Gansu Yongjing Family Travel Guide! A Hidden Treasure Town by the Yellow River

Only 1.5 hours by car from Lanzhou, Yongjing is definitely an excellent choice for a summer family getaway to beat the heat! 🌊

This small town boasts the Yellow River Three Gorges and Liujiagxia Reservoir, along with stunning grotto culture and dinosaur relics. The average temperature in midsummer is over 20℃, making it perfect for family trips 👨‍👩‍👧

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🚌 Transportation Guide

✈️ Flight: Direct to Lanzhou Airport, then transfer by bus/car rental for 1.5 hours to Yongjing

🚗 Self-driving: All paved roads from Lanzhou, with beautiful scenery along the way

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🎯 2-Day Itinerary

𝐃𝐚𝐲 1: Lanzhou → Liujiagxia Reservoir (High Gorge Flat Lake) → Dinosaur Geopark (free science education) → Jingwei Distinct Viewpoint (Yellow River wonder) → Yellow River Flower Embankment (dreamy flower sea)

𝐃𝐚𝐲 2: Yellow River Three Gorges → Bingling Temple Grottoes (must-see special caves) → Luojia Dong Temple (hanging ancient temple) → Return trip

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🌟 Highlights Recommendation

🔹 Bingling Temple Grottoes

A World Cultural Heritage site! The 20-meter-high Maitreya Buddha is breathtaking, and the well-preserved Northern Wei murals in caves 169/172 are artistic treasures (special cave ticket 300 RMB, photography prohibited ❌)

🔹 Liujiagxia Reservoir

Known as the "Erhai of Gansu," the blue lake against the loess plateau is stunning, with a full-score boat experience ⛵

🔹 Dinosaur Geopark

Dinosaur skeletons and footprint fossils, a free science education base that kids will scream for 🦕

🔹 Yellow River Boundary Line

For just 3 RMB, you can see the amazing scene where the clear and turbid waters of the Tao River and Yellow River meet—a must-visit for family science education!

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🏨 Accommodation Recommendation

Yongjing Yellow River Pearl Hotel: Enjoy a five-star experience for just over 100 RMB per person, with very convenient parking

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🍜 Food Highlights

▪ Wensheng Hand-Pulled King: Locals highly recommend the hand-pulled lamb, tender and not gamey

▪ Zuhai'er Copper Pot Hotpot: Barley cakes paired with freshly sliced lamb, warm and comforting

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💡 Travel Tips

✅ For families, private car tours are recommended; travel time between attractions is 15-30 minutes

✅ Walking is required in the grotto area; sports shoes and drinking water are advised

✅ Verbena blooms on the flower embankment in July and August, perfect for photos 📸