[2025 Gonghe Attraction] Travel Guide for Longyang Grand Canyon (Updated Apr)

📍Location: Longyangxia Town, Qinghai Province ⛰️Located in Longyangxia Town, Gonghe County, Qinghai Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it is situated between Yangqu Hydropower Station and Laxiwa Hydropower Station in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. It is approximately 1️⃣4️⃣1️⃣ km long and covers an area of 8️⃣6️⃣0️⃣ square kilometers. 🚗Transportation: It's a 2️⃣-hour drive 🚗 from Xining. You can also come from Kanbula along the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Recommended nearby scenic spots: Longyangxia Grand Canyon Scenic Area, Longyangxia Earth Forest Geological Park, Longyangxia Dongda Mountain Scenic Area, Longyangxia Cruise Exploration Area, Longyangxia Cliff Viewing Area, Longyangxia Characteristic Town, Longyangxia Dangjia Temple Scenic Area🎈 Ticket🎫: CNY30 [Core Scenic Area]👇 1️⃣Longyang🐑Lake: The lake water💦 is azure blue, and the reflection on the shore is very beautiful on a sunny day. There are large cruise ships that take tourists around the lake. There are stone carvings of dragon heads and sheep heads on the pier, which should be the symbol of Longyangxia. 2️⃣Longyang🐑Grand Canyon: This is the first canyon in the Yellow River canyon area. The canyon mouth is only 3️⃣0️⃣ meters wide, and the granite on both sides is almost 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ meters high, which is very steep. As early as the last century, the Longyangxia Hydropower Station, known as the "First Dam of the Yellow River," was built. An 8️⃣-kilometer wooden boardwalk has been built, and tourists can further explore the Grand Canyon. The water at the bottom of the valley is green. 3️⃣Dongda⛰️Mountain Scenic Area: Located above the Grand Canyon, it is the best place to enjoy the Grand Canyon. There is a 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣-mu self-driving campground with cafes and necessary service facilities. Nearby recreational activities also include watching plateau mini rabbits🐰, peacocks🦚, and popular science activities to learn about desert plants such as red willow and poplar! 💙The best time to visit Qinghai is from April to October. You must go to Longyangxia in this lifetime to see the healing blue color. It is truly a treasure secret of the Qinghai-Gansu loop line!

The short holiday is coming! Here's a 6-day tour of Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, taking you on a journey through the great Northwest! This super practical guide will help you set off with ease and avoid detours! -- 🚗Itinerary at a glance: DAY 1: Arrive in Xining, enjoy free time in the city, and savor Qinghai's specialties🍜. DAY 2: Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area -> Xiangpi Mountain -> Chaka Salt Lake Immerse yourself in the beauty of Qinghai Lake, cross Xiangpi Mountain, and finally experience the "Sky Mirror" at Chaka Salt Lake. DAY 3: U-shaped Highway -> Dongtai Jinel Lake -> Wusute Water Yadan Geopark -> Nanbaxian Devil City -> Dachaidan Emerald Lake Drive along the spectacular U-shaped Highway, explore the mystery of Dongtai Jinel Lake, experience the wonder of Wusute Water Yadan, feel the magic of Nanbaxian Devil City, and finally, lose yourself in the beauty of Dachaidan Emerald Lake. DAY 4: Xiao Qaidam Lake -> Qarhan Salt Lake Enjoy the tranquility of Xiao Qaidam Lake, then head to Qarhan Salt Lake to marvel at nature's wonders. DAY 5: Xiangpi Mountain -> Longyang Grand Canyon Cross Xiangpi Mountain again and delve into the Longyang Grand Canyon to appreciate its steepness and magnificence. DAY 6: Departure from Xining, concluding the Northwest journey🛫. Depart from Xining with cherished memories, marking the end of this unforgettable Northwest trip. -- Essential travel tips: 1️⃣ Airport transportation: Xining Airport is about a 1.5-hour drive from Qinghai Lake🚗 and about 3 hours from Chaka Salt Lake. Renting a car or chartering a vehicle is recommended for more convenient travel. 2️⃣ Local customs: Please respect the local Tibetan culture🙏. There are many Tibetan villages around Qinghai Lake. Please observe local customs when visiting. 3️⃣ Food recommendations: Be sure to try Qinghai yak meat🥩 and mutton hot pot🍲. The salt lake shrimp🍤 in Chaka is also a must-try! 4️⃣ Sun protection and moisturizing: The plateau has strong UV rays, so remember to apply sunscreen🧴 and wear a hat👒. At the same time, moisturizing is also very important to prevent dry skin. 5️⃣ Altitude sickness: If you feel unwell, you can prepare Rhodiola and other medicines💊 in advance and get plenty of rest. -- Qinghai Trip: The beauty of Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake must be experienced in person! Don't forget to like, save, and share your travel stories~

Longyangxia is located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai. It is 1684 kilometers away from the source of the Yellow River and 3376 kilometers away from the mouth of the Yellow River. It is the first gorge of the Yellow River after passing through the Qinghai Prairie. 'Longyang' is a Tibetan language, meaning a steep valley. The mouth of the gorge is only 30 meters wide, and the gorge is 33 kilometers long. The hard granite walls on both sides are nearly 200 meters high, which is an excellent dam site for building hydropower stations. In 1976, the state decided to build the Longyangxia Hydropower Station, and the dam site was chosen at the mouth of this gorge. The builders of the hydropower station added a professional term 'xia' after 'Longyang', hence the name today. After the power station was built, it became the location of the first large-scale cascade power station on the upper reaches of the Yellow River. The hydropower station is also known as the 'First Dam of the Yellow River', and it is also known as the 'Dragon Head' power station of the Yellow River. Due to the completion of the hydropower station, the local tourism industry has risen. It is now a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Longyangxia Gorge is also known as the 'Colorado of China', and its name is well-known overseas.