Ankang + Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions

🗺️ Ankang 3-Day Tour | Classic Combination of Yinghu Lake and Xiangxi Cave ・ Suitable for All Groups

1. Introduction
Explore Ankang in 3 days! Take your parents to Yinghu Lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, accompany friends to hike Xiangxi Cave for a mysterious adventure, and let the kids have fun at Zhongba Grand Canyon. The itinerary is relaxed without rushing, enjoy steamed noodles and kangkang bread to your heart’s content, and the whole family can have a great time~

2. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview
D1: Arrive in Ankang → Yinghu Lake → Stay near Yinghu Lake
D2: Xiangxi Cave → Ankang Old Town → Stay in the city
D3: Zhongba Grand Canyon → Return trip

3. Daily Detailed Plan
🌊 Day 1: Lake Scenery & Fresh Fisherman’s Feast
📍 Yinghu Lake (4A)
Highlights: The largest freshwater lake in southern Shaanxi, three connected islands (Jinluo Island, Cuiping Island, Bird Island). You can take a boat tour (60 RMB/person) to shuttle between them. Elderly can stroll by the lake, and kids love feeding the pigeons on Bird Island.
🕙 8:30-17:30 (recommended to arrive before 9 for fewer people on the boat) 💰 70 RMB (includes entrance + boat ticket, free for seniors over 65 and children under 1.2 meters)
📸 Photo spot: Cuiping Island viewing platform (overlooking the entire Yinghu Lake, the islands in the lake look like green gems, perfect for photos)
🍖 Lunch: Lakeside “Fisherman’s Feast” (about 50 RMB per person, must-try Yinghu fish hotpot + steamed pumpkin, fresh soup without bones, suitable for kids)
💡 Tips: The boat stops at each island for 30 minutes, don’t rush if you have elderly with you; pigeons on Bird Island are not afraid of people, bring some grains to feed them (5 RMB/bag)

⛰️ Day 2: Cave Exploration & Old Town Flavors
📍 Xiangxi Cave (4A)
Highlights: Taoist holy site, ancient caves, flowing springs, and unique trees everywhere. The trail is gentle, suitable for elderly to stroll slowly, kids love chasing squirrels in the mountains. The “Heavenly Ladder” waterfall is perfect for photos.
🕙 8:00-18:00 💰 40 RMB (half price for seniors/children)
📸 Photo spot: In front of the Heavenly Ladder waterfall (water flows down stone steps, take photos from the side for a misty, artistic effect)
📍 Ankang Old Town (Dongguan Hui Muslim Street)
Highlights: Century-old street, clusters of Hui Muslim snacks, the aroma of steamed noodles, kangkang bread, and lamb paomo fills the air.
🍜 Dinner: Dongguan “Ma’s Steamed Noodles” (about 15 RMB per person, steamed noodles + yellow wine, buy kangkang bread next door (3 RMB each) as a snack)
💡 Tips: Wear non-slip hiking shoes for Xiangxi Cave; there are many snacks in the old town, don’t eat too much at once, save room to try more varieties

Canyon Adventure & Fun for Kids
📍 Zhongba Grand Canyon (4A)
Highlights: The canyon has babbling streams and unique rocks, the plank road is flat and easy to walk, elderly can rest by the stream, kids can play in the shallow water (bring a change of clothes). The “One Line Sky” view is breathtaking.
🕙 8:00-17:00 💰 60 RMB (half price for seniors/children)
📸 Photo spot: One Line Sky plank road (look up to see the sky as a single line, stand in the middle of the plank road for a deep perspective photo)
🍖 Lunch: “Farmhouse” outside the canyon (about 40 RMB per person, recommended smoked meat with bamboo shoots + corn porridge, very rustic flavor)
💡 Tips: It’s cooler inside the canyon, bring a light jacket; be careful playing in the shallow water, don’t go into deep areas

4. ✨ Ankang Survival Guide
1️⃣ Transportation: Taxi starting fare in the city is 6 RMB, Yinghu Lake is 1 hour from the city by car, bus No. 30 goes directly (8 RMB); for Zhongba Grand Canyon, car rental is recommended (200 RMB/day) for more flexibility
2️⃣ Clothing: In spring, wear a thin sweatshirt + jacket (big temperature difference between morning and evening); in summer, short sleeves + sun protection clothing (canyon is shady but outdoors is sunny); in autumn, knitwear + long pants; choose non-slip shoes (many stone steps in scenic spots)
3️⃣ Etiquette: Keep quiet inside the Taoist temple at Xiangxi Cave; swimming is prohibited in Yinghu Lake; do not litter in the canyon (protect water sources)
4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay at a Yinghu Lake guesthouse on Day 1 (200-300 RMB/night, lake view from the window), stay near Jinzhou Road in the city on Day 2 (such as All Seasons Hotel, 350-450 RMB/night, close to old town + family rooms available)

5. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Ankang instant steamed noodles (25 RMB/box, with seasoning, just add hot water, convenient gift for friends)
② Pingli Jiaogulan tea (80 RMB/can, health tea, suitable for elders)
③ Kangkang bread gift box (30 RMB/box, savory and crispy, can be stored at room temperature for 1 week)
④ Ziyang selenium-rich tea (100 RMB/can, famous tea from southern Shaanxi, sweet aftertaste and fragrant)

6. Closing Interaction
The beauty of Ankang is the rippling blue waves of Yinghu Lake, the serene elegance of Xiangxi Cave, and the lively atmosphere of old street snacks. If you come, would you most want to take your parents to enjoy the lake scenery or accompany your kids to play in the canyon water?