National Parks of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (sixth batch) |
| Province | Henan |
| Location | 20 km north-west of Jiaozuo, Henan |
| Latitude, longitude | 35.3, 113.0 Google Maps |
| Area | 45 km² |
| Nearby cities | Henan, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Beijing, Wuhan, Tianjin |
| Nearby sites | Mount Wangwu and Mount Yuntai, Mount Song, Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, Mount Shennong, Zhengzhou Yellow River, Mount Linlü, Yin Xu, Anyang |
| Themes | Mountains, Rivers |
About
The Qingtian River scenic area lies in Bo’ai 20 km north-west of Jiaozuo, Henan, at the southern foot of the Taihang, the “Three Gorges of the north”: 45 km² in seven parts, the river, Jinjialing, Yueshan Temple, Shifotan, Fenghuangling, a village of Ming and Qing houses and the Taihang bamboo garden. It has a natural Buddha image 180 m high and 100 m wide.
It is in the sixth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2005.
Travel tips
Getting there: the nearest city is Jiaozuo, whose station has high-speed trains to Zhengzhou in about 40 minutes. From Jiaozuo the Qingtian River is about an hour by road, and there are buses from Boai county town.
Layout: the Qingtian River is a reservoir and gorge on the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains, called the Three Gorges of the North. The area has seven parts: Qingtian River, Jinjialing, Yueshan Temple, Shifo Beach, Fenghuang Ridge, the Ming and Qing village and the Taihang bamboo garden.
How to visit: mainly by boat on the lake past the cliffs and peaks on both sides, with paths that lead to viewpoints.
Yueshan Temple: an old temple in the hills, which can be visited on the way.
Time: one day is enough, and it can be combined with Shennongshan and Yuntaishan.
Season: spring and autumn are comfortable, summer has high water and cool air, and winter is cold.
Where to stay: farm guesthouses near the area, and many hotels in Jiaozuo city and Boai county town.
Nearby: Yuntaishan and Shennongshan, both in Jiaozuo, are not far and fit into a one- or two-day trip.
Caution: paths beside the gorge run along cliffs and have steps, so take care.