Hukou Waterfall

Located at the intersection of Shaanxi Province and Shanxi Province, some 400 kilometers from Xian, Hukou Waterfall is the most magnificent yellow waterfall and the second biggest waterfall in China after the Huangguoshu waterfall.

When the mighty Yellow River flows to Hukou, the billowy water streams narrow suddenly, from 200 to 300 meters wide to 50 meters, roaring even in dry seasons, and falling 30 meters (33 yards) into a deep riverbed, splashing dense mist obscuring the sky, as if the water is pouring down from a huge teapot, hence the name Hukou (which means mouth of teapot). The scene is quite overwhelming: water stirs up masses of smoke and clouds, with color turning from yellow to grey, grey to blue. The locals call this awesome scenery "smoke from river".

Over history, a number of prominent poets and painters once traveled here. Wowing at the grand view, they left numerous works giving high honor of the waterfall.

Hukou Waterfall is the birthplace of a household song named "Yellow River Chorus", which was composed by Chinese musician Xian Xinghai in 1939 to inspire the spirit of the Chinese people against the Japanese aggression.

Travel tips:

Ticket price: 46 yuan

Transport: Take bus No. 4, 6, 16, or 19 to Yan'an and take the regular buses to Hukou Waterfall.