Yuntai Mountain (yún tái shān 云台山) is situated in Xiuwu County (xiū wǔ xiàn 修武县), about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Jiaozuo City (jiāo zuò shì 焦作市), Henan Province (hé nán shěng 河南省). This mountain is among the first group from all over the world that received the title of World Geologic Park from UNESCO in 2004. It is also the only famous scenic area in Henan Province having the titles of National 5A Grade Tourist Attraction, National Forest Park, National Geologic Park, National Water Conservancy Scenic Area and National Macaque Natural Reserve.

Overview

Yuntai Mountain lies in the Xiuwu County and it features marvelous water landscape. The Yuntai Waterfall has a fall of 314 meters (1,030 feet) which is the greatest in China. July to September is the best time to visit the waterfall as it may be without water at other time. The Hongshi (Red Stone) Gorge is famous for its spectacular Danxia landscape and was praised to be the 'number one sight' of the province.

Covered with verdant virgin forest, Yuntai Mountain is famous for its imposing mountain and water sceneries. The picturesque peaks and high mountains extend as far as the eyes can see. The highest Cornel Peak has an elevation of 1,304 meters (4,278 feet). Myriad springs, waterfalls and pools abound. Yuntai Waterfall, 314 meters (1,030 feet) high, is the highest waterfall in China. Deep valleys and quiet gorges, unique stones and wild flowers form a beautiful landscape.

The sceneries of Yuntai Mountain change with the seasons. In spring, the mountain is decorated by wild flowers and green grasses. In summer, the luxuriant virgin forests and beautiful waterfalls make it an excellent resort. In autumn, leaves turn fiery red and the mountain looks like a colorful coat. Seen from a distance, Yuntai Waterfall is like a pillar connecting the sky and earth. In winter, snow turns the mountain into a white world of ice waterfall, ice pillar and evergreen plants covered with snow. This is a typical winter sight in northern China.

Yuntai Mountain has long been recognized as a popular tourist resort throughout history. The Han emperor Xiandi (the last emperor of the Han Dynasty) had left his summer resort and mausoleum based here. It was once the secluded place of 'the Bamboo Forest Seven Sages' during the Wei Dynasty (AD 220-265) and the Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420). In the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Sun Simiao, the medicine king, often collected herbs and made traditional Chinese medicines here. The great poet of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Wei, wrote an immortal verse on Cornel Peak, 'one misses relatives the most during the holidays'. Many famous visitors in history left their stone inscriptions and steles here, enriching its cultural value.
 

Eleven Scenic Areas in Yuntai Mountain

Occupying an area of 190 square kilometers (46,950 acres), Yuntai Mountain has eleven scenic areas: Red Stone Gorge, Tanpu Gorge, Quanpu Gorge, Cornel Peak, Wanshan Temple, Baijia Cliff, Zifang Lake, Macaque Valley, Qinglong Gorge, Fenglin Gorge and Diecai Cave. Each has its own unique features and beauty.
 

Red Stone Gorge (Hongshi Gorge)

Red Stone Gorge (hóng shí xiá 红石峡) is a valley with steep cliffs of red rocks standing straight up on both sides. It is the geologic relic of a crustal movement that took place 1.4 billion years ago, and rare Danxia landform in northern China. This gorge gathers many springs, waterfalls, streams, pools and gullies, so it is named 'the corridor of superfine landscape' by garden experts. The south side of the gorge is so narrow that it is only one thread wide. Towering cliffs stand facing each other as a gate and torrents scour a gully down the cliffs. Here the White Dragon Waterfall is divided into three sections and drops in level of about 50 meters (164 feet). Myriad springs and waterfalls dash against cliffs, making numerous colorful beads in sunlight like a natural fresco. White stalactites that grow in the quartz sandstones become simple and elegant under the red cliffs. Two emersed red stones look as if two lovers are locked together in a long kiss. Nine dragon pools make a stream whose water is so limpid that many beautiful stones can be seen clearly.
 

Cornel Peak

Cornel Peak (zhū yú fēng 茱萸峰) is the highest peak of Yuntai Mountain, which is about 1,308 meters (4,291 feet) above sea level. The great poet of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Wang Wei, wrote a famous verse 'One misses the relatives the most in holidays' on Cornel Peak. Following ascent of thousands of steps of scaling ladder and plank road built along a cliff to this peak, visitors can see the Taihang Mountain in the north. Lofty mountains extends as far as eyes can see. Also the vast plain in the south, the crisscross fields which appear like a chessboard and the ribbon-like Yellow River can be seen. In a word, the scenery is magnificent from this peak, making people deeply feel the poetic imagery of this line 'seen from the skyscraping peak, other mountains appear to be dwarfed', a line written by Du Fu, the 'Poet Saint' of the Tang Dynasty.
 

Tanpu Gorge (Xiaozhai Valley)

Among the landscape gallery of Yuntai Mountain, Tanpu Gorge (tán pù xiá 潭瀑峡) is nature's masterpiece. It is famous for 'a spring in three steps, a waterfall in five steps and a pool in ten steps'. The water scenery in this valley is imposing with mountains and unique rocks. Located in the north of Yuntai Mountain, the 1,270 meters (1,389 yards) long gorge travels from south to north. Sheer cliffs and steep mountains at both sides rise skyward in an elegant shape. The still waters in the pond run deep and the water there is as green as an emerald. It is said that people can become immortal by drinking its water. The lover waterfall falls at three different levels and in each level, two waterfalls blend into a pond as if two sweethearts whisper. A Y-shaped waterfall hangs between two mountains with a drop of more than 10 meters (32.8 feet). Here many deep pools are formed by the cascading waters. Moreover, there is a natural water-curtain cave with crystal beads hanging before the cave. In summer and autumn, bamboo rafting is held here. In the Xiaozhai Valley (xiǎo zhài gōu 小寨沟) Square, tourists can see shadowboxing show for free.
 

Other Scenic Areas in Yuntai Mountain

Quanpu Gorge (quán pù xiá 泉瀑峡) contains the largest cataract in the entire country, Yuntai Waterfall (yún tái tiān pù 云台天瀑) which has a drop of about 314 meters (1,030 feet). Seen from afar, the waterfall kisses the blue sky like a skyscraping pillar, producing deafening roars. The Wanshan Temple (wàn shàn sì 万善寺) is situated at the foot of the Hades Nose Peak, which was originally built in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644). Baijia Cliff (bǎi jiā yán 百家岩) Scenic Area is an excellent place for climbing cliffs, where many historical relics are left. The Tianmen Waterfall (tiān mén pù 天门瀑) and a temple pagoda rising on a cliff are two must-sees. The Macaque Valley (mí hóu gǔ 猕猴谷) is a natural reserve for wild macaques who have been trained to put on performances, such as dancing, pulling a cart and military practice. The Blue Dragon Gorge (lán lóng xiá 蓝龙峡), named as 'the First Gorge in Central Plain', is a good ecological resort because of its thick forest, abundant water and pleasant climate. A vast expanse of misty, rolling waters spread all over the Fenglin Gorge. Elegant islands are scatted in the lake like stars in the sky. Diecai Cave (dié cǎi dòng 叠彩洞) is a highway tunnel linking Henan (hé nán 河南) and Shanxi (shān xī 山西) Provinces. It runs through the Yuntai Mountain, 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) long. Zifang Lake (子房湖) appears like a large mirror reflecting the green mountains around, blue sky and white clouds.


Best time to visit

Yuntai Mountain possesses distinctive season as well as various scenic spots. In spring, when snow melt and all creatures revive, the stream flow gently and the place is decorated by wild blossoms make it an ideal place for both spring sightseeing and entertainment. In summer, the green and luxuriant original forest together with unique waterfall forms a perfect Yuntai. The grotesque and splendid mountain and picturesque scenery make it an ideal resort. You can also enjoy Yuntai waterfall, whose drop in level is 314m, here. Viewing from the distant, the waterfall is really splendid. It seems connecting sky with earth, like a skyscraping pillar, deafening and splendid. In autumn, all plants are dyed, the leaves are fiery red. You can enjoy the autumn scenery on the mountain top. In winter, the Yuntain Mountain decked with snow and ice looks charming and grandeur. You can experience the northern phenomena here needless to journey to the China Northeast.

The Scenery of Four Seasons

Spring:
Average temperature: 16℃
Accessible scenery: wild flowers

Summer:
Average temperature: 24℃
Accessible scenery: original forest
Notice: weather is changeable, be sure to take umbrella

Autumn:
Average temperature: 18℃
Accessible scenery: red leaves, the first waterfall of china--Yuntai Waterfall.

Winter:
Average temperature: 2℃
Accessible scenery: ice waterfall, ice pillar, ever-green plants decked with snow
Notice: watch the slippery area

The temperature of May and October is moderate good for visiting, but in this season the spots is crowed with visitors.
 

Location: Xiuwu County, 30 kilometres northeast of Jiaozuo City
Tel: 0391-7709001/7709062
Transportation: Take a tour bus at Jiaozuo tourist bus station or at the Xiuwu County bus station to Yuntai Mountain; Take bus No.3 at Jiaozuo to Fangzhuang, and then take a taxi to Yuntai Mountain. (Inside tour bus price: CNY60 )
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Admission Fee: March - November CNY120; December - February CNY60
Tips:
1. Only one ticket is needed for all scenic areas in Yuntai Mountains. The ticket is valid for two days and has to be presented in each scenic area. Tourists can visit each area only once. The Inside Transportation Ticket is also valid for two days.
2. Situated in the scenic spots with an area of 5500 square metres, Yuntai Hotel (Tel: 0391-7709085) has 300 beds of different class and its service is really advanced. The room is equipped with TV, telephone, air conditioner, and there are car reparation terrace, parking lot, meeting room of different sizes, restaurant of high and middle class, dancing hall, hair dressing center, business center, bank etc. It is an ideal place for both business and entertainment purpose.