Things to do in Sanmenxia

This is a cluster of traditional houses with a very distinctive local flavor. You enter the village but see no one, yet every household seems to be filled with voices. During the visit, there are occasional folk performances that incorporate local customs, which are quite interesting. The entire scenic area has a well-planned route, and you won't feel tired after walking through it all. There's a courtyard inside that sells huge steamed buns, especially the red date and sweet potato ones, which are particularly delicious.

It's well worth a visit. The ancient Hangu Pass is the birthplace of the Tao Te Ching, steeped in cultural heritage, and was also a historically significant strategic stronghold. After the tour, you'll receive a pass on-site, adding a fun element. It can be visited together with the Pit-Dwelling Courtyard and Sanmenxia.

The Sanmenxia Dam spans Henan and Shanxi provinces. Standing on the viewing platform, one can see the Yellow River sometimes roaring and sometimes flowing calmly, with the Pillar Stone standing tall in the middle of the rapids, showcasing the grandeur of "the Yellow River's waters coming from the sky." If the dam is being released during flood season, the spray rises into the sky, sometimes creating rainbows, maximizing the visual impact. The Yellow River Exhibition Hall within the scenic area houses a large collection of old photos and artifacts, recreating the construction scenes of that time. The elderly will find it relatable, while children can intuitively understand the hardships of the project. Dayu Park, themed around water management culture, is shaded by trees and features sculptures, allowing visitors to experience the profound cultural heritage while relaxing.

Traveling during the Qingming Festival holiday wasn't too crowded. Buying tickets in advance on the platform according to your itinerary is more convenient and won't delay your trip! Because when we boarded, there were passengers next to us who had just bought tickets on-site and couldn't board immediately; they had to wait for the next departure. In the warm spring season, the scenery of the Yellow River from the boat is still very beautiful!

Sanmenxia Swan Lake Wetland So many swans! Swans that migrate from Siberia and Mongolia to spend the winter! It's so beautiful!!! Swans fly overhead every now and then! You can see swans taking off and landing just like in documentaries! You can buy noodles/beans from the swans, and they love it! But please be a respectful birdwatcher! Hopefully, the environment will become more beautiful and there will be more and more swans! Such beautiful scenery can actually be seen for free! (So I feel that Sanmenxia City has a tough time... The historically famous Hangu Pass and Shanzhou, although attracting many tourists to see the swans, actually spend very little, just buying some bird food...) Actually, Sanmenxia also has the Guo State Museum worth visiting, with many delicious foods (Guo State mutton soup, beef soup, various noodles, etc.), and good accessibility facilities. The overpass at Wanda Plaza has elevators, and there are even water dispensers inside! This is the first time I've ever seen a Wanda Plaza that provides hot water!

Xianmen Mountain boasts an elegant and tranquil environment with lush forests and excellent air quality. The climb is of moderate difficulty, with beautiful scenery along the way, making for a comfortable hike. Surrounded by verdant greenery and far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, it's perfect for a relaxing weekend hike. A truly enjoyable experience and well worth a visit!

The Guo State Museum is well worth a visit. Built on the site of the Western Zhou Dynasty Guo State cemetery, it offers an immersive experience of Zhou Dynasty history from 3,000 years ago. The chariot and horse pit site is truly awe-inspiring, and the museum's prized possession, the "Number One Sword of China," along with exquisite jade and bronze artifacts, are breathtaking. The exhibition layout is clear, and the exhibits are abundant, allowing visitors to genuinely appreciate the ritual and music culture of the Zhou Dynasty. The ticket price is reasonable, offering excellent value for money. History buffs shouldn't miss it.

There were so many people during the Chinese New Year that we were practically pushed onto the boat. The management was so-so. Fortunately, the beautiful sunset at 5 pm and the cute red-billed gulls made up for it. I recommend going around 4 pm, but there are still so many people, hahaha!

I missed the peak of May Day, so there were fewer people and it was not crowded. The group-purchased tickets were more cost-effective, but they had to be purchased two hours in advance. It was fun. I go rafting with my friends once a year. It feels relatively safe here.

The main urban area of ​​Sanmenxia is the old urban area, followed by Shanzhou. So when you come to Sanmenxia for tourism, you must visit the old city of Shanzhou, which is the Shanzhou Scenic Area. There may be fewer natural landscapes here, but the cultural landscape can bring you many historical memories and stories from the past.