7 Days in Baiyin

Settle in and walk the open-pit rim opened by the 1956 blasting — pit, wagons and mining memorial hall — then dinner around the downtown market streets.

1. baiyin mine park
2. baiyin city markets

Full day at Longwan, 70-odd km from Jingtai's county town — 22 hairpin bends, gravel towers, donkey carts and the river's S bend. The Yellow River runs 258 km through Baiyin.

1. baiyin yellow river stone forest

The 1608 turtle-shaped garrison town keeps a wall ring near 1.7 km; continue into the pines and meadows of the Shoulu forest park. Overnight back in Jingtai or Baiyin.

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

An hour northeast for the Faquan grotto-temple in red rock above the Yellow River, then a slow afternoon in Jingyuan's riverfront county town.

1. baiyin faquan grottoes

The river narrows into a gorge with cliff walls between Baiyin and Lanzhou; drive the valley road, watch the water gates of the Daxia hydropower dam and picnic by the banks.

1. baiyin yellow river grand canyon

Two hours southeast to the Ming Xijin Gate tower and the museum complex of the October 1936 joining of forces; the memorial tower was raised in 1986. Return by evening.

1. baiyin huining red army site

A slow morning in the city parks and market streets, then the HSR from Baiyin South toward Lanzhou or Yinchuan.

1. baiyin city parks