Zhaixia Grand Canyon

Zhaixia Grand Canyon is the most active element of the Taining Geopark — a hiking trail through a sequence of red sandstone gorges that progressively narrow as you descend, culminating in passages where the walls close to less than arm's width. The hike covers about 4 kilometres and takes two to three hours at a comfortable pace. Waterfall sections, cave openings, and sections of carved stone path add variety to what might otherwise be simply a walk through increasingly dramatic geology.

The canyon is reached from the main scenic area near Jinhu Lake and is usually visited as a half-day addition to the lake boat tour. Sturdy walking shoes are essential — the path is often wet from seepage. The narrowest sections require moderate fitness and some flexibility. The canyon is one of the less-crowded parts of the geopark on weekdays; avoid Chinese national holidays.

things to do sight
A story
Zhaixia — "narrow gorge" — is named accurately. In its narrowest section the canyon walls are less than a metre apart, requiring hikers to turn sideways to pass through. The light that enters these knife-cut passages changes colour with the angle of the sun and the moisture in the air, and at certain times of day the red sandstone walls glow with a warmth that appears entirely artificial. The Chinese description for this phenomenon — "a line of sky" (一线天, yī xiàn tiān) — is one of the more evocative terms in the vocabulary of Danxia scenery.

Other places in Things to Do