How spectacular is the "gateway" of the One Valley and Nine Waterfalls? Uncovering the secrets of China's largest natural gneiss bridge

"A natural stone arch hanging over an eroded river valley is called a natural bridge." Natural bridges are a typical erosion landform, mainly distributed in karst areas, and are relatively rare in sandstone, granite and metamorphic rocks. Fuping Natural Bridge is the largest and unique gneiss natural bridge in my country, spanning between Yaotai Waterfall and Yinhe Waterfall. The bridge is 27 meters long, 13 meters wide and 13 meters high. The bridge deck has a unique structure, made of gneiss. The bridge deck is slightly arched, like the "gateway" of a nine-level stream waterfall, welcoming tourists from all directions and telling the legendary story of the erosion river valley landform in the gneiss area and the "largest waterfall group in the north."

——Exploring the traces of metamorphic rocks carved through 2.8 billion years of geological history

This natural scenic area is marked by the landform characteristics of mid-mountains and sub-alpine mountains. There are overlapping peaks, crisscrossing gullies, streams and waterfalls of various shapes, and lush vegetation, showing a magnificent and beautiful natural picture. The rock composition is mainly ancient gneiss, which has complex mineral composition and unique shape. Through the surface of the rock, we can see at a glance the long process from rock formation, metamorphism, remelting and recrystallization under high temperature and high pressure, to tectonic movement, uplift and weathering and erosion, as if we were instantly traveling back to the geological era 2.8 billion years ago. From the nearly horizontal gneiss, the structural fissures under the natural bridge, and the countless water marks left on the front of the natural bridge, we can see that this natural bridge is a masterpiece of nature formed by long-term erosion by high mountain springs and streams and the gradual expansion of fissures.

——Walk into the magnificent nine-level waterfall

In the valley, the stream flows long, and there are nine waterfalls in one ditch, which are connected in layers in a ladder-like manner, with the drop ranging from tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Each level is unique and breathtaking. Waterfalls are linked to waterfalls, and each waterfall has its own story. The misty rain on the rock wall continues the poetry, and the water splashes ink to paint the rocks.

——Experience the misty rain on sunny days and the icefalls in winter at the foothills of Taihang Mountains .

Tianshengqiao Scenic Area is located at the foot of Taihang Mountain. On sunny days, the clouds are misty, and under the reflection of the waterfall, the mist and rain are hazy. The scenery of each season is different and charming, and the ice waterfall in winter is a great wonder in the valley. When winter comes, stepping into the Tianshengqiao Scenic Area, it seems as if time has frozen at this moment. The whole scenic area maintains a strong winter atmosphere. Large and small waterfalls solidify into ice waterfalls of various shapes in the cold air. Some are like crystal necklaces in the valley, crystal clear; some are like jade-carved pagodas, solemn and solemn; some are like swords soaring into the sky, majestic; and some are like blooming crystal lotuses, breathtaking. These ice waterfalls not only add a different charm to the valley in winter, but also bring a visual feast to tourists.

Fuping Tianshengqiao is a unique national geological and forest park that integrates landforms, geology, glaciers, ecology, humanities and other tourism resources, and is known as the "Shangri-La in the depths of Taihang Mountains". When you step into this holy land, you will experience unparalleled natural wonders, listen to the profound music of nature, and immerse yourself in the mysterious and magnificent atmosphere.

(Pictures are from the Internet and provided by the scenic spot)

Science Classroom

Gneiss is a rock formed by deep metamorphism of igneous rock or sedimentary rock. It has the characteristics of gneiss structure with dark and light minerals arranged in a directional or striped discontinuous manner, and a metamorphic structure. The main minerals are quartz, feldspar, amphibole, mica, etc. In layman's terms, gneiss is a very old metamorphic rock. It has gone through many vicissitudes, so it is covered with wrinkles all over, that is, gneiss.