Yellow River Stone Forest.
The Yellow River Stone Forest is located in Longwan Village, Zhongquan Township, southeast of Jingtai County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province. It is 70 km north of Jingtai County and 70 km south of Baiyin City. It is 136 km from Lanzhou. The scenic area is bordered by the Yellow River's Longwan River bend in the north and by continuous eroded hills in the south. The Yellow River flows from east to west through the scenic area. The Yellow River Stone Forest is famous for its unique landforms and natural landscapes, and is known as the "Natural Wonder of China". It is a shining pearl of northwest tourism.
The Yellow River Stone Forest was formed in the late Tertiary and early Quaternary periods, about 4 million years ago. Due to geological processes such as crustal movement, weathering, and rain erosion, a unique stone forest landscape has been formed, mainly composed of orange-yellow sandstone and conglomerate. The scenic area features steep cliffs, diverse shapes, winding paths, and countless wonders. Stone pillars and stalagmites are generally between 80 and 200 meters tall.
The main attractions of the Yellow River Stone Forest include the Longwan Ancient Waterwheel, Panlong Cave, Qingliang Temple, and Stone Forest Observation Deck. Visitors can take a sheepskin raft down the Yellow River and experience the local traditional mode of transportation. Longwan Village within the scenic area retains its original natural village appearance and offers agritourism services such as farm stays, allowing visitors to experience local rural life and cuisine.
The Yellow River Stone Forest is not only a treasure trove of natural scenery, but also a popular filming location for movies and TV series. For example, the movie "Myth" starring Jackie Chan was filmed here, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Yellow River Stone Forest.
Visitors can reach the Yellow River Stone Forest by plane, train, or car. The scenic area offers various services, including animal-powered carts, Longwan Ancient Waterwheel, farm stay western rural customs tour, and bonfire party with various styles. These services provide visitors with a rich tourism experience.
The entrance fee for the Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Area is 40 yuan. The bundled price for a bus and electric car is 75 yuan. The bundled price for a bus, electric car, and boat is 105 yuan. The cost for a sheepskin raft is 90 yuan per raft for three people. The cost for a donkey cart is 90 yuan per cart for three people. The cost for horseback riding is 80 yuan. The cost for a go-kart is 50 yuan per person. The cost for a helicopter is around 450-650 yuan per person.
Transportation guide for the Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Area:
Plane: Flights are available from various cities to Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport. From there, take a train or car to Jingtai County.
Train: There are many trains from Lanzhou to Jingtai County. Trains generally depart in the morning or afternoon, with one train every hour. The journey takes about 4 hours.
Bus: A new tourist bus route was opened on April 23, 2019, connecting Jingtai County and the Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Area.
The Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Area is a tourist destination that integrates natural landscapes, cultural history, and leisure and entertainment. It is suitable for sightseeing, adventure, leisure, religious tourism, Silk Road tourism, and conference tourism.