Tongtianxia Scenic Area is worth a visit. Straddling the border of Shanxi and Henan provinces, it's known as "North China's Most Beautiful Mountain Gorge" and "Little Jiuzhaigou of the North." Here's a detailed introduction:
- Highlights:
- Magnificent landscapes: high mountains, flat lakes, cascading waterfalls, gurgling streams, and deep pools resembling jade. Tongtian Lake's waters are cool and pure, a dreamlike spectacle under sunlight. The Triple Falls cascade down three tiers of cliffs with a breathtaking momentum. Shiping Mountain, with its distinctive peaks and screens seen from the sides, is truly breathtaking.
- Rich biological diversity: Hundreds of macaques live in the scenic area's Macaque Village. They love playing in the water, are adept at climbing and leaping, and can even imitate human movements. Furthermore, the scenic area boasts lush vegetation, home to a variety of valuable Chinese medicinal herbs, such as Codonopsis pilosula and Scutellaria baicalensis, creating a natural oxygen bar. - The scenery changes with each season: in spring and summer, lush green grass and chirping birds fly; in late autumn, crimson leaves blanket the mountains, creating a vibrant scene; in winter, snow-capped mountains, shrouded in a blanket of white, are crowned with beautiful icicles, resembling a "glacial world."
- Duration: The scenic area's well-designed trails and wooden plank roads provide a loop, and a full tour typically takes 4-5 hours. If time is tight, visiting selected key attractions will still take 2-3 hours.
- Activities: Enjoy the scenic views by hiking through the Grand Canyon; take a boat tour of the Thousand-Foot Gorge, feeling like you're swimming in a painting; ride Asia's highest-angle incline cable car, a cable car that traverses the dynamic canyon; or stroll along the colorful glass plank road, feeling like you're soaring through the clouds, before ascending to the summit of Immortal Peak for breathtaking views.
- Notes: July and August are the best times to visit, as the scenery is beautiful but crowds are high. Some sections of the scenic area are slippery and steep, so wear non-slip shoes. The temperature difference in the mountains is large, so you should bring a thin jacket and sun protection clothing. At the same time, pay attention to protecting the environment and take the garbage down the mountain.