Hukou Waterfalls

Selected as one of the six most beautiful waterfalls in China, Hukou Waterfalls are the largest yellow waterfall in the world and the second biggest waterfall in China after Huangguoshu Waterfall, located 25 km (16 miles) southwest of Jixian County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province. When flowing here, the water of the Yellow River is pinched to only 50 meters (55 yards) wide from over 300 meters (328 yards) because of the mountains on both sides. Thus, the water accumulates and rushes down from wider place with a fall of 50 meters (164 feet), which forms the waterfalls. 

Hukou Waterfalls scenery changes along with the climate and rainfall of different seasons. The best time to visit it is from April to May in spring and from September to November in autumn. In spring, wild peach blossoms all over the mountain and the frozen cliff melts, which is called 'Peach Flood'; in autumn, a large amount of water gathers in the streams and springs aside the Yellow River after the rainy season and rainbows always appears after the autumn winds, which is called 'Hukou Autumn Winds'. During the two periods, the waterfalls may reach up to as wide as 1,000 meters (1,094 yards). The main waterfall is hard to approach, but the mist-covered waters are rather magnificent looked from far away. 

Within the scenic area, there are many natural and cultural sights such as 'Mengmen Moonlit', 'Boat Sailing on Dry-Land', Qing Dynastic Great Wall, Ancient Emplacement, Etc. 

 Mengmen Moonlit
About 3,000 meters (2 miles) down the waterfalls, there is a huge rare stone called 'Mengmenshan' by the local people. When flowing to the stone, the water is divided into two parts, rushing down from its two sides and meeting together again later. Its said that a bright moon would be seen to ride high at the bottom of the river at Mengmen in the middle of the lunar calendar. Seen from the north, the moon in the water is divided into two rows, dancing down; while the moon in the water combines into one, moving to you if seen from the south. 

 Boat Sailing on Dry-Land
It is difficult to boat on the water because of the huge fall of the waterfall, the narrow and deep pool under the waterfall and the rushing water. In the past, the boats from the upstream of Hukou had to stop at Hukou, unloaded the cargo from the boat and shouldered the cargo or used livestock to carry it to the downstream. Then load the cargo and continue the trip. However, there are some shoals and shallows in the downstream. When the boat came there, hundreds of trackers had to pull it from the bank of the river. 

 Entrance Fee: CNY 91 (CNY 46 for kids under 1.2 m)

 Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 

 Best Time to Visit: Aug. & Sep.

 Transportation: 
A. Take long-distance buses from Linfen to Jixian County at Linfen Binzhan Road Coach Station (3.5 hours, CNY 20 for a single trip), and then take the shuttle bus from Jixian County to Hukou (1 hours, about CNY 10 for a singe trip);
B. Visitors can also rent a car from Linfen to Hukou (CNY 500 for a round-trip).