The Taihang Grand Canyon Scenic Area is located in Shibanyan Town, Linzhou City, Anyang City, Henan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a national geological park. The scenic area covers a total area of about 89 square kilometers. Its core sightseeing areas include three major scenic zones: Peach Blossom Valley, Wangxiang Rock, and Taiji Ice Mountain. The highest elevation reaches 1,739 meters. The canyon is 50 kilometers long from north to south and 1.5 kilometers wide from east to west, with a relative height difference of more than 1,000 meters. It is a typical representative of northern landscape scenery and is known as a "hundred-mile gallery" and a "natural oxygen bar." The scenic area combines grandeur, steepness, wonder, and beauty, blending the majesty of northern mountains with the elegance of southern waters.
Historical Culture
The Taihang Grand Canyon was formed in the Mesoproterozoic Era about 1.8 billion years ago and is a typical Zhangshiyan landform. Ancient marine biological fossils discovered in the canyon bear witness to the vicissitudes of the North China ancient land.
Shibanyan Town, where the scenic area is located, is a famous "Chinese Painting Valley." Since the 1950s, it has attracted countless painters to come for sketching and creative work. Historical relics such as Northern Wei Dynasty cliff inscriptions and Ming Dynasty ancient plank roads still exist in the canyon.
In 2012, the Taihang Grand Canyon was rated as a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction; in 2017, it was included in the UNESCO World Geopark list.
Main Attractions
Peach Blossom Valley
The most beautiful scenic area in the canyon, with a total length of 7 kilometers. Streams murmur and waterfalls abound in the valley. In spring, peach blossoms cover the area, hence the name "Peach Blossom Valley." The main attractions include Huanglong Pool, Feilong Gorge, and Jiulian Waterfall. Among them, Jiulian Waterfall has a drop of more than 200 meters and is magnificent.
Wangxiang Rock
A scenic area famous for its steepness. It is said that King Wu Ding of Shang and his prime minister Fu Yue once lived here. The main sights include a suspended cliff plank road, a sky-high cylindrical ladder, and Yuhuang Pavilion. Among them, the "sky-high cylindrical ladder" is 88 meters high and spirals upward, thrilling and exciting.
Taiji Ice Mountain
It is named because the mountain shape resembles Taiji and there is ice in the cave. Even in midsummer, the cave remains bitterly cold, with ice pillars standing in great numbers. The main attractions include Taiji Mountain, Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Cave, and ice waterfalls. It is a summer resort.
Taihang Sky Road
A sightseeing road built along the Taihang mountain ridge, with a total length of about 30 kilometers. Several observation platforms are set up along the way, where visitors can overlook the entire canyon and enjoy the magnificent scenery of "Taihang Ping Lake."
Shibanyan Village
A typical ancient village in the Taihang Mountains. All the houses are built with local stone slabs, making it uniquely distinctive. The village has many painter studios and homestays and is a good place to experience Taihang mountain folk culture.
Tour Routes：
Recommended 2-day tour route: Day 1: Peach Blossom Valley → Taihang Sky Road → Shibanyan Village (overnight stay). Day 2: Wangxiang Rock → Taiji Ice Mountain → return. Some scenic areas can be selected for touring according to time and interests.
Tour Suggestions：
It is recommended to arrange 1-2 days and stay overnight in Shibanyan Village.
Wear slip-resistant sports shoes for mountain climbing and carry trekking poles.
Mountain weather is changeable; prepare rain gear and warm clothing.
Photography enthusiasts may bring wide-angle lenses and tripods.
Protect the ecological environment; do not pick plants or capture animals.
Book accommodation in advance during peak season, especially on holidays.
Precautions：
Some sections are steep; pay attention to safety and do not approach cliffs.
Protect cultural relics and historic sites; do not carve words on rocks.
Patients with heart disease or high blood pressure should not engage in strenuous exercise.
In case of thunderstorms, mountaineering activities should be suspended.
Signal coverage in the scenic area is weak; inform family members of your itinerary in advance.
Follow the regulations of the scenic area and do not enter unopened areas.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From the Zhengzhou direction, take the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway to the Anyang exit, then drive about 60 kilometers along Provincial Road S228.
Bus: There are direct tourist shuttle buses to the scenic area from Anyang Bus Station.
High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to Anyang East Station, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus, which takes about 1.5 hours.
Airplane: The nearest airport is Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, about a 3-hour drive from the scenic area.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. Opening hours are 7:00-18:30 (peak season, April-October) and 8:00-17:30 (off-season, November-March). A full tour takes about 1-2 days.
Tickets：
Ticket price: 80 yuan per person.