Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area in Gonghe County, Hainan

The Longyangxia Yellow River Grand Canyon (龙羊峡黄河大峡谷) is a core attraction of the Longyangxia Ecotourism Resort, located in Longyangxia Town, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The canyon stretches for approximately 40 kilometers, with a maximum vertical drop of about 600 meters. Here, the Yellow River takes on a striking emerald-green color, flowing between towering and rugged granite cliffs. Often described as the “Colorado of China,” the canyon is mainly explored by hiking along cliffside elevated wooden walkways, with the area sitting at an elevation of approximately 2,600 meters.

Best Time to Visit

Seasonal Guide

June to September is the best period to visit, when the river is emerald green and vegetation is lush. With some luck, visitors may also spot blue sheep and golden eagles on the cliffs. October brings crisp autumn weather and particularly beautiful light around sunset. From November to April, winter temperatures can be extremely cold, so visiting during this period is not recommended.

Daily Visiting Hours

The scenic area is open from 08:30 to 19:00, with last admission at 18:00. Morning light is clear and bright, making it ideal for looking down into the canyon, while around sunset the cliffs and river are bathed in warm golden light, creating the best conditions for photography.

How to Get There

By car, navigate to “Longyangxia Grand Canyon.” The drive from Xining takes approximately 2.5 hours, and parking is available at the scenic area. The various attractions within the resort are relatively far apart, so a private vehicle is useful for getting between them. By public transportation, take a bus from Xining to Longyangxia Town, then take a taxi to the canyon. There is no internal public transportation connecting the individual attractions, so driving or hiring a private vehicle is recommended. Inside the canyon, sightseeing is entirely on foot along the cliffside wooden walkways, and private cars cannot enter the canyon.

🏞️ Key Attractions

1. Qingtianzhu Viewing Platform

The Qingtianzhu Viewing Platform (擎天柱观景台) is one of the highest viewpoints in the Grand Canyon and a key photography location. From here, visitors can look down over the winding emerald-green Yellow River and the enormous canyon while enjoying distant views of the granite cliffs on both sides.

2. Cliffside Scenic Wooden Walkway

An approximately 8-kilometer elevated wooden walkway follows the canyon cliffs. Walking along the edge of the cliffs provides an immersive experience of the canyon's dramatic scale and rugged terrain, with multiple viewing platforms positioned along the route.

3. Yixiantian Narrow Canyon

Yixiantian (一线天) is one of the narrowest sections of the canyon, where the rock walls close in tightly on both sides and the river channel becomes constricted. The striking geological formations create one of the most dramatic landscapes in the canyon.

4. Nearby Attractions

The Grand Canyon can be combined with Longyang Lake Pier (龙羊湖码头), the Tulin Geological Park (土林地质公园), and the Longyangxia Dam Viewing Platform (大坝观景台) to create a one- or two-day Longyangxia itinerary.

Recommended visiting time: 2–3 hours.

Accommodation and Food

For accommodation, staying in a hotel or guesthouse in Longyangxia Town is recommended. Lake-view wooden cabins and camping accommodations are also available. Staying in Gonghe County is less convenient because of the longer round-trip distance. Local foods include kangguo roasted lamb, noodle slices, and fish from the lake area. There are few or no shops at the canyon viewpoints, so bring sufficient drinking water and snacks.

Travel Tips and Important Notes

1. Ticket policies should be confirmed on site. A resort-wide pass may be available, allowing multiple entries to different attractions within a three-day period.
2. At an elevation of approximately 2,600 meters, altitude sickness is generally not a major concern. However, winds can be extremely strong at exposed sections of the canyon, so a windproof outer layer is essential throughout the year. UV radiation is also intense.
3. The edges of the wooden walkways can be dangerous. Never climb over safety barriers or leave the designated wooden paths.
4. Mobile phone reception can be weak in some areas, so download offline maps before entering the canyon.
5. Take all rubbish with you and help protect the ecological environment of the Yellow River.