The Unstoppable Beauty of Xiuwu! Healing Slow Travel at Yuntai Mountain’s Red Rocks and Clear Waters

Honestly, Xiuwu hides the most stunning mountains and waters in Henan, completely different from the stereotypical plains scenery. Every moment is a pure natural surprise, and you won’t get tired of exploring even after three days. It’s just a two-hour drive from Zhengzhou. The first stop is straight to the Red Stone Gorge at Yuntai Mountain. As soon as you enter the canyon, you’re amazed! Both sides are dark red Danxia rock walls, smoothed by flowing water. When the sunlight slants in, the rocks shine with a bright red glow, perfect for photos. The narrow plank road in the gorge clings to the rock walls, with emerald pools beneath your feet. Water flows down through the cracks in the rocks, dripping soothingly. The most amazing spot is the “One Line Sky,” where you look up to see a narrow strip of sky. The moss on the rock walls is lush green, the air cool and fresh, filled with the scent of plants. It’s an ideal summer retreat. The next morning, we got up early to climb Zhuyu Peak. We didn’t take the cable car but hiked up the trail. Though it was exhausting, the scenery along the way was worth it. Dense pine trees lined the mountain path, rustling in the wind. Occasionally, you’d see clear streams flowing down the mountain, with stones visible at the bottom. Halfway up, we encountered a sea of clouds, with mist swirling beneath our feet. The mountain peaks poked through like islands, and the drifting clouds made it feel like walking in a fairyland. The view from the summit was breathtaking, with endless mountains spreading out and Zifang Lake visible in the distance, like a green gem nestled in the mountains. No wonder Wang Wei wrote “From afar, I know my brothers are climbing high.” In the afternoon, we visited Tanpu Gorge, truly living up to its name: “a spring every three steps, a waterfall every five steps, a pool every ten steps.” Walking along the stream into the mountains, we were dazzled by numerous waterfalls. The “Forked Waterfall” split into branches, splashing cool water on our faces; the “Dragon and Phoenix Waterfall” had a large drop, roaring loudly, with mist rising to reveal rainbows. The color of the pools was stunning—shallow areas were a clear green, while the deep parts looked like sapphires. I couldn’t resist squatting down to touch the water; it was refreshingly cool and reflected the green trees on both banks. Every photo looked beautiful. On the last day, we took it easy by wandering along the shore of Zifang Lake. The lake surface was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the green hills and blue sky with white clouds. Occasionally, a small boat passed by, leaving a faint trail on the water. Walking slowly along the lakeside path, there was no tourist noise, only the sound of wind rustling leaves and birds singing—so relaxing. Local farmers sold freshly squeezed hawthorn juice, sweet and sour to refresh the palate, paired with freshly bought yam crisps. Sitting on a rock soaking up the sun, time seemed to slow down. A little tip: Wear comfortable shoes when climbing Zhuyu Peak, as the trail can be steep; the Red Stone Gorge is slippery, so don’t just focus on taking photos while walking. The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn; summer is great for cooling off, and autumn’s red leaves combined with the red rocks create stunning colors. Xiuwu’s beauty is all natural, without over-commercialization. The mountains are clear, the waters pure, and there’s a peaceful vibe. No need to rush through attractions—just leisurely stroll, enjoy the mountains and waters, breathe fresh air, and feel all your stress melt away. It’s truly healing.