The Baquan Gorge Scenic Area of the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon is located in Qiaoshang Township, Huguan County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and one of the core scenic areas of the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon. The scenic area is mainly characterized by canyon scenery, combining grandeur, wonder, danger, beauty, and seclusion. It is named after eight springs in the canyon that emerge from the same place. In the scenic area, mountains and rivers depend on each other, peaks rise one after another, and landscapes such as waterfalls, streams, karst caves, and cliffside walkways are rich and diverse. It enjoys the reputation of "the First Majestic Gorge of Taihang" and "the Lesser Three Gorges of the North." The scenic area covers a total area of about 24 square kilometers, with the canyon about 13 kilometers long and a maximum drop of more than 300 meters. The vegetation coverage rate is as high as over 90%. It is a tourist destination combining natural landscapes and cultural landscapes, suitable for sightseeing, exploration, leisure, and other activities.
History and Culture
The Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon region where Baquan Gorge is located has a long history. As early as ancient times, there were traces of human activity, and it is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. According to historical records, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, this area belonged to the territory of the State of Zhao. After the Qin and Han dynasties, it gradually became an important passage for exchanges between the Central Plains region and the northern nomadic peoples, leaving behind many historical relics such as ancient villages, ancient plank roads, and ancient battlefields.
The villages in the scenic area are mostly in the style of traditional Taihang dwellings, with stone walls and stone houses built against the mountains, reflecting the wisdom of the local people in adapting to and utilizing nature. In addition, there are many folk legends about Baquan Gorge, such as "The Origin of the Eight Springs" and "The Story of Immortal Cave." These legends not only add mystery to the scenic area but also reflect the local people's reverence for nature and yearning for a better life. Today, these historical and cultural elements are combined with the magnificent natural landscape, making Baquan Gorge a tourist attraction with both sightseeing value and cultural connotation.
Main Attractions
Baquan Hongfen
Baquan Hongfen is the place from which Baquan Gorge gets its name, located at the source of the canyon. Here, eight clear springs gush out from between the cliffs and converge into a stream. The water volume is abundant and never dries up throughout the year. Around the springs are jagged rocks and green trees, creating a quiet and beautiful scene. According to measurements, the flow rate of each spring is about 0.5 cubic meters per second. The water quality is sweet and clear, rich in various minerals. Tourists can observe the rushing springs up close here and feel the magical gifts of nature.
High-Altitude Cable Car
The Baquan Gorge high-altitude cable car is an important transportation facility in the scenic area and also an excellent way to view the panorama of the canyon. The cable line is about 3,000 meters long, starting near the entrance of the scenic area and ending near Yuhuang Peak, with a vertical drop of about 600 meters. It is one of the monoline circulating detachable passenger ropeways with a relatively large drop in China. The cable car uses fully enclosed transparent cabins, each capable of carrying 8 people, and the ride takes about 8 minutes. When riding the cable car, tourists can overlook the magnificent scenery of the entire canyon, taking in peaks, gorges, streams, and other landscapes, experiencing the shocking feeling of "seeing all the other mountains as small."
Cliffside Plank Road
The Cliffside Plank Road is located on the cliffs on the west side of the canyon, with a total length of about 3,000 meters, a width of about 1.2 meters, and an altitude of about 1,200 meters. The plank road is built along the mountain, with some sections suspended on the outer side of the cliff, and the vertical height from the valley floor can reach more than 200 meters. The plank road adopts a reinforced concrete structure, is safe and stable, and is equipped with observation decks and rest pavilions along the way. Walking on the plank road, one side is the steep cliff, and the other side is the deep canyon. The scenery is thrilling and magnificent. Tourists can closely appreciate the geological features and waterfall landscapes of the canyon and feel the majesty and steepness of the Taihang Mountains.
Cruise Pier
The Cruise Pier is located in the high gorge and calm lake area in the middle section of the canyon. The lake surface is about 1,000 meters long, 50-100 meters wide, and the deepest part reaches more than 60 meters. It is an artificial lake formed by building a dam to store water. The pier is equipped with more than ten sightseeing boats, each capable of carrying about 30 people. Tourists take boats through the canyon, with towering cliffs on both sides and lush green plants. Looking up, they can see the "one-line sky" landscape, and looking down, they can enjoy the clear lake water, as if being in the "Lesser Three Gorges of the North." The whole journey takes about 20 minutes, offering a water experience completely different from land sightseeing.
Yuhuang Peak
Yuhuang Peak is the highest peak of Baquan Gorge, with an altitude of about 1,700 meters. It is an excellent position for overlooking the entire Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon scenery. To reach the summit, one needs to climb about 1,500 meters along the hiking trail, and along the way, one can enjoy landscapes such as rare pines and strange rocks. There is an observation platform at the top, covering an area of about 500 square meters, with an antique-style observation pavilion in the center. Standing on Yuhuang Peak, to the east one can overlook the whole canyon, and to the west one can view the continuous rolling Taihang Mountains. In the early morning, one can also see spectacular sunrise and sea of clouds scenery, making it an ideal shooting location for photography enthusiasts.
Immortal Cave
Immortal Cave is located in the cliff in the middle section of the canyon. It is a naturally formed karst cave. The cave entrance is about 5 meters wide and 3 meters high, and the cave is about 50 meters deep. The stalactites, stalagmites, and other landscapes in the cave are well developed and varied in shape. Some look like people, and some look like animals. Under the illumination of lights, they appear colorful. According to geological experts, this karst cave was formed in limestone strata millions of years ago and has high geological research value. There are many local legends about Immortal Cave, adding to its mysterious atmosphere and attracting tourists to explore.
Food
Huguan Lamb Soup
Huguan Lamb Soup is a traditional famous food in Huguan County, Changzhi City, and is relatively common in restaurants around the Baquan Gorge Scenic Area. It uses local goats as raw materials and is made through procedures such as boiling, deboning, and slicing, paired with ingredients such as lamb offal, vermicelli, and chopped green onion. The soup is milky white, fresh and mellow in taste, and has the effect of dispelling cold and warming the body. Huguan Lamb Soup has a history of hundreds of years. The production process is particular, requiring long cooking of lamb bones and lamb meat. The meat is tender, and the soup taste is rich. It is a good choice for tourists to replenish energy during their visit, priced at about 25 yuan per serving.
Changzhi Cured Donkey Meat
Changzhi Cured Donkey Meat is a traditional characteristic meat food in Shanxi and can be bought in specialty stores and restaurants near the Baquan Gorge Scenic Area. It selects high-quality donkey meat and is made through multiple procedures such as pickling, air drying, and braising. It is red in color, firm in texture, mellow in taste, and rich in nutrition. The production history of Changzhi Cured Donkey Meat can be traced back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a fine product for local banquets and gifts to relatives and friends. The cured donkey meat sold around the scenic area is priced by weight at about 80 yuan per jin.
Taihang Stir-Fried Millet
Taihang Stir-Fried Millet is a characteristic farm dish in the local area and can be tasted in farmhouses around Baquan Gorge. It uses locally produced millet as the main ingredient, paired with eggs, chopped green onion, green peppers, and other ingredients. It has a crisp texture and a rich millet aroma. Millet is one of the main grain crops in the Taihang Mountain area and is rich in nutrition. This dish is simple to make but unique in flavor, reflecting the local food culture. It is priced at about 15 yuan per serving and is deeply loved by tourists.
Tickets：
Ticket: 100 yuan per person (including Baquan Gorge, Hongdou Gorge, and Qinglong Gorge).
You can search for the official public account "Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon Baquan Gorge Scenic Area" on WeChat to obtain the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are adjusted according to the seasons. From April 1 to October 31 each year is the peak season, with opening hours from 7:00 to 18:30, and the last entry time is 16:30. From November 1 to March 31 of the following year is the off-season, with opening hours from 8:00 to 17:00, and the last entry time is 15:30. In case of extreme weather or special circumstances, the scenic area may be temporarily closed. Tourists are advised to check and confirm through official channels before traveling.
Tour Route：
After entering the scenic area, tourists first take the scenic area sightseeing bus (included in the combined ticket) to Baquan Hongfen to admire the wonder of the eight springs; then walk along the canyon trail to enjoy the streams, waterfalls, and other landscapes along the way, and visit Immortal Cave on the way; next, go to the Cliffside Plank Road to experience the thrilling walk on the cliff and enjoy the panorama of the canyon; afterward, you can choose to take the high-altitude cable car to Yuhuang Peak and go to the summit to watch the sunrise or sea of clouds (if time permits); after coming down from Yuhuang Peak, you can take the elevator to the Cruise Pier and take a boat tour of the high gorge and calm lake; finally, take the sightseeing bus back to the scenic area exit. The entire tour takes about 6-8 hours. Tourists can flexibly adjust the route according to their own physical strength and time.
Transportation：
Bus: From Changzhi City Passenger Transport Center, there are direct tourist special line buses to the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon Baquan Gorge Scenic Area, departing at 8:00 and 10:00 every day, with a journey of about 2 hours and a fare of 25 yuan per person; from Huguan County Passenger Station, there are also shuttle buses to the scenic area, one every hour, with a journey of about 1 hour and a fare of 10 yuan per person.
Self-driving: From Changzhi urban area, drive along the Huguan Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon tourist special line, about 50 kilometers in total, with a journey of about 1.5 hours; from Taiyuan, drive along the Erguang Expressway and Qinglan Expressway to the Huguan exit, then transfer to the tourist special line, about 300 kilometers in total, with a journey of about 4 hours; the scenic area parking lot charges 10 yuan per time (small vehicles).
Tourist bus: Many travel agencies offer one-day or multi-day tour routes to Baquan Gorge. Tourists can choose to travel with a tour group, and transportation costs are included in the tour fee, which is more convenient.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Baquan Hongfen: The source of Baquan Gorge, where eight springs gush out, each with a flow rate of about 0.5 cubic meters per second. It is the origin of the scenic area's name, with a quiet and magical scene.
High-Altitude Cable Car: About 3,000 meters long, with a drop of about 600 meters and an operation time of 8 minutes. It offers a panoramic view of the canyon and a shocking high-altitude perspective.
Cliffside Plank Road: About 3,000 meters long, 1.2 meters wide, and more than 200 meters above the valley floor. Walking on it allows you to closely feel the steepness and magnificence of the canyon.
Cruise Pier: The high gorge and calm lake is about 1,000 meters long. Taking a boat allows you to enjoy the cliff scenery on both sides and experience the unique view of the "Lesser Three Gorges of the North." The boat trip is about 20 minutes.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and sportswear, because there is a long walking distance in the scenic area, and some sections are steep, making it easier to walk and climb.
The ultraviolet rays in the scenic area are relatively strong. In summer, bring sunscreen, sun hats, and other sun protection items; mountain weather is changeable, so it is recommended to carry rain gear; in winter, temperatures are low, so pay attention to keeping warm.
Since the tour time is relatively long, it is recommended to carry an appropriate amount of dry food and drinking water. Food and beverage points in the scenic area are relatively expensive, with a simple meal costing about 30-50 yuan.
Tourists with poor physical strength can reasonably arrange transportation facilities, such as taking more cable cars and elevators, to reduce walking distance and save energy.
The best seasons to visit are April-May and September-October. At this time, the climate is suitable and the scenery is beautiful, avoiding heavy rains in summer and severe cold in winter.
Precautions：
On dangerous sections such as the Cliffside Plank Road, follow the regulations of the scenic area, do not leave the plank road without authorization, do not climb the guardrails, and pay attention to safety underfoot.
When taking facilities such as cable cars and boats, follow the instructions of the staff, obey safety regulations, and keep personal belongings safe.
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the ecological environment, do not pick plants, and do not feed animals.
Mountain signals may be unstable. It is recommended to download offline maps in advance, keep in contact with companions, and avoid acting alone.
In case of severe weather such as thunderstorms and strong winds, immediately go to a safe area to take shelter and follow the evacuation arrangements of the scenic area staff.