Jiyuan
People's Republic of China · Asia
About Jiyuan
Jiyuan is a sub-prefecture-level city in northwestern Henan province, People's Republic of China. It borders the prefecture-level cities of Jiaozuo and Luoyang to the east and southwest respectively, as well as the province of Shanxi to the north.
The sub-prefecture-level city of Jiyuan administers 5 subdistricts and 11 towns. Jiyuan is named after the Ji river whose source is said to be a spring located on the west of the city.
The famous Chinese mythology fable "The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains" may have come from this area. Mountains mentioned in this myth are Taihang and Wangwu.
Jiyuan was a county belonging to Jiaozuo City in the past, then it was divided from the city. The former Ji River—one of the ancient "Four Rivers", alongside the Yangtze, Huai, and Yellow Rivers—originated around Jiyuan, which was the source of its name, Chinese for "Source of the Ji". (Today, the Ji has been entirely subsumed by the Yellow River, which shifted to the bed of the Ji during its massive 1852 flood.) According to the latest archaeological findings...
Jiyuan travel guide
Understand
Jiyuan is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Henan Province, China, located at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains and the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Named after the "source of the Ji River," Jiyuan is the site of the ancient Chinese myth "Foolish Old Man Who Moved the Mountains."
Getting there
Air: The nearest airport is Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, approximately a two-hour drive from Jiyuan. Railway: Jiyuan Station and Jiyuan High-speed Railway East Station offer direct connections to Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Luoyang, and other cities. Road: The Lianhuo Expressway and Erguang Expressway pass through Jiyuan, providing convenient transportation.
Getting around
Public buses, taxis, and shared bicycles are available in the city. Special tourist buses or chartered vehicles are available for travel between scenic spots.
See
1 王屋山 (Wangwu Mountain) (愚公移山发源地), Northwest of Jiyuan City (about 20 km away from Jiyuan city center and can be reached by taking a tourist bus or driving yourself). 08:00-18:00. One of China's most famous Taoist mountains, it's also the birthplace of the legend of "Foolish Old Man Moving the Mountains." With its majestic presence and numerous Taoist temples, it's a representative attraction in Jiyuan. 80¥. (updated Sep 2025) 2 济渎庙 (Jidu Temple) (水神庙), Northern part of Jiyuan city (you can take a bus or taxi directly to the city). 08:30-17:30. One of the four ancient temples in China, it was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and is dedicated to the water god Jishui. The temple is large in scale and has a profound cultural heritage. 40¥. (updated Sep 2025) 3 小浪底水库 (Xiaolangdi Dam), Xiaolangdi Town (about 1.5 hours by car from the city center). Visitors can tour and take photos at the Yellow River's large-scale water conservancy projects, and learn about the facilities for water diversion, power generation, and flood control. Free. (updated Nov 2025) 4 济源博物馆 (Jiyuan Museum), Jianshe Road. 09:00–17:00. It showcases Jiyuan's history, archaeology, and folk culture, making it a great place to learn about local culture. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
Do
Mountain climbing and nature exploration:
Wangwu Mountain hiking, photography, and autumn foliage viewing. Yellow River Wetland hiking, picnicking, and bird watching. Cultural experiences:
Jidu Temple visit to learn about Taoism and folk culture. Museum visit to learn about local history and archaeology.
Eat
Mutton soup: A local specialty. Jiyuan sesame cake: Crispy and delicious.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.