Depart from Hohhot or nearby cities, take National Highway 209 or G55 Erenhot-Guangzhou Expressway, and follow the navigation to Laoniuwan.
Recommended 2-3 days to fully experience the beauty and culture of Laoniuwan (but we only went for 1 day, as we decided to go on the way back to Beijing).
Recommended attractions:
• Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon: A must-see attraction to admire the magnificent scenery where the Yellow River and the Great Wall meet and feel the magic of nature.
• Ming Great Wall: Visit the splendor of ancient military defense and feel the weight of history.
• Laoniuwan Ancient Castle: Learn about the historical background of the ancient castle and feel the atmosphere of the former military fortress.
Food experience:
• Qingshuihe Fried Oil Cake: A local specialty with a unique taste, worth a try.
• Min Dou Mian: A local specialty noodle dish that is refreshing and chewy, a good choice for energy replenishment.
Accommodation suggestion: You can find a homestay nearby to experience the different styles of scenery during the day and night, and you can also experience the style of a farmhouse courtyard and eat authentic farmhouse food.
Notes:
Drive safely and obey traffic rules.
Check the weather in advance. The road is now repaired and not as dangerous, but there are still many curves, so be sure to drive safely.
Bella.Anderson
The first bend of the Yellow River in Shanxi Province, a magical journey to Laoniuwan.
The Yellow River and the Great Wall meet here, where nature and culture blend together. Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon, a hidden gem at the junction of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, is a paradise for photography enthusiasts and history buffs.
1. Route Guide
Depart from Taiyuan, drive along the G55 Erguang Expressway and then the G209 National Highway, and reach Laoniuwan in 4 hours. Don't want to drive? Then take a bus from Taiyuan to Pianguan County, and then carpool to Laoniuwan, easy and free.
2. Itinerary Planning Tips
- One-day tour: Depart in the morning and arrive at Laoniuwan at noon, explore the Yellow River Grand Canyon in the afternoon, and return at sunset, efficient and fun.
- Two-day tour: Arrive on the first day and visit Laoniuwan and its surroundings, stay overnight in the scenic area, watch the sunrise over the Yellow River the next morning, and continue to unlock more beautiful scenery.
3. Highlights
- Laoniuwan: The only intersection of the Yellow River and the Great Wall, see the big bend of the Mother River, and admire the ancient Great Wall.
- Yellow River Grand Canyon: Take a boat into the canyon, experience the grandeur of the Yellow River and the majesty of the canyon.
- Ming Great Wall Ruins: Hike up, overlook the Yellow River from the top of the Great Wall, and enjoy the scenery beyond the Great Wall.
4. Laoniuwan Delicacies
- Yangzage: Pianguan's signature dish, rich and delicious soup, warm and nourishing.
- Yougao: Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet and fragrant, love at first bite.
- Shoupa Meat: Grassland-style lamb, tender and juicy, full of chewiness.
Pack your bags, visit Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon, capture the grandeur of the Yellow River, and engrave the traces of time on the Great Wall!
LunaMoonstone_45
A stunning place - Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area.
📍Located on a flat area protruding into the Yellow River within the Inner Mongolia Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area, adjacent to the Taiji Bay Scenic Area and the ancient village of Sizuo Tower🏡, it boasts excellent natural conditions and a unique viewing perspective.
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↗️Introduction: It is not only a masterpiece of nature but also a whisper of history.
Standing on the magical land at the border of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, you will see the magnificent picture of the roaring Yellow River and the deep canyon: the mountains undulate like waves, the Yellow River is majestic, the cliffs on both sides are steep, and the strange rocks are rugged, each frame is a masterpiece of nature.
↗️Hidden in this grandeur, Laoniuwan is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the villagers' lives are closely related to the Yellow River, revealing a strong atmosphere of Yellow River culture.
‼️Touring methods:
🎈Take a cruise ship to shuttle on the Yellow River.
🎈Hike deep into the canyon, every breath is an intimate dialogue with nature, and every stop is a profound understanding of history.
🌟Conclusion: Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon is a place that makes people yearn for, it is not only a visual feast but also a spiritual baptism. Come here and let your eyes and mind travel together, feel the call from ancient times.
Sparkle_890_Rivera
I heard that the midsummer in Hohhot is super exciting, you'll know when you come
Hohhot means "Green City" in Mongolian. It got its name because it was built with green bricks and tiles on the vast green grasslands, with green mountains as its screen.
This "Green City beyond the Great Wall," founded during the Longqing period of the Ming Dynasty (1572), is now the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is a city rich in heritage, where natural scenery and cultural landscapes shine together.
As soon as you step into Hohhot, the folk song "Chilun River, under the Yinshan Mountains... the wind blows the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep" will linger in your mind, and the imagery will instantly fill your senses. Thus, the "Chilun River Grassland" becomes a must-visit destination.
Here is my 3-day, 2-night travel guide to escape the southern heat and head to the northern "Green City"—Hohhot, with three main themes for each day: Grassland Tour, Temple Tour, and Mountain and River Tour.
🗓Itinerary
D1 Chilun River Grassland—Naobao Village
D2 Dazhao Temple—Wuta Temple—Great Mosque
D3 Laoniuwan, the First Bend of the Yellow River
🌟Highlights:
Chilun River Grassland is not far from the city but quite large. You can take a bus to get there. The grassland's popular spots include a giant stone with "Chilun River Grassland" written in red Mongolian and Chinese characters, yurts (including gold, silver, and copper yurts), wooden walkways, watchtowers, deadwood, the popular "Mongolian Grass" characters, and red and blue cement plastic walkways, all of which make for great photo opportunities, especially against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and green grass. It is recommended to rent a tricycle (30-40 yuan/hour) to tour for 2-3 hours.
📍Detailed address: 400 meters northeast of Sun Plaza, Hohhot East Street, Xincheng District.
💰Ticket: Free.
🚉Transportation: City buses 103/129 can reach there.
Naobao Village is close to Chilun River Grassland. Naobao Village has transformed from an old appearance to a new look and has become a model village for new rural construction after 10 years of development. The village's popular Ferris wheel is eye-catching (👍a must-visit). The village is clean and hygienic, with a village history museum ( a must-visit) to visit; there are vacation villas and a food city. It is recommended to visit Naobao Village for 2 hours.
📍Detailed address: Xincheng District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
💰Ticket: Free.
🕙Opening hours: Open all day.
🚉Transportation: Take bus 103 from the entrance of Chilun River Grassland for two stops to reach, seamlessly connecting.
Dazhao Temple is the earliest Lamaist temple built in Hohhot, founded during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It has a rich collection of treasures. The Silver Buddha (a 2.55-meter-high silver statue of Shakyamuni in the Buddha Hall), dragon carvings, and murals are the temple's "three wonders" ( a must-visit). It is said that Emperor Kangxi once stayed there. The temple is located in a bustling area of the city, with convenient transportation and many tourists, especially lively at night. The temple's architecture, such as Wuliang Temple (the only Lama temple with a combination of Han and Tibetan styles, also known as the Silver Buddha Temple), the mountain gate, red walls, Shakyamuni Eight Pagodas, and Yiquan Well, are all popular photo spots and must-visit places (👍a must-visit). It is recommended to visit for 2.5 hours.
📍Detailed address: Dazhao Front Street, Changhe Lane, Yuquan District, Hohhot.
💰Ticket: 35 yuan/adult.
🕙Opening hours: 9:00-18:00
🚉Transportation: Many city buses such as 302/3/6 can reach nearby.
Wuta Temple was built during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, originally named the Vajra Throne Stupa, named after the five square-shaped stupas on the stupa base. The lower layer of the stupa has inscriptions in three languages (Mongolian, Tibetan, and Sanskrit) of the Vajra Sutra, and the upper layer has tens of thousands of gilded small Buddhas. 👍Must-visit: The panoramic view of the five towering stupas; the Mongolian astronomical map stone carving near the north wall; the intricate carvings (Buddha statues, Bodhi trees, etc.) covering the stupa. The Wuta Temple in the afternoon, although not far from the bustling area, can be quietly secluded. The temple is clean and tidy, a great place to relax. It is recommended to visit for 1 hour.
📍Detailed address: No. 48, Wuta Temple Back Street, Yuquan District.
💰Ticket: Free.
🕙Opening hours: 9:00-17:00.
🚉Transportation: About 1.3 kilometers from Wuzhao Temple, a 15-minute walk.
The Great Mosque was built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and is an independent three-entry courtyard, the oldest and largest mosque in Hohhot. 👍Must-visit: The main gate and plaque, the prayer hall (including the main entrance small terrace, arch, outer wall, hall roof), the Moon Tower (a five-story hexagonal tower), brick carvings and paintings (such as the Mecca "Kaaba" house map) and Islamic-style floral and grid patterns, corridors, stone tablets, etc.
📍Detailed address: No. 28, Tongdao South Street, Huimin District, Hohhot.
🕙Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
💰Ticket: Free.
🚉Transportation: From Wuta Temple, you can take bus 50/81 or walk to the Great Mosque (about 1.5 kilometers). It is recommended to take a taxi or walk.
Laoniuwan in Inner Mongolia's Qingshui River is located in the Yellow River Grand Canyon area of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, known as the "First Bend of the Yellow River in the World" among the "Nine Bends of the Yellow River." There, you can immerse yourself in the charm of the Yellow River entering Shanxi, the only place where the Great Wall and the Yellow River "shake hands." 👍Must-visit: Shenniu Square—Laoniuwan Fort—Niutou Bay—Taiji Bay—Hundred Mile Canyon and vast waves—Great Wall, etc.
📍Detailed address: Laoniuwan National Geopark, Qingshuihe County, Hohhot
🕙Opening hours: 8:30-21:00
💰Ticket: 40 yuan/adult.
🚉Transportation: It is recommended to charter a car or carpool (about 160 kilometers from Hohhot city). It is recommended to leave a day for the trip, as the journey takes a long time (more than 5 hours round trip), and the scenic area is recommended to visit for 2-2.5 hours.
📝Other tips:
About clothing: Respect ethnic customs when entering temples. For example, do not wear skirts above the knees, especially miniskirts, backless tops, etc. In addition, it is necessary to do a good job of sun protection.
About dining: First, the food city in Naobao Village. The environment is good, with a variety of options and high cost performance. For example, lunch on D1. Second, "Gerile Ama" and its chain stores. The milk tea set is super affordable and delicious, and the "Three Carriages" is also a must-order. Third, the food city near Dazhao Temple Square, lamb offal is a must-order. Fourth, the popular "Saishang Old Street," which is best for supper and night market.
About accommodation: If time is limited, it is recommended to choose a hotel in the city, especially near bus stops and subway entrances, for convenience. If time is sufficient, you can arrange to stay one night each in Naobao Village and Laoniuwan, which is also very suitable for a water vacation with children.
Follow me to share the beauty of mountains and rivers, and the charm of culture
FitnessFiesta
Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon
Laoniuwan, also known as Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon, is located at the border of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, with the Yellow River as the boundary. The southern side belongs to Pianguan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi, and the northern side is Qingshuihe County, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. It is the place where the Yellow River and the Great Wall 'shake hands.' The Inner Mongolia side is part of the Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area, known as 'China's most beautiful canyon,' while the Shanxi side is the Pianguan Laoniuwan Scenic Area, both being national 4A-level scenic spots. Although the two scenic areas face each other across the river, driving to the opposite side requires a detour of more than 20 kilometers.
Laoniuwan has a unique geographical environment. The Yellow River flows vertically south through Laoniuwan, making a peculiar big turn in the middle and lower parts of the Jinshan Grand Canyon, blocked by the Lüliang Mountains. This bend is called 'the first bend of the Yellow River in the world.' According to legend, when Taishang Laojun was plowing the fields and opening the river with his divine ox, the opposite Mingdeng Mountain shone brightly, startling the ox, which plowed out a curved land, hence the name Laoniuwan.
This time, on the way back to Beijing from Ordos, I happened to pass by Laoniuwan. Since the Laoniuwan Scenic Area on the Shanxi Pianguan side was temporarily closed, I went to the Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area on the Inner Mongolia side. Before coming here, I had heard debates about which side offers a better view of Laoniuwan. After visiting in person, I can tell you that the view from the Inner Mongolia side is better for seeing the bay, while the Shanxi side offers a more historical perspective with the ancient Great Wall. Each has its own merits. Of course, if you bring a drone, both sides are equally good!