Two-Day Tour Guide from Jinan to Baquan Yuntai Mountain, Henan
Before July 15, 2025, Baquan Scenic Area offers free admission for tourists from Shandong. I had wanted to visit Baquan for a long time, so I took this opportunity to leave right after work on Friday.
1. Recommended Family Route:
Arrive Friday night, visit Baquan Yatianxia on Saturday, explore Baquan Grand Canyon on Sunday, and return Sunday afternoon with a stop at Pangdonglai.
This schedule allows plenty of time, is very relaxed, and gives children ample rest and playtime.
2. Ticket Information:
Before July 15, Shandong residents get free admission to Yatianxia and the two-park area, only paying transportation fees. Make sure to purchase tickets through the Shandong-exclusive links on major platforms. Tickets for the Grand Canyon alone are not free. The two-park ticket is valid for two days, allowing one entry each to Yatianxia and the Grand Canyon within that period.
3. Accommodation and Dining:
Accommodations outside the scenic area are mainly concentrated in Anshang Village, Shaqiang Village, and Gezhen Village; see page 1 for details. This time we stayed at Nashan Nashui Hotel (Zhengyun Expressway Entrance branch) in Shaqiang Village, with slide rooms at 145 yuan. The hotel’s facilities, service, and cleanliness were very satisfactory. If your budget allows, I highly recommend staying at Huangyangen Homestay in Yatianxia, which lets you enjoy the park before the crowds arrive.
For dining, the Anshang service area outside the scenic spot has large restaurants and many chain stores. Other villages with many homestays also have numerous private restaurants. Nearby towns such as Yuntai Mountain Town, Qixian Town, and Bobo Town also offer some dining options. Local specialties include Henan Hui noodles, spicy soup, Wuzhi clay pot dishes, and sweet and sour spicy hot pot.
Inside Baquan Scenic Area, dining is also convenient. In Yatianxia, main options are Taihang Restaurant near the cliff roller coaster and the third floor of Huangyangen Homestay near the cliff swing. In the Grand Canyon, food streets near Qianqiantan and Taohuaping are popular. There are also many kiosks selling snacks like grilled sausages and corn.
4. Tips for Visiting the Scenic Area:
Yatianxia: More suitable for young people. If you want to try the cliff roller coaster, swing, via ferrata, or bungee jumping, arrive early to queue. You can take the sightseeing bus to complete these activities before enjoying the scenery. Arriving late on a normal weekend can mean long lines that test your patience. For children, besides the scenery, there are many play areas nearby, including squirrel feeding not far from the cable car and the tulip garden with various slides, climbing structures, and pools.
Grand Canyon: More suitable for family water play. Recommended itinerary: Qianqiantan (with a pavilion with straw hats and paddleboards) → Yulin Dam (water quality here is average) → Inflatable water castle (similar to "Happy Forward Rush") → Taohuaping (fish touching and shrimp catching, shallow water play, pedal boats) → Baoquan Boat (children’s water fort, water shows, water suspension bridge). Most water play areas offer free storage, but spaces are limited. Also, bring bath towels and a change of clothes as clothes get wet easily.