Hukou Waterfall
壶口瀑布 · Ji County, Linfen, Shanxi, China
The largest waterfall on the Yellow River and the second largest in China: here the broad river suddenly narrows, and its golden waters plunge into a deep trough amid billowing spray and a thunderous roar.
Know before you go
- Do not climb over guardrails or step into restricted areas to take photos near the water
- do not throw objects into the river
- do not push on the viewing platforms or occupy the best photo spots for long
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
How Hukou Got Its Name
Here the Yellow River suddenly squeezes from a broad channel into a narrow rock trough, and the churning water looks as if it were pouring from the spout of a giant teapot, hence the name Hukou, "pot mouth". Standing on the viewing platform as the river rushes in, you can see how fitting the name is.
Source: Wikipedia: Hukou Waterfall; Shaanxi Provincial Government: Hukou Waterfall
History
A Waterfall on the Banknote
The power of Hukou has long been part of the national imagination: the back of the 50-yuan note in the fourth series of renminbi shows Hukou Waterfall. From the viewing platform, the scene before you is the very one printed on that note.
Source: Wikipedia: Hukou Waterfall
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Hukou Waterfall is in Hukou Town, Ji County, Linfen, Shanxi Province, in the Jin-Shaan Gorge of the middle Yellow River; across the river lies Yichuan County in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. It is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River and, after Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou, the second largest in China; it is also called the world's largest yellow waterfall. Upstream the Yellow River is about 300 metres wide, and within less than 500 metres it narrows abruptly to 20–30 metres. The falls are usually about 30 metres wide, reaching 50 metres in flood season, and the water pours over a rock ledge more than 20 metres high. Below the falls lies a rock called the "ghost stone", which is said to appear and disappear with the water level; downstream, the islet of Mengmen Mountain sits in the river, and Qilangwo Bridge spans the Yellow River to link Shanxi and Shaanxi. In 1991 Hukou Waterfall was named one of the "Forty Best Tourist Attractions in China". Hukou Town in Ji County on the Shanxi side and Yichuan County on the Shaanxi side face each other across the river, and both banks have viewing platforms.
Local customs
- Take in the full view of Hukou from the viewing platform on the Shanxi side, follow the boardwalk down to the platform by the water to feel the spray and the roar, and look out towards Mengmen Mountain and Qilangwo Bridge. In flood season, watch the Yellow River's great waves surge into Hukou
- in winter, see the frozen falls and icicles. You can also visit Renzu Mountain and the Kenanpo area in Ji County.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not climb over guardrails or step into restricted areas to take photos near the water
- do not throw objects into the river
- do not push on the viewing platforms or occupy the best photo spots for long
- do not shout and disturb others
Locals appreciate DO
- Hold the handrail and walk slowly on boardwalks wet after rain
- keep your belongings stowed so the spray does not soak them when you take photos
- carry your rubbish out of the scenic area
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- In flood season the water is powerful and the spray heavy, so bring a raincoat and waterproof bags to protect your camera. In winter roads may be icy, so drivers should watch conditions. For tickets, go by the official rates. Dining options in the scenic area are limited
- you can eat in Ji County town.
- From downtown Linfen, a long-distance bus takes about 2 hours to Hukou Town in Ji County
- then take a taxi to the scenic area. Drivers can take the Qinglan Expressway to the Ji County exit. From the Yan'an side you can reach the Shaanxi viewing platform via Yichuan County
- the two banks are linked by Qilangwo Bridge. The summer and autumn flood season (roughly July to October) brings the mightiest flow and is the best time to see the falls
- in deep winter (roughly January to February) you can see the frozen falls
- in spring the flow is moderate, good for photography and walking.
Photos
Photos
Fanghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
Fanghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
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