Qinlong Gorge, Henan

Henan's Version of Xiaoyang Lake - A Brief Escape from the World|||Qinlong Gorge Scenic Area - Xiaoyang Lake is simply stunning. Here's a beginner-friendly hiking guide for a 14km round trip (half-way option). 🚗Itinerary Depart from Zhengzhou at 8:30 am. The entire journey is on the expressway and takes about 2 hours by car. Navigate to Qinlong Gorge Scenic Area. The parking lot is free; just find a parking space. The entrance to the scenic area is also free. There are only two restrooms: one at the entrance and another one below the steps of the "Hekoucun Reservoir" sign. There are no restrooms inside, so be sure to take advantage of these two opportunities. Hiking Route: 📍Hekoucun Reservoir: After climbing the steps, you'll see the beautiful lake. On sunny days, the shimmering water and the lake's color are truly captivating. See Figures 4 and 5. Next, you'll reach a toll booth (2 yuan per person). Before entering the cave, there's a small path leading to the lakeside where you can find search boats. This spot is perfect for taking photos (Figure 1 was taken here). It's recommended to take photos on your way in, as you might not have the energy to stop on your way back. 📍Qunying Cave: Then, you'll enter a series of caves. You'll need a flashlight to navigate through the 11 caves. In one of the caves, you can capture the "golden light piercing through the cave." From this point on, there's no cell phone signal, so you'll officially be "off the grid." The areas connecting the caves also offer stunning views (see Figure 9). Emerging from the caves, the bright light and surrounding scenery are truly breathtaking. 📍Macaque Bridge: The first Macaque Bridge is dilapidated and not open to tourists unless you climb over it, which is somewhat risky. This is not recommended for a safe experience. However, local shepherds can be seen leading their sheep across it (see Figure 10). 📍Golden Grassland: The path after the Macaque Bridge becomes a bit challenging, with narrow sections, so be careful (see Figures 13, 14, and 15). Next, you'll arrive at a beautiful golden grassland, a perfect spot for photos and sunbathing. It's incredibly relaxing. 🎈It's best to arrive before 2 pm to enjoy the perfect sunlight. Just lying there doing nothing is incredibly comfortable. 🛎️Return Trip For beginners, it's recommended to turn back after reaching the Golden Grassland. Going further requires another two hours to reach the Zangbing Cave, which might be too late (decide based on your physical condition and time). It's best to descend before sunset. There are three-wheeled vehicles available for the descent, which cost around 10 yuan per person. 🏂Clothing Recommendations Wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothing. Bring a hat and sunglasses, as the sun can be quite strong in the mountains. It's best to wear a hiking jacket. It might be hot initially, but it can get windy later on, especially in the cool caves. ⛳️Summary This hiking route is beginner-friendly, with moderate difficulty and breathtaking scenery. It's a wide-open and relaxing trail. Experiencing the beauty firsthand is truly the best.