Major city · China
Sanmenxia三门峡
Spend 1–2 days in Sanmenxia: see the dam, Hangu Pass and the Guo State Museum; a night in the city centre is enough.
Sanmenxia sits on the Yellow River in western Henan, known for the Sanmenxia Dam, historic Hangu Pass and museums that showcase ancient Guo State culture. The city is a transport hub, but attractions are spread across districts, so a short stay with a base in Hubin District works well.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, rain)
- Airports
- LYA · XIY
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sanmenxia110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sanmenxia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch traffic when crossing streets and keep an eye on river‑level alerts during rainy season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (≈150 km (93 mi) by high‑speed rail).LYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (≈93 mi (150 km) by high‑speed rail).
- Getting aroundBuses ¥1 (≈ under US$1) per ride; taxis start ¥8 (≈ US$2) for 2 km (1.2 mi) then ¥1.8 (≈ under US$1)/km; Didi Chuxing app works city‑wide.Buses ¥1 (≈ under US$1) per ride; taxis start ¥8 (≈ US$2) for 1.2 mi (2 km) then ¥1.8 (≈ under US$1)/km; Didi Chuxing app works city‑wide.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Starbucks¥15–20 (≈ US$3)
- Street or quick mealLocal noodle bowl¥8–12 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi start (2 km (1.2 mi))Taxi start (1.2 mi (2 km))¥8 (≈ US$2)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride¥1 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketGuo State Museum entry¥40 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedBudget hotel, a night, per personCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomCN¥900 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥80 (≈ US$12) · Mid CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · High CN¥300 (≈ US$45)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (≈150 km (93 mi) by high‑speed rail) · XIY Xi'an Xianyang International (≈240 km (149 mi) by rail)LYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (≈93 mi (150 km) by high‑speed rail) · XIY Xi'an Xianyang International (≈149 mi (240 km) by rail)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jun (10 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sanmenxia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses ¥1 per ride; taxis start ¥8 for 2 km then ¥1.8/km; Didi Chuxing app works city‑wide. For inter‑district trips use long‑distance buses (30 min–2 h).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hangu Pass
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Train to Lingbao, then bus 8 (≈1 h total)
Historic pass, ¥80 entry
Sanmenxia Dam Scenic Area
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus from Hubin district (≈30 min)
¥30 entry, open 08:00‑17:00¥30 entry, open 8:00 AM‑5:00 PM
Mianchi County (Yangshao Xianmen Scenic)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Long‑distance bus (≈1 h 30 min)
Check opening hours; ¥40 entry
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Royal Hotel International Sanmenxia
City‑centre, near Hubin District; budget ¥200/night
Mid‑range hotels in Hubin
Various options, 1‑2 km (1.2 mi) from main sightsVarious options, 1‑1.2 mi (2 km) from main sights
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17)
- Mid
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35)
- High
- ¥300 (≈ US$45)+
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × CN¥600 | CN¥600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥150 | CN¥300 |
| High‑speed rail Zhengzhou‑Sanmenxia (round‑trip)2 × CN¥350 · check | CN¥700 |
| Bus fare within city2 × CN¥1 · check | CN¥2 |
| eSIM 7‑day data2 × CN¥50 | CN¥100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥170 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥936 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,872≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights, visas and eSIM excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi start (2 km) | ¥8 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi per km after 2 km | ¥1.8 (≈ under US$1) |
| Guo State Museum entry | ¥40 (≈ US$6) |
| Local noodle bowl | ¥8–12 (≈ US$2) |
| Coffee at Starbucks | ¥15–20 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus routes can be confusing; ask locals or use a map app.
- Check dam water‑release schedule in rainy season; high flows may affect riverside access.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Sanmenxia三门峡
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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请把这个地址写下来To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consulate in Zhengzhou (check address); other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Luoyang Airport → Sanmenxia (high‑speed rail): ≈¥250 round‑trip (check)
- Taxi Hubin → Sanmenxia Dam: ≈¥30 (check)
- Bus within city: ¥1 (≈ under US$1) per ride
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the bathroom? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 救命！ — Help! (jiùmìng!)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sanmenxia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, rain) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Lingbao for more museum time.
- Combine dam visit with a Yellow River boat tour (check seasonal schedule).
Sources
Ask about Sanmenxia
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