Things to do in Yongjing

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Linxia Prefecture

Bingling Cave-Temple Complex

Located in the upper reaches of Liujiaxia Reservoir, on the north bank of the Yellow River in Sigouxia, southwest of Yongjing County. On the steep and dangerous red sandstone cliffs 2 kilometers long from north to south, the cave shrines are lined up one after another, and the plank roads are suspended in the air. It is magnificent and spectacular. It is one of the three largest caves in Gansu and one of the five largest caves in my country. Bingling Temple was formerly known as "Tangshu Cave", which means "ghost cave" in Qiang language. It was called "Longxing Temple" in Tang Dynasty, "Lingyan Temple" in Northern Song Dynasty, and "Bingling Temple" after the Yongle Period of Ming Dynasty. Bingling is called "Benlang" in Tibetan language, which means "one hundred thousand Buddhas". Bingling Temple Grottoes were first built in the first year of Jianhong in the Western Qin Dynasty (420 AD). Since the Sixteen Kingdoms period, it has gone through the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties, with a history of more than 1,600 years. During the period when the Western Qin Dynasty built its capital in Linxia, ​​the king personally visited the grottoes and wrote inscriptions, the originals of which are still preserved on the rock walls. From the time the grottoes were carved in 420 AD to the Song Dynasty, the grottoes had a great influence on Han Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Huayan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Yellow School (Gelug School) of Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Bingling Temple. Bingling Temple Grottoes, based on the inheritance of folk art from previous generations, absorbed foreign Buddhist art and created vivid sculpture and painting art with a brand-new attitude and concise approach. Its relief pagodas and Tantric murals are as famous as those of Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes. The grottoes are divided into three parts: the upper temple, the cave ditch and the lower temple. The lower temple is more spectacular. They are distributed on a cliff 200 meters long and 60 meters high. There are 196 caves and niches in Bingling Temple Grottoes, 694 stone statues, 82 clay sculptures, and more than 900 square meters of murals. The larger Maitreya Buddha statue from the Tang Dynasty is 27 meters high, and the smaller statue is 10 centimeters high. Among them, there are 2 caves and 1 niche excavated in the Western Qin Dynasty, 8 caves and 25 niches excavated in the Northern Wei Dynasty, 2 caves in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, 2 caves in the Sui Dynasty, and 20 caves and 113 niches in the Tang Dynasty. The artistic achievements of Tang Dynasty works were quite high, and there were more than 3,000 monks at that time. The ink inscription of the famous monk Faxian in the first year of Jianhong in the Western Qin Dynasty (420 AD) in this cave is the earliest chronological inscription preserved in the caves in China. It provides a mark for the dating of other ancient caves in the country and has very important historical value. The main body of the cave statues and murals is composed of the large seated Buddha in the natural cave No. 169 and all the small and medium-sized caves in the cliff face. Cave No. 169 was formerly known as Tangshu Cave, and is now called "Tianqiao Cave". It is 15 meters high, 8 meters deep and 20 meters wide. It is one of the earliest and best preserved caves in my country. There are three types of shapes in the cave: Buddha niches, stone carvings, and stone-based clay sculptures. Niche No. 171, located on the cliff of the cave, has a large seated Maitreya Buddha statue made of stone-based clay from the Tang Dynasty. It is carved against the mountain and is 27 meters high, majestic and solemn. The Western Qin "Manjusri Bodhisattva Asking about Illness" in the cave is one of the earliest Vimalakirti Sutra Transformations seen in my country. The original Cave No. 16 is now located in the Sleeping Buddha Hall opposite the cave group. The 8.6-meter-long clay sculpture of Bingling Temple Reclining Buddha is a reclining Buddha from the Northern Wei Dynasty, which has very important research value. The 25-cm-tall maid statue from the Tang Dynasty is one of the more precious existing cave statues in my country, and fully embodies the style of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Next to the cliff at the entrance of Bingling Temple stands the steep Sister Peak, surrounded by scenic spots such as the Mandarin Duck Cave and the Medicine Spring, with green mountains and clear waters, dangerous peaks and strange rocks.

Selected for Fall Viewing Attractions in Gansu

Yongjing Liujiaxia Tourist Resort

Located in Yongjing County, Linxia City, Gansu Province, Liujiaxia is home to the Liujiaxia Hydropower Station, Bingling Temple Grottoes and Tai Chi Island, as well as Liujiaxia Reservoir. Beginning from Liujiaxia Dam, Liujiaxia Reservoir reaches the narrows of Bingling Temple in the west, connects to Jiedong County and Linxia County in the south, and borders Yongjing County in the north. Liujiaxia Reservoir occupies a vast area. The reservoir sits on plateaus and in canyons, allowing visitors to return to the beauty of nature.

Yellow River-Taohe River Intersection Viewing Platform

The Huangtao Intersection is a spectacular scene formed by the intersection of the Yellow River and the Tao River. It has been broadcast on CCTV channels many times. This is the place where the mother river, the Yellow River, and its second largest tributary, the Tao River, meet. The blue Yellow River meets the orange Tao River. , intersect in front of Longhui Mountain in a "Y" shape, with clearly defined Jingwei and Jingwei, forming a world wonder of the "Meeting of Huangtao". "Huang-Tao Intersection" is also known as "Two Dragons Playing with Pearls". There are two giant dragons, one orange and one blue. The intersection of the orange Tao River and the blue Yellow River forms the magnificent landscape of the Huang-Tao Intersection with clear distinctions. When you take a boat from the dam pier to Bingling Temple, you will have close contact with the "Huang-Tao Intersection" and feel the unique charm of the Yellow River. People often say that "the Yellow River in the world is noble and pure", what you will see in Yongjing is "the Yellow River in the world is always blue".

Bingling Temple World Cultural Heritage Tourist Area

Bingling Temple World Cultural Heritage Tourist Area is located in Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. This cultural attraction combines Buddhist cave art with natural scenery, covering a total area of 180 square kilometers. It consists of three main sections: Bingling Lake, Gansu Bingling Danxia National Geopark (Bingling Stone Forest), and Bingling Temple Caves. In December 2020, it was designated as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Bingling Lake is the reservoir of Liujiaxia Hydropower Station, named after the Bingling Temple at its far end. With crystal-clear, unpolluted water meeting national Grade II drinking standards, this vast misty lake stretches like an endless green silk ribbon through mountain ranges, blending southern China's elegance with the plateau's grandeur—a dream destination for travelers. Liujiaxia Hydropower Station, China's first independently designed million-kilowatt hydro project in Asia, is recognized as a National Industrial Heritage Education Base. The Binglingshi Stone Forest is a Danxia landform composed of Cretaceous purplish-red fine sandstone from the early Cenozoic era. In 2011, it was officially designated as the Gansu Bingling Danxia National Geopark by the Ministry of Land and Resources. Within the geopark, thousands of towering peaks and countless crisscrossing ravines form a labyrinth of winding tributary valleys, creating a surreal stone forest landscape alongside uniquely shaped rock formations. This natural sculpture gallery holds immense value for geological research, tourism development, natural aesthetics, and ecological conservation. The Bingling Temple Grottoes, dating back over 1,600 years to the Western Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms era, is a nationally protected cultural heritage site and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. The grotto complex consists of three main sections: the Lower Temple area, Upper Temple area, and Donggou area. It preserves 216 cave shrines, over 800 Buddhist statues, more than 1,000 square meters of murals blending Tibetan and Han Chinese artistic styles, 56 stupas, and 438 cultural relics. The site contains ink inscriptions from the first year of Jianhong era (420 AD) of Western Qin - the earliest dated Buddhist cave inscription found in China, which serves as a crucial benchmark for dating early grotto art. The Bingling Temple World Cultural Heritage Tourist Area boasts abundant resources, where natural views and cultural landscapes complement each other to create a magnificent and mysterious panorama. Every visitor can embark on a perfect journey here to explore cultural heritage and experience the beauty of nature.

Yellow River Three Gorges

The Three Gorges of the Yellow River is located in Yongjing County, Gansu Province. The Yellow River winds and twists when passing through here, forming three tall and deep canyons, namely Bingling Gorge, Liujia Gorge and Yanguo Gorge, which are also known as the Three Gorges of the Yellow River. Within the Three Gorges of the Yellow River, there are many resort scenic spots such as Liujiaxia Reservoir, Bingling Temple Grottoes, Taiji Island, etc. There are natural scenery such as canyons and reservoirs, cultural attractions such as Buddhist temples and grottoes, and entertainment projects such as farm picking, which are rich in content. The Three Gorges of the Yellow River is only 70 kilometers away from Lanzhou, making it a short-distance travel choice around Lanzhou. Liujiaxia Reservoir is on the north side of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. There is a direct bus from Lanzhou. Tourists who come to play will come here first. If you come by car from Lanzhou, you will first arrive at the dam in the scenic spot, where you can see the huge lake on the Yellow River created by the water conservancy project. It is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the river is very clear, the lake is also clear and green, and the environment is very beautiful. The end point of the boat is at Bingling Temple on the south side of the lake, and tickets can be purchased to enter the tour. Bingling Temple is built on the mountain. It is a cave temple mainly dominated by mountains. The surrounding mountains are all Danxia landforms, with rows of red rock walls steep and towering, as well as sister peaks, skull cliffs and other uniquely shaped red rock cliffs. Bingling Temple is a group of grottoes dug along the cliffs. There are four floors up and down, and there are more than 180 large and small grottoes. The grottoes were excavated in the Jin Dynasty. No matter their historical value, age and craftsmanship, they are no less than Dunhuang's Momo. High Grotto. Visiting the Bingling Temple Grottoes, you can see a 15-meter-high Buddha sitting in the middle of the mountain wall from a distance. There are small caves on both sides and above of the Big Buddha, you can climb up the steps to visit them one by one. The Buddha statues in the small caves are different from the Buddha statues in the mainland because the local culture was influenced by the Hu people when the statues were made. After viewing the Bingling Temple Grottoes, it is usually in the afternoon, and you can return to the dam by boat. The dam is about 1 km away from Yongjing County and can be reached by walking westward for ten minutes. Taiji Island, Zaoyuan, and Lotus Garden are located 2 kilometers west of Yongjing County, which can be reached by taxi or on foot. This area is close to the Yellow River, with many ponds, wetlands and reeds and other landscapes, which are particularly beautiful in the desolate northwestern land. You can watch birds here in spring, watch lotus flowers here in summer, and pick jujubes that are rich in the local area in autumn. There are many entertainment activities. It takes about half a day to visit Taiji Island, Jujube Garden, Lotus Garden and other attractions. At noon, you can have a special lunch at a local farmhouse, and you can try the Yellow River carp. In the afternoon, drive back to Lanzhou.

Liujiaxia Bridge

The Liujiaxia Bridge is located in Dongxiang Autonomous County and is an important bridge across the Yellow River. The Liujiaxia Bridge not only has an important transportation function, but also becomes the focus of tourists' attention because of its magnificent scenery. The bridge adopts modern bridge design technology, with a stable structure and beautiful shape. The bridge spans the Liujiaxia Reservoir of the Yellow River. The scenery on both sides of the reservoir is beautiful and surrounded by mountains, forming a unique natural landscape. Visitors can enjoy the magnificent waters and beautiful mountains on both sides of the bridge, especially at sunrise and sunset, the scenery is more charming. The Liujiaxia Bridge is not only the crystallization of engineering technology, but also the embodiment of the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. The nearby Liujiaxia Reservoir is an important water conservancy project that provides functions such as irrigation, power generation and flood control. It has also become a popular place for water activities and leisure tourism.

Liujiaxia Reservoir

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Gansu

Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park

Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park is a key cultural tourism project in Gansu Province and a comprehensive cultural tourism initiative prioritized by the Lanzhou Municipal Committee and Government. Located by the Yellow River, the park is just 13 km from downtown Lanzhou and 30 km from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, making it one of the closest Danxia landform clusters to a major urban center in China. With a total planned area of 400 sq km and a core visiting area of 25 sq km in its first phase, it ranks among the largest discovered landscapes of its kind in the country. The park primarily features red mountain bay formations, along with spectacular Danxia cliffs, isolated peaks, secluded valleys, narrow gorges, and balancing rocks. Its colorful mountains set against winding waterways create a masterpiece of Danxia landform scenery. The attraction features seven viewing platforms showcasing the Danxia landforms: Silk Road Glow, Silk Road Eagle, Flying Apsaras Exploration, Nine-Colored Danxia, Danxia Reflecting Sky, Emerald Peaks Rippling Sky, and Danxia Summit Scenic View. It also includes the Ancient Silk Road Gateway, Shajing Tribe Cultural Square, Desert Bells Scenic Boulevard, and a 2,550m Danxia boardwalk viewing area. As a key cultural tourism project in the province, Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park adheres to the principles of "ecological protection, green development, preserving original features, and moderate development." Leveraging Lanzhou's unique resource advantages and focusing on the domestic tourism market, it aims to cultivate new growth drivers for Lanzhou's cultural tourism industry and establish a new highland for cultural tourism in the city.

Liujiaxia Reservoir - Viewing Platform

The beautiful scenery of the Liujiaxia Reservoir - Viewing Platform attracts many photography enthusiasts to take photos. Whether it is the sunrise in the morning, the sunset in the evening, or the changing light and shadows throughout the day, photographers can capture stunning images. The scenery in different seasons also has its own unique charm: spring features blooming mountain flowers, summer offers lush shade, fall brings colorful foliage, and winter is blanketed in silver, with each season providing a different photography experience. Standing on the viewing platform and gazing into the distance, the vast blue waters of Yongjing Liujiaxia Tourist Resort come into full view. Under the sunlight, the lake water sparkles, clear and emerald green, complementing the surrounding rolling mountains to form a beautiful landscape painting where water and mountains embrace. The distant mountains are layered and overlapping; some tower into the clouds, while others wind and twist, creating a combination of motion and stillness with the calm lake surface, making one feel as if they are in a fairyland.

Liujiaxia Dinosaur National Geology Park

The fossil remains of the dinosaur footprints in the Three Gorges of the Yellow River are located in Luojiabao Laohukou Dinosaur Bay, 1 km upstream of the Yanguoxia Hydropower Station, 43 kilometers away from the county waterway. In an area of 2 square kilometers, 10 categories and 150 groups and 1,724 dinosaur footprint fossils were discovered in August 1999. At the same time, fossils such as bird footprints, plants, and leaf limbs were also found. These include at least two types of giant limpets, two types of theropods, one type of ornithopods, one type of pterosaurs, and uniquely shaped coelurosaur footprints, as well as individual footprints that have not yet been attributed. These footprints not only have three-toed footprints and four-toed footprints, but each footprint is small in the forefoot and large in the hindfoot. The fore and hind limbs appear in pairs, which are the first and newly identified pterosaur feet discovered at home and abroad. The footprints of imprints and ornithopod dinosaurs were also discovered earlier in China. Dinosaur lying traces, tail drag marks and dung traces were also found, and dinosaur skeleton fossils were also found near the footprints. The larger fossilized footprints of the dinosaurs have a front foot of 79×112 cm, a hind foot of 150×120 cm, a stride of 375 cm between the front and rear feet, and a distance of 345 cm between the outer edges of the left and right footprints. After research, this is the largest dinosaur footprint fossil found in the world. In November 2001, the relevant departments of Gansu Province approved the establishment of the "Liujiaxia Cretaceous Dinosaur Footprint Group Provincial Nature Reserve", and in December the Ministry of Land and Resources approved the construction of the "Liujiaxia Dinosaur National Geopark". At present, the construction of power grids, waterways, roads and railways in the entire region has been completed, the 2.5-square-kilometer area of the core area has been fenced and protected, waterway piers have also been built, and railway stops have been added.