Hukou Waterfall
Hukou Waterfall
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Hukou Waterfall is the second largest waterfall in China and the largest on the legendary Yellow River. As a result it is often claimed that this is "the only yellow waterfall in the world." It is right on the border between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. The 300-meter wide Yellow River suddenly narrows and is forced violently through a 20-meter-wide gorge before falling turbently as a waterfall. As with the other applications I've submitted, I'd be happy to provide a major write up should you wish to give this a listing. On another note, I would suggest you consider reorganizing the categories of your listings for Shanxi. Listing them completely by counties doesn't really make sense. I'd be happy to make an alternative suggestion if you'd like. (Heather Pickerell, alias ShanxiFan)
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sy3717
Subang Jaya, Malaysia998 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
If you are in Xian, do remember to book the local tour to Hukou Waterfall - 2D1N for RMB480, including 1 night accommodation at the hotel near Yellow River. If including 4 meals, 2 lunches, 1 dinner n 1 breakfast will be RMB 560 pay at the hotel tour counter. But, if you pay the meals price in the tour bus later, will be RMB 100. Lunch and dinner were okay, better than we expected. Breakfast was terrible. The round trip journey roughly 1100 km, quite tiring but there were stop over at some tourist sites. This waterfall is the most spectacular and amazing! A place you will never forget. We were there on 9 Nov afternoon till evening. Very cold but the turbulent waves and the surge of yellow river when reaching the 'bottle neck' will make you crazy! Really, don't ever miss this place when you are in Xian.
Written December 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rita B
Shaanxi, China212 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
My friend and I loved the falls, neither of us wanted to leave, but had to.
First of all, let me tell you that although it is easy and much cheaper to take the long distance bus to the falls, you might want to consider a private driver, who will take you and wait for. We wished we had done this, but hindsight is 20/20.
The bus took about 4 hours to get there. Not only does it stop to pick up passengers, but it stops the first time to visit a field where the army once planted crops for the locals.
There is still another stop before you get to the falls. It stops in a tourist area. People bang cymbals and a red drum, sell fruit and souvenirs, and there are of course, restaurants. This stop is about 30 minutes long. One the one hand it was nice to get out of the bus and stretch the legs, but after being on the bus for a long time and ready to get to the destination, this stop seemed like a waste of time. There really isn't much there.
We were told that the bus only took 2-2 1/2 hours.
Then, when you get to the falls, you only have 1 1/2 hours to see them. This is enough time since the falls are essentially spread out in a small area. You can walk from one end to the other in less than 30 minutes.
I thought the falls were amazing.
Be advised, wear shoes and clothing that you don't mind if they get wet or muddy. You can feel the spray from the falls, and the pathways are often dirty and the surrounding areas can be muddy. I saw women in dresses and sandals, not a wise choice in my opinion.
You can also buy tickets inside the train station as part of a tour, I know it is much more expensive and you stop at various places along the way. I think you go to the falls last. I don't remember the amount of time they would spend there.
In addition, you can hire a taxi driver to take you. One driver wanted to charge us 250 yuan per person. He said he would drive us straight there and wait for us then bring us back. You might or might not be able to negotiate, but we do wish we had hired one to take us directly there and back, and according to our schedule.
I do recommend a visit.
First of all, let me tell you that although it is easy and much cheaper to take the long distance bus to the falls, you might want to consider a private driver, who will take you and wait for. We wished we had done this, but hindsight is 20/20.
The bus took about 4 hours to get there. Not only does it stop to pick up passengers, but it stops the first time to visit a field where the army once planted crops for the locals.
There is still another stop before you get to the falls. It stops in a tourist area. People bang cymbals and a red drum, sell fruit and souvenirs, and there are of course, restaurants. This stop is about 30 minutes long. One the one hand it was nice to get out of the bus and stretch the legs, but after being on the bus for a long time and ready to get to the destination, this stop seemed like a waste of time. There really isn't much there.
We were told that the bus only took 2-2 1/2 hours.
Then, when you get to the falls, you only have 1 1/2 hours to see them. This is enough time since the falls are essentially spread out in a small area. You can walk from one end to the other in less than 30 minutes.
I thought the falls were amazing.
Be advised, wear shoes and clothing that you don't mind if they get wet or muddy. You can feel the spray from the falls, and the pathways are often dirty and the surrounding areas can be muddy. I saw women in dresses and sandals, not a wise choice in my opinion.
You can also buy tickets inside the train station as part of a tour, I know it is much more expensive and you stop at various places along the way. I think you go to the falls last. I don't remember the amount of time they would spend there.
In addition, you can hire a taxi driver to take you. One driver wanted to charge us 250 yuan per person. He said he would drive us straight there and wait for us then bring us back. You might or might not be able to negotiate, but we do wish we had hired one to take us directly there and back, and according to our schedule.
I do recommend a visit.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christiane w
Mauritius30 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
It took over 5 hours from Xian to Hukou waterfall by coach bus. There were so many people there and you can have a very nice and close view of the waterfall, which is really impressive. From where you stand to look at the waterfall, you can see people from Shanxi province on the other side of the Yellow River.
Written August 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yipjcs88
Hong Kong, China9,964 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
This is a must-see for those visiting the Shanxi province in China. The brown and muddy water of the Yellow River pours down like from the nozzle of a teapot, hence its name Hukou (teapot nozzle). One should go there in the summer months especially after heavy rain, otherwise the waterfall does not look spectacular. There is a cave, the "Dragon Hole", offering the best view of the waterfall. There is a small fee of RMB 20 but it is well worth it. One walks down some slippery stairs to the cave which opens up towards the waterfall hence one could see the main waterfall and the small ones at eye-level with the most spectacular display. Water rushes down in huge bursts, throwing up beautiful water splashes. Then the roar of the waterfall echoes from the cave and adds to the sensational experience. Once back onto the ground level, one could see the Yellow River and its waterfalls in full beauty. The Chinese call the Yellow River the Mother River, as the river flows downstream to the various provinces to provide irrigation for the paddy fields and farms, for feeding millions of people. Another point to note is that one should bring an umbrella and should walk carefully when visiting the Dragon Hole, as it is very wet with pouring water from above.
Written July 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pengilld
Crows Nest, Australia213 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
First the information given to tourists :
the Hakuo waterfall (壶口瀑布Hǔkǒu Pùbù) is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River. It is located at the intersection of Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province. The width of the waterfall changes with the season, usually 30 meters (98 ft) wide but increasing to 50 m (164 ft) during flood season. It has a height of over 20 m (66 ft). The water plunges over a narrow opening forming a waterfall 15 m (49 ft) high and 20 m (66 ft) wide, as if water were pouring down from a huge teapot. Hence it gets the name Hukou (literally, Flask Mouth) Waterfall. Beneath the waterfall is the Qilangwo Bridge which connects the two provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi. In the sunshine, the mist is refracted by sunlight to create a rainbow spanning the water. In 1991, Hukou Waterfall was named one of the "40 Best" national scenic spots.
It's not too far from Yan'an which, if you're interested in modern history, was near the endpoint of the Long March, and became the center of the Chinese communist revolution from 1936 to 1948. Chinese communists celebrate Yan'an as the birthplace of the revolution. During the Second World War almost all buildings, except a pagoda, were destroyed by Japanese bombing, and most inhabitants took to living in man made caves carved out of the hillside (Yaodongs). There are lots of yaodongs around the area. Former prime minister Zhu an Lai and Mao lived in such Yaodongs.
The real life experience:
Sadly, it doesn't live up to the hype, at all!
Entry to the waterfall costs about 36 rmb. If you come by car, like we did, you'll pay an extra 10rmb for the car park. When asked why we had to pay for parking when we had just bought the ticket, the attendant said "what are you talking about. This is communist government business. I just work here." All good, no drama, just having fun.
The first thing you notice when you get out the car is the music. It's a communist party rallying call to muster support against the Japanese. Apparently a poem about the yellow river screaming out against the invading Japanese was put to music. Very famous. Great if you're into communist nostalgia and know the words.
When I was there in May, the waterfall was probably no more than 3-4 metres high and ten metres wide.
If you knew little of the significance of this area to the communists, then you would say there is nothing remarkable about it - it's just a dirty steam that you'd get at home after a downpour of rain. However, I'm told that autumn is the best time because it's a big wave then. In spring it's just a small dirty stream.
There are a couple of donkeys and their masters are dressed up in ethnic clothes. Very colorful. And you can dress up too and sit in a donkey to get your photo taken for 30-50rmb. Worth it if you're prepared to have a bit of fun.
As you near the waterfall, you can smell the earth from the spray of the water. And people are polite enough to give you space and time to take photos close to the waterfall. If you have any problems getting space, pay the 30rmb for a local to take your photo. They'll berate anyone who is impolite enough to get in the way. They are great at creating the space for you so you can get a a great photo of yourself without anyone else in the picture. Very friendly too.
There's the usual handful of souviner and food shops that you find at any tourist attraction. But apart from that there's not much else.
More than one hour here would be a big stretch.
We drove on the toll road from Xi'an which is further than driving from Yan'an. The drive was also unremarkable apart from the occasional tunnel, yadou and bridge. The scenary is good if you like bare, muddy hills with patches of trees every now and then. The only saving grace is that in the road between Xi'an and the waterfall you can stop by the yellow Emporer mausoleum about an hour away (see that review) which is well worth a visit.
Was it worth spending most of the day in the car driving 5 hour drives over 500 kilometers from Xi'an and then back again? A definite NO. Unless you're a communist history junkie and visiting it as part of your pilgrimage along the red trail, don't waste your time getting here. There are so many more better attractions within a 500km radius of Xi'an.
the Hakuo waterfall (壶口瀑布Hǔkǒu Pùbù) is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River. It is located at the intersection of Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province. The width of the waterfall changes with the season, usually 30 meters (98 ft) wide but increasing to 50 m (164 ft) during flood season. It has a height of over 20 m (66 ft). The water plunges over a narrow opening forming a waterfall 15 m (49 ft) high and 20 m (66 ft) wide, as if water were pouring down from a huge teapot. Hence it gets the name Hukou (literally, Flask Mouth) Waterfall. Beneath the waterfall is the Qilangwo Bridge which connects the two provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi. In the sunshine, the mist is refracted by sunlight to create a rainbow spanning the water. In 1991, Hukou Waterfall was named one of the "40 Best" national scenic spots.
It's not too far from Yan'an which, if you're interested in modern history, was near the endpoint of the Long March, and became the center of the Chinese communist revolution from 1936 to 1948. Chinese communists celebrate Yan'an as the birthplace of the revolution. During the Second World War almost all buildings, except a pagoda, were destroyed by Japanese bombing, and most inhabitants took to living in man made caves carved out of the hillside (Yaodongs). There are lots of yaodongs around the area. Former prime minister Zhu an Lai and Mao lived in such Yaodongs.
The real life experience:
Sadly, it doesn't live up to the hype, at all!
Entry to the waterfall costs about 36 rmb. If you come by car, like we did, you'll pay an extra 10rmb for the car park. When asked why we had to pay for parking when we had just bought the ticket, the attendant said "what are you talking about. This is communist government business. I just work here." All good, no drama, just having fun.
The first thing you notice when you get out the car is the music. It's a communist party rallying call to muster support against the Japanese. Apparently a poem about the yellow river screaming out against the invading Japanese was put to music. Very famous. Great if you're into communist nostalgia and know the words.
When I was there in May, the waterfall was probably no more than 3-4 metres high and ten metres wide.
If you knew little of the significance of this area to the communists, then you would say there is nothing remarkable about it - it's just a dirty steam that you'd get at home after a downpour of rain. However, I'm told that autumn is the best time because it's a big wave then. In spring it's just a small dirty stream.
There are a couple of donkeys and their masters are dressed up in ethnic clothes. Very colorful. And you can dress up too and sit in a donkey to get your photo taken for 30-50rmb. Worth it if you're prepared to have a bit of fun.
As you near the waterfall, you can smell the earth from the spray of the water. And people are polite enough to give you space and time to take photos close to the waterfall. If you have any problems getting space, pay the 30rmb for a local to take your photo. They'll berate anyone who is impolite enough to get in the way. They are great at creating the space for you so you can get a a great photo of yourself without anyone else in the picture. Very friendly too.
There's the usual handful of souviner and food shops that you find at any tourist attraction. But apart from that there's not much else.
More than one hour here would be a big stretch.
We drove on the toll road from Xi'an which is further than driving from Yan'an. The drive was also unremarkable apart from the occasional tunnel, yadou and bridge. The scenary is good if you like bare, muddy hills with patches of trees every now and then. The only saving grace is that in the road between Xi'an and the waterfall you can stop by the yellow Emporer mausoleum about an hour away (see that review) which is well worth a visit.
Was it worth spending most of the day in the car driving 5 hour drives over 500 kilometers from Xi'an and then back again? A definite NO. Unless you're a communist history junkie and visiting it as part of your pilgrimage along the red trail, don't waste your time getting here. There are so many more better attractions within a 500km radius of Xi'an.
Written May 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BazinSG
Singapore, Singapore91 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
I had heard of these "famous" waterfalls and not sure what to expect. As we approached the falls we had the Yellow River alongside the road and it looked rather small so I was wondering how good could these falls be?
As we walked down and got closer you could see the falls and the Yellow river behind the falls and again from a distance it didn't seem too impressive. It wasn't until you got right down near them (and as there wasn't a lot of water compared to other times) you could get quite close to them and they were very impressive. Definitely not a Niagara Falls but for the size of them and the amount of water rushing down they were very impressive... it is a long way but with the stops along the way and the history of the area with Mao Ze Dong certainly worth a visit to the falls if you are in the area.
Point to note, the location of the falls is pretty remote and the distance from the nearest town is about 2 hours so if you are planning to stay or part of a 2 day trip the hotel options are very limited and most are local standard hotels.
As we walked down and got closer you could see the falls and the Yellow river behind the falls and again from a distance it didn't seem too impressive. It wasn't until you got right down near them (and as there wasn't a lot of water compared to other times) you could get quite close to them and they were very impressive. Definitely not a Niagara Falls but for the size of them and the amount of water rushing down they were very impressive... it is a long way but with the stops along the way and the history of the area with Mao Ze Dong certainly worth a visit to the falls if you are in the area.
Point to note, the location of the falls is pretty remote and the distance from the nearest town is about 2 hours so if you are planning to stay or part of a 2 day trip the hotel options are very limited and most are local standard hotels.
Written July 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose G
93 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Stand in awe and take in the sights and sounds of the world's largest yellow waterfall. You can have your photo taken by onsite professional photograhers at Rmb150 per photo; the photo took 10 mins to be ready. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the gushing waterfall and marvel at mother nature's greatness.
Written July 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peeteeteepee
Melbourne, Australia36 contributions
Apr 2018
This was one of the stops on our Silk Road Tour and it took over a little over 3 hours from Yanan to get to the waterfall by coach bus. Along the way, we stopped at the Nanniwan Revolutionary site. Also, along the way, there are many of the cave dwellings so keep your eyes opened. In fact, after the visit to the waterfall, we stopped at a cave dwelling site for lunch and the caves are fitted out to give tourists an idea of what they look like. The cave dwelling is one of 4 traditional Chinese dwellings. The waterfall is famous because it's the only yellow waterfall in the world (so they say) because of the loess it carries. It's called Hukou as in mouth of the teapot and hence the tremendous gushing of the water as the Yellow river forces its way into this narrow opening. I can't imagine what the force will be like during the flood season. There isn't much of a vertical drop.
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph D
Moscow, Moscow City, Russia8 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
When you come to Xi'an, stay a bit longer and check out the Shaanxi province ... it has much more to offer than the terracotta army! Example: The yellow river waterfalls (Huanghe Hukou Pubu). Take a bus from the new (2014) East Bus Central Station (east end of metro No. 1, price approx 120 RMB), ride 5,5 hours and stand in admiration (after having paid 90 RMB access fare) where the Yellow River falls from 300 m wide into a 50 m narrow canyon. Take your time to wander around, very close to the falls. If you want to stay over night (hotel directly on site list price 480 RMB, but easily bargainable to 220 if you are not there on weekends), you can visit the site next day for the sunrise with the added benefit that you will be alone - no crowd taking selfies and otherlies. Think about the colour of the water (yes, it contains Loess), read about Huang Wanli, the chinese hydrologic engineer who predicted that the yellow river Sanmexia barrage will not work because it will be filled quickly with sediments and how Mao told him he was a "bourgeois and enemy of the people" because he doubted the soviet-built construction would work... and how 4 years after the opening the barrage lake was filled to 60 per cent with sediments... but Huang Wanli never received an excuse, or check out why the yellow river changed its course so many times (last time in 1938). It's a magic place and you will leave with a deep understanding of the power (and danger) of water. If you come in autumn, your trip back to Xi'an will present you with a colourful autumn landscape with yellow, green, red, even blue and silver on the hills along the motorway. Romantic, indeed.
Written October 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaretfay
Australia157 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
It is not easy to reach these, the largest yellow falls in the world. Note they are not huge falls, but merely the largest 'yellow' falls, because the water in the Yellow River, the 'mother' river of China contains much soil eroded from the Loess Plateau. My guide, Linda Guolz, and I travelled from Xi'an to Yan'an on the Loess Plateau. We spent the afternoon visiting Ansai as the bus to the Hukuo Waterfall had left earlier that morning. The bus terminal is opposite the Yan'an railway station. The bus trip out to the Hukuo Falls takes almost 3 hours, but allows the traveller to view valley farming, mostly corn crops, before the road climbs up into the terraced hills, where apples are the main crop. These western Shaanxi hills had become severely eroded in past centuries, but in recent years grazing livestock have been removed and farmers were compensated for land which was then planted with trees. Other farmers were encouraged to terrace their land and establish apple orchards. This is proving to be a success story. The flow of sediment from the Plateau into the Yellow River has been reduced by more than 100 million tons each year. The Plateau drops away sharply to reveal the gorge of the Yellow River. The storm season is August at which time a greater flow of water would be expected. Due to ice making conditions slippery, the falls are closed to the public between October and April.
Written July 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From Beijing to the waterfall by public transportation, can you advise how to get there? I am planning to take an overnight coach (bus) to the nearest city, overnight, then take a local bus to the waterfall. Is it possible? and where should I go? Lingfen looks closer and maybe many accommodation available?
Written September 27, 2019
Hi , I want to go to Hukou waterfall on sunday 6-5-2017 on 6.30 am , Is there anyone who want to share the taxi with me??
Written April 8, 2017
I start my trip from Linfen , thank you
Written April 8, 2017
Can anyone recommend a tour agent in Xian for a day tour to Hukou Waterfall? Thanks
Written September 6, 2016
I followed Chinaxian tour. I booked online, with USD50 deposit, balance cash when I meet the local guide.
They offered 2 options, the cheaper tour by bus followed the local chinese tourist, whereas another private, with English speaking guide which is more expensive.
Their service is prompt & efficient. Their base office in Xian. I took the self designed 2 days tour to Yan'an, which covers the waterfall through them.The local guide was well versed in history of Yan'an. Responsible too.
However, if you are in Xian, there are many local day tour to Hukuo waterfall. Book from your hotel, or the tour agents around the Muslim Quarter & Drum Tower. Alternatively, there is a tourist information center around the corner, you can check with them. Book from Xian is much cheaper than what I did online.
Written September 6, 2016
Suzette B
Welling, United Kingdom
Hi... did you go to Hukou from Xi'an, and if yes, could you please tell me how you got there and back again?
Thank you!!!
Written May 27, 2015
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