Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area (zhèng zhōu huáng hé fēng jǐng míng shèng qū 郑州黄河风景名胜区) is a National 4A Class tour region. It is located 20 kilometers northwest of Zhengzhou City (zhèng zhōu shì 郑州市), in Henan Province (hé nán shěng 河南省). The area is 7 kilometers from east to west and 6 kilometers from south to north. It is at the end of Loess Plateau (huáng tǔ gāo yuán 黄土高原) and the beginning of Huabei Plain (huá běi píng yuán 华北平原). Tourists can see the powerful Yellow River as it passes.

Overview

The scenic area is surprisingly beautiful. As seen from a high point in this scenic area, the mighty Yellow River rushes by and demonstrates tremendous force with rolling and falling of the river's torrents. Sometimes in its thousands of miles, the river reaches wide endless plains where currents flow smoothly, and sometimes it meets precipitous mountains where it has to zigzag its way.

The Yellow River Scenic Area embraces five scenic spots, namely the Five Dragons Peak, the Camel Mountain Range, the Yueshan Temple, the Stone Figures of Yandi and Huangdi, and the Ancient City of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. Among them, the Five Dragons Peak is the central area.


Scenic Spots

Five Dragons Peak

Five Dragons Peak (wǔ lóng fēng 五龙峰) is named after a range of five mountains. From a distance, you see ancient pavilions, both large and small, of many designs scattered on the mountains among ancient pines and cypresses. To catch a broad view of the Yellow River, come to Jimu Pavilion on the top of the Five Dragons Peak. From here you can see the mighty river, which has nourished Chinese for thousands of years. Here you see a sculpture of a mother's figure named 'Nourishing'. This benevolent mother in ancient costume is happily holding her baby in her arms.


Camel Mountain Range

Camel Mountain Range (luò tuó lǐng 骆驼岭) is 2 kilometers (about 1.24 miles) to the west of Yueshan Temple. A figure of Yu the Great (2070-2061 BC) is a highlight on the main peak of the Camel Mountain Range. Yu the Great (dà yǔ 大禹), a beloved and legendary ruler in China's prehistoric times, was the first King of the Xia Dynasty (21st centuries - 16th centuries BC). He is commemorated and honored for his battle against floods. The sculpture of Yu the Great is very striking in this area.


Yueshan Temple

Yueshan Temple (yuè shān sì 岳山寺) is 1.5 kilometers (about 0.93 miles) to the east of Five Dragons Peak. There are several featured spots, such as the Purple Golden Pavilion (zǐ jīn gé 紫金阁) and the Peony Garden (mǔ dān yuán 牡丹园). During festivals, a deafening bell reverberates from a distance to catch your attention. The bell is on the top of the Golden Pavilion and its deep heavy sounds mixing with the Yellow River's rumble create enormous reverberations. In the wilderness, the reverberation rises and falls in waves.


Stone Figures of Yandi and Huangdi

Yandi (yán dì 炎帝) and Huangdi (huáng dì 黄帝) are legendary figures and generally regarded as the ancestors of the Chinese. Stone figures, with 18-meter-high (about 59 feet) heads and 82-meter-high (about 269 feet) bodies, are facing the Yellow River. In total, the stone figures measure 100 meters (about 328 feet) high. Nine big bronze Dings (a kind of ancient Chinese vessel) are displayed on the tomb passage in front of the altar for worshipping Yandi and Huangdi.


Ancient City of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu

In the Ancient City of Liu Bang (liú bāng 刘邦; the first Emperor of the Han dynasty 206 BC - AD 24) and Xiang Yu (xiàng yǔ 项羽; the Overlord of the West Chu AD 232-202), you will see figures of war horses and soldiers. They are sculpted in great detail.

The Yellow River is the second largest river in China. Thousands of years ago, Chinese civilization emerged from the Yellow River's central basin. Since then this great river has nourished millions of people. If you want to see this mighty river and its surrounding landscape, then come to the Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area.

Location: Jiangshan Road, 20 kilometres northwest of Huiji District, Zhengzhou City
Tel: 0371-68222228/63799500
Transportation: Bus No.16 from Zhengzhou Station directly goes to its terminus.
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission Fee: CNY60
Tips:
1. The best time to visit: July-October
2. Suggested tour hour: 1 day
3. Food: There are 20 restaurants and manors in the tourist spot, providing food and other services.
4. Shopping: Handicrafts such as the Yellow Mud ink stones are on sale.
5. Accommodation: The Dahe Manor can provide accommodation.