Huhushui Ecological Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, about 80 kilometers away from downtown Shijiazhuang. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area integrates natural scenery, red history, and folk culture, and is famous for its four major features: "strange mountains, beautiful waters, red leaves, and ice waterfalls". The total area of the scenic area is 11.5 square kilometers. Inside the area, the mountains are majestic, streams gurgle, the vegetation coverage rate is as high as over 95%, the air is fresh, and the climate is pleasant. There are many cultural buildings in the scenic area that complement the natural landscape. Among them, Huhushui Hydropower Station, as an important carrier of red tourism, covers an area of about 2,000 square meters. It is one of the earlier hydropower stations in northern China and has important historical and scientific value. In addition, there are ancient temples, corridors, pavilions and other buildings dotted in the scenic area, forming a unique landscape pattern, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and take vacations every year.
History and Culture
Huhushui has a profound historical and cultural heritage, among which the most representative is the red revolutionary culture. In 1947, to support the Liberation War, under the cordial care and guidance of Zhu De and other revolutionary elders of the proletariat, the construction of Huhushui Hydropower Station started and was completed and put into operation the next year. This hydropower station was the first hydropower station built by the Communist Party of China in the liberated areas. It provided power support for the arsenal at that time (such as the ammunition factory near Xibaipo), effectively ensuring the material supply for the three major campaigns. It is known as a "border area initiative" and a "red power plant", leaving a profound mark in the history of China's revolution.
In addition to the red culture, the Huhushui area also has a wealth of folk culture. Local traditional folk activities, such as temple fairs and folk songs and dances, carry the life wisdom and cultural heritage of the local people. The ancient temples in the scenic area, although having gone through the vicissitudes of time, still retain some historical relics, witnessing the development and changes of local religious culture and adding a simple and profound historical atmosphere to the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Huhushui Waterfall
Huhushui Waterfall is one of the core natural landscapes of the scenic area. The source of the waterfall comes from the mountain spring at a relatively high altitude. The water flows down the cliff with a drop of 93 meters, which is magnificent. When there is plenty of rain in summer, the waterfall has abundant water, like the Milky Way falling from the sky, with a roaring sound that is shocking. When the temperature drops in winter, the waterfall condenses into ice waterfalls, which are crystal clear and of various shapes, becoming a rare winter ice waterfall wonder in the north, attracting numerous photographers and tourists to watch.
Huhushui Hydropower Station
Huhushui Hydropower Station is a red landmark of the scenic area. It was built in 1947 with a total installed capacity of 150 kilowatts. The completion of the hydropower station not only solved the power problem of the arsenal at that time but also pioneered hydropower generation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Today, the former site of the hydropower station is well preserved. Inside, there are the generators, tools and equipment of that year, as well as relevant historical photos and documents, vividly reproducing the hard struggle scene of the builders. Tourists can learn about the construction process and revolutionary history of the hydropower station here and feel the wisdom and responsibility of the revolutionary elders.
Lingquan Cave
Lingquan Cave is a naturally formed karst cave with peculiar landscapes inside. Stalactites and stone stalagmites are in various shapes, colorful under the light. The length of the cave is about 500 meters, and the temperature inside is constant, maintaining at about 18℃ all year round, making it a good place for summer cooling. There is a spring that never dries up in the cave. The spring water is clear and sweet, known as "Lingquan" by the local people. It is said that drinking this water can strengthen the body, so it attracts many tourists to stop and taste it.
Red Power Plant Memorial Hall
The Red Power Plant Memorial Hall is adjacent to the former site of the hydropower station, covering an area of about 800 square meters. Through a large number of objects, pictures, text materials and multimedia display methods, the hall systematically introduces the construction background, process, historical role of Huhushui Hydropower Station and its status in the history of new China's electric power development. The hall also displays many items used by the builders and staff at that time, such as tools and letters, allowing tourists to more intuitively feel that hard but glorious history.
Baizhang Waterfall
Baizhang Waterfall is another spectacular waterfall landscape in Huhushui, located deep in the scenic area with a drop of about 80 meters. It gets its name because the waterfall is as steep as a hundred-zhang cliff. The water of the waterfall is turbulent, impacting the rocks below and splashing layers of water. Under the sunlight, rainbows often appear, and the scenery is very charming. Surrounded by green trees and strange rocks, it forms a beautiful natural picture with the waterfall, which is a good place for tourists to take photos as a souvenir.
Delicacies
Pingshan Oil Ghost
Pingshan Oil Ghost is a traditional characteristic snack in Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang, which is more common in restaurants around Huhushui Scenic Area. It looks like dumplings, golden in color, crispy outside and tender inside, with a salty and delicious taste. Its production process is unique, using high-quality flour, edible oil, salt and other raw materials, and made through multiple processes such as kneading dough, rolling skin, filling, and frying. It is said that the name "Oil Ghost" is related to local folk customs. It is a traditional food loved by local people and a good choice for tourists to taste local flavors.
Pickled Meat Noodles
Pickled Meat Noodles is a characteristic pasta in Pingshan area, which can be tasted in farm restaurants around the scenic area. This dish is made with locally pickled bacon and hand-rolled noodles as the main raw materials, combined with seasonings such as onion, ginger and garlic. The pickled meat is firm and has a strong salty flavor. When paired with chewy noodles, it tastes very delicious. The process of pickling bacon requires multiple steps and takes a long time, making the meat flavor more mellow. It is a delicious dish in the daily life of local people.
Big Pot Dish
Big Pot Dish is a common traditional dish in rural areas of Hebei, which can often be eaten in farm stays around Huhushui. It uses Chinese cabbage, potatoes, vermicelli, streaky pork, tofu and other main ingredients. All ingredients are stewed together in a big pot, and the ingredients penetrate each other, with a rich and mellow taste. Big Pot Dish is simple to make but has a unique flavor, reflecting the bold diet style of northerners. It is suitable for sharing with many people, allowing tourists to feel a strong local flavor.
Braised Free-range Chicken with Mushrooms
Braised Free-range Chicken with Mushrooms is a popular farm dish around the scenic area. It uses locally raised free-range chickens with tender and firm meat, paired with wild mushrooms (such as shiitake mushrooms and pine mushrooms) for stewing. The soup is rich and delicious, the chicken is flavorful, and the mushrooms absorb the flavor of the chicken, with a rich taste. This dish is nutritious and is a top dish for local farmers to entertain guests, allowing tourists to taste the original ecological deliciousness.
Tickets
The ticket price is 60 yuan per person.
You can search for the official public account "沕沕水生态风景区" on WeChat to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours will be adjusted according to the season. In summer (April 1st - October 31st), the opening hours are 8:00 - 18:00; in winter (November 1st - March 31st of the next year), the opening hours are 8:30 - 17:00. It is recommended that tourists consult the latest opening hours through the official website or phone before going to the scenic area to avoid affecting the tour plan due to time adjustment.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, tourists can refer to the following tour route: First, start from the scenic area entrance, walk along the main road for about 1 kilometer to reach the Red Power Plant Memorial Hall, where you can visit and learn about the history and revolutionary stories of the hydropower station, taking about 1 hour. Then go to the former site of Huhushui Hydropower Station to watch the power generation equipment of that year at close range and feel the profoundness of history, taking about 40 minutes. Next, go to Lingquan Cave to explore the peculiar landscapes inside the cave, taking about 1.5 hours. After leaving the cave, climb up the mountain road to Baizhang Waterfall to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the waterfall, taking about 1 hour. Then go to Huhushui Waterfall to watch the flowing spring in summer or the ice waterfall wonder in winter, taking about 1.5 hours. Finally, return to the scenic area exit along the original road. The whole trip takes about 5-6 hours. Of course, tourists can also adjust the tour order and time according to their own interests and physical strength. There are rest areas and viewing platforms in the scenic area for tourists to rest at any time.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Shijiazhuang, drive along Xibaipo Expressway, get off at Wentang Exit, then drive along Provincial Highway 301 to the southwest, passing through Guyue Town and Beiye Township, you can reach Huhushui Ecological Scenic Area. The whole journey is about 80 kilometers, and the driving time is about 1.5-2 hours.
- Public transportation: There are direct buses from Shijiazhuang North Passenger Station to Huhushui Scenic Area in Pingshan County. The bus departs at 8:30 a.m. every day and returns from the scenic area at 15:00 p.m. The journey takes about 2.5 hours, and the fare is about 30 yuan per person. Tourists can also take a bus from Shijiazhuang to Pingshan County first (about one bus every 20 minutes, fare 15 yuan per person), and after arriving at Pingshan County, transfer to a bus to Huhushui Scenic Area (several buses every day, fare about 10 yuan per person).
Must-visit Attractions
- Huhushui Waterfall: With a drop of 93 meters, it is a landmark landscape of the scenic area. The waterfall is spectacular in summer and the ice waterfall is peculiar in winter. It has attractions in all seasons and is a must-visit place for tourists.
- Huhushui Hydropower Station: The first hydropower station in China's liberated areas with a total installed capacity of 150 kilowatts. It has important historical significance. Here you can learn more about red revolutionary history and hydropower knowledge.
- Red Power Plant Memorial Hall: Covering an area of about 800 square meters, through rich exhibits and materials, it shows the construction process and historical role of the hydropower station in detail, and is an important place for red culture education.
- Baizhang Waterfall: With a drop of about 80 meters, the waterfall has turbulent water flow, beautiful surrounding scenery, and often has rainbows. It is a good place for taking photos.
Tour Suggestions
- Best tour season: In spring (April - May), mountains are covered with blooming flowers; in summer (June - August), it is a cool place to escape the heat; in autumn (September - October), the mountains are full of red leaves; in winter (December - February), ice waterfalls are crystal clear. Each season has its own characteristics, and you can choose according to your preference. Among them, the winter ice waterfall festival (December to February of the following year) is the best time to enjoy ice waterfalls.
- Dressing suggestions: There are many mountain roads in the scenic area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes. Pay attention to sun protection in summer, and carry sun hats, sunscreen, etc. The temperature is low in winter, so you need to wear warm clothes.
- Diet preparation: There are restaurants and canteens in the scenic area, but the prices are relatively high. Tourists can appropriately carry some dry food and drinking water.
- Tour time: It is recommended to arrange one day for the tour, which can fully enjoy the beauty of the scenic area without being too hasty.
- Guide service: The scenic area provides guide services with a fee of about 50 yuan per time. If you need to learn more about the historical culture of the scenic area, you can choose to hire a guide.
Notes
- The mountain roads in the scenic area are steep, and some sections are slippery. Please pay attention to safety when visiting, and do not leave the designated tour route to avoid accidents.
- Take good care of the scenic area environment, do not litter, do not pick flowers and trees, and protect the natural ecology.
- Respect historical relics and cultural relics, do not touch or carve ancient buildings and exhibits at will.
- There may be thunderstorms in the mountainous area in summer. Please take precautions. In case of bad weather, follow the arrangement of the scenic area staff and take shelter in time.
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area, and open flames are strictly prohibited to prevent fires.
- Take good care of personal belongings and pay attention to anti-theft in crowded places.
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area, cooperate with the management of the staff, and jointly maintain the normal order of the scenic area.