Hukou Waterfall is the second largest waterfall which is also one of the top attractions on the Yellow River. With 400 km away from Xi'an City, Hukou Waterfall is formed when the river flows to the Hukou Mountains on the Shanxi-Shaanxi border and its 250-meter-wide bed, sandwiched between the canyons on its banks, abruptly narrows into a trough 50 meters wide and 30 meters deep and falls down into a big stone-strewn pool. The section of the river here is like the mouth of a water-flash. Hence the name of the waterfall, which means “ Flask Mouth waterfall”. The waterfall has a descent of 15-20 meters in the low-water season, but it is scarcely noticeable as a waterfall in the high –water season when the waters burst into rapid torrents. The section is rich in hydroelectric power potential.
What to see?
Hukou Waterfall has for years attracted visitors from all over the world. You can have a better understanding of natural wonder if you come here in person.
Water pours down into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall, and stirs great water mist, which is like strong smoke and can be seen miles away. In winter, the water was frozen into thick ice while in summer the fall is too small to view the scenery. In spring and autumn, it is the best time for viewing the scenery of “smoke upraising from the water”.
Ships moving ahead on Land
In the past, the Hukou waterfall was so arduous and dangerous that it was not suitable for sailing. So whenever they passed the Hukou waterfall, they would drag the boat on to bank, and pulled the ship and moved forward. As the modern transportation becoming more popular, we cannot see the scenery anymore.
In winter, the Hukou waterfall shows another kind of beauty---different from its common fierce and magnificent, the water of yellow river frozen into various shapes of ice. White ice with peculiar shapes makes the waterfall wears an unique beauty.
Hukou Waterfall is the only magnificent yellow waterfall in the world and the second biggest waterfall in China after Huangguoshu Waterfall.When the mighty Yellow River flows through mountains and gorges to Hukou, the billowy water streams narrow suddenly, falling 30 meters into a deep riverbed like a herd of galloping horses, transforming the quiet river into a turbulent one.
The thundering sound can be heard from quite a distance. The tremendous mass of water strikes the rocks, creating piles of foam and huge water poles. It is an amazing view with mist all around. The riverbed here is like an enormous teapot absorbing all the rushing water, so the waterfall is named Hukou Waterfall (Kettle Spout Falls). No matter its rumbling sound, its grand vigor or its marvelous scenery can make you exclaim that the nature is really incredible.
How to get there?
1. Take bus no. 1, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 30, K7, K11, K12, or K22 to the South Bus Station opposite to the Railway Station in Yan'an City. Then take a regular bus to Hukou Waterfalls at the fare of about CNY 40. The bus to the Waterfalls departs at 7:30, 8:20, 09:00, and 15:30. The whole journey takes about three hours.
2. Take a bus to Hukou Waterfalls from Xian North Bus Station at 12:00. The ticket fare is CNY 106.5 and the journey takes about five hours.
To Ji County Section:
Take a tourist bus from the Drum Tower Square in Linfen at 08:00 or 14:00. Or you can take a bus at 06:30 from Linfen Long Distance Bus Station to Yan'an and get off at Hukou Waterfalls.
The two sections are connected by Yellow River Bridge in the downstream. If you want to visit both, you can enter from one to the other through the bridge, but please note that they sell tickets seperately.
Travel Tips
Add: Yichuan County and Ji County, 400 km away from downtown Xian City
Entrance Fees: CNY 250 ( include Yichuan Section and Ji County Section)
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
Best Time to Visit: April, May, September, and November