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Dayu Town, Jiyuan City, Henan Province, China
A famous hydraulic engineering in China
Located on the border between Mengjin County of Luoyang and Jiyuan City, Henan Province, Xiaolangdi Scenic Zone (小浪底风景区) is a national 4A-level tourist attraction stretching across both banks of the Yellow River. About 30 kilometers north of Luoyang, it sits at the outlet of the last gorge on the middle reaches of the river. The Xiaolangdi Key Water Control Project — also known as the Xiaolangdi Hydroelectric Power Station — is one of China’s most significant water conservancy achievements and a landmark in the history of harnessing the Yellow River.
The entire scenic area extends 54 kilometers from Bali Hutong in the west to the Huanghe Xitan in the east, and consists of four major scenic zones:
Among them, the Xiaolangdi Dam and the Yellow River Three Gorges (Bali Hutong Gorge, Longfeng Gorge, and Gushan Gorge) are the most iconic highlights.
1. Xiaolangdi Water Control Project
The Xiaolangdi Dam, stretching 1,667 meters in length and standing 154 meters high, is a massive engineering marvel with 108 intersecting tunnels. It plays crucial roles in flood control, ice prevention, power generation, and silt regulation.
The most spectacular event here is the annual water and sediment regulation, held between June and July, when dozens of golden water jets gush out from the dam’s outlets, forming a magnificent scene that looks like “the Yellow River descending from heaven.” This is the best time to witness the grandeur of China’s hydraulic power.
►Suggested Route (East Gate Route)
Most visitors enter from the East Gate (Jiyuan side), which offers the best views:
East Gate → Cultural Center → East Gate Viewing Platform → Flood Control Bridge (Rainbow Bridge) → Sculpture Square → South Bank Viewing Platform → Haoran Waterfall → Nine-Curve Bridge → Engineering Culture Plaza → Micro Landscape of the Yellow River → Return to East Gate.
After purchasing tickets (CNY 40), walk a few hundred meters to the main viewing platform, directly facing the outlets. You’ll see two structures: the left one is for flood discharge and sediment regulation, while the right is for power generation.
Further along, the South Bank Viewing Platform offers a closer side view of the dam and outlets — it’s the top spot to watch the water and sediment discharge up close. (Tip: wear light-colored clothing to avoid mud stains.)
2. The Yellow River Three Gorges
About 20 kilometers upstream from the dam, the Yellow River Three Gorges form another major highlight of the Xiaolangdi Scenic Zone. These gorges were naturally carved by the Yellow River and the Wangwu Mountains and are renowned for their rugged beauty and diversity.
Visitors can take cruise boats from Tongshuling Pier or Zhangling Pier on the north bank to appreciate the gorge landscapes up close, or try rafting in Wild Boar Forest (Ye Zhu Lin) for a thrilling experience surrounded by pristine nature.
3. Xiaolangdi Wetland Park
Formed by the dam’s reservoir, this wetland park has become an ecological paradise. It’s now one of the most popular wedding photography sites in central China, as well as a great destination for birdwatching and leisure walks amid lush greenery and tranquil waters.
4. Xitan Yellow River Folk Scenic Area
This area features the only inhabited green island in the Yellow River, where visitors can experience traditional rural life and the authentic charm of the river. The air is fresh, and the local lifestyle retains the unspoiled simplicity of the Yellow River basin.
The best season to visit Xiaolangdi Scenic Zone is from June to July, when the dam’s water and sediment regulation takes place. During this period, the dam gates open, and torrents of yellow water surge out, creating waterfalls dozens of meters wide and nearly a hundred meters high. Rainbows often appear in the mist, offering a breathtaking sight unmatched elsewhere.
The 2025 regulation period is expected to fall between mid-June and early July, but visitors should check the official announcement for the exact schedule.
Additionally, Spring (March-May) is ideal for hiking and enjoying flowers, while Autumn (September-November), when water levels are high, is perfect for boat tours on the Yellow River Three Gorges and admiring the lake and mountain scenery.
Alternatively, joining a guided tour from Luoyang is recommended for convenience — the guide can help you understand the site’s cultural and engineering significance.
During the water regulation period, the site can get crowded. Plan your trip ahead and arrive early. Wear light-colored clothes and sandals to avoid mud stains from the mist and spray. Be prepared for long walks, so bring comfortable shoes and water.
The Xiaolangdi Scenic Area is not just a marvel of engineering but also a destination where nature and human culture merge, making it suitable for family trips and photography enthusiasts to experience the grandeur of the Yellow River and the wisdom of water management.
One-Day Tours:
Luoyang City - Wang Duo's Former Residence - Longma Futu Temple - Xiaolangdi: A cultural journey through calligraphy art and ancient legends before witnessing the modern engineering marvel.
Longmen Grottoes - Guanlin Temple - Xiaolangdi: Combines the essence of Buddhist grotto art and the sacred site of Guan Yu with the power of the Yellow River.
Dengfeng Shaolin Temple - Xiaolangdi: A classic route pairing the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu with the grandeur of the dam.
Xiaolangdi - Jiyuan City - Wangwu Mountain: Shifts from hydraulic wonders to the natural and Taoist cultural beauty of a famous mountain.
Two-Day Tours:
Day 1: Luoyang City - Longmen Grottoes - White Horse Temple; Day 2: Xiaolangdi - Jiyuan City. The ultimate Luoyang cultural and Yellow River experience.
Day 1: Sanmenxia Reservoir - Xin'an Daimei Mountain; Day 2: Xin'an Wanshan Lake - Xiaolangdi. A comprehensive tour of Yellow River reservoirs and surrounding mountain landscapes.
Day 1: Dengfeng Shaolin Temple - Ruyang Dukang Xianzheng (Dukang Winery) - Luoyang City; Day 2: Xiaolangdi. Blends Kung Fu culture, legendary wine culture, and the might of the Yellow River.
Day 1: Luanchuan Chicken Crown Cave - Songxian Baiyun Mountain; Day 2: Longmen Grottoes - Xiaolangdi. An in-depth exploration of South Taihang's karst caves, forests, and grotto art.
Day 1: Xiaolangdi - Jiyuan City - Wangwu Mountain; Day 2: Jiyuan - Jiaozuo. A deep dive into the natural and cultural attractions of the Jiyuan and Jiaozuo region.
Day 1: Xiaolangdi - Zhengzhou Huayuankou; Day 2: Zhengzhou - Kaifeng City. Traces the journey of the Yellow River from a key control project to a historically significant breach point and then to the ancient capital along its banks.
From $ 300
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