PHOTO-China, the spectacle of the "Yellow Waterfall"

2024-08-14 10:52:00, Kuriozitete CNA

Perhaps the photos partly convey the idea of ??the spectacular power of Hukou Falls in China, made even more impressive by the recent rains that have swelled the Yellow River.

This natural phenomenon, amplified by weather conditions, the waterfall has actually seen its flow increase to over 1,500 cubic meters per second, due to recent rainfall in the upper and central parts of the river, increasing the strength of the waterfall more large in Yellow.

The river, the second largest in China, surpassed only by Huangguoshu Falls in Guizhou province. Hukou Waterfall, at 20 meters high, is also defined as the largest "yellow waterfall" (ie located in a river with yellow water, characterized by high concentrations of sediment and mud particles) in the world. This natural wonder is located in central China, Jixian County.

The width of the waterfall varies greatly and during the rainy season, where the Yellow River approaches Mount Hukou, its width suddenly decreases, going from 300 meters to only 20-30 meters.

This narrowing causes an increase in the speed of the water, which plunges through a narrow opening in a rock forming a waterfall 15 meters high and 20 meters wide.

This phenomenon resembles water pouring from the mouth of a large teapot, hence the name "Hukou", which literally means "mouth of the teapot".

PHOTO-China, the spectacle of the "Yellow Waterfall"

The riddle of the stone.

A fascinating feature of Hukou Falls is a glowing stone located right below the falls, called a guishi. This stone appears to "move" up and down based on the water level, always remaining partially visible regardless of the water level.

About 3,000 meters from the falls, in the middle of the river, a giant rock divides the course of the Yellow River into two streams, which rush along the sides of the cliff before reconverging.

Below the waterfall is the Qilangwo Bridge, which connects Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces: on sunny days the mist produced by the waterfall creates a rainbow that crosses the water, offering a breathtaking natural spectacle (photo below).

PHOTO-China, the spectacle of the "Yellow Waterfall"

Despite its remote inland location, Hukou Falls has become a popular attraction and, thanks to improvements in transport and tourist facilities, attracts a significant amount of tourists: in high season there are up to 40,000 visitors per day.

To highlight the cultural and historical significance of this extraordinary natural site, the image of Hukou Falls was also depicted on an old Chinese banknote./ CNA