5 Days in Baiyin

Settle in, walk the rim of the open pit opened up by the 1956 blasting, see the wagons and mining memorial hall, and end with market-street food downtown.

1. baiyin mine park
2. baiyin city markets

A full day at Longwan — 22 hairpin bends down to the village, gravel towers up to scores of meters high, and the river's wide S bend. The Yellow River runs 258 km through Baiyin.

1. baiyin yellow river stone forest

South Jingtai day — the 1608 turtle-shaped garrison town keeps a wall ring of about 1.7 km, then pine forest and meadows of the Shoulu state forest park nearby.

1. baiyin yongtai ancient city
2. baiyin shoulu forest park

Two hours southeast, the complex centers on the Ming Xijin Gate tower where three Red Army forces joined in October 1936; the memorial tower dates to 1986. Return to Baiyin by evening.

1. baiyin huining red army site

An hour northeast to Jingyuan for the Faquan grotto-temple set in red rock above the Yellow River, carved and rebuilt over many dynasties. Afternoon train or onward bus.

1. baiyin faquan grottoes