CHINA 5A TRAVEL
Yuntai rewards slow travel: the 3-day ticket invites a two-night stay in the Angshang service area, where guesthouses and noodle shops sit inside the park itself. The classic plan pairs one gorge day with one peak day.
Suggested Itinerary
- Day 1 afternoon - Red Stone Gorge
Shuttle to the east gate, walk the one-way 1.5-2 km canyon (about 2.5 hours at photo pace) from White Dragon Falls to the west exit, then stroll Zifang Lake before the bus home. - Day 2 morning - Zhuyu Peak
Ride the shuttle through the 19 spiralling Diecai Caves, then either climb 2,000+ steps or take the CNY 70 cable car to the summit temples - on clear days the plain unfolds 1,300 m below. - Day 2 afternoon - the three-in-one gorge
Quanpu Gorge, Tanpu Gorge and Macaque Valley share one check-in: pools and wading streams first, the Sky Waterfall viewpoint, then the 14:00 macaque show on the way out. - Optional extras
The Phoenix Ridge glass skywalk (CNY 20) hangs over the gorge; the Yunxi Valley night tour (CNY 60, 19:00-21:00) lights up a second canyon after dark.
What to See
White Dragon Falls, Red Stone Gorge
The first cascade of the red canyon - morning light on the wet quartzite is the park's defining photo.
The Sky Waterfall viewpoint
Quanpu Gorge ends at a rail above the 314 m drop; rainbow mist appears on sunny afternoons.
Zhuyu Peak summit temples
Xuan Emperor Temple and the stone 'sky ladder' where Wang Wei's Double-Ninth poem was born.
Diecai Caves from the bus window
Nineteen cliff-hewn tunnels in 4,000 metres - keep your eyes open for the gaps framing the valley below.
Macaque shows
Wild Taihang macaques perform four free daily shows; keep snacks out of sight on the trails.
Wanshan Temple
A Ming Wanli-era temple with free incense at the foot of the peaks - a quiet finish to a gorge day.
Photo Gallery
Tips from Real Travelers
Food & Drink
Xiuwu black-goat hotpot
The county's signature winter warmer, served in Angshang restaurants from about ¥40-60 a head.
Huai yam dishes
Honey-steamed 'Four Huai Medicines' yam - Jiaozuo's famous geographical-indication produce.
Henan braised noodles (huimian)
The province's comfort bowl - lamb-broth noodles from about ¥15 in the service areas.
Haichan Palace preserved eggs
Xiuwu's 800-year specialty - ducks fed on spring-water shellfish at Mafang Spring lay the eggs, cured to amber with pine-flower patterns; an imperial-tribute bite found at park shops and the Yuntai Shanzhuang restaurant (order ahead).
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