Lijiaxia North Shore Ecological Park Scenic Area in Huangnan Prefecture

Located in the Lijiaxia Administrative Area, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong City, Qinghai Province, Lijiaxia North Bank Ecological Park (李家峡北岸生态公园) is situated on the northern shore of the Yellow River Lijiaxia Reservoir (黄河李家峡水库), facing Kanbula (坎布拉) in Jianzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture across the Yellow River. With an elevation of approximately 2,060 meters, the park covers more than 5,600 mu (about 373 hectares).

The park combines the scenery of a high canyon reservoir, red Danxia landforms, and artificial forest landscapes along the Yellow River. It is one of the best northern viewpoints for overlooking Lijiaxia Dam (李家峡大坝) and enjoying panoramic views of the magnificent Kanbula Danxia mountain landscape (坎布拉丹霞) across the river.

Visitors can take a boat ride through the Yellow River canyon, enjoy the reflection of colorful cliffs on the water, and experience the unique combination of plateau river scenery and ecological landscapes. The famous Xiaqiong Temple (夏琼寺) is located nearby, making it possible to combine natural scenery with cultural exploration.

GCJ-02 Coordinates: 101.8328, 36.1183

Best Time to Visit

Seasonal Recommendations

June to September: The best travel season. The Yellow River water appears emerald green, and the red Danxia cliffs on both sides become especially vivid under clear sunlight.

October: Autumn brings cooler weather, fewer visitors, and beautiful seasonal scenery, making it suitable for quiet sightseeing and photography.

November to April: The low season is cold and windy in the canyon area. Outdoor activities may be less comfortable during this period.

Daily Visiting Time

The recommended visiting hours are 08:00–18:00.

The best photography time is around sunset, when the evening sunlight turns the Danxia cliffs golden and red, creating the most impressive landscape views.

Transportation Guide

By Self-Driving

Navigate to “Lijiaxia North Bank Ecological Park (李家峡北岸生态园)”. From Xining (西宁), the distance is about 120 kilometers, requiring approximately 2 hours by car. The route follows the Asai Highway (阿赛公路) directly to the park. Ordinary cars can travel smoothly, and parking is available inside the park.

By Public Transportation

Visitors can take buses from Hualong County Town (化隆县城) to Lijiaxia Town, then take a taxi to the park. There is no direct public bus service to the scenic area, so self-driving, private vehicles, or chartered transportation are recommended.

Inside the Scenic Area

The park is mainly explored on foot. Visitors can choose boat tours from the pier to experience the Yellow River canyon from the water. There are no sightseeing buses inside the park.

🌟 Core Attractions

🌄 North Bank Viewing Platform

The North Bank Viewing Platform is the highlight of the park. From here, visitors can overlook the spectacular Lijiaxia high canyon reservoir, the emerald-colored Yellow River, and the red Danxia peaks of Kanbula across the river. It is one of the best panoramic photography locations in the area.

🐢 Turtle Mountain Reservoir Bay

The Turtle Mountain reservoir area features a calm section of the Yellow River with peaceful water surfaces. The reflections of surrounding mountains create beautiful scenes, making it an excellent location for landscape photography.

🏗️ Lijiaxia Dam Viewpoint

Visitors can enjoy distant views of the Lijiaxia Hydropower Station Dam (李家峡水电站大坝) and appreciate the combination of modern water engineering and the dramatic plateau canyon environment.

🌳 Ecological Garden Area

The ecological garden area features artificial forests, economic forests, and green spaces along the Yellow River. It provides a relaxing riverside environment where visitors can enjoy walking, resting, and viewing the surrounding landscape.

🚢 Boat Pier and Yellow River Canyon Cruise

From the pier, visitors can take a boat trip through Songba Gorge (松巴峡). The water-based route offers a different perspective of the Danxia cliffs and river scenery, with some boats able to reach the Kanbula Nanzong Pier (坎布拉南宗码头).

Recommended visiting time: 1–1.5 hours.

The park can be combined with Xiaqiong Temple (夏琼寺) for a one-day Hualong cultural and nature tour. Across the river is Kanbula National Forest Park (坎布拉国家森林公园), one of Qinghai’s famous Danxia landscape destinations.

Accommodation and Local Food

Accommodation

Visitors can stay in Lijiaxia Town (李家峡镇) or Hualong County Town (化隆县城), where accommodation options are more convenient. There are also a few local farm guesthouses near the park, though facilities are relatively simple.

Local Food

Recommended local specialties include Hualong beef noodles (化隆牛肉拉面) and hand-grabbed lamb (手抓羊肉). Simple meals are available near the pier area, but bringing drinking water is recommended.

Travel Tips and Safety Notes

1. Admission Information: Entrance to the park is generally free. Boat tickets are approximately 50 RMB for a round trip and 30 RMB for a one-way trip, with prices subject to change according to local arrangements.
2. Altitude and Weather: The area is located at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters, so altitude sickness is uncommon for most visitors. However, temperature differences between day and night can be noticeable. Bring a light jacket and prepare sun protection due to strong plateau ultraviolet radiation.
3. Water Safety: Winds can be strong near the reservoir. Be careful around the waterfront areas, watch your footing, and do not approach restricted areas near the dam.
4. Boat Schedule: Boat services may be affected by water levels and weather conditions. Confirm operating times before traveling.
5. Travel Connection: The park offers views of Kanbula Scenic Area (坎布拉景区) across the river. However, visitors cannot directly cross the river between the two sides and must drive around via the dam road.