Things to do in Jingtai

The Yellow River Stone Forest is truly awe-inspiring, showcasing the grandeur of Northwest China! The Yinmagou Grand Canyon boasts towering stone pillars and bizarrely shaped rocks on both sides. Climbing to the viewing platform offers panoramic views of the continuous stone forest, the winding Yellow River, and the Longwan Oasis. At sunset, the rocks are bathed in golden light, creating a truly cinematic experience. You can ride a donkey cart through the canyon, listening to the driver sing Northwest folk songs, or experience a sheepskin raft ride to immerse yourself in the Yellow River's charm. The pristine and magnificent natural scenery is perfect for those who appreciate geological wonders and love taking landscape photos—definitely worth a special trip!

Yongtai City Site, located in Yongtai Village, Sitan Town, Jingtai County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province, also known as Guicheng, is a large-scale earthen fortified city built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, dating back to the 35th year of the Wanli reign (1607). The site is 520 meters long from east to west and 500 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of ​​over 300,000 square meters. The city walls are constructed of rammed earth mixed with sand, reaching a height of 8-12 meters, with a base width of 6 meters and a top width of 5 meters. Semi-circular barbicans were built on the east, west, and north sides of the city. The city gates opened to the south and were surrounded by barbicans. Twelve watchtowers (or ramparts) were also present around the city. Archaeological exploration in 2017 revealed that only the flood control ditches on the east and west sides of the moat remain. Stone tablets and other artifacts were unearthed at the site. This ancient city was an important stronghold in the new border defense system of Gansu during the Ming Dynasty. Construction began in 1607 (the 36th year of the Wanli Emperor's reign) and was completed in 1608 (the 37th year of the Wanli Emperor's reign) under the supervision of Xing Yunlu, the Deputy Military Commissioner. In 1724 (the 2nd year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign), Yue Zhongqi added the Five-Eyed Well and the Ganlu Pond water system. In 1914 (the 3rd year of the Republic of China), Yongtai Primary School, a school combining Chinese and Western styles with a Gothic influence, was established. It closed in 2014 and was converted into a museum. The ancient city contains ancient architectural complexes such as the Great Buddha Temple, the Zhushen Pavilion, and the Jade Emperor Hall, as well as several memorial archways, and is hailed as a textbook example of ancient Chinese military fortresses. In May 2006, it was listed as a sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units and was designated a Historical and Cultural Village of Gansu Province in the same year.

"Yinmagou Grand Canyon" got its name. One theory is that this is the place where Genghis Khan hid his troops and drank horses. The other is that in Journey to the West, the Tang monk and his disciples drank white dragon horses here when they were studying in the West. They stood at the mouth of Yinmagou. It can be seen that the ancient Yellow River and ancient stone forest are moving and still, sheepskin rafts are floating from the upper reaches, and the mountains and rivers are beautiful, just like in the travel paintings. In the winding canyon, there are towering peaks and cliffs, majestic and majestic. The scenic spots such as goshawks looking back, lovers under the moon, and thousands of sails competing are various and vivid. They are strange, majestic, dangerous, ancient, wild, and secluded. They are so beautiful. Yinmagou is also an ideal place for film and television shooting. More than 80 film and television works have been shot here, including "Myth", "The Granary of the World", "Sweat-blooded BMW", "Old Persimmon Tree", "Beautiful Big Feet" Xuanyuan Sword" and so on.

This is a less-visited scenic spot in Jingtai County, Baiyin City, located on the banks of the Yellow River. It takes about an hour by bus from the Dongfang Bathhouse in the county town; for the return trip, ask the driver what time it is, as buses are infrequent. There are a few temple caretakers who work out of love and don't receive a salary. An elderly man guards the entrance to the main Five Buddha Hall; if you want to see the Buddha statues, he will open the temple gate and lead you on a tour, explaining in detail the construction dates of the statues. Unfortunately, two Northern Wei Dynasty statues have been stolen, leaving only one beautifully crafted one. The two Buddha statues in the back corner were built during the Ming Dynasty, and the smaller Buddha statues next to them include both privately and officially commissioned works. At the very front, in the center, is Shakyamuni Buddha; there are actually six Buddhas in total. Admission is free; there's a WeChat donation option at the entrance for those who wish to donate. I scanned a small amount to show my support. You can also climb a short ladder to the top of the mountain, where there is a white jade Shakyamuni Buddha statue, or sit in the pavilion at the summit for views of the scenery below.

The Great Wall will never fall. Although we can't see the high walls, the thick loess piles have already shown our determination to resist foreign invaders.

When people mention Zhongwei, Ningxia, many immediately think of Shapotou. This is a rare spectacle in China, where the desert and the Yellow River embrace. On one side are rolling golden sand dunes, and on the other, the mighty Yellow River flows ceaselessly. With the distant Gobi Desert and mountains as a backdrop, the natural scenery is rich and layered, making it perfect for family outings and short trips. Entering the scenic area and standing atop a sand dune, you'll see an endless desert below, with the Yellow River meandering beneath. The stark contrast between the yellow sand and the blue water vividly brings to life the scene described by Wang Wei: "A lone plume of smoke rises straight from the desert, the setting sun sinks round in the long river." Shapotou offers a wealth of activities, balancing relaxation and excitement, with various activities that can easily fill a day. Most people, having made the trip to the desert, will ride camels, traversing the dunes and experiencing the unique, desolate atmosphere of the desert. For thrill-seekers, be sure to try the signature activities. Sandboarding is a classic activity at Shapotou. Sliding down the high sand dunes amidst billowing sand provides an exhilarating experience. Other attractions include Yellow River bungee jumping, desert ziplining, and the "Flying Desert" ride, offering thrilling challenges for the most adventurous visitors. The scenic area also features unique desert-themed architecture with avant-garde designs, perfect for taking photos. The scenic area is divided into two main sections: the desert area and the Yellow River area. It's recommended to explore the desert area first before heading to the Yellow River. At the Yellow River, you can experience riding sheepskin rafts and enjoying the grandeur of the river up close. Along the way, you'll see sculptures of galloping horses and Wang Wei, allowing you to stroll and feel the rich history of Northwest China.

It's definitely worth a visit; it's truly breathtaking. Every detail is meticulously crafted, completely contrary to online claims of shoddy workmanship. The 600-meter-long mural is said to have taken 27 years to paint. I didn't spend the entire fourth-floor Tibetan cultural mural exhibition, but I saw the other exhibits. The guided tours all use headphones, but the volume is extremely low, making it difficult to hear the explanations. If you're just rushing through, don't bother renting a guided tour. However, if you want to take your time and spend an afternoon at each exhibit, it's well worth it.

As the birthplace and memorial monastery of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, this historical and cultural site, over 600 years old, is a must-see. Photography of the stupa at the entrance is permitted, but not of the Buddha statues inside. The monastery currently houses over 1000 monks and more than a dozen Living Buddhas. While the throngs of worshippers are bustling, the atmosphere is peaceful and serene (perhaps the burning of large incense sticks is not part of the ritual). Many areas allow you to light lamps for blessings (20 yuan per person, depending on your conscience), and there are places to exchange change for prayers. Best of all, there are Chinese-language guided tours, and the guides are very professional; I learned more about Tibetan Buddhism than I did during my previous trip to Lhasa!

Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park is fabulous. One of the top three things I have done on this tour. I used Trip.com to get out to the park and that was very easy. Shuttle buses are necessary to get between the various vantage points. I would come for longer next time and do the zip line. I got an 8am bus from Xiaoxihu Subway Station and it leaves the Park at 12pm to return back to the city.

The Plateau Wildlife Park is excellent. The snow leopards are adorable, and the giant pandas are also worth seeing. There are many different kinds of animals, and many of them are well cared for. The environment is beautiful, built on a mountain, and there is also a botanical garden to visit. The prices are very reasonable.