Yuntai Mountain Hongshi Gorge Trail

The Hongshi Gorge Trail is the signature walk of Yuntai Mountain, a UNESCO Global Geopark in the southern Taihang range of Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo, in northern Henan province, China. The route follows a deep canyon of red sandstone walls where water has cut narrow channels, pools and small waterfalls into the rock. Access begins at the scenic area main gate in Xiuwu County. Visitors normally reach Jiaozuo Station or Xiuwu County by bullet train, then take a taxi or bus for roughly 30 to 45 minutes to the gate. Inside the park, a shuttle bus costing about 60 yuan (roughly 9 US dollars) runs from the entrance to the gorge trailheads. Peak-season admission is about 120 yuan (about 18 US dollars), and a multi-day ticket is valid across several Jiaozuo sites. No separate hiking permit is normally required. The gorge walk covers approximately 4 to 5 kilometres through to the Tanpu and Quanpu gorge viewpoints and takes 3 to 4 hours round trip at a relaxed pace. Total climbing is about 300 to 400 metres, so the effort is moderate rather than technical. The surface is a mix of stone steps, concrete stairways and timber boardwalks, many of them damp from spray and often polished smooth by foot traffic. Exposure is limited because railings line the steeper sections, although the cliffs on both sides can feel enclosed. Shade is generous in the gorge, which stays cooler than the plain below even in summer. Landmarks include the stacked pools, the layered red cliff faces and the Tanpu and Quanpu viewpoints, which make natural turn-around points for visitors who prefer a shorter day. The trail is busy at weekends and during national holidays, and early starts avoid the heaviest crowds. Drinking water is not reliable along the path, so visitors carry about one litre, and small kiosks near the entrance and trailheads sell drinks and snacks. There are no overnight refuge huts on the gorge route, but covered pavilions and rest points give brief shelter from rain. Autumn colour and the clearest water usually fall in September and October, while the shoulder months of April to November are generally comfortable for walking.