Things to do in Jingtai

If you're feeling bored lately and looking for a nearby place to relax, you can choose the Yellow River Stone Forest. Remember to go out on a nice day. The apples in the villages near the scenic area are ripe and quite delicious. The view from the observation deck is also breathtaking!

Yongtai City Site, located in Yongtai Village, Sitan Town, Jingtai County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province, also known as Guicheng, is a large-scale earthen fortified city built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, dating back to the 35th year of the Wanli reign (1607). The site is 520 meters long from east to west and 500 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of ​​over 300,000 square meters. The city walls are constructed of rammed earth mixed with sand, reaching a height of 8-12 meters, with a base width of 6 meters and a top width of 5 meters. Semi-circular barbicans were built on the east, west, and north sides of the city. The city gates opened to the south and were surrounded by barbicans. Twelve watchtowers (or ramparts) were also present around the city. Archaeological exploration in 2017 revealed that only the flood control ditches on the east and west sides of the moat remain. Stone tablets and other artifacts were unearthed at the site. This ancient city was an important stronghold in the new border defense system of Gansu during the Ming Dynasty. Construction began in 1607 (the 36th year of the Wanli Emperor's reign) and was completed in 1608 (the 37th year of the Wanli Emperor's reign) under the supervision of Xing Yunlu, the Deputy Military Commissioner. In 1724 (the 2nd year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign), Yue Zhongqi added the Five-Eyed Well and the Ganlu Pond water system. In 1914 (the 3rd year of the Republic of China), Yongtai Primary School, a school combining Chinese and Western styles with a Gothic influence, was established. It closed in 2014 and was converted into a museum. The ancient city contains ancient architectural complexes such as the Great Buddha Temple, the Zhushen Pavilion, and the Jade Emperor Hall, as well as several memorial archways, and is hailed as a textbook example of ancient Chinese military fortresses. In May 2006, it was listed as a sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units and was designated a Historical and Cultural Village of Gansu Province in the same year.

"Yinmagou Grand Canyon" got its name. One theory is that this is the place where Genghis Khan hid his troops and drank horses. The other is that in Journey to the West, the Tang monk and his disciples drank white dragon horses here when they were studying in the West. They stood at the mouth of Yinmagou. It can be seen that the ancient Yellow River and ancient stone forest are moving and still, sheepskin rafts are floating from the upper reaches, and the mountains and rivers are beautiful, just like in the travel paintings. In the winding canyon, there are towering peaks and cliffs, majestic and majestic. The scenic spots such as goshawks looking back, lovers under the moon, and thousands of sails competing are various and vivid. They are strange, majestic, dangerous, ancient, wild, and secluded. They are so beautiful. Yinmagou is also an ideal place for film and television shooting. More than 80 film and television works have been shot here, including "Myth", "The Granary of the World", "Sweat-blooded BMW", "Old Persimmon Tree", "Beautiful Big Feet" Xuanyuan Sword" and so on.

This is a less-visited scenic spot in Jingtai County, Baiyin City, located on the banks of the Yellow River. It takes about an hour by bus from the Dongfang Bathhouse in the county town; for the return trip, ask the driver what time it is, as buses are infrequent. There are a few temple caretakers who work out of love and don't receive a salary. An elderly man guards the entrance to the main Five Buddha Hall; if you want to see the Buddha statues, he will open the temple gate and lead you on a tour, explaining in detail the construction dates of the statues. Unfortunately, two Northern Wei Dynasty statues have been stolen, leaving only one beautifully crafted one. The two Buddha statues in the back corner were built during the Ming Dynasty, and the smaller Buddha statues next to them include both privately and officially commissioned works. At the very front, in the center, is Shakyamuni Buddha; there are actually six Buddhas in total. Admission is free; there's a WeChat donation option at the entrance for those who wish to donate. I scanned a small amount to show my support. You can also climb a short ladder to the top of the mountain, where there is a white jade Shakyamuni Buddha statue, or sit in the pavilion at the summit for views of the scenery below.

The Great Wall will never fall. Although we can't see the high walls, the thick loess piles have already shown our determination to resist foreign invaders.

The Tengger Desert at Shapotou is absolutely photogenic! The vast desert stretches endlessly, the blue sky is crystal clear, and the iconic "desert flower" buildings stand atop the dunes, creating an immersive atmosphere. The park is well-equipped with shaded rest areas. Strolling across the dunes and experiencing the unique vastness of Northwest China is definitely worth a special trip!

The Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum is well worth a visit, with its South and North wings each having their own focus. Its crown jewel is the Guinness World Record-holding 618-meter-long painted Thangka, created with natural mineral pigments and breathtaking detail. Other exhibits include Tibetan medicine mandalas, traditional costumes, ancient books and ritual implements, comprehensively showcasing the history, medicine, and customs of the Tibetan Plateau. Renting a guided tour is highly recommended to allow for a leisurely appreciation of Tibetan civilization; it's an excellent place in Xining to gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture.

I hadn't originally planned to go, but I spent an extra day in Xining. Aside from being far from the city center, it was quite nice. I took bus 909 directly from Xining Station. At the entrance, I shared a guided tour with other tourists; there were quite a few unlicensed guides in the square. Their explanations were alright. At the butter sculpture museum, I encountered a little white cat and learned how to identify Master Tsongkhapa.

It quite nice to travel around Shuimodanxia, however, the downside is if you want to save time and save energy you must buy in-dept travelling because I spent almost 2 hours walk across the mountain and there are stairs and stairs. With that said It was worth for visiting when you stay in Lanzhou.

I stayed an extra day in Xining specifically to visit the zoo. The staff's dedication to rescuing wild animals was evident, and you could feel their love and care for the animals. The ticket price is reasonable, and I highly recommend visiting the zoo when in Xining.