TAIYUAN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The first light of dawn creeps over the rugged cliffs, casting long shadows across the narrow paths of Xiya Valley deep in north China's towering Taihang Mountain.

A group of some 20 visitors from the Republic of Korea stood at the edge of the valley, their eyes wide with wonder. The cliffs rise majestically around them, and the autumn foliage paints the landscape in vibrant hues of red and gold.

"The cliffs are magnificent, and the autumn scenery is both beautiful and refreshing," said Kim Ji-min from the tour group.

Xiya Valley in Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province, was once nearly cut off from the outside world by towering cliffs and rugged terrain. For decades, it was seen as an isolated and inaccessible place, a hidden gem known only to a fortunate few. However, local villagers were determined to change that, longing to break free from their isolation.

According to Zhang Jiajia, a tour guide at the Wangmangling scenic area, the villagers of Xiya Valley began their efforts in 1962. Over three generations and three decades, they carved a 7.5-kilometer cliffside "sky road" through the steep walls of Wangmangling, using only steel drills and hammers.

The road, with a vertical elevation difference of 600 meters, is a testament to their perseverance and ingenuity. Thanks to this "cliff-hanging road," Xiya Valley now brims with vitality. The valley blends the grandeur of towering mountains with the tranquil charm of serene waters, making it a great destination for wellness tourism.

In June 2024, the Taihang Xiya Valley Tourist Resort was designated a national-level tourist resort -- the first and only one of its kind in Shanxi.

"Summer here means no mosquitoes, sleeping under quilts even in the hottest days," locals say, summarizing the valley's pristine environment. With an average summer temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and forest coverage exceeding 96 percent, Xiya Valley is widely regarded as a natural retreat for health and leisure.

For Feng Wenjuan, a visitor from Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, this was her second self-driving trip to the valley. "Xiya Valley is not overly commercialized. You can truly enjoy unspoiled natural scenery here. It's a perfect place to relax," Feng said, adding that the cool and clear waters made it an ideal playground for children.

Zhang said that from January to August 2024, the valley received about 910,000 visitors, and the total number of visitors this year has reached around 1.1 million, marking year-on-year growth of over 20 percent.

Villagers of Xiya Valley are also reaping the benefits of tourism. "We are vigorously developing a model that integrates homestays, cultural tourism and wellness," said Guo Yudong, a village official of Xiya Valley.

By the end of 2024, the village's collective income surpassed 1 million yuan (about 140,000 U.S. dollars). Average household income is expected to exceed 100,000 yuan this year, Guo added.