Jiyuan

Setting of the fable of the Foolish Old Man Who Moved the Mountains, with Wangwu Mountain—Taoism's "First Grotto-Heaven under Heaven"—the historic Jidu Temple, the macaques of Wulongkou and boat cruises through the Three Gorges of the Yellow River.

Jiyuan lies in northwest Henan, backed by the Taihang Mountains to the north and facing the Yellow River to the south. A city administered directly by Henan Province, it takes its name from the Ji River, which rises here, and is the setting of the fable of the Foolish Old Man Who Moved the Mountains. The main sights fall into three groups: Wangwu Mountain in the northwest (5A-rated, Taoism's "First Grotto-Heaven under Heaven"—climb to Tiantan Summit and visit Yangtai Palace) and the Xiaogoubei geological gorge further west; the Song, Jin and Yuan dynasty buildings in the city, including Jidu Temple, Fengxian Temple and Daming Temple; and the Wulongkou macaque reserve in the northeast and the Yellow River Three Gorges boat trips at Xiaye Town in the southwest. The best seasons are Apr–May and Oct–Nov, with Taihang foliage usually peaking in late October; the gorges are a cool escape in Jul–Aug, while winters on the mountain are cold. Getting there: about 2 hours' drive from Zhengzhou, linked by the Jiaozuo–Jiyuan–Luoyang intercity railway and expressways. Sights are spread out, so self-drive or a chartered car is recommended. Allow 2–3 days: one for Wangwu Mountain, one for the city's historic buildings plus Wulongkou, and one for the Yellow River Three Gorges or Xiaogoubei. Local food includes Jiyuan huicai stew, dumplings, and Wangwu Mountain kiwifruit and walnuts.

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