4-Day Trip to Jinchang | Classic Combo of Purple Golden Flower Sea and Liqian Ancient City・Suitable for All Groups
Jinchang, a "Nickel Capital of the Motherland" embraced by the Gobi Desert and oasis, hides the purple romance of lavender, the mysterious legends of the ancient city, and the vast red Danxia landforms. Spend sunny days with elders in the flower sea, play in the desert with children—here, every day lets you experience the wonderful blend of industry and nature.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Jinchang → Purple Golden Flower Sea → Jinchang National Mining Park
Day 2: Liqian Ancient City → Shengrong Temple
Day 3: Imperial City Grassland → Kulong Gorge
Day 4: Yongchang West Dahu Reservoir → Return
💜 Day 1: Scent of the Flower Sea · Mining Exploration
📍 Purple Golden Flower Sea (Free)
Highlights: Known as the "Northwest Little Provence," thousands of acres of lavender and vervain bloom in summer (best from June to August), creating a purple sea of flowers stretching to the horizon, dotted with windmills and flower corridors. Elders stroll on wooden boardwalks, sit on benches by the flower fields to bask in the sun; children chase butterflies, learn to weave flower crowns (10 RMB each), buy lavender sachets (15 RMB per bag), and watch the sunset gild the flower sea in the evening.
🕙 Opening Hours: All day (recommended to enter after 4:00 PM to avoid midday heat)
📸 Photo Spots: Next to the flower sea windmill (people with purple flower sea in the frame), viewing platform (panoramic flower sea shots)
💡 Tips: Lavender bloom season requires sun protection; bring hats and sunglasses; sightseeing cars available (20 RMB per person), suitable for elders.
📍 Jinchang National Mining Park (4A, 30 RMB entrance fee)
Highlights: A model of industrial tourism, Asia’s largest open-pit nickel mine "sinkhole" is 300 meters deep, showcasing mining history and technology. Elders can view old equipment in the mining museum and listen to miners’ stories; children can play mining stone games in the "simulated mining area" (20 RMB per session) and buy nickel ore specimens (25 RMB each).
🍖 Recommended Dining: "Lao Ma’s Lamb Restaurant" in the city, must-try hand-pulled lamb (60 RMB per jin), lamb with rolled flatbread (58 RMB), average 50 RMB per person, tender meat.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Jinchang Hotel" in the city (includes breakfast, family rooms available), priced 200-300 RMB per night, 2 km from the flower sea.
🏛️ Day 2: Ancient City Secrets · Temple Meditation
📍 Liqian Ancient City (4A, 40 RMB entrance fee)
Highlights: Legendary settlement of descendants of the Roman legion, the ancient city replicates Roman architectural style, featuring the Liqian Museum and Roman-style sculptures. Elders view artifacts (pottery, weapons) and hear the "Liqian Legend"; children dress in Roman soldier costumes for photos (30 RMB per set), play "Roman chariot" (20 RMB per session), and buy ancient city commemorative coins (20 RMB each).
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
💡 Tips: The ancient city is sunny; bring a sun umbrella; audio guides (20 RMB each) enhance understanding, suitable for all ages.
📍 Shengrong Temple (Free)
Highlights: A millennium-old temple founded in the Northern Wei dynasty, known as the "First Temple of Hexi," with Tang dynasty pagoda and ancient cypresses witnessing history. Elders pray in front of the main hall and view ancient inscriptions; children listen to the "Shengrong Buddha Light" legend, learn to spin prayer wheels (clockwise), and buy small Buddha pendants (25 RMB each).
🍖 Recommended Dining: Near the ancient city, "Liqian Family Restaurant," must-try donkey meat yellow noodles (20 RMB per serving), Shami cold jelly (8 RMB), average 30 RMB per person, authentic northwest home-style flavors.
🌿 Day 3: Grassland Fun · Canyon Exploration
📍 Imperial City Grassland (Free)
Highlights: High mountain grassland at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, lush green in summer (July-August), herds of cattle and sheep, dotted with Mongolian yurts. Elders ride herders’ horse carts (50 RMB per cart) to view the grassland and drink milk tea in yurts (10 RMB per bowl); children chase sheep, learn horseback riding (50 RMB per round, on short-legged horses), pick mushrooms (limited picking allowed), and buy handmade dairy tablets from herders (20 RMB per bag).
🕙 Opening Hours: All day
💡 Tips: Large temperature difference between day and night; bring windproof jackets; respect herders’ customs and do not disturb cattle or sheep.
📍 Kulong Gorge (Free)
Highlights: A canyon within the grassland, with streams flowing through, featuring natural "holes" in giant rocks where water cascades like a waterfall. Elders stroll along gentle paths by the stream, watching reflections of snow-capped mountains; children play in the water (bring change of clothes), take photos by the rock holes, and listen to the "Kulong Gorge Legend."
📸 Photo Spots: In front of Kulong Waterfall (water flowing through rock holes), junction of grassland and canyon (cattle, sheep, and stream in one frame)
💧 Day 4: Lake Scenery · Scenic Return
📍 Yongchang West Dahu Reservoir (Free)
Highlights: Reservoir formed by Qilian Mountain snowmelt, vast waters backed by snowy peaks, surrounded by grasslands, like a pearl on the plateau. Elders walk along the reservoir dam, watching snow mountain reflections; children fly kites on the grassland (30 RMB each), learn to skip stones, and buy dried fish from the reservoir (30 RMB per bag).
🕙 Recommended Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (morning weather is clear, best lake views)
💡 Tips: The reservoir is windy; bring a light jacket; the shore is steep, watch children closely near the water.
🍖 Recommended Dining: Before departure, eat at "Yongchang Old Restaurant," try Yongchang noodles (8 RMB per bowl) and yellow millet porridge (10 RMB), average 20 RMB per person, simple and warming.
✨ Jinchang Survival Guide
1️⃣ Transportation: Taxi starting fare 6 RMB in the city, bus 1 RMB per ride; take minibus to Liqian Ancient City (15 RMB per person, 1 hour); car rental recommended for grassland and reservoir (200 RMB per day), suitable for elders and children.
2️⃣ Clothing: Large temperature difference day and night; wear windproof jackets and sweaters in spring and autumn; short sleeves, sun protection clothing, and long pants in summer; down jackets and snow boots in winter (some scenic spots have snow).
3️⃣ Prohibitions: Do not touch equipment exhibits in the mining park; do not litter on the grassland; respect history and legends in the ancient city, keep quiet.
4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in the city on Days 1-2; stay in a Mongolian yurt on the Imperial City Grassland on Day 3 (experience price 100 RMB per night, book in advance); return to the city on Day 4 for convenience.
🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Lavender essential oil (50-100 RMB per bottle, locally extracted, aids sleep)
② Jinchang Nickel Capital cultural and creative ornaments (30-50 RMB each, industrial style, strong commemorative value)
③ Yongchang beer hops (25 RMB per bag, can be brewed as tea, fragrant and refreshing)
④ Grassland dairy tablets (20 RMB per bag, individually packaged, kids love them)
The soul of Jinchang is the romantic purple haze of the Purple Golden Flower Sea, the resilience carved by the mining sinkhole, and the freedom stirred by the grassland breeze. Whether watching a sunset with parents in the flower sea, dressing children in Roman costumes in the ancient city, or drinking milk tea with friends on the grassland, every moment here holds the passion and gentleness of Northwest China. If you come to Jinchang, would you first want to see the purple at the Purple Golden Flower Sea or seek legends at Liqian Ancient City?