Autumn Tour to Liupan Mountain National Forest Park, Ningxia

Liupan Mountain National Forest Park is located in the southern part of Ningxia, at the central point of the triangle formed by Xi'an, Yinchuan, and Lanzhou.

Attractions Introduction
1- Xiaonanchuan: Known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Northwest China," it is a three-kilometer-long canyon. Here you can find beautiful artificial coniferous forests and dense natural secondary forests, with springs, streams, and waterfalls cascading clearly and brightly. There are legends such as "Deer Pan Mountain" and "Dragon Girl Bathing." Touring along both water and land routes feels like being in a fairyland.
2- Ecological Botanical Garden: Centered on Liupan Mountain plants and built following plant landscape ecology principles, it features 24 garden areas including Spring Garden and Summer Fragrance Garden, and 21 unique natural landscapes such as the Twisted Dragon Display and Wild Lotus Resting by the Stream. It is a great place to learn about plant ecology.
3- Liangdian Gorge: The climate is cool and humid with beautiful natural surroundings, making it a perfect summer resort. This was once a summer camp for Genghis Khan, and historical relics such as foundation stones, bridge piers, and horse-feeding stone troughs remain, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery while feeling the weight of history.
4- Wild Lotus Valley: The valley is filled with wild lotus, with babbling streams and towering peaks on both sides. Pines and birches grow on cliffs and precipices. When the lotus blooms in July and August, the valley is fragrant and stunning, like a long corridor of emerald green.
5- Erlong River: The main source of the Jing River, the canyon stretches 20 kilometers and is the core area of the nature reserve. The original forest is well preserved, with many scenic spots such as Osmanthus Cliff and Chrysanthemum Stream. There are many wild animals, but entry is prohibited without a professional guide.

Food Recommendations
1- Guyuan Hand-Pulled Lamb: The lamb is tender and free of gamey taste, with original flavor. The meat is firm, fatty but not greasy, a classic Ningxia delicacy.
Lamb Paomo: Rich broth paired with bread soaked in soup and fresh tender lamb, warming and flavorful, giving a full sense of happiness with every bite.
2- Yam Cold Noodles: Served with secret spicy chili oil, sour and spicy to whet the appetite, with a smooth and slippery texture, very refreshing and addictive.
3- Wild Vegetable Trio: Made from purslane, gray vegetable, and alfalfa leaves, this autumn-exclusive dish is refreshing, relieves greasiness, and full of natural flavors.
4- Buckwheat Noodles: The noodles are chewy, served with a unique minced meat soup, rich in flavor, nutritious, and delicious.

Travel Tips
Opening Hours: Usually 08:00-18:00; check the "Liupan Mountain Tourism" WeChat public account for details.
Ticket Prices: Peak season (April to October) 65 RMB, off-season 35 RMB; some scenic area combo tickets offer discounts.
Transportation: For external transport, you can first reach Guyuan. There are trains or high-speed trains to Guyuan from Yinchuan, Xi'an, and other places. From Guyuan bus station, shuttle buses go to the park. By car, it takes about 4 hours from Yinchuan and about 5 hours from Xi'an. The park is mainly explored on foot.
Other Notes: The best travel season is June to October. Due to the high altitude, pay attention to keeping warm and sun protection; there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening. Some areas have weak mobile signals, so downloading offline maps is recommended. Smoking is strictly prohibited, do not feed wild animals, and some trails are steep, so be cautious for safety.