Stand at the edge of Hongshi Gorge in Yuntaishan National Geopark and the red rock walls close in on both sides, water threading between them. This is the landscape that defines Jiaozuo for most visitors: the southern Taihang Mountains meeting the Yellow River plain in northern Henan Province.
Jiaozuo suits travellers who want canyon scenery, temple history and Tai Chi heritage within a compact region, and who are happy to base themselves in the city and take tourist buses out to the surrounding counties. The city itself sits just south of the Taihang Mountains and adjacent to the Yellow River, with a temperate semi-arid climate and four distinct seasons.
This guide covers the main sights and activities in and around Jiaozuo, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Jiaozuo
1. Yuntaishan National Geopark
A World Geopark in Anshang Township, Xiuwu County, known for canyon landscapes such as Hongshi Gorge and Tanpu Gorge, where mountains and water complement each other. It is suitable for visiting in all seasons.
Take the Jiaozuo-Xiuwu-Yuntaishan tourist bus. The park is open 07:00–18:30 and admission is 123¥. Because the site is large, plan to spend the better part of a day here rather than fitting it around other stops.
2. Qingtian River Scenic Area
A national 5A-level tourist attraction in Bo'ai County, known as the "Three Gorges of the North" for its alternating canyons, mountains and waters. Boat tours are available.
You can take a tourist bus from Jiaozuo Passenger Station, which takes about 1 hour. Opening hours are 08:00–17:30 and admission is 80¥. The boat tour is the natural way to see the gorges, so allow time for it.
3. Shennong Mountain
A majestic mountain northwest of Qinyang City, famous for its original secondary forests and ancient road landscapes, and an important scenic spot at the southern end of Taihang Mountain.
You can take a tourist bus directly from Jiaozuo or Qinyang city. Hours are 07:00–18:00 and admission is 100¥. Given the early opening, this works well as a full-day outing started in the morning.
4. Qinglongxia Scenic Area
Part of Yuntai Mountain but with its own entrance and management area, this scenic area centres on the Fenglinxia Reservoir. Its most prominent feature is a dam standing over 100 metres high. The standard visit involves taking a shuttle bus to the top of the dam, after which you can either take a boat tour on the reservoir or walk down along the hiking trails for various viewpoints.
Compared to the main tourist zones of Yuntai Mountain, visitor density here is typically lower, resulting in a more tranquil experience. Hours are 07:00–17:30 and admission is 65¥. If you want a quieter alternative to the main Yuntai zones, this is the one to choose.
5. Danhe Canyon
A scenic area in Changping Township, Qinyang City, encompassing a canyon along the Dan River. A river drifting activity is offered here during the summer months. The canyon walls feature preserved remnants of ancient freight cliff pathways carved in historical periods, alongside several natural rock caves, and sites of ancient fortifications believed to date from the Song and Ming dynasties are located along the cliffs.
Hours are 08:00–17:30 and admission is 50¥. Come in summer if you want to combine the canyon walk with the drifting activity.
6. Yueshan Temple
One of the four great ancient temples of Central China, alongside Shaolin, White Horse and Xiangguo temples. Founded in 1158 during the Jin Dynasty, it is also the birthplace of Baji Quan (Eight Extremes Boxing). The temple is known for its tranquil atmosphere, an ancient brick pagoda forest with 11 Ming-dynasty pagodas, and the Qigong Cave where the founder of Baji Quan practised. Emperor Qianlong visited three times and left a poem praising the scenery.
The temple is in Yueshan Town, Bo'ai County, at the foot of Mingyue Mountain near Yueshan Railway Station. Hours are 08:00–17:00, admission is 25¥, and the phone number is +86 391-8056000.
7. Chenjiagou Village
The recognised birthplace of Tai Chi. Numerous schools and family academies offer short-term experience classes for visitors.
If you want to do more than look at scenery, this is where you can spend a session actually learning the practice. Pair it with a Qinyang-area day if you are also visiting Shennong Mountain or the Zhu Zaiyu Memorial Hall.
8. Zhu Zaiyu Memorial Hall
Housed in a Ming-Qing courtyard at No. 1 Xue Street, Beisi Street, Qinyang, originally part of the Zheng Princely Mansion's music office, where Zhu Zaiyu and his father studied music theory. Opened as a memorial in 1991, it is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a AA-level scenic spot. Zhu Zaiyu (1536–1611), a Ming dynasty prince and polymath, was the first in the world to devise the twelve-tone equal temperament. The hall's four exhibition rooms display his life and academic achievements through artifacts, charts and models, including a large suona model and an oversized abacus.
It sits in Qinyang city centre; take bus 1 to Zizhijie and Huaifu Road intersection, then 500 m north. Hours are 08:00–11:30 and 14:30–17:30 in spring, and 08:00–11:30 and 15:00–18:00 in summer. Admission is free, and the phone number is +86 391-5637578. Note the midday closure when planning your timing.
9. Jiaozuo Fengshan National Mining Park
The landmark here is the giant surgical needle sculpture "Sewing Needle" atop the mountain, symbolising the healing of mining wounds. The park, converted from a quarry and waste disposal site, features attractions such as cliff waterfalls and valley gardens. You can hike to the summit, where Sewing Needle stands 327 metres above sea level, for panoramic city views. The Starlight Plaza is suitable for evening relaxation, while the family-friendly playground is ideal for families.
Because the Starlight Plaza works in the evening, this is a good choice for the end of a day rather than the start.
10. Longyuan Lake Park
Marked by a vast lake covering an area of 470,000 square metres, a large sculpture of Kuafu chasing the sun, and the Jiaozuo Radio and Television Tower. It is ideal for running or cycling around the lake, with a main loop 3.7 kilometres long, and the lakeside features waterfront platforms that are also great spots for watching the sunset.
Come in the late afternoon so the loop and the sunset viewing follow one another naturally.
11. Jiaozuo People's Park
The city's oldest comprehensive park, including a zoo with Siberian tigers, African lions and more, an amusement park with over 100 kinds of water, land and air attractions, and a scenic lake. With flowers blooming year-round, it is a good spot for strolls and flower viewing, and you can also walk across the suspension bridge and admire the holiday sculptures.
This is the easiest option if you are travelling with children or want something central and unhurried.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early at Yuntaishan National Geopark, taking the Jiaozuo-Xiuwu-Yuntaishan tourist bus. Arriving near the 07:00 opening gives you the canyon landscapes of Hongshi Gorge and Tanpu Gorge before the day fills up.
Afternoon: Continue within Yuntaishan at Qinglongxia Scenic Area, which has its own entrance and management area. Take the shuttle bus to the top of the dam, then choose either the reservoir boat tour or the hiking trails down. It is typically less crowded than the main Yuntai zones.
Evening: Return to the city and finish at Longyuan Lake Park, walking or cycling part of the 3.7-kilometre loop and watching the sunset from the waterfront platforms.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Yuntaishan National Geopark?
The park is suitable for all seasons, and its canyon landscapes such as Hongshi Gorge and Tanpu Gorge are the main draw year-round. It is open 07:00–18:30.
How do I get to the main scenic areas from Jiaozuo?
Tourist buses serve the main sites. Take the Jiaozuo-Xiuwu-Yuntaishan tourist bus for Yuntaishan National Geopark, a tourist bus from Jiaozuo Passenger Station for Qingtian River Scenic Area, which takes about 1 hour, and a tourist bus directly from Jiaozuo or Qinyang city for Shennong Mountain.
Where can I try Tai Chi?
Chenjiagou Village is the recognised birthplace of Tai Chi, and numerous schools and family academies there offer short-term experience classes for visitors.
Which sights are free or lowest cost?
The Zhu Zaiyu Memorial Hall is free. Among the paid sites, Yueshan Temple is 25¥, Danhe Canyon is 50¥, Qinglongxia Scenic Area is 65¥, Qingtian River Scenic Area is 80¥, Shennong Mountain is 100¥ and Yuntaishan National Geopark is 123¥.
Decide which canyon or temple day appeals most, check the opening hours against your dates, and start mapping your route through Jiaozuo.