[2025 Xiuwu Hotels] Travel Guide for The Yard On The Cloud (Updated Jul)

**Yuntai Mountain Scenic Area Travel Guide (2024 Latest Edition)** **1. Introduction to Yuntai Mountain** Located in Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, Yuntai Mountain is a UNESCO Global Geopark and a National 5A-level Scenic Area, renowned for its "Northern Karst Landform" and "canyon waterfalls," earning it the title "Pearl of Taihang." Key attractions include: - **Red Stone Gorge (Core Attraction)**: Danxia landform with emerald waters and crimson cliffs, offering breathtaking views. - **Tanpu Gorge (Xiaozhai Valley)**: A water-rich area with springs and waterfalls at every turn, perfect for water-themed activities. - **Quanpu Gorge (Laotan Valley)**: Home to the Yuntai Sky Waterfall (314-meter drop, one of Asia’s tallest). - **Zhuyu Peak**: The highest peak of Yuntai Mountain (1,297.6 meters), offering panoramic views of the Taihang Mountains. - **Macaque Valley**: A wild macaque observation zone, ideal for family trips. - **Wanshan Temple**: A Ming Dynasty ancient temple with vibrant incense culture. --- **2. Best Time to Visit** - **Spring-Summer (April-October)**: Abundant water flow, spectacular waterfalls, great for summer retreats. - **Autumn (October-November)**: Vibrant red foliage blankets the mountains. - **Winter (December-March)**: Some waterfalls freeze, fewer crowds, perfect for serene snowscapes. **Recommended Duration**: 2 days & 1 night (in-depth tour) or 1 day (highlights tour). --- **3. Transportation** 1. **Getting to Yuntai Mountain** - **From Zhengzhou**: - **Bus**: Zhengzhou Central Station/North Bus Station → Xiuwu County/Yuntai Mountain (~2 hours, ¥35-50). - **High-Speed Rail**: Zhengzhou East Station → Jiaozuo Station (30 mins, ¥28), then transfer to a scenic area shuttle (~1 hour). - **Self-Drive**: Zhengzhou → Zhengyun Expressway → Yuntai Mountain exit (~1.5 hours). 2. **In-Scenic Area Transport** - **Scenic Bus**: ¥60/person (mandatory, covers inter-attraction transfers). - **Cable Cars (Optional)**: - Zhuyu Peak Cable Car (one-way ¥65, round-trip ¥120). - Fenghuang Ridge Cable Car (entrance to the glass walkway). --- **4. Recommended Itineraries** **1. One-Day Highlights Tour (Time-Constrained Travelers)** - **Morning**: Red Stone Gorge → Zifang Lake (optional water activities). - **Afternoon**: Tanpu Gorge → Quanpu Gorge (Yuntai Sky Waterfall). **2. Two-Day In-Depth Tour (Recommended)** - **Day 1**: Red Stone Gorge → Zifang Lake → Tanpu Gorge → Overnight at Anshang Service Area. - **Day 2**: Zhuyu Peak (hike or cable car) → Fenghuang Ridge Glass Walkway → Wanshan Temple. **3. Family-Friendly Leisure Tour** - Macaque Valley → Tanpu Gorge → Scenic mini-train ride. --- **5. Tickets & Fees (2024)** - **Entrance Fee**: ¥120 (peak season: March-November), ¥60 (off-season: December-February). - **Scenic Bus**: ¥60 (mandatory, valid for 3 days). - **Cable Cars**: Zhuyu Peak one-way ¥65, round-trip ¥120; Fenghuang Ridge one-way ¥65. - **Glass Walkway**: ¥20/person (at Fenghuang Ridge). - **Zifang Lake Boat Ride**: ¥50/person (optional). --- **6. Accommodation Recommendations** 1. **In-Scenic Area (Convenient for Sightseeing)** - **Anshang Service Area**: Concentrated with B&Bs and hotels, e.g., "Yunshang de Yuanzi," "Puju Lakeside." - **Heishiling Service Area**: Quiet, suitable for families. 2. **Xiuwu County**: Budget hotels (¥100-200/night), ideal for self-drive travelers. --- **7. Tips & Notes** 1. **Safety**: - Red Stone Gorge paths are narrow and slippery when wet—walk carefully. - Macaques in Macaque Valley may snatch food—avoid feeding them. 2. **Gear Suggestions**: - Non-slip sports shoes, sun hat, lightweight backpack (extensive walking required). 3. **Other Advice**: - Dining in the scenic area is pricey—pack snacks. - Arrive before 8 AM during peak seasons (May Day, National Day) to avoid crowds. --- **8. Nearby Attractions** - **Jiaozuo Film City**: Ancient-style architecture, great for photos (1-hour drive from Yuntai Mountain). - **Qinglong Gorge**: Canyon rafting, a summer retreat. --- **Summary**: Yuntai Mountain, centered around Red Stone Gorge and Tanpu Gorge, is perfect for nature lovers. A two-day tour is more relaxed, while a one-day tour focuses on highlights. Don’t miss Zhuyu Peak’s summit views and the thrilling glass walkway!

🏨Name: Yuntai Mountain Cloud Courtyard Inn 🏠The inn is a stone house renovated from an old house, and the room names are taken from nearby ancient villages, which is very charming. Each room has a private courtyard with excellent privacy, and some rooms have floor-to-ceiling views, so you can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery from the comfort of your bed. 🎈The entertainment facilities here are super rich! Tennis courts and badminton courts are available for you to sweat; the gym meets the needs of fitness enthusiasts; the pottery hall allows you to feel the fun of handwork; the coffee shop☕ and bar are full of atmosphere; the playground is a happy world for children; and you can also feel the influence of art in the cultural and creative art museum. When there are many people on weekends, there is also a bonfire 🔥 party, which is very lively! 🍱The cuisine mainly features farm-style home-cooked dishes, and the ingredients are all organically grown vegetables, which are green and healthy. Here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, wake up to the sound of birds in the morning and fall asleep to the sound of insects at night, enjoying the real peace and quiet. Whether it is a family trip, a couple's date, or a gathering of friends, Cloud Courtyard is super suitable. Go for it!

Here's a travel guide to Jiaozuo: Must-Visit Attractions • Yuntai Mountain Scenic Area: Admire Red Rock Valley with its Chibi danxia landforms, Zhuyu Peak - the famous climbing spot from Wang Wei's poem, and Tanpu Valley with its "springs every three steps, pools every ten steps." Additionally, night tours of Yunxi Valley, attending the Mountain Flower Festival, or viewing autumn leaves are great experiences. • Qingtian River: Take a boat through the gorge to enjoy the stunning views of peculiar peaks reflecting in the clear waters. You can also see the vast flower fields at Jinjialing, with forsythia in spring and red leaves in fall. • Chenjiagou: The birthplace of Tai Chi, you can visit the Tai Chi Ancestral Temple, learn basic moves from masters, watch the "Impression Tai Chi" live performance, and visit the Tai Chi Museum. • Shengnong Mountain: Challenge the Dragon Ridge Great Wall, encounter Taihang monkeys, and enjoy the breathtaking sunrise above the sea of clouds at the summit. • Jiaozuo Film and Television City: A Qin-Han style architectural complex, filming location for "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "The Qin Empire," and other shows. You can rent Hanfu for photos. Food Recommendations • Huaifu Naotang Donkey Meat: Tender donkey meat with rich broth, served with donkey meatballs for a diverse taste experience. • Mengzhou Hunjiang Bean Jelly: Made from mung beans, served with sesame sauce and chili oil, refreshingly sour and spicy. • Wuzhi Clay Pot: Clay pot stewed dishes and lamb with rich flavors, perfect for warming up in autumn and winter. • Bo'ai Mixed Bowl: A local breakfast favorite combining over ten ingredients with flavorful broth. Accommodation Suggestions • Cloud Courtyard: Located in Jinlingpo Village, Xiwu County, converted from century-old stone houses, featuring stargazing camps and mountain aesthetics, perfect for photos. • Wangshu Guesthouse: By Wenshui Lake, with cave-dwelling designs that stay warm in winter and cool in summer. Lakeside rooms offer fishing and boating, ideal for family trips. • City Budget Hotels: Recommended chains like Ji Hotel and Home Inn near Jiaozuo Wanda Plaza, convenient location, around 150 yuan per night. Itinerary Planning • 3-Day Essential Tour: Day 1 - Yuntai Mountain (Red Rock Valley + Zhuyu Peak), stay at Anshang Town guesthouse; Day 2 - Qingtian River boat tour, then Tai Chi learning at Chenjiagou, evening at Jiaozuo night market; Day 3 - Visit Jiaozuo Film City and Jiaying Temple before departure. • 5-Day In-depth Tour: First three days same as 3-day tour; Day 4 - Visit Shengnong Mountain and Dangyang Kiln Site; Day 5 - Visit South-to-North Water Diversion Tianhe Park and experience cave dwellings in Mogou Village. Transportation Guide • External Transport: Fly to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, then take airport bus to Jiaozuo; or take train to Jiaozuo Station or Jiaozuo West Station. Jiaozuo Station in city center is more convenient for attractions. • Internal Transport: Extensive bus coverage operating 6:00-19:00, fares from 1 yuan. Taxi flag-down rate 6 yuan/2km, ride-hailing services readily available. Shared bikes in city center convenient for short trips.

Yunshang Courtyard is full of poetry and distance. There is no TV in the room, which gives people more time to look at the scenery, be in a daze, look up at the bright moon and stars at night. Here you can see the most beautiful sunrise and sunset, you can sit in your own yard to bask in the sun, and there is a super cute little black (puppy) to accompany you. In the afternoon, you can lie on the outdoor long wooden bench and listen to the cicadas. The breeze blows, as if returning to the time when you were a child. The location of the inn is easy to find. After booking, the inn staff will send the location. The inn has a parking lot. It is very suitable for a family or a couple. Yunshang Courtyard is a good stay experience.