4-Day Tour of Sanmenxia | Classic Combination of Swan Lake and Hangu Pass・Suitable for All Groups

Sanmenxia is a city of mountains and waters on the banks of the Yellow River, featuring the spectacular sight of thousands of swans flying over Swan Lake, the legendary "Purple Qi from the East" at Hangu Pass, and the millennium wonder of the underground pit courtyards. Watch the sunrise by the Yellow River with the elderly, accompany children chasing squirrels in the canyon—here, every day offers a magical encounter between nature and culture. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Sanmenxia → Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park → Shanzhou Underground Pit Courtyard Day 2: Hangu Pass → Huangdi Casting Cauldron Site Day 3: Western Henan Grand Canyon → Shuanglong Bay Day 4: Sanmenxia Dam → Guo State Museum → Return 🦢 Day 1: Swan Dance · Underground Pit Exploration 📍 Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park (4A, Free) Highlights: Known as the "Hometown of Chinese Great Swans," from November to March, tens of thousands of swans fly from Siberia to winter here, covering the lake like a blanket of snow. Elderly visitors can use binoculars at the birdwatching platform (10 RMB/device), children can buy swan feed (5 RMB/bag) to feed them, and the swan sculpture at "Sanhe Square" is perfect for photos. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 10:00-15:00 (when swans are most active) 📸 Photo Spot: Swan Lake Birdwatching Platform (capture swan flocks, stand beside the railing) 💡 Tips: It’s windy by the lake in winter, wear a thick down jacket; don’t let children shout loudly to avoid scaring the swans. 📍 Shanzhou Underground Pit Courtyard (4A, Ticket 60 RMB) Highlights: An ancient village "below the horizon," with a 4,000-year history, consisting of 22 underground pit courtyards forming an "underground village." Features include the "Mountain-Penetrating Stove" (7 stoves cooking simultaneously) and an intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting exhibition. Elderly visitors can learn about the "moisture-proof wisdom" of the pit courtyards, children can play hopscotch in the courtyard center, and at night the lights resemble a starry underground sky. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-18:00, recommended 16:00-18:30 🍜 Recommended Dining: The pit courtyard "Farmhouse Restaurant" offers a must-try Ten-Dish Banquet (60 RMB/serving, 10 steamed dishes) and Jiaotuan (8 RMB/bowl), with an average cost of 35 RMB per person, full of farmhouse flavor. 🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Sanmenxia Swan Lake International Hotel in the city (1 km from the wetland, family rooms available), prices 300-450 RMB/night, some rooms have swan views. 🏯 Day 2: Hangu Inquiry · Casting Cauldron Origins 📍 Hangu Pass (4A, Ticket 70 RMB) Highlights: A "historic mighty pass," where Laozi wrote the Tao Te Ching. The legend of "Purple Qi from the East" originates here. Visitors can climb the gate tower to overlook the Yellow River. Elderly visitors can watch the "Laozi Lecturing" drama (11:00, free), children can navigate the "Bagua Maze" (free), and the "Tao Te Ching Stone Wall" is great for cultural photos. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-12:00 💰 Fees: Adults 70 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: Hangu Pass Gate Tower (photograph the "Hangu Pass" plaque, wearing Hanfu makes photos stand out) 📍 Huangdi Casting Cauldron Site (3A, Ticket 40 RMB) Highlights: Legend says the Yellow Emperor cast cauldrons and refined elixirs here. Features the giant sculpture of "China’s First Cauldron" and Tang Dynasty inscriptions. Elderly visitors can listen to ancient legends by the "Ding Lake," children can dig for "pottery shards" in the "archaeological experience area" (20 RMB/session), ideal for history-loving families. 🕙 Recommended Visit Time: 14:30-16:30 🌊 Day 3: Canyon Rafting · Shuanglong Exploration 📍 Western Henan Grand Canyon (4A, Ticket 60 RMB, Rafting 128 RMB) Highlights: The "Number One Rafting in Central Plains," a 5 km rafting route with thrills but no danger. Elderly visitors can watch from the shore or ride bamboo rafts (50 RMB/hour), children can see wild Chinese giant salamanders in the "Salamander Pool." The summer shade is very cool. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-14:00 💡 Tips: Wear quick-dry clothes for rafting (bring a change of clothes); elderly should not raft, shaded rest areas are available on shore. 📍 Shuanglong Bay (4A, Ticket 75 RMB) Highlights: Known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Qinling," featuring "Mi Fei Gorge" and "Water Curtain Cave." Take a boat ride (40 RMB/person) to see the cliffs on both sides. Elderly visitors can sunbathe on the "beach," children can chase butterflies in "Rainbow Valley," and in autumn the hills are covered with red leaves. 🕙 Recommended Visit Time: 15:30-18:00 💡 Tips: Sightseeing buses available (20 RMB/person) to reduce walking; bring mosquito repellent (lots of vegetation). 🚤 Day 4: Dam Viewing · Guo State Exploration 📍 Sanmenxia Dam (4A, Ticket 30 RMB) Highlights: The "First Dam of the Yellow River," where you can see the "Pillar in the Midstream" rock and the Yellow River bifurcation phenomenon. The winter "Sanmenxia Yellow River International Swan Festival" features performances. Elderly visitors can watch the Yellow River flowing east from the dam top, children can touch millennium-old stone holes on the "Ancient Yellow River Plank Road," perfect for family photos. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-11:00 📸 Photo Spot: Dam Viewing Platform (photograph the dam and Yellow River, stand beside the "Yellow River Peace" monument) 📍 Guo State Museum (4A, Ticket 40 RMB) Highlights: The Western Zhou Guo State tomb site, housing the "Jade-Handled Iron Sword" (China’s first iron sword) and a gold belt, with a "Chariot and Horse Pit" (6 war chariots + 16 horse skeletons). Elderly visitors can listen to "Guo State History" explanations, children can assemble bronze fragments in the "Children’s Archaeology Area" (free), gaining knowledge. 🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00, recommended 14:00-16:00 🍜 Recommended Dining: Sanmenxia Old Noodle House in the city, must-try Lingbao Roujiamo (8 RMB each) and Yangshao Big Pot Chicken (50 RMB/serving), average 30 RMB per person, authentic local flavor. ✨ Sanmenxia Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: From the city to Swan Lake take Bus No.1 (1 RMB), taxi about 10 RMB; to Hangu Pass take the tourist shuttle (15 RMB/person, 1 hour), round-trip car rental 100 RMB; Western Henan Grand Canyon is 2 hours from the city, group tours recommended (including transport and tickets, 180 RMB/person). 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (Yellow River and canyon are windy), short sleeves + sun protection clothing in summer (quick-dry clothes needed for rafting), down jackets + scarves in winter (very cold at Swan Lake), bring non-slip shoes (many steps at pit courtyards and dam). 3️⃣ Taboos: Don’t litter in the courtyard center of the pit courtyards; don’t touch artifacts in the museum; don’t stand or horseplay during rafting. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in the city near Swan Lake for the first two days; for the canyon, stay in scenic area guesthouses (200-300 RMB/night), choose rooms with electric kettles for children, and well-heated rooms for elderly in winter. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Lingbao Apples (gift box 50 RMB/box, crisp, sweet, and juicy, loved by elderly and children) ② Yangshao Painted Pottery (small pieces 30-50 RMB each, antique style, culturally rich) ③ Swan Cultural Creations (large swan plush 40 RMB each, feather bookmarks 20 RMB each) ④ Guo State Bronze Replica (small cauldron ornaments 60 RMB each, great for collecting) Winter in Sanmenxia is the whiteness of swan wings skimming the lake; spring and autumn are the purple aura of Hangu Pass and the greenery of the canyon. Whether you’re watching time pass by the Yellow River with your parents, counting swan wings with your children at Swan Lake, or sharing a bowl of Jiaotuan with friends at the underground pit courtyards, here you will find unforgettable grandeur and everyday warmth. If you come to Sanmenxia, would you first want to see the swans or seek the "Purple Qi" at Hangu Pass?