Hukou Waterfall-------the Largest Waterfall on the Yellow River

The Hukou Waterfall is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River, China, the second largest waterfall in China (after the Huangguoshu Waterfall). Hukou Waterfall is located at the intersection of Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province, 165 km to the west of Fenxi City, and 50 km to the east of Yichuan.

The Hukou Waterfall exists where water in the middle reaches of the Yellow River flows through Jinxia Grand Canyon. The width of the waterfall changes with the season, usually 30 meters wide but increasing to 50 m during flood season. It has a height of over 20 m. When the Yellow River approaches the Hukou Mountain, blocked by mountains on both sides, its width is abruptly narrowed down to 20 m - 30 m. The water's velocity increases, and then plunges over a narrow opening on a cliff, forming a waterfall 15 m high and 20 m wide, as if water were pouring down from a huge teapot. Hence it gets the name Hukou (literally, Flask Mouth) Waterfall.

Just below the waterfall, there is a shining stone called guishi, the meaning is the stone of ghost. What makes the stone mysterious is that it moves up and down according to the water level. No matter how large the water volume, it is still at least partly visible.

In the middle of the river, about 3,000 m from the Hukou Waterfall, an enormous rock catches the attention of visitors. When the Yellow River flows to this point, it divides into two, rolling and roaring on and on from both sides of the rock before reconverging.

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 like a colorful bridge. In 1991, Hukou Waterfall was named one of the "40 Best" national scenic spots.

Due to its awkward location in the Loess Plateau hinterlands, Hukou was once very difficult to access. After the local government improved transport and tourist facilities, the number of tourists rose from 20,000 in 1994 to 47,000 in 1995. The figure for 1996 reached 100,000 tourists.

The scene of Hukou Waterfall can be overwhelming, water stirring up masses of smoke and cloud, colors turning from yellow to grey, grey to blue. The locals call this awesome scenery "smoke from the river". The best visiting time is from April to June, from September to November as well. Hukou Waterfall is abundant and of great momentum which makes it a spectacular sight during these two periods. Traveling here in winter may be of different interest as Hukou Waterfall becomes a huge silvery ice waterfall and little silver icicles hang on the cliffs around the waterfall.
For more information, please visit http://top-chinatour.com