I've been to QiKou Ancient Town three times, and finally, I've figured it out!

Here's a guide to QiKou Ancient Town:

Attractions

• Ancient Town Core Area: Starting from the visitor center, first visit the "QiKou Memory" Museum to learn about the town's history and culture. Then head to the Black Dragon Temple, a key attraction built during the Ming Dynasty, offering panoramic views of the ancient town and the Yellow River. Stroll along Ming and Qing Street, browsing the numerous shops and businesses, paying special attention to the "Pawn Shop" and "Shiyi Escort Agency."
• Surrounding Ancient Villages: Xiwang Village, a Ming and Qing "mansion village" located near QiKou Ancient Town, features maze-like alleys, stone-paved roads, and layered cave dwellings. The cave dwellings of LiJiaShan are distributed in a "pyramid" shape, a spectacle described by Wu Guanzhong as a "Han Tomb," with panoramic views from the mountaintop.
• Yellow River Experiences: At the QiKou Ancient Town pier, take a speedboat tour along the Yellow River or enjoy a camel ride and photo opportunity. Visit the Yellow River Gallery, take a boat tour to admire the natural rock paintings, or head to Qilin Beach to collect Yellow River stones, play in the water and sand, and enjoy the sunset silhouettes.

Food Recommendations

• Local Snacks: Bowl-held buckwheat noodles with minced pork, sour and spicy; QiKou meat-filled pancakes, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; red date fermented rice, warm and sweet; and Hong Yin Yin biscuits, a traditional local pastry.

• Yellow River Delicacies: Yellow River carp, a local specialty, is stewed with red dates and Yellow River water, resulting in tender and flavorful fish.

Accommodation

• Cave Dwellings: Experience traditional heated brick beds and stargazing windows at guesthouses like "Yellow River Inn," falling asleep to the sounds of the Yellow River.

• Riverside Inns: Enjoy views of the Yellow River from your window and watch fishermen casting their nets in the morning.

Activities

• Folk Culture: Check out local folk performances, such as suona music and paper-cutting displays, to experience the local culture.

• Cultural Experiences: Visit the Ancient Weapons Museum and the QiKou Folklore Museum to delve deeper into the town's history, culture, and folk customs.