Best in class: scenic spots win national accolades

The ancient town of Qinglong in Taiyuan city is a newly added 4A-class scenic area. ZHAO LINA/FOR CHINA DAILY

Shanxi province witnessed a substantial improvement in the quality of its tourism industry in 2022, with 68 scenic areas added to the class-A resorts list.

Class-A scenic areas demonstrate national recognition by the State's tourism authority, with five categories from A up to 5A.

To date, Shanxi has a total of 312 class-A scenic areas, including 10 in 5A; 128 in 4A; 155 in 3A; 17 in 2A and two in 1A.

Of the new additions, the Hukou Water Falls by the Yellow River is the most notable as the only to be ranked 5A last year.

Located in an area bordering Jixian county in Shanxi province and Yichuan county in Shaanxi province, it is the second-biggest waterfall in China. It is also among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. This is a site where people can feel the force of the mighty Yellow River.

When the Yellow River flows through the gorges that serve as the border of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, it becomes a torrent as its course is restricted by the gorges and narrows to about 300 meters.

In Hukou, the water course narrows to about 50 meters, falling 30 meters into a deep riverbed. The tremendous mass of water strikes the rocks, creating piles of foam, a shroud of mist and a thundering noise that can be heard miles away.

Once a 4A scenic area, Hukou in Shanxi was promoted because of improvements in facilities and environment, according to local officials.

Among the eight scenic areas that were lifted to 4A, the Mausoleum of Emperor Yao in Linfen city is of great cultural significance.

Emperor Yao, a leader of China some 4,000 years ago, is regarded as one of the common ancestors of the Chinese people alongside such figures as the Yellow Emperor and the Red Emperor.

History books said Emperor Yao made Pingyang the capital after he was selected as the head of the country. Pingyang is the ancient name of Linfen.

The mausoleum and a neighboring temple were the major sites for ceremonies to pay tribute to the ancient Chinese leader.

Other new 4A sites with cultural significance include an underground section of the Great Wall in Pianguan county and the Caijiaya revolutionary base in Xinxian county.

Zhao Lina contributed to this story.