Geographical Location: Yuntaishan is located in Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, at the transition zone between the Taihang Mountains and the North China Plain.
Characteristic Landscapes: It is famous for its unique mountains and wonderful waters, possessing natural landscapes such as springs, pools, waterfalls, streams, forests, valleys, and abundant geological remains.
Best Time to Travel
Yuntaishan has four distinct seasons, each with its own unique beauty.
Spring (March May): Everything comes back to life, and mountain flowers are in full bloom, making it a good time for flower appreciation and spring outings.
Summer (June August): With abundant rainfall, there are flying waterfalls and flowing springs among the mountains, and the temperature is cool, making it a summer resort.
Autumn (September November): The autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp, with forests dyed in various colors, and you can enjoy the red leaf landscape.
Winter (December February): Although some water features will freeze, the snow-covered scenery also has a unique charm. However, some outdoor projects may be affected. Overall, May to October is a more suitable period for most tourists to visit.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane: You can first take a plane to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, and then transfer to a shuttle bus from the airport to Jiaozuo or first go to Zhengzhou and then transfer to a train, bus, etc. to Jiaozuo.
Train/High-speed Rail: Jiaozuo has a railway station and a high-speed railway station. You can choose an appropriate train to Jiaozuo according to your own city, and then transfer to a tourist special line bus, etc. to Yuntaishan after arriving in Jiaozuo.
Bus: There are long-distance buses directly to Jiaozuo or Xiuwu in surrounding cities. After arriving at Xiuwu Bus Station, you can transfer to a shuttle bus to Yuntaishan Scenic Spot.
Internal Transportation
Scenic Spot Sightseeing Bus: The Yuntaishan Scenic Spot is large, and there are sightseeing buses running between the scenic spots. Tourists can conveniently reach each scenic spot by taking the sightseeing bus. The cost of the sightseeing bus is usually included in the ticket price.
Cableway: Some scenic spots such as Zhuyu Peak can take the cableway up and down the mountain to save physical strength, and tickets need to be purchased separately.
Ticket Information
Ticket Price: There are different prices for peak and off-peak seasons. The price in the peak season is relatively high, generally ranging from 100 to more than 200 yuan. The specific price is subject to the official announcement of the scenic spot.
Ticket Validity Period: Usually 3 days, and you can enter and exit the scenic spot multiple times within the validity period.
Ticket Purchase Method: You can buy tickets online through the official website and WeChat official account of Yuntaishan Scenic Spot, or you can also buy them at the ticket windows of the scenic spot on site.
Recommended Tour Routes
One-day Tour Route
Yuntai Waterfall Gorge Quanpu Gorge Macaque Valley Zhuyu Peak (take the cableway up and down the mountain)
In the morning, visit Yuntai Waterfall Gorge and Quanpu Gorge to enjoy the beautiful scenery of flying waterfalls and flowing springs in the canyon; have lunch and take a rest in the scenic spot at noon; in the afternoon, go to Macaque Valley to see macaques, and then take the cableway up to Zhuyu Peak to enjoy the scenery on the top of the mountain.
Two-day Tour Route
First Day: Red Rock Gorge Zifang Lake Yuntai Waterfall Gorge Quanpu Gorge Macaque Valley
In the morning, first visit Red Rock Gorge, where the red rock cliffs are shocking; then go to Zifang Lake and you can take a boat to play; in the afternoon, visit Yuntai Waterfall Gorge, Quanpu Gorge and Macaque Valley in turn to experience the beauty of the landscape and the liveliness of macaques. You can stay in accommodation near the scenic spot at night.
Second Day: Zhuyu Peak Diecai Cave Wanshan Temple
In the morning, take a sightseeing bus through Diecai Cave to Zhuyu Peak and climb the peak to look far; after going down the mountain, visit Wanshan Temple to experience Buddhist culture.
Accommodation Suggestions
Inside the Scenic Spot
The advantage is that it is convenient for playing, and you can enjoy the scenery of the scenic spot in the early morning and evening nearby; the disadvantage is that the price is relatively high and the rooms are in short supply, so it needs to be booked in advance. There are Yuntaishan Yunxi Boutique Hotel, etc. to choose from.
Outside the Scenic Spot (Shore Service Area, etc.)
There are various types of accommodation, including homestays, inns, hotels, etc., with a wide range of prices, and the supporting facilities such as catering and entertainment are also relatively complete. For example, some characteristic homestays in the Shore Service Area can let tourists experience the local customs.
Yuntaishan Food Guide
Specialty Foods
Jiaozuo Huimian (Braised Noodles)
Features: The noodles are chewy, and the soup is delicious. High-quality high-gluten flour is used to make the noodles, and the soup is made by boiling mutton and mutton bones for several hours, adding a variety of spices and Chinese herbal medicines, and then served with side dishes such as daylily, agaric, vermicelli, and mutton.
Recommended Shops: Laodongjia Huimian in Jiaozuo urban area, etc. There are also many restaurants making Huimian in the Shore Service Area outside Yuntaishan Scenic Spot to choose from.
Naotang Lurou (Donkey Meat in Special Broth)
Features: The donkey meat is tender, and the Naotang (specially made donkey broth) has a strong fragrance. It can be paired with donkey meatballs, etc. Its production process is unique. The donkey meat goes through multiple processes, and the Naotang is made by boiling donkey bones, etc. for a long time and adding a variety of seasonings.
Recommended Shops: Some donkey meat restaurants in the Shore Service Area, such as Qixian Donkey Shop, etc.
Stir-fried Eggs with Mountain Leeks
Features: The mountain leeks have a strong flavor, more flavorful than ordinary leeks, and when stir-fried with local eggs, the taste is fresh and tender, full of a wild mountain atmosphere.
This dish can be tasted in almost every farmhouse restaurant in and around Yuntaishan Scenic Spot.
Yuntai Black Goat
Features: The black goat meat is tender and has a low fat content. It can be made into various dishes such as stewed black goat meat and braised black goat meat, with a rich taste.
There are restaurants specializing in black goat dishes around the scenic spot, such as some farmhouse restaurants in the Shore Service Area.
Food Streets/Gathering Places
Shore Service Area
Here gathers many restaurants, snack stalls, etc. In addition to the above specialty foods, you can also taste various Henan specialty snacks such as Hulu soup (Spicy Soup), Jianbing (Fried Dumplings), etc., as well as other home-cooked dishes. You can taste delicious food while strolling and feel the lively atmosphere.
Jiaozuo Urban Area (if you have enough time to go)
There are places like Minzhu Road Food Street, where you can taste a richer variety of Jiaozuo foods and other foods from various places.
Travel Precautions
Clothing and Equipment
Wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking boots for walking on mountain roads. Bring appropriate clothing according to the season. In summer, bring sun protection clothing, hats, sunscreen, etc.; in spring and autumn, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring a thick coat; in winter, pay attention to keeping warm and wear down jackets, gloves, scarves, etc.
Scenic Spot Tour
Abide by the regulations of the scenic spot, protect the environment, and do not litter at will. In scenic spots like Macaque Valley, do not provoke macaques and keep a safe distance. Pay attention to safety signs during the tour, and be careful in dangerous areas such as by the water and cliffs.
