Located in the city of Linzhou, northwest of central China's Henan Province, Hongqi (Red Banner) Canal has been the venue for youth's patriotic education for quite some time.
With the building of a 1,500-kilometer canal in the area, it is widely considered to be the turning point in local people's history of overpowering the harsh environment.
To obtain the plentiful supply of water used to irrigate the farmlands, local people spent almost 10 years digging the widely-acclaimed canal in the mountainous area during the 1960s, eradicating the poor harvests and abject poverty of the local farmers.
The well-built canal utilizes the water of the Zhanghe River, zigzagging around the adjacent Shanxi Province, to irrigate the arid farmlands, in addition to providing abundant amounts of drinkable water.
With its unceasing flow of water, tucked away within the Taihang Mountain Range, the locals now enjoy a comfortable standard of living.
In addition to the "artificial miracle," as the canal is affectionately called, Hongqi Canal Tourist Resort has a number of fascinating scenic spots nested within the beautiful landscape.
The mesmerizing natural beauty has become another important reason of intrigue.
Walking through the Great Valley is a must. The valley presents people with an array of scenic spots to rest and enjoy the view and silence. As the local idiom says "For every 500 steps you take, there is a different scene to enjoy, completely different from any other."
The shade of towering trees in the valley protects you from the heat and the risk of perspiring from top to toe, as you drift away watching the rolling mountains, pellucid streams and torrential waterfalls.
The historical fables of the valley are also a great enticement to numerous sightseers.
According to historical records, the poor, yet intelligent slave Fu Yue led a secluded life in the valley during the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1100 BC). A king during the period, Wu Ding tried his best to revitalize his country that was afflicted with famine and rebellions.
The king, unsatisfied with his corrupt ministers, did not say one word to them for three years. After he heard a rumor that Fu Yue was a talented person with superb skills for ruling a country, the king persuaded Fu Yue to help him overcome the political crises, appointing Fu Yue to become his prime minister.
The Luosi Pool is another favorite for sightseers, with its perfect blend of steep cliffs flanking the narrow river. Geographers say its topographical features are similar to those of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, hence its being nicknamed "the miniature Three Gorges."
The following is a suggested itinerary for a three-day trip to see the tourist resort.
Day 1: Take one of the many trains from
Beijing West Railway Station to Anyang, located in the north of central China's Henan Province. An express train takes about 5 hours to get there. Take a bus to Linzhou, about 50 kilometers west of Anyang. Driving along the expressway between
Beijing and Linzhou takes about 7 hours.
Day 2: Take any of the walks through the Great Valley. The cliffs are steep, but there are ladders built to help you get a bird's eye view of the valley.
Day 3: Visit the Red Banner Canal Museum and Luosi Pool. There is a path along the canal which is a must to follow.
Accommodation: The cost of staying at the local hotels range between 150 yuan (US$18) and 250 yuan (US$30) per person per day.
Admission: Tickets to different scenic spots range between 10 yuan (US$1.2) and 25 yuan (US$3).
