[2025 Jiayuguan Attraction] Travel Guide for Taolaihe Canyon (Updated Apr)

By car, you can't imagine how many unknown people are hidden in this city called Gobi Pearl. In this place where the desert is full of desert Gobi, the most ugly one is the rushing river, but the magic is that there is a river in the northwest of Jiayuguan that has not been exhausted for thousands of years. Many of the wonders in nature that seem to be unable to coexist are actually gathered in this vast desert. The scenery of the Grand Canyon in the section of the ice ditch is not only spectacular, but the waterscape seen in different seasons is also very different. If it comes to the ice ditch in the winter, you can see it is different from the spring, autumn and summer. The scenery, the cold air from the Qilian Mountains will cause the river to begin to freeze, and there will be a few trickles on the glaciers slowly passing through the Grand Canyon. Standing at the center of the cable bridge, looking at the whole view of the Grand Canyon of the Lai River, looking around, the nearby Gobi Desert surrounds the entire canyon, showing a yellow-orange-orange piece under the setting sun, leaving the original desolate and lonely. The desert of the Gobi became splendid in a moment, and the texture of the red rock wall between the canyons danced along with the light and shadow of the sun. The weeds growing in the desert of Gobi also became a unique embellishment due to the setting sun. Adding a touch of color to the yellow Gobi, and the Qilian Mountains behind it are also true, as if the snow-capped mountains are not far away, but when they really touched it, they found that they were actually beyond reach. This is a paradise for photographers, and its a wonderful visual experience.

Jiayuguan is famous for its Jiayuguan City, but there are two little-known beautiful scenery about 20 kilometers outside Jiayuguan City, Black Mountain Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Lai River. I used to think that Crescent Moon Spring is the most beautiful oasis in the desert, until I met the Black Mountain Lake in Jiayuguan, where the Danxia landform and the desert oasis coexist, and the lake water shows a high saturation dark green under the sunlight. The expansive lake is exquisite and refreshing. This section of the canyon we have visited has not yet been developed. It took about half an hour to drive from Heishan Lake. After going down the highway, it went to the Gobi. The car was up and down by the stones on the Gobi, and suddenly stopped on the edge of a cliff. For the first time, I felt the ground cracked in front of my eyes. The Grand Canyon is a natural surface fracture, such as a knife and axe. The inner walls on both sides of the Grand Canyon are steep and steep, and their terrain is dangerous. In the canyon, the snow melts of the Qilian Mountains flows all the year round. The layers of the mountains are painted by the sunset, and the cliffs of the canyon are also hooked on the Phnom Penh.

#chinatransit On a short transit in Jiayuguan, I found myself at the meeting point of lush oases and the vast Gobi Desert, where history and nature blend seamlessly. My journey began at the legendary Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost fortress of the Great Wall. Standing atop the ancient walls, I gazed at the endless desert stretching beyond, imagining the Silk Road caravans that once passed through this very gate. From the fort, I ventured into the Gobi Desert, where golden dunes and rugged landscapes painted a stark contrast to the green fields near the oasis. A short trip led me to the First Beacon Tower, where the crumbling ruins stood as a silent reminder of ancient frontier defenses. Despite its arid surroundings, Jiayuguan is home to oasis pockets, where crystal-clear springs and poplar trees break the monotony of the desert. Strolling through Jiayuguan’s greenbelt, I marveled at how life flourishes in such a harsh landscape. From the Great Wall’s final stronghold to the boundless desert and hidden oases, this transit stop in Jiayuguan felt like traveling through history—where civilization meets the wild frontier.

📍Address of scenic spot: Jiayuguan 🚗Transportation to scenic spot: Chartered car 👍️Must-visit scenic spots: Hongshui River Waterfall, No. 1 Pier in the World, Jiayuguan, Cantilever Great Wall. 💗Other tips: Hongshui River Waterfall: On the way from Zhangye to Jiayuguan, after navigating there, there is a small road on the left that can drive directly to the bottom of the canyon. As a free attraction, it is quite good. It is rare to see a waterfall in the northwest. The No. 1 Dun in the World: The main attraction is the Taolai River. The Dun is a piece of stone. The scenery of the Taolai River is quite good. If you are interested, you can also take a zipline. Jiayuguan: The most majestic pass in the world, as the westernmost fortress of the Ming Dynasty, you still need to go in and take a look. Jiayuguan is the narrowest area of ​​the entire Hexi Corridor, so the Great Wall and the pass were built here to resist foreign enemies. I want to complain about the shuttle bus from the tourist center to the entrance of Jiayuguan. What is the point of taking this section [Facepalm] Cantilever Great Wall: It looks quite spectacular. Since this was the fourth attraction we visited that day, we didn’t have the courage to climb up. Note: The ticket to Jiayuguan includes the first pier and the cantilevered Great Wall, so if you have time and energy, visit them both and don’t waste them.

Jiayuguan is one of the three wonders of the Great Wall. Although many people say that the pass is boring, it is known as the first pass under heaven, so you must come and see it. The Jiayuguan Scenic Area is divided into three parts: the pass, the Overhanging Great Wall, and the First Pier of the Great Wall. If you buy a ticket for the Jiayuguan Pass, you can visit the other two for free. You don't need to exchange your ticket at the window, just scan the QR code to enter. 🏯Jiayuguan Pass: The pass is not very big, but it has been an important frontier defense since ancient times. Climbing the city wall and looking out, you will feel a sense of desolation on cloudy days. Don't forget to ask the pass chief to write you a pass document. The pass chief is also an internet celebrity and will ask you questions like your name, where you are from, and why you are leaving the pass. It's quite funny. 🌟Overhanging Great Wall: The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty is also called the Broken Arm Great Wall because only one section is a wall, and the rest is a dirt road. Although it is not very high, it is estimated that it will take an hour to climb the whole section. 🪨First Pier of the Great Wall: As soon as you enter, you will see a cute camel shuttle bus that will take you inside. The Taolai River is very spectacular, located on a cliff. Further on, there is a film base where you can go down to the Taolai River. There is also a suspension bridge over the river. 🚗Transportation tips: The three attractions are not in the same place, and there is no direct bus to the scenic area, but there are many Didi drivers at the entrance of the pass who can take you there. 🥢Food: Jiayuguan barbecue is well-known. The driver recommended Chengbianbian, which is fragrant but not spicy. The local specialty drink is apricot water, which is available in almost every restaurant.

The First Pier of the Great Wall stands beside Jiayuguan, accompanied only by an earthen mound and a short section of low wall. While it may not offer much in terms of sightseeing and entertainment, its historical significance far surpasses its visual appeal. Stepping on this land, every step feels like a resonance with the ancients, experiencing the vastness and desolation of the ancient frontier. The Taolai River, like a jade belt, gently winds around, adding a touch of vitality and dynamism to this ancient relic. The suspension bridge over the river is quite good for a visit. For the brave, there is a glass platform to walk on, a clever blend of modernity and history, allowing one to experience excitement while appreciating the millennia-spanning grandeur from a unique perspective. This attraction does not require an additional ticket; it is included with the Jiayuguan ticket.

Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area is located at the junction of the central and western parts of the Hexi Corridor (west of the middle section). It has a history of 631 years and is known as the "important town in Hexi" and "frontier fortress". Because it is located at the transportation hub of the ancient Silk Road and the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, it integrates the Silk Road culture and the Great Wall culture. It is a comprehensive tourist attraction that integrates cultural display, sightseeing, leisure and entertainment. Tickets Jiayuguan implements a "one-ticket pass" policy. The package price is 120 yuan/person (Guancheng Scenic Area 100 yuan/person, the First Pier of the Great Wall 21 yuan/person, the Hanging Wall Great Wall 21 yuan/person, the City Museum 20 yuan/person, and Zixuan Grape Manor 50 yuan/person). The half-price ticket price for Jiayuguan is set at 60 yuan per person, including 50 yuan per person for the Jiayuguan Great Wall Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, 5 yuan per person for the City Museum, and 5 yuan per person for Zixuan Grape Manor. Transportation Jiayuguan is located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, more than 300 kilometers away from Dunhuang along National Highway 312. The transportation from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan is convenient. You can take the Feitian Express to Jiayuguan from the Dunhuang Long-distance Bus Station for 80 yuan. Depart at 8 o'clock and around 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and arrive in about 5 hours. After arriving at Jiayuguan, you can go directly to the "No. 1 Most Magnificent Pass in the World" and the "No. 1 Duntaolai River Canyon in the World" for sightseeing. Jiayuguan Bus Station is near the city gate, and the starting price for a taxi is 10 yuan. Sleeper train tickets from Jiayuguan to Lanzhou or Xi'an need to be booked 3-7 days in advance. This is very important, because sleeper tickets along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang line are always difficult to buy on the same day, and if you choose a hard seat, you need to take good care of your carry-on luggage. #6月好去地方2024#Jiayuguan #HexiCorridor #DunhuangJiayuguan #Dunhuang

The river is the only river in Jiayuguan that people can see with the naked eye. It originates from the Qilian Mountains and has been flowing into the Heihe River. It is about 260 kilometers long. The main supply of river water comes from glacier ice and snow and groundwater. "Traising" is the transliteration of the ancient Huns, meaning "a lot of hares." There are two kinds of legends about the name. The first one is that people think that this river is coming quickly, like a rabbit. . The second is that in ancient times, the locals saw hordes of rabbits on the banks of the river. People first saw the rabbits and then saw the river. In fact, no matter from which legend, the importance of this river to the local people can be seen. Each small section of the Shanghe River Grand Canyon has the same effect, but on the spectacular, the section of the Grand Canyon cable bridge, the ice ditch, will be even better. The ice ditch is the closest to the Qilian Mountains and belongs to the Heihe River system. The tributary, so this section almost brings together the snow and ice melt of half of the mountains. From the top down, the river is hidden from the bottom of the valley. The river is thick and narrow from the original spaciousness, and the water flow begins to become turbulent. Urgent, but this section of the river is also very clear and clean, as if you can look at the bottom of the river at a glance, its color is mainly blue-blue, like a god-given pure transparent opal, but also a desolate life The Grand Canyon adds a vibrant color. Such a spectacle is absolutely comparable to the famous "Colorado Grand Canyon."

Aerial photography Jiayuguan to discuss the Laihe Grand Canyon, the river is the gift of the Qilian Mountain, but the Grand Canyon is beautiful to the heavens. The original flat and open Gobi is washed away all the year round because of the patronage of the river, in the continuous sinking and cutting effect. Next, the Gobi became the riverbed of the river, either high or low, or narrow or wide, and eventually formed a vast canyon, and the river was like a dragon on a Gobi. Go east. This side of the river brings people not only shock and awe, but it is also the prelude to the Jin Ge Iron Horse Symphony. Without it, this ridiculous Gobi will be lifeless; without it, this piece of yellow sand will only be yellow sand; without it, the most basic living conditions of countless frontier soldiers will not be guaranteed. There is also a suspension bridge in the Grand Canyon of the Lai River. Walking on the swaying suspension bridge, looking down from the riverbed, the steep cliffs on both sides are like a knife and axe, and the flowing river is like a river. For example, green silk is generally paraded in the sand and sand, and it is not awkward. The sound of the wind blew through the ear, the water flowing under the feet, and the small stones overlooking the bottom of the water, but the thrills and excitement can not help but remind people that if the bridge was there, the army would exist. How to make a great bridge over the suspension bridge!