Jiaozuo, a city in central China's Henan Province, is home to breathtaking natural wonders, including the globally renowned Yuntai Mountain, which features towering, red-sandstone cliffs, plunging waterfalls and crystal-clear gorges. Beyond its natural splendor, Jiaozuo holds profound cultural significance. Chenjiagou, a village in Wenxian County, in Jiaozuo, is the birthplace of taijiquan, or tai chi, a form of Chinese martial arts. As a global mecca for those who practice taijiquan, Jiaozuo welcomes enthusiasts, from around the world, who come to trace the roots of the ancient practice.
Jiaozuo, nestled on the southern slopes of the Taihang Mountains, is bordered to the south by the Yellow River. Given the local terrain's conditions, the city enjoys a mild climate and fertile land, and that land has sustained human settlement since ancient times, giving rise to a wealth of cultural relics and archaeological sites.
Jiaozuo, known as Shanyang and Huaizhou in ancient times, stands as a living testament to China's rich cultural tapestry. The Taihang Mountains, which cradle Jiaozuo, have long been regarded as sacred land, their mist-shrouded peaks inspiring generations of poets, philosophers and martial artists. Rising from the southern slopes of this ancient range, Yuntai Mountain stands as the crown jewel of this sacred landscape — a place where natural beauty and cultural memory converge.
Wonderland of Water, Peaks
Yuntaishan UNESCO Global Geopark, also known as Yuntai Mountain Scenic Area, is located in Xiuwu, a county in Jiaozuo. In Chinese, "Yun" means "clouds," which is a fitting reference to the region's mist-shrouded peaks.
The geopark is home to a rich traditional narrative, and a rich collection of cultural sites. For example, there is the legend of Shennong, known as the "Divine Farmer," who is said to have introduced early agricultural techniques, farming tools and Chinese herbal medicine. This legend is closely linked to the park's lush environment, where vegetation covers more than 90 percent of the area.
As they enter the geopark, visitors are greeted by the mesmerizing Yuntai Landform — a spectacular array of red, quartz-sandstone cliffs, deep gorges and towering peaks. The cliffs rise like colossal pillars, while cascading waterfalls plunge into crystal-clear gorges.
Among the scenic area's many geological wonders, Red Stone Gorge (Hongshixia Valley) stands out as a true masterpiece of nature. Carved over millions of years by the persistent force of water, the gorge stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers, and more than 60 meters deep. The most captivating feature of the gorge is the remarkable contrast between the red, quartz-sandstone cliffs and the crystal-clear turquoise waters. It is a breathtaking sight, which has earned the gorge the reputation as one of the most photogenic spots in northern China.
Not far from the gorge lies Dragon Ridge Great Wall, another marvel of erosion and time. The wall is a majestic natural limestone ridge, which stretches more than 11 kilometers, and rises nearly 200 meters in height. It resembles a great wall — not crafted by human hands, but sculpted over eons by the patient forces of geology.
In recognition of its natural wonders, Yuntai Mountain has long been favored by emperors, scholars and poets — throughout Chinese history. Wang Wei, a renowned poet during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is said to have climbed its misty peaks — the very place believed to be Zhuyu Peak — and then composed his timeless lines: "I know my brothers would, with dogwood spray in hand; Climb up the mountain and miss me so far away." Today, visitors can follow in his footsteps, and they can discover the same timeless beauty that moved the great poet more than 1,000 years ago.
Global Mecca
During the early Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), Chen Bu migrated from north China's Shanxi Province to a village on the northern bank of the Yellow River. There, he established the Chen family's lineage, in what would become Chenjiagou, and he taught martial arts to help villagers defend their homes.
It was here, nearly 300 years later, that his descendant further developed Chinese martial arts. Chen Wangting, the ninth generation of the Chen family in Chenjiagou, combined his martial arts training with both military experience and elements of Chinese philosophy. The end result? A new kind of martial arts, which was named taijiquan.
What set this new art apart was its deep philosophical foundation. Taijiquan is deeply nourished by traditional Chinese philosophies and health-preservation concepts, such as the cycle of yin and yang, and the harmony between humanity and nature. It requires practitioners to maintain inner calm and a relaxed posture, and it emphasizes the balanced development of mental and physical strength.
During the past several centuries, taijiquan has developed into five major styles — Chen (陈), Yang (杨), Wu (吴), Wu (武) and Sun (孙) — and it is now practiced by hundreds of millions of people in more than 180 countries or regions. In 2020, taijiquan was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It received further international recognition in 2025, when UNESCO designated March 21 as International Taijiquan Day. That marked the time an international day was named after martial arts within the UN system.
For those who wish to experience this living heritage, at its source, Chenjiagou offers an unmatched opportunity. Visitors can explore the birthplace of taijiquan, learn about its rich history, and even try to practice it for themselves, under the guidance of local masters. In this quiet village, the story of taijiquan — centuries in the making — continues to unfold.
Photos from VCG
(Women of China English Monthly April 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
