Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River Scenic Area is located at the junction of Yichuan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province and Jixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and the only large canyon waterfall on the Yellow River. The scenic area is centered on the magnificent waterfall landscape, combining canyon landforms and Yellow River culture, and is known as "the Heart of the Yellow River, the Soul of the Nation". The total area of the scenic area is about 100 square kilometers, with the core viewing area covering about 3.5 square kilometers. The waterfall is about 30-50 meters wide (up to 100 meters during the flood season) with a drop of about 9 meters. The average flow rate is 1000 cubic meters per second (the maximum flow rate during the flood season can reach more than 3000 cubic meters per second). The steep rock walls on both sides form the unique landscape of "the thousand-mile Yellow River being contained in one pot", making it one of the most representative natural and cultural dual heritage scenic spots in the Yellow River basin.
Historical Culture
The area around Hukou Waterfall is one of the cradles of the Chinese nation. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were human activities. Pottery, stone tools and other cultural relics found in the sites confirm the close connection between this place and Yangshao Culture and Longshan Culture. According to ancient books such as "Shangshu" and "Shuijingzhu", Hukou Waterfall, as a natural barrier of the Yellow River, has been a military fortress and transportation hub in all dynasties, leaving many historical relics.
Hukou Waterfall is an important symbol of Yellow River culture, carrying the national spirit of "self-improvement and courage to move forward". It is said that Dayu chiseled stones to divert the river here during his flood control efforts, and there are existing relics related to the legend such as "Yumao Peak". During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the poet Guang Weiran created "The Yellow River Cantata" after witnessing the magnificent scenery of the waterfall here, which became a spiritual banner inspiring the national fighting spirit. In addition, local folk arts such as "Yellow River Chant" and "Hukou Drum Dance" have been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list, and the annual "Yellow River Culture and Tourism Festival" attracts a large number of tourists.
Main Attractions
Main Waterfall of Hukou
The main waterfall of Hukou is the core landscape of the scenic area, located in the middle section of the canyon in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Because the riverbed suddenly narrows, the river water suddenly falls from a river course about 300 meters wide into a stone trough only 30-50 meters wide, forming a spectacular scene of "suspended flow spraying on the wall, like ten thousand horses galloping". The main waterfall has a drop of about 9 meters, and the water mist generated by the impact of the water flow on the rocks can reach tens of meters. Rainbows often appear under the sunlight, among which the three wonders of "smoke rising from the bottom of the water", "boats sailing on dry land" and "rainbow reaching the sky" are the most famous. In winter, the waterfall forms an ice waterfall landscape, which is crystal clear, in sharp contrast to the surging momentum in summer. The main waterfall viewing platform is about 50 meters away from the waterfall, covering an area of about 800 square meters, equipped with safety railings and explanation boards, facilitating tourists to watch and understand the geological causes.
Dragon Cave
Dragon Cave is an excellent place to watch Hukou Waterfall. It is located in the rock wall below the waterfall, an artificially excavated semi-underground passage, about 50 meters long, 2 meters wide and 2.5 meters high, with the bottom level with the Yellow River water surface. Through the Dragon Cave, tourists can reach directly below the waterfall, look up at the shocking scene of the river water pouring down, and feel the immersive experience of "the sound shaking for miles and the water mist blowing on the face". There are more than 300 steps at the entrance of the Dragon Cave. The cave is always humid and has a low temperature. Tourists need to pay attention to anti-skid when visiting, and the whole tour takes about 20 minutes.
Mengmen Mountain
Mengmen Mountain is a small island in the Yellow River, located about 1.5 kilometers downstream of Hukou Waterfall. Covering an area of approximately 1,500 square meters, it consists of two huge rocks exposed above the water surface. Legend has it that these rocks were the "river-taming stones" set up by Dayu during his efforts to control floods. Mengmen Mountain divides the Yellow River into two streams, where the water flows gently, forming a striking contrast between stillness and the turbulent rush of the upstream waterfall. On the island stands the "Mengmen Pavilion", with the four-character inscription "Wozhen Kuangliu" (meaning "lying to subdue the wild currents") engraved on a stele. It is the best spot to enjoy the "Mengmen Moonlit Night" landscape. The pedestrian plank road connecting Mengmen Mountain to the riverbank is about 800 meters long, along which visitors can admire the canyon landforms of the Yellow River.
Dayu Temple
Dayu Temple is located on the hillside on the north side of the scenic area. It was first built in the Han Dynasty, and the existing buildings were rebuilt in the Ming and Qing dynasties, covering an area of about 1200 square meters, consisting of the main hall, side halls, bell and drum towers, etc. The main hall houses a statue of Dayu, and the murals on both sides depict the scene of flood control, which are well preserved. In front of the temple, there is a thousand-year-old cypress, about 15 meters high with a trunk diameter of 1.2 meters, said to be planted by Dayu himself. Dayu Temple is a place where local people worship the flood control hero. A traditional temple fair is held every year on the 28th day of the third lunar month (Dayu's birthday).
Yellow River Ancient Ferry
Yellow River Ancient Ferry is located about 3 kilometers upstream of Hukou Waterfall. It was an important wharf for Yellow River shipping during the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are existing relics such as ancient wharf sites, tracker plank roads, and old sites of commercial firms, covering an area of about 2000 square meters. The ancient ferry was once famous for "boats sailing on dry land" (boats being dragged along the riverbank to bypass the waterfall). There are traces of wear and tear of tracker ropes with a diameter of about 30 cm left in the site. The scenic area has restored ancient ferry models here and displays the history of Yellow River shipping through pictures and texts, allowing tourists to understand the past prosperity of "a gathering of boats".
Food
Yellow River Carp
Yellow River Carp is a characteristic food around Hukou. It uses wild carp from the Yellow River (about 50 cm in length and 1-2 kg in weight). After processing, it is braised with local chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, green onions, ginger and other seasonings. The meat is tender, the soup is rich, with a unique river fresh flavor. In the farmhouses around the scenic area, Yellow River Carp is priced by weight, about 120 yuan per kilogram. It is eaten with corn cakes dipped in soup, which is a famous dish for local people to entertain guests, with the auspicious meaning of "surplus every year".
Buckwheat Noodles Hele
Buckwheat Noodles Hele is a traditional pasta in northern Shaanxi and southern Shanxi, commonly found in restaurants in Hukou Scenic Area. It is made of buckwheat flour, extruded into strips with a Hele bed, cooked and served with mutton soup or vegetarian sauce, with a chewy texture and rich nutrition. Buckwheat is a major coarse grain crop in the local area, rich in dietary fiber, suitable for health preservation. A bowl of Buckwheat Noodles Hele is about 200 grams, priced at about 15 yuan, often chosen as a staple food by tourists. It can be eaten cold in summer and hot in winter, with different flavors.
Oil Cake
Oil Cake is a traditional snack around the scenic area. It is made of soft yellow rice flour fermented, wrapped with jujube paste, red bean paste or vegetable filling, and fried until golden and crispy. The characteristics of oil cakes in Hukou area are large size (about 8 cm in diameter) and thin outer skin. The filling is mostly made of local beach jujubes, with moderate sweetness. At the snack stalls at the entrance of the scenic area, each oil cake is priced at about 3 yuan. Eaten with millet porridge, it is a daily breakfast for local people and a must-have food for festivals, symbolizing "promotion step by step".
Tickets
The ticket is 100 yuan per person.
For the Shanxi entrance, you can search for the official WeChat public account "山西黄河壶口瀑布旅游区" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
For the Shaanxi entrance, you can search for the official WeChat public account "黄河壶口瀑布旅游区" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are adjusted according to the season: from April 1 to October 31, it is the peak season, and the opening hours are from 7:00 to 18:00, with the last entry time at 17:00; from November 1 to March 31 of the next year, it is the off-season, and the opening hours are from 8:00 to 17:00, with the last entry time at 16:00. The scenic area may be temporarily closed in case of extreme weather such as heavy rain and floods.
Tour Route
Tour route on the Shaanxi side: Take a sightseeing bus from the entrance of the scenic area (about 5 minutes) to the main waterfall viewing platform to enjoy the panoramic view of Hukou Waterfall; then walk to the entrance of the Dragon Cave, go down to the Dragon Cave to enjoy the view from below the waterfall; after exiting the Dragon Cave, go along the plank road to Mengmen Mountain to visit the landscape on the island; finally, return to the sightseeing bus stop and go to visit the Yellow River Ancient Ferry site. The whole journey takes about 3-4 hours.
Tour route on the Shanxi side: Directly reach the main waterfall viewing platform at the entrance (no need to take a sightseeing bus) to enjoy the front view of the waterfall; then walk along the "Yellow River Plank Road" to the "Kenanpo" scenic spot (the former site of Yan Xishan's command post during the Anti-Japanese War); after returning, you can watch the "Hukou Drum Dance" performance (at 11:00 and 15:00 every day), and the whole journey takes about 3 hours. Tourists can choose to visit one side or cross provinces according to their interests (note that the entrances of the two provinces are not connected, and tickets need to be purchased separately).
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Xi'an, take Baomao Expressway and Qinglan Expressway to Yichuan exit, then drive along the scenic area special line for about 15 kilometers to the Shaanxi entrance, with a total distance of about 300 kilometers and a driving time of 4 hours; starting from Taiyuan, take Qingyin Expressway and Qinglan Expressway to Jixian exit, then transfer to the scenic area road for about 10 kilometers to the Shanxi entrance, with a total distance of about 350 kilometers and a driving time of 4.5 hours; the parking fee of the scenic area is 5 yuan per time (for small cars).
- Long-distance bus: Yan'an Bus Station has buses to Yichuan County at 8:00 and 10:00 every day, with a journey of 2 hours and a fare of 35 yuan per person, then transfer to the bus from Yichuan to Hukou (one bus per hour, with a journey of 40 minutes and a fare of 15 yuan per person); Linfen Yaomiao Bus Station has a direct bus to the Shanxi side scenic area at 9:00 every day, with a journey of 3 hours and a fare of 50 yuan per person.
- Tourist special line: Cities such as Xi'an, Taiyuan and Yan'an have travel agencies offering one-day tour routes to Hukou Waterfall, including transportation, tickets and guide services, with prices ranging from 200 to 300 yuan per person, suitable for tourists with limited time.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Main Waterfall of Hukou: 30-50 meters wide, 9 meters drop, with wonders such as "smoke rising from the bottom of the water" and "rainbow reaching the sky", with different scenery in four seasons, it is a landmark landscape of the Yellow River.
- Dragon Cave: A semi-underground passage located below the waterfall, 50 meters long, where you can look up at the waterfall pouring down and experience the shocking effect of "sound, light and fog" immersively.
- Mengmen Mountain: A natural island in the Yellow River, 1.5 kilometers away from the main waterfall, where you can watch "Mengmen Moonlit Night" and understand the geological evolution history of the Yellow River.
- Yellow River Ancient Ferry: A shipping site of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with remaining tracker plank roads and ferry models, showing the historical style of Yellow River shipping.
Tour Suggestions
- The best time to visit is from April to May (Peach Blossom Flood) and September to October (Autumn Flood). At this time, the water volume is large, and the waterfall landscape is the most spectacular; in winter, you can watch the ice waterfall, with few people and quiet scenery.
- The ultraviolet rays in the scenic area are strong, so you need to wear sun protection products in summer; the waterfall has a lot of water mist, so it is recommended to bring a raincoat (sold at 10 yuan per piece in the scenic area) to prevent cameras and other equipment from getting damp.
- The viewing angle on the Shaanxi side is more comprehensive, suitable for taking panoramic photos of the waterfall; the Shanxi side has "Yellow River Chant" performances, suitable for experiencing folk culture, which can be chosen according to needs.
- It is recommended to have meals in farmhouses around the scenic area, with an average consumption of about 50 yuan per person. In addition to characteristic foods, you can try local dishes such as "Yellow River Catfish" and "Steamed Yellow Rice".
- If you have enough time, you can visit surrounding attractions in series, such as the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor on the Shaanxi side (about 100 kilometers away from the scenic area) and Pingyao Ancient City on the Shanxi side (about 200 kilometers away from the scenic area).
Matters Needing Attention
- When viewing the scenery, you must stand inside the safety railings and not get close to the cliff edge. During the flood season (July-August), the water volume is large, and some plank roads may be closed, so you need to follow the guidance of the staff.
- The Dragon Cave is humid and steep. You need to hold the handrail firmly when going up and down the steps. The elderly and children are advised to be accompanied by their families to avoid running and crowding.
- Unmanned aerial vehicle aerial photography is prohibited in the scenic area, littering is prohibited, the Yellow River water resources are strictly protected, and playing in the water or fishing is strictly prohibited.
- The entrances of the two provinces' scenic areas are independent. Self-driving tourists need to pay attention to distinguishing the directions of Yichuan, Shaanxi and Jixian, Shanxi to avoid taking the wrong route; cross-provincial tours need to buy tickets again and reserve enough transportation time.
- The temperature in the scenic area is low in winter (can reach below -10℃), so you need to wear warm clothes; roads may be muddy after heavy rains in summer, so you need to drive carefully when self-driving.