Yuntai Mountain

Background

Yuntai Mountain is in Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo, Henan, at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains on the border between Henan and Shanxi; the scenic area covers about 280 km². It is not the same as Yuntai Mountain in Lianyungang, Jiangsu. Red Stone Gorge takes its name from the deep red of its quartz sandstone, with green pools and waterfalls linked along the valley floor. At the head of Quanpu Gorge, the Yuntai Waterfall drops about 314 m and is often called one of the tallest waterfalls in China. The main peak, Zhuyu Peak, is about 1,300 m high (sources give 1,297.6 m and 1,308 m). Other sights include Tanpu Gorge, Macaque Valley, Zifang Lake, Wanshan Temple, Diecai Cave, Baijia Cliff, Qinglong Gorge and Fenglin Gorge; the scenic area is divided into 11 sections. Yuntai Mountain is known for its northern karst and gorge landscapes. It was among UNESCO's first group of World Geoparks and is now a national 5A scenic area. Zhuyu Peak has long been admired by writers and by Buddhist and Taoist followers. The Diecai Cave area is a road cut into the cliff face, reportedly built by local villagers in the 1970s.

Local customs

• Walk the boardwalk along the floor of Red Stone Gorge, where red rock, green water and waterfalls meet
• in the rainy season, go to Quanpu Gorge for the Yuntai Waterfall
• climb Zhuyu Peak for a view over the Taihang ranges
• watch the macaques in Macaque Valley and stroll by Zifang Lake.

Travel tips

• The scenic area is large, and the classic route takes a full day
• Red Stone Gorge and Quanpu Gorge are the must-sees. For tickets, shuttle buses and cable cars, follow the official announcements. The gorges have many slippery steps, so wear non-slip shoes. Summer is rainy: after rain the waterfalls are at their fullest, but some paths may limit visitor numbers. In 2024, visitors found a water pipe set into the cliff above the Yuntai Waterfall
• the scenic area said it keeps water flowing in the dry season, so adjust your expectations for waterfall views in dry months.
• Go first to central Jiaozuo, then take the scenic-area express bus or drive north. From Zhengzhou, take a high-speed train to Jiaozuo and transfer. Shuttle buses link the sights inside the scenic area. Late March to early November is ideal: spring and summer bring flowers and full waterfalls, and autumn turns the slopes red. In winter you may see frozen waterfalls and snow
• check opening arrangements before you go.