A journey to valleys, canyons in Shanxi

North China's Shanxi province -- where the Taihang Mountains wind north and south and the Yellow River flows -- is famous for its mountain and water scenery, especially the various meandering canyons and valleys which are ideal tourist destinations for the summer vacation. 

Here are several typical valleys and canyons in Shanxi that will appeal to visitors:

Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon

Enthralling views are to be found over the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Located in the southeast of Huguan county, Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon -- with its unique landforms and its rare animal and plants -- is one of the 10 most beautiful canyons in China.

The Baquan Gorge or Eight Springs Gorge which has Proterozoic red sandstone, limestone and shale from the Paleozoic Cambrian and Ordovician periods, is the most typical scenic spot in the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon, showcasing the long evolutionary history of ancient marine life.

The best period to travel in the canyon is between May and October.

Address: southeast of Huguan county, Changzhi city, Shanxi province 

Tongtian Gorge

Visitors can have a tranquil time in the Tongtian Gorge. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Tongtian Gorge is in Hongtiguan town, 30 kilometers east to the county seat of Pingshun county. Tongtian Lake in the gorge is cool and pure and shows various colors under different sunlight.

The whole gorge, which is high in the west and low in the east, combines the majesty of mountains and the grace of water. It’s an ideal summer resort, with an average annual temperature of 9.5 C.

Address: Hongtiguan town, Pingshun county, Changzhi city, Shanxi province 

Redcliff Grand Canyon 

Cars wind their way down a road in Redcliff Grand Canyon. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The Redcliff Grand Canyon in Lingshi county has a forest coverage rate of over 97 percent and is the only tourist attraction in North China that has canyons, forests, alpine grasslands and diverse weather landscapes. 

Visitors can climb to the mountain top to watch the sunrise and view the sea of clouds, or participate in a variety of recreational projects such as rafting.

Address: Lingshi county, Jinzhong city, Shanxi province 

Shentan Grand Canyon

The majesty of the Shentan Grand Canyon [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The Shentan Grand Canyon scenic area at the north foot of Zhongtiao Mountain in the southeast of Yongji, a county-level city in Shanxi, features strange stones, waterfalls, limpid streams, forests and rustic villages.

The climate here is pleasant. In summer, mountain winds pass flow the canyon, bringing coolness day and night, making it an ideal place for the summer holidays. 

The ancient village of Shuiyukou in the canyon -- boasting a long history stretching over 1,000 years -- has many cultural relics left by ancient personages such as famous general Guan Yu from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and literary figure Ouyang Xiu from the Song Dynasty (960-1127).

Address: southeast of Yongji, Yuncheng city, Shanxi province 

Longyan Grand Canyon

Longyan Grand Canyon in the southeast of Xiyang county has diverse vegetation, a cool summer climate, distinctive regional culture and historical relics sites.

In the canyon, the steep cliffs of red quartz with a height of around 100 meters on both sides, contrast with the turbulent flow of the clear streams at the bottom of the canyon, attracting crowds of sightseers. 

Address: Kongshi town, Xiyang county, Jinzhong city, Shanxi province 

Xiyagou Valley

Mysterious clouds hang above a cliff road that winds up Xiyagou Valley. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The Xiyagou Valley -- with a precipitous drop of more than 1,000 meters in the southern end of the Wang Mang Mountain -- is famous for its cliff road, rated a miracle in Chinese rural road construction.

It took locals of Xiyagou village 30 years to complete the extremely challenging project which extends 7.5 kilometers, joining the isolated ancient village via a tunnel to the outside world. 

Address: southern end of the Wang Mang Mountain, Lingchuan county, Jincheng city, Shanxi province