated eastward to the area around present-day Sanmenxia, Henan, eventually being destroyed by the rising State of Jin, leading to the complete exit of Guo State from the historical stage.
The museum, the Guo State site was excavated in 1956, rated as one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in the country in 1990, and the museum was built and opened in 2000. It underwent renovation and upgrading in 2018, and the overall exhibition is still quite good, featuring a display mode of museum + chariot and horse pits + site.
Highlights, bronzes, the museum's collection of bronzes is exquisitely decorated, with a rich variety of shapes and clear inscriptions, worth seeing. Jade, this part is even more stunning, with many ancient jade artifacts used for sacrificial purposes, diverse and exquisite, including some jade sets and various animal-themed pieces, many of which are seen for the first time. Chariot and horse pits and site, the museum is built on the site, preserving many chariot and horse pits and site areas, still worth a visit.
"When the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold", during the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Jin wanted to attack Guo State and borrowed the way from the State of Yu. The minister of Yu, Gong Zhiqi, advised the ruler of Yu that if Guo State perished, Yu State would also be in danger, just as without lips, the teeth would feel cold. In the end, Yu State still lent the way to Jin State, and after destroying Guo State, Jin State turned around and also destroyed Yu State, which is the origin of the saying "when the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold".
The museum ticket is 40 yuan, located in the urban area of Sanmenxia, with very few visitors, making for a great experience. The highlights are the bronzes, jades, and chariot and horse pits, and it is quite rewarding to visit.
Henan Shanzhou Pit Courtyard Comprehensive Travel Guide
🎀🎀Featured Attractions
1️⃣ Underground Palace: The core of the pit courtyard ❤️ located 10 meters underground, covering an area of about 8000 square meters, consisting of three large halls and more than ten small halls.
2️⃣ Pit Courtyard: Many villages in Shanzhou have pit courtyards, with unique village layouts. The walls of the pit courtyard are carved into cave dwellings, with a 'seepage well' in the center of the courtyard and a 'horse-blocking wall' on the ground. From a high vantage point, the village appears to be a series of interconnected pits. Upon entering the village, one can find that the cave dwellings are full of vitality.
3️⃣ Mountain Stove: A unique earthen stove in the pit courtyard, with a sloping stove platform that ascends in sequence, and interconnected stove hearts. There are nine stove holes on the stove, allowing nine different-sized iron pots to be placed simultaneously. This stove uses the principle of rising heat, with functions for stewing, simmering, and keeping warm, making it particularly suitable for preparing the local 'Ten Bowl Feast.'
🎀🎀Itinerary Planning
Recommended duration: 1 - 2 days
1️⃣ Day 1: Visit the underground palace and pit courtyard villages to learn about the local history, culture, and architectural features. Try local specialties in the Shanzhou Pit Courtyard Scenic Area, such as the 'Ten Bowls.'
2️⃣ Day 2: Participate in local religious activities to experience the religious atmosphere of the pit courtyard. If interested, you can also visit other nearby attractions.
🎀🎀Specialty Foods
1️⃣ Ten Bowls: One of the pit courtyard's specialty dishes, including a bowl of stewed meat, a bowl of stewed tender meat, a bowl of steamed meat, a bowl of braised meat, a bowl of braised pork, etc., a combination of ten meat dishes.
2️⃣ Seepage Well Noodles: A traditional local noodle dish made with well water, offering a unique taste.
3️⃣ Pit Courtyard Wine: Locally brewed wine with a mellow taste and long-lasting aftertaste.
🎀🎀Travel Essentials
1️⃣ Clothing: Henan Pit Courtyard is located on the Loess Plateau, with a relatively dry climate and significant temperature differences between morning and evening. Remember to bring warm clothing and rain gear. Also, don't forget sun protection products as there is plenty of sunlight.
2️⃣ Shoes: Pit courtyards are mostly on mountain terraces with uneven terrain, so comfortable, non-slip shoes are a must.
3️⃣ Food: There are many local specialties, so bring some snacks or dry food to replenish energy while playing. Also, pay attention to food hygiene.
4️⃣ Communication: The signal in the pit courtyard may not be very good, so inform family and friends of your itinerary and expected return time in advance. Also, bring some emergency medicines and band-aids just in case.
When you visit Sanmenxia with your children, you must explore a museum
🏛️【A Journey Through Time at the Guo State Museum】🔍
👣 Stepping into the Sanmenxia Guo State Museum feels like traveling through a time tunnel, returning to that mysterious and glorious ancient kingdom. The mottled marks on the bronzes tell stories of a thousand years, and each artifact is a witness to history.
👀 Walking through the exhibition halls, I was deeply attracted by the exquisite jade and pottery. They not only showcase the superb craftsmanship of ancient artisans but also reveal the unique charm of Guo State culture. I seemed to hear the distant bells and see scenes of ancient people living and worshiping here.
📚 By delving into the explanatory plaques, I gained a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and social landscape of the Guo State. The texts were like keys, opening the door to the ancient world, giving me a more comprehensive and profound understanding of that period in history.
💭 Leaving the museum, my heart was full of emotions. This in-depth tour not only allowed me to appreciate the splendor of ancient civilization but also made me feel the profoundness of Chinese culture. I am proud to be a descendant of the Chinese nation and cherish and love our shared cultural heritage even more.💖
Places to visit for free with kids in Sanmenxia
📍In-depth guide & experience of Sanmenxia Museum👀✨
Hey travel enthusiasts! Today, let's unlock the treasure tour of Sanmenxia Museum🗺️✨
As soon as you step into this museum located in Shanzhou Park, it's like traveling through a thousand years of history🌊. The museum is divided into two floors, each a cultural feast! The first floor focuses on the exquisite ceramics of Miaodigou culture, with the white-glazed pearl-ground carved flower plum vase being particularly stunning, leaving visitors in awe👀.
On the second floor, the Guo State bronze ware exhibition area features the feather-patterned flat pot, which is definitely the museum's treasure. The craftsmanship is so exquisite that one can't help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancients👏. Don't forget to experience the magic wall interactive system, making history within reach, as if you were in that era💻.
It is recommended to reserve at least 2 hours to savor the stories of each exhibition hall. The ticket is only 25 yuan, half price for students, making it very cost-effective💰! Remember to buy tickets online in advance to avoid queuing on-site📱.
Tired of walking? Nearby delicacies await you, such as lamb paomo and cold noodles, offering authentic flavors that will satisfy your taste buds🍜.
Feelings? It's a dual feast for the eyes and soul! Every artifact whispers the history, making one deeply immersed. Here, you can not only learn knowledge but also feel the depth and warmth of the culture🔥.
Come to Sanmenxia Museum and start your in-depth tour! Remember to bring your camera to capture these unforgettable moments📸.
Sanmenxia Wanda Meihua Hotel, a warm haven standing by the Yellow River!!!
Sanmenxia Wanda Meihua, a warm haven standing by the Yellow River
1️⃣ In Sanmenxia, on the banks of the Yellow River, the pearl of the land hides a gentle haven in the traveler's heart - the Sanmenxia Wanda Meihua Hotel. Located near the high-speed railway's south station, it is a warm haven on the traveler's journey home.
2️⃣ As we step into Sanmenxia and enter this tranquil world, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel is not just a place to rest, but also a leisurely garden integrated with the city's green lungs. Surrounded by brand new residential areas, the convenience of life and the freshness of nature meet perfectly here.
3️⃣ When the first light of morning shines down, a yoga session in the gym or a jog along the surrounding green paths allows you to embrace a healthy lifestyle even while traveling. Wanda Meihua, with its comprehensive services and attentive care, quietly awakens your longing for a beautiful life.
4️⃣ In the afternoon, why not take a break in the hotel's cafe? A rich coffee accompanied by the view outside the window slows down the pace of life to a leisurely and comfortable rhythm.
At nightfall, the hotel lights and the starry sky reflect each other, creating a tranquil space for travelers. Choose a room with a broad view, stand by the window to gaze at the night scene, and quietly feel the romance that belongs only to the night.
5️⃣ Don't forget, the charm of Sanmenxia goes far beyond this. Departing from the hotel, whether you're exploring the grand Sanmenxia Dam or strolling through the historical corridors of the Shanzhou Sinkhole Courtyards, each trip will bring you a different experience.
The museum with a garden and the garden with a museum
The Sanmenxia City Museum is located within the Shanzhou Ancient City Ruins Park, with over 15,000 cultural relics in its collection, including more than 1,400 precious national relics of grade three or above, covering various physical objects that represent the historical and cultural development of the Sanmenxia area from prehistoric times to the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The basic exhibition is 'Ancient Charm of Xiaohan—The Ancient Culture Exhibition of Sanmenxia', with the first exhibition hall mainly displaying historical relics from the 'Humanities Beginnings—Prehistoric Period' and 'Traces of Ancient States—Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties' of the Sanmenxia area. The second exhibition hall mainly displays historical relics from the 'Xiaohan Turbulence—Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States, Qin Dynasty', 'Famous Province and Esteemed Prefecture—Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties', 'Between Two Capitals—Sui and Tang Dynasties', and 'Legacy of Shan and Guo—Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties' of the Sanmenxia area. The Yangshao culture, Guo State bronzes, crescent-patterned painted pottery jars, colored glaze pottery owls, Zhuiyi gui, pearl-patterned twisted branch flower porcelain plum vases, 28 bronze figurines, and Guozhou stone inkstones are all famous cultural relics. The museum is situated in the Shanzhou Scenic Area, and visitors can enter without an appointment. Free admission tickets can be obtained at the entrance. To reach the museum, take bus 1, 2, or 17 to the entrance of Shanzhou Park and walk 1200 meters north. Nearby, visitors can also walk to visit the Baolong Temple Pagoda, Bell and Drum Tower, Gantang Garden, and Shipai Square.
Sanmenxia Museum
Sanmenxia, anciently known as Shan territory, got its name because Yu the Great split open three gates. Flanked by the Yellow River and bordering the Xiaohan Pass, it lies adjacent to the Central Plains and near the states of Qin and Jin, historically known as the 'lock and key of the two capitals.' This place is located on the southeastern edge of the Loess Plateau, with a unique environment, serving as the cradle of Chinese civilization and a continuously thriving land.
📍Address: Inside Shan State Park, Sun Road, Hubin District, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province
🈺️Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)
🎫Ticket: Free admission
Sanmenxia | Baolun Temple Pagoda
During the Han dynasties, Buddhism was introduced to China from ancient India, and it spread during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, reaching its zenith in the Tang Dynasty. After a long period of dissemination and development, a form of Buddhism with Chinese national characteristics was formed. Sanmenxia is one of the important areas for the spread of Buddhism, and to this day, there are still Buddhist relics such as the Hongqing Temple Grottoes, Baolun Temple, Kongxiang Temple, and Anguo Temple.
The Baolun Temple Pagoda has been preserved to this day, and Baolun Temple already existed during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. In the first year of the Sui Renshou era (601 AD), the monk Daoxiu built a wooden pagoda within the temple by the order of Emperor Wen of Sui to enshrine the sarira, which was later destroyed. In the first year of the Tian Sheng era of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1023 AD), the wooden pagoda and the temple were rebuilt, and it was destroyed by the Jin troops in the first year of Jingkang. In the 17th year of Dading of the Jin Dynasty (1177 AD), the monk Zhixiu rebuilt it into a thirteen-level stepped, octagonal brick pagoda with a hollow core, officially named 'Baolun Temple San Sheng Sarira Pagoda', with a height of 26.5 meters.
In addition, the Pagoda Garden is based on one of the four ancient echo buildings that still exist in China.
📍Address: 150 meters east of the intersection of Nanda Street and Taiyang Road, Hubin District, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province
🈺️Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30
🎫Ticket: Free admission
A Hidden Paradise Underground – The Pit Courtyard
The Shan State Pit Courtyard, located in Beiyin Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, is an ancient and magical residential style that harbors a rich culture. It is the only underground ancient residential architecture in the country and even in the world, known as 'the ancient village beneath the horizon, a living fossil in the history of residential buildings,' and is one of the four unique ancient residential architectures in China. 'See trees but no village, enter the village but see no houses, enter the house but see no doors, hear sounds but see no people' is its true portrayal.
In 2005, the Shan State Pit Courtyard was listed as a provincial cultural relics protection unit by the Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau. It is a national AAAA-level scenic spot.
Walking into the Pit Courtyard and looking down from the horizon, the entire Pit Courtyard village is just some square pits and trees growing from the pits to the ground. This architectural form is not only a carrier of loess culture and Yellow River culture but also one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization.
Moreover, the Pit Courtyard is also a classic of intangible cultural heritage and an organic part of Chinese culture, crowned with accolades such as 'the underground courtyard,' 'a miracle in the history of residential architecture,' and 'the village beneath the horizon.'
A park by the Yellow River in Sanmenxia is filled with blooming purple flowers
Sanmenxia Yellow River Getting up early in the morning for a walk by the Yellow River in Sanmenxia, I came across a small park brimming with fresh purple flowers. Since it was early, there were hardly any people, making it very quiet. The park is very beautiful and particularly suitable for couples to take photos. Through the trees, one can see the calm waters of the Yellow River, also very serene. It was such a lovely sight that I took many photos.
Shanzhou Underground Courtyard
Shanzhou Underground Courtyard is worth a visit.
You see trees but not the village, enter the village but not the houses, go inside but not see doors, only people. The Sanmenxia Underground Courtyard, also known as the Skywell Courtyard, is a remnant of the ancient human dwelling lifestyle, known as the 'underground quadrangle' of northern China, with a history of about 4000 years.
Shanxian Underground Courtyard in Sanmenxia, distinctive and unique
The Shanxian Underground Courtyard, located in Beiyin Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanxian District, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, is an ancient and magical residential style. Rich in culture, it is the only underground ancient residential architecture in the country and even the world, known as 'the ancient village beneath the horizon, a living fossil in the history of residential buildings,' and is one of the four unique ancient residential architectures in China. 'Seeing trees but no village, entering the village but not seeing houses, entering a home but not seeing doors, hearing sounds but not seeing people' is its true portrayal.
The Dikeng Cultural Park mainly consists of 22 interconnected underground courtyards, each with different themes, comprehensively displaying the historical evolution of the underground courtyards and the lifestyle and folk skills of the people in the Shanxian region. At the same time, the scenic area also preserves many undeveloped underground courtyards for tourists to visit, searching for the lost underground ancient villages along the loess of Shan Plateau, allowing the traditional culture of the underground courtyards to be passed down for a long time.
The folk performances and intangible cultural heritage displays in the courtyard, such as grass beating and printing, Shanxian paper-cutting, gong and drum books, Chengni inkstones, puppet shows, shadow puppetry, sugar painting, red song performances, and Shanxian special wedding customs performances, are highly interactive and rich in culture, and have been well received by tourists since the opening.
PassportStampCollector*333 Guo State: A Splendid Representation of the Western Zhou Dynasty
The Guo State was an important Ji-surnamed feudal state during the early Western Zhou period. After King Wu defeated the Shang dynasty, he enfeoffed two of his uncles; one established the Eastern Guo State, and the other the Western Guo State. In the late Western Zhou period, the Western Guo State moved to the area now known as Sanmenxia and Pinglu in Shanxi, and was later destroyed by the State of Jin, thus exiting the stage of history.
The Guo State Museum, located in the Hubin District of Sanxia City, is an archaeological museum built on the foundation of the Western Zhou Guo State cemetery. The museum is primarily divided into five exhibition sections: a brief history, artifacts unearthed from the cemetery, artifacts from the tomb of the Marquis of Guo Ji's wife, the chariot and horse pit site, and the tomb site of Marquis Ji. From the unearthed artifacts displayed in the museum, we can see that the Guo State had a developed economy and culture, and was skilled in warfare. The rulers of the state often held important official positions within the Zhou dynasty, were highly regarded and valued by the Zhou emperors, and had a significant impact on the rise, development, and decline of the Zhou dynasty.
Apart from Luokun, there are also the Swan Lake in Sanmenxia around Luoyang!
The first time I visited Sanmenxia, the reputation of the City of Swans was definitely not an overstatement! On the way to the wetland park, the entire route along the Yellow River was filled with beautiful scenery. The position of the Yellow River Bridge's piers is absolutely the C position! The endless extension of the bridge piers gives a sense of infinity, filling the composition with imagination.
Swan Lake around Xi'an
Every year from mid-October to March of the following year, about 16,000 geese from Siberia migrate here to overwinter.
During the New Year, there may be too many people coming to see the big swans, and the park is limited in the afternoon. Everyone can navigate to the location, parking is very convenient, and you can also feed the swans at a close distance. You can bring your own corn kernels or buy them along the way, one yuan per small bag
Touring Sanmenxia, staying at Vienna International Hotel
After a night of heavy snow in Henan, the temperature was very low. We set off from Luoyang to Sanmenxia (the original plan of Longmen Grottoes and Laojun Mountain was abandoned due to the consideration of slippery roads after snow, after all, we are in our 70s and our legs are not good). After an unexpected two-hour traffic jam on the highway, we arrived at the Vienna Hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel, it was warm. The parking lot outside the building is large and parking is convenient. The hall is bright and the rooms are clean and sanitary. The indoor facilities are complete. From the room design to the sanitary ware, they are all high-grade. There is a kind of quiet and comfortable feeling at home in the room. The breakfast variety is rich, the service staff is enthusiastic, it was a great stay experience.
brianna.likes.acetylcholinesterase Check in at 'Shanzhou Dikengyuan', I really learned a lot after watching
Check in at Shanzhou Dikengyuan, I really learned a lot after watching.
Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles.
'An ancient village below the horizon, a living fossil in the history of residential houses.' You see trees but not the village, enter the village but not the house, enter the house but not the door, hear voices but not people, I really learned a lot after watching.
Navigation: Shanzhou Dikengyuan, after a scenic road, you will arrive.
The scenic area has a parking lot, convenient for parking. Parking fee is 10 yuan.
Ticket: 68 for adults, half price for children 1.2 meters to 1.5 meters, free for children under 1.2 meters.
Food: There is a snack street along the exit, and you can also experience the local special 'Shanzhou Ten Bowls Banquet'.
22 Dikengyuan are connected to each other, like walking in a maze. The courtyard displays folk performances and intangible cultural heritage displays, such as grass hammer printing, Shanzhou paper cutting, gong and drum books, Chengni inkstones, shadow puppetry, sugar painting, red song performances, Shanzhou special wedding customs performances, etc.
I experienced grass hammer printing and witnessed how the juice of flowers and plants is printed into a beautiful picture. It costs 20 yuan to experience printing and dyeing a small bag, and the price is not expensive.
I watched how the old lady spun a ball of cotton into silk thread, and the thread into cloth.
One of the courtyards has a mountain stove, the stove hearts are connected, according to the principle of hot air rising, nine stove holes are opened in turn, placing nine pots, and the stove temperature decreases upwards. The first fire of the mountain stove is the most vigorous, suitable for steaming and boiling. As the fire gradually weakens, it is stewing, stewing, and keeping warm in turn. The function is simply too powerful. Curious babies tiptoe to open each pot lid to see what's inside. (Of course there is no food inside)
Key points:
The Dikengyuan, also known as the 'Underground Siheyuan', is a unique local residential form of 'digging pits on the flat ground and chiseling kilns on the four walls'. The construction art has been included in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.
Distribution of Dikengyuan: It is distributed in Shanzhou District of Sanmenxia, Henan, Yuncheng, Shanxi, Qingyang in Longdong, Gansu, and some areas of Shaanxi. The Dikengyuan was mostly built in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. The earliest existing courtyard that still has people living in it has a history of more than 200 years and has been lived in by more than six generations. The building quality is simply top-notch.
Architectural features: The construction cost is low, the method is unique, the shape and decoration are beautiful, and the living is comfortable. The construction process does not cost a brick or a tile; in order to prevent rainwater from pouring into the cave, a seepage well is dug in the middle of the Dikengyuan for storing seepage rainwater; in order to prevent the accumulated water around the Dikengyuan from flowing into the courtyard, there are horse-stopping walls and green tile eaves around, and at the same time prevent people from falling into the Dikengyuan.
Touring the Dikengyuan in Shan State after the snow
The Dikengyuan in Shan State District, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, is the hometown of Chinese Dikengyuan culture. The Dikengyuan is the cradle of the ancestors on both sides of the Yellow River, and it is also one of the symbols of the living culture in western Henan. The Dikengyuan is also known as the "underground Siheyuan" in northern China, which is a way of living in caves in the early years, and this kind of residence contains a deep cultural accumulation and rich cultural connotation.
The Dikengyuan in Shan State is a project set up by Sanmenxia City to excavate this special living culture and for the construction of large-scale tourism. It is a key project of the "Hometown of Chinese Dikengyuan Culture". The project was established and the overall planning design was completed in August 2012, and the construction officially started in October. It began to receive tourists in 2014. After the snow, we toured the Dikengyuan in the cold wind. At the right time, the courtyard was decorated with lights, the red lanterns were hung high, the stage was well decorated, the sound was being debugged, and the staff warmly invited: starting tomorrow (the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month), "the New Year's Lantern Festival" will be held until the fifteenth of the first lunar month. Looking at this lively scene, I really want to celebrate the New Year in the Dikengyuan.
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