Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River: A Majestic Symphony of Nature

Hukou Waterfall is the second largest waterfall in China and the largest yellow waterfall in the world. Located in the middle section of the Jinshan Grand Canyon, it sits on the border between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. The east bank belongs to Hukou Town, Jixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, and the west bank belongs to Hukou Township, Yichuan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province. It is a shared tourist attraction for both provinces. Ticket Information Full price ticket: CNY 100/person. Half-price ticket: CNY 50/person, applicable to minors aged 6 (not including 6) to 18 (including 18), and full-time undergraduate students and below. Free admission: Seniors aged 60 (inclusive) and above with valid IDs and other relevant documents. Children aged 6 (inclusive) and below or under 1.2m (inclusive) in height. Active-duty military personnel, disabled revolutionary soldiers, people with disabilities, police officers, journalists, etc., with valid IDs. Immediate family members of active-duty military personnel (spouse and minor children) with valid marriage certificate, Household Registration (Hukou), ID card, etc., are entitled to free first entry. Families of martyrs, military personnel who died in the line of duty, and deceased military personnel with valid preferential treatment certificates, ID cards, etc., are entitled to free admission. Fire and rescue personnel (including retirees) enjoy the same preferential policies as active-duty military personnel with valid IDs. Opening Hours April-October: 06:30-19:30. Other months: 08:00-17:00. Transportation Guide Self-driving: From Linfen City, drive along the Linji Expressway towards Jixian County for about 100 km to Jixian County, then drive another 45 km to Hukou Town to reach Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hrs. From Xi'an, take the G65 Baomao Expressway for about 207 km to Jixian County, then take the 110 km scenic road to reach the destination. The one-way trip is about 320 km. From Taiyuan, take the G5 Jingkun Expressway for about 260 km to Linfen, then take the G22 Qinglan Expressway for 106 km, exit at the Hukou exit, and drive another 11 km to reach the destination. The one-way trip is about 377 km. Public transportation: You can take a direct bus to Hukou Waterfall from Linfen City or Yan'an City. From Taiyuan, you need to go to Yuncheng City first, and then transfer to a bus or taxi. Tour Route You can follow the best self-driving tour route of Hukou Waterfall in Shanxi: Tourist Center → Public Entrance → Ten-Mile Dragon Trough → Third Waterfall → Second Waterfall → Main Waterfall → Heqing Gate (Ming and Qing Dynasty Wharf) → Kenan Slope → Return. Best Time to Visit Spring (April-May): During the third lunar month, the mountain is covered with peach blossoms, and the frozen ice cliffs on the shore melt, making it the "March Peach Blossom Flood" season, offering spectacular scenery. Summer (June-August): This is the high-water season for the waterfall, with turbulent currents and magnificent momentum, allowing you to experience its majestic power. Autumn (September-November): Just after the rainy season, numerous springs and streams near the river gather a large amount of clear water. When gusts of autumn wind blow, rainbows often appear. This is the "Hukou Autumn Wind" season, with pleasant scenery. Special Scenery in the Scenic Area Roaring Thunder on a Dry Day: The turbulent water plunging into Hukou creates a mist that rises into the air like rolling smoke, visible from dozens of miles away. Ten-Mile Dragon Trough: This is the downstream of the waterfall, where the Yellow River forms a canyon about 30m deep, 50m wide, and 5 km long, resembling a giant dragon lying in the river. Inverted Ice Peaks: In winter, Hukou Waterfall forms an icefall, with various ice formations such as ice pillars and icicles hanging upside down on the cliffs, creating a spectacular sight. Rain on a Sunny Day: The mist from the waterfall, under the sunlight, forms a beautiful rainbow, and sometimes the peculiar sight of "rain on a sunny day" appears. Mountains Fly and Seas Stand: The roaring waterfall, the rising mist, and the earth-shattering momentum create a majestic symphony of nature. Rainbow Playing with Water: Under the sunlight, a beautiful rainbow often appears above the waterfall, complementing the rushing Yellow River, creating a beautiful picture. Dry Land Boating: A unique feature of Hukou Waterfall. In the past, due to the large drop of the waterfall, boats could not pass through. People came up with the method of dry land boating, pulling boats from the upstream bank to the downstream bank and then putting them back into the water to continue sailing. Smoke from the Bottom of the Pot: The Yellow River water plunges from a height into a deep pool, splashing water and mist that fill the entire valley, like smoke rising from the bottom of a pot, creating a spectacular view. Surrounding Facilities Accommodation: There are many hotels and guesthouses around the scenic area, such as Hukou Waterfall Hotel and Yellow River Hukou Hotel. Prices vary depending on the season and grade. Dining: You can taste local specialties such as Yellow River carp, northern Shaanxi mutton, and buckwheat noodles at reasonable prices. Shopping: There are some souvenir shops in the scenic area where you can buy local souvenirs such as Yellow River stones, paper-cuts, and cloth tigers. Please pay attention to your footing during your visit. It is recommended to purchase personal accident insurance. In case of special weather or adjustments to scenic area policies, please refer to the actual situation. Have a pleasant trip to Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River!