Yuzhou Dikeng Courtyard in Sanmenxia

Shanzhou Dikengyuan (陕州地坑院), also known as Yuzhou Dikengyuan (豫州地坑院), is located in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City. It is a National AAAA Tourist Attraction, while the traditional construction techniques of the underground courtyards are recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Often described as “an ancient village beneath the horizon” and “a living fossil in the history of Chinese dwellings,” Dikengyuan is a unique type of underground courtyard found in China. Large square pits measuring around 6–10 meters deep are excavated downward from the flat surface of the loess plateau, with cave dwellings carved horizontally into the four surrounding walls. This creates the remarkable scene traditionally described as “seeing trees but no village, entering the village but seeing no houses, and hearing voices without seeing people.” The cave dwellings remain warm in winter and cool in summer, and this underground residential tradition has a history of more than 4,000 years. The scenic area connects 22 historic underground courtyards through passageways, with different themed compounds presenting the folk customs and agricultural culture of the loess plateau in western Henan.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from April to October. In spring, flowers bloom across the loess plateau and create an atmospheric setting around the earthen courtyards; in summer, the underground cave dwellings remain cool and comfortable, while evening light shows are also available. Autumn brings deeper golden-brown tones to the loess landscape, while winter is filled with festive traditions and lively lantern celebrations. Opening hours are 08:30–20:00 from April to September and 08:30–18:00 from October to March, with last admission at 17:00. A complete visit usually takes 3–4 hours. The courtyards are especially atmospheric from late afternoon into the evening, when the decorative lights are illuminated.

How to Get to Shanzhou Dikengyuan

By high-speed rail: Arrive at Sanmenxia South Railway Station (三门峡南站) and take a taxi to the scenic area, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

By car: Navigate to “Shanzhou Dikengyuan Folk Culture Park (陕州地坑院民俗文化园).” Paid parking is available, and the drive from downtown Sanmenxia takes approximately 30 minutes.

By public transport: In Shanzhou District, Bus No. 105 provides direct service to the scenic area. A tourist shuttle also operates from Sanmenxia Railway Station, although departures are limited. There are no sightseeing vehicles inside the attraction, and visitors should be prepared for numerous steps between the different underground courtyards, with the entire visit completed on foot.

Main Attractions

Dikengyuan Folk Courtyard Complex

The Dikengyuan Folk Courtyard Complex is the heart of the scenic area. A network of underground passageways links 22 different courtyard compounds, each with its own theme. The Historical Courtyard introduces the origins of Dikengyuan dwellings; the Construction Techniques Courtyard demonstrates the complete process of excavating pits, carving cave rooms, and compacting loess; the Wedding Customs Courtyard recreates traditional wedding scenes from western Henan; while the Paper-Cutting Courtyard, Opera Courtyard, Winery Courtyard, and Farming Courtyard display traditional paper cutting, shadow puppetry, winemaking, agricultural tools, and rural customs. Walking through the underground passages provides an immersive impression of everyday life in a traditional subterranean village.

Chuanshan Stove

The Chuanshan Stove (穿山灶) is one of the most distinctive traditional household features of the underground courtyards. This sloping stove contains nine connected cooking openings, with heat gradually decreasing from one section to the next, allowing several dishes to be steamed, boiled, braised, and stewed at the same time. Traditionally used to prepare the famous Shanzhou Ten-Bowl Banquet (陕州十碗席), the stove vividly reflects the practical ingenuity of local residents and is one of the must-see features of the scenic area.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshops

Visitors can watch local heritage practitioners demonstrate traditional Shanzhou paper cutting and hammered plant printing (捶草印花). Hammered plant printing is a distinctive botanical dyeing and printing technique found in western Henan. Visitors may also take part in hands-on handicraft activities, which are offered as optional paid experiences.

Folk Culture Square and Traditional Stage

The Folk Culture Square hosts scheduled performances of local folk arts such as Luogushu drum storytelling, shadow-puppet theater, and live reenactments of traditional western Henan wedding customs. More performances are generally arranged during weekends and public holidays, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the performing traditions of the loess plateau.

Viewing Platform

The elevated viewing platform above ground provides a panoramic view across the entire underground courtyard settlement. From here, visitors can photograph the distinctive square courtyards embedded deep within the yellow earth, making this the best location for wide-angle views of the Dikengyuan landscape.

Night Illumination Area

During summer and on public holidays, the underground courtyards are illuminated with red lanterns and decorative lights, transforming the subterranean village into a particularly atmospheric night scene. During major lantern festivals, traditional Datiehua molten-iron fireworks performances (打铁花) may also be staged.

Tickets, Accommodation and Local Food

Tickets: Adult admission is RMB 60, with discounted prices often available for advance online booking. Students receive half-price admission with valid identification. Visitors aged 70 and above and children under 1.4 meters tall are eligible for free admission with valid documentation, while visitors aged 60–69 receive half-price tickets. Intangible cultural heritage workshops and some special performances require additional payment.

Accommodation: Visitors can stay in downtown Sanmenxia or Shanzhou District and explore the scenic area as a day trip. Cave-style guesthouses are also available around the attraction for travelers interested in experiencing an overnight stay in a traditional-style yaodong dwelling.

Local food: Popular specialties include the Shanzhou Ten-Bowl Banquet, Shanzhou fermented eggs (陕州糟蛋), Shizi Mo stone-baked flatbread (石子馍), Youmo fried bread (油馍), and Yellow River fish. Snack stalls are available inside the scenic area, although bringing your own drinking water is still recommended.

Travel Tips

There are many steps leading between the upper ground level and the underground courtyards, and some paths are made of compacted loess. Wear comfortable, non-slip walking shoes, and note that lighting inside some cave dwellings can be relatively dim.

Dikengyuan courtyards are traditional historic residences, so visitors should avoid touching old household objects and preserved furnishings inside the cave rooms.

If you want to experience the night scenery, entering in the late afternoon allows you to enjoy both daylight views and the illuminated courtyards after dark. Datiehua performances and large-scale folk shows are mainly scheduled during public holidays, so check performance times before visiting.

The loess plateau can be windy, and the difference between daytime and evening temperatures may be noticeable. A light jacket is recommended for visits extending into the evening.

Shanzhou Dikengyuan is relatively close to Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park (天鹅湖国家城市湿地公园), making it easy to combine the two attractions into a one- or two-day Sanmenxia itinerary.

Recommended Visiting Route

Main Entrance → Ground-Level Viewing Platform for a Panoramic View of the Underground Courtyards → Dikengyuan Courtyard Complex (Historical Courtyard → Construction Techniques Courtyard → Wedding Customs Courtyard → Paper-Cutting Intangible Heritage Courtyard) → Chuanshan Stove → Folk Culture Stage and Square → Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop Experience → Evening Illuminated Courtyards → Return to the Exit