Stayed in Xinxiang for 3 days without a single letdown!
Anyone who says Henan summers are just hot can argue with me 😤 The average summer temperature in Xinxiang’s South Taihang Mountains is only 22℃, cooler than air conditioning! Taihang’s mountains and waters, cliffside sea of clouds, carb-loaded delicious food… I’ve been here 3 times and hit countless spots. Here’s a detailed cool-down guide for you👇
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📍 About the location
Xinxiang is in northern Henan, at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains. The high-speed train goes directly to Xinxiang East Station. It’s a 20-minute train ride from Zhengzhou and a 1-hour drive to Huixian scenic area. Taxi starting fare in the city is 6 yuan. Shared electric bikes are everywhere, super convenient!
⛰️ Must-visit summer spots (with photo-worthy locations)
Baoquan Grand Canyon — Xinxiang’s top summer escape! Forest coverage is 98%, with an average summer temperature of 22℃. Red cliffs and lush greenery, clear flowing water, and ten unique waterfalls scattered around. The 320-meter-long Jianlong Waterfall plunges from the sky. Most of the waterside trail is shaded by forest, so there’s almost no direct sun. The shallow, clear water at Yulin Dam lets you cool off instantly by stepping in barefoot! There’s also a water splash festival during summer vacation.
📸 Photo spots: wading in the shallow Yulin Dam, capturing mist in front of Shuanglong Waterfall
Bali Valley — the “Little Jiuzhaigou of the North,” with deep valleys and lush forests, streams running throughout. Tianhe Waterfall cascades down a cliff, surrounded by mist. Step into the water curtain cave and shoot side profiles through the mist for a dreamy, soft-light effect.
📸 Photo spots: water curtain cave at Tianhe Waterfall, National Geographic’s famous red frame spot
Wanxian Mountain · Guoliang Village — a cliffside corridor carved by hand, with stone windows that act as natural picture frames! Sunlight beams through the cave entrance, creating light shafts. Turn sideways and glance back for a full film-like vibe. Recently, there’s a 21℃ cloud-cool season with weekend melon field contests and ice carving treasure hunts!
📸 Photo spots: backlit silhouette at the cliff corridor stone windows, healing street shots of Guoliang’s stone houses
Tianjie Mountain — the sea of clouds appears frequently after rain, with rolling mountains faintly visible through the mist. The Tianjie cloud ladder clings to the cliff, with a deep valley below.
📸 Photo spots: morning sea of clouds at Yunfeng Gallery, side shots walking on the cloud ladder
Guanshan — canyon rafting is a must in summer! The river winds along the mountains, weaving through green hills and clear water. The stream beside Red Stone Gorge flows gently, and the waterside trail is perfect for playing in the water.
📸 Photo spots: light beams falling through the One Line Sky rock crevice
Fengqiu Chenqiao Wetland — in midsummer July, thousands of acres of lotus flowers reach their peak bloom, with green leaves stretching to the sky and pink and white petals mixed in. A gentle breeze carries a faint fragrance.
📸 Photo spots: close-up lotus shots from a boat with a telephoto lens
🍜 Food recommendations (don’t miss these)
Red-braised lamb — Xinxiang’s city signature! The copper pot bubbles with bright red broth, lamb tender and fragrant without any gamey taste. Recommended spots: Old City Red Braised, Geji Red Braised, mainly along Yiheng Street and Jiefang Avenue.
Niuzhongxi baked flatbread — intangible cultural heritage! Layers of flaky dough and bread filling baked golden, crumbling but not hard when cooled. The most authentic shops are on Jiefang Avenue.
Yanjin roasted flatbread — intangible cultural heritage! Crispy copper-colored crust with pork belly filling. Shengli Roasted Flatbread and Songji Meat Roasted Flatbread have great reputations.
Huojia heletiao noodles — alkaline dough pressed for a chewy texture, topped with donkey or beef mince and raw garlic. Mengji Nanguan Heletiao Shop.
Fengqiu juanjian — also called “yellow robe,” steamed egg skin wrapped around pork belly, sliced and dipped in garlic sauce. Beijie Lijia Juanjian.
East Station night market — over 100 stalls with hundreds of food options! Shanghai pan-fried buns, Liuzhou snail noodles, Northeast fried dough, local fried chicken, grilled oysters… refreshing draft beer with barbecue, a unique summer pleasure.
· Carb overload route: Xidajie Guochao Street → Heshida Broken Street (student snack hub)
🏨 Accommodation guide
City recommendations (200–300 yuan/night):
· Xinxiang Grand Hotel: above Pangdonglai Life Plaza! Downstairs is a popular supermarket, 5-minute walk to Xidajie food street
· Yuehua Hotel: above Pangdonglai Sanpang store, convenient for shopping and travel
· All Seasons Hotel (Xinfei Avenue): newly opened in 2025, large rooms with smart facilities
· Four Seasons Holiday Hotel (Pangdonglai store): near People’s Park and Sports Center
Near scenic areas: boutique homestays at the foot of Wanxian Mountain and Bali Valley, with mountain views from the window
🗺️ Two-day, one-night itinerary
Day 1 (stunning mountains and waters): morning at Baoquan Grand Canyon (wading at Yulin Dam + waterfall cluster + water splash festival) → afternoon at Yatianxia (Luojia Temple cable car + Xiangyun viewing platform overlooking Taihang) → overnight in Huixian or city
Day 2 (cliff wonders): morning at Wanxian Mountain cliff corridor + Guoliang Village → afternoon at Bali Valley Tianhe Waterfall + water curtain cave → finish with a bowl of red-braised lamb before heading back
💡 Youths under 18 with student ID or ID card get free first-entry tickets to core scenic spots like Bali Valley, Wanxian Mountain, and Baoquan! (Valid until August 31. Scenic transport and insurance sold separately)
⚠️ Pitfall guide (lessons learned the hard way)
1. Be cautious with scenic area homestays! Some visitors at Wanxian Mountain were followed by homestay owners for 3 hours and harassed if they didn’t stay. Always check the room before paying and don’t trust roadside touts.
2. Avoid “ultra-low price” or “zero group fee” tour products; watch out for forced shopping traps.
3. Don’t trust false claims like “pure play no shopping” or “five-star accommodation.” Beware of downgraded or cut itinerary items.
4. Be cautious entering mountains on rainy days! Check weather warnings closely before traveling. Avoid mountainous areas in bad weather.
5. Book rooms early in peak season; it’s hard to find accommodation near scenic spots in summer.
6. Wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket; temperature differences are big in the mountains morning and night. Use sun protection; the canyon is cool but UV rays are strong.
7. Baoquan P3 parking lot is free! It’s the closest to the return shuttle bus. Don’t park elsewhere and waste money.
💡 Tips
Xinxiang launches the “Cool Taihang · Fun Xinxiang” summer event, with Bali Valley water culture season, Baoquan water splash festival, and Longwoyan summer camping all happening at once. The chance of sea of clouds doubles after rain clears. For magical photos, head out right after rain!