Hukou Waterfall, the only yellow waterfall on the Yellow River and the second largest in China, is located in the Yellow River on the Shanxi – Shaanxi border. The width of the waterfall changes with the season, usually 30 meters wide but increasing to 50 meters during flood season. When the Yellow River approaches the Hukou Mountain, blocked by mountains on both sides, its width is abruptly narrowed down to 20-30 meters. The water velocity increases, and then plunges over a narrow opening on a cliff, forming a waterfall 15 m high and 20 m wide, as if water were pouring down from a huge teapot. Hence it gets the name Hukou (kettle spout) Waterfall.
The scene of Hukou Waterfall can be overwhelming, water stirring up masses of smoke and cloud, colors turning from yellow to grey, grey to blue. The locals call this awesome scenery "smoke from the river". The best visiting time is from April to June, from September to November as well. Hukou Waterfall is abundant and of great momentum which makes it a spectacular sight during these two periods. Traveling here in winter may be of different interest as Hukou Waterfall becomes a huge silvery ice waterfall and little silver icicles hang on the cliffs around the waterfall.