The Yan'an City, Yanchuan Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area is located in Yanchuan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, in the middle section of the Yellow River's Qin-Jin Gorge. It is a National 5A Tourist Attraction, a National Geopark, and the core area of the Yellow River Meander National Geopark. The scenic area covers a total area of approximately 100 square kilometers and consists of attractions such as Qiankun Bay, Qingshui Bay, and Holy Mother Peak. It features Yellow River meander geological landscapes as its core characteristic, possessing the globally rare "S"-shaped grand bend landscape. The Yellow River channel within the scenic area has a total length of approximately 50 kilometers, and the largest bend—Qiankun Bay—has a curvature of 320 degrees, making it a model of the integration of the Yellow River's natural landscape and the Loess Plateau culture.
Historical Culture
Geological Evolution and Legends
The geological landscape of Qiankun Bay was formed approximately 1 million years ago during the Quaternary Ice Age. Through long-term incision into the Loess Plateau, the Yellow River formed this unique meander topography. A local legend tells of "Fuxi observing phenomena at Qiankun Bay." It is said that Fuxi, the humanistic ancestor, observed the heavens above and examined the earth below here, creating the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), making Qiankun Bay one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization.
Loess Culture and Red Resources
The scenic area is located in Yanchuan County, a typical Loess Plateau landform area, which has nurtured rich Loess customs and culture, such as paper-cutting, folk songs, and Northern Shaanxi storytelling, all of which are intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, this is also an old revolutionary base area. Within its territory are preserved red historical sites such as the Yongping Conference Site and the Northwest Revolutionary Base Area, bearing witness to the historical process of the Chinese revolution.
Main Attractions
Qiankun Bay
The core attraction of the scenic area, where the Yellow River forms a 320-degree "S"-shaped grand bend, known as "The Number One Bay Under Heaven." The viewing platform is at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters, offering a panoramic view of the Yellow River meander. The narrowest part of the river channel is only 1 kilometer wide, with loess peak forests on both banks facing each other in a magnificent landscape. The scenic area has a riverside boardwalk with a total length of approximately 3 kilometers, allowing tourists to enjoy a close-up water experience.
Qingshui Bay
Another classic bend in the Yellow River meander, with a curvature of approximately 290 degrees, named after the Qingshui ancient post station that once existed along the bank. The existing ancient post station ruins include cave dwellings, docks, and post roads, bearing witness to the prosperity of Yellow River water transport during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The "Yellow River Stone Village" within the scenic area recreates the appearance of ancient villages on the Loess Plateau, featuring a folk culture exhibition hall and experience programs.
Holy Mother Peak
A loess mountain peak located on the east bank of Qiankun Bay, named because the mountain body resembles the Holy Mother sitting on a lotus seat. At the summit stands the Holy Mother Temple, said to have been first built during the Tang Dynasty, with the existing buildings in Ming and Qing architectural style. The temple enshrines the Holy Mother Goddess and is an important local folk belief site. From the summit, one can gaze afar at the Yellow River bend and the continuous landscape of the Loess Plateau.
Huifeng Stronghold
An ancient military camp along the Yellow River, located between Qingshui Bay and Qiankun Bay, built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. The stronghold is strategically situated on hazardous terrain, composed of stone walls, cave dwellings, and arrow towers, covering an area of approximately 15,000 square meters. It is one of the most complete ancient defensive fortifications existing in the Northern Shaanxi region, bearing witness to the historical changes along the Yellow River.
Food
Northern Shaanxi Noodles
A signature dish at restaurants around the scenic area, mainly made with coarse grain noodles such as buckwheat noodles and oat noodles, paired with seasonings like mutton sauce and tomato egg. The texture is chewy. Recommended to try "Duoqiao Noodles" (hand-cut buckwheat noodles), handmade with a rich broth, averaging about 15-20 yuan per bowl.
Yellow Rice Fried Cake
A traditional Northern Shaanxi dessert, made by wrapping red bean paste or date paste in yellow rice dough and deep-frying. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet but not greasy. At the folk experience sites within the scenic area, you can make it yourself, priced at about 5-8 yuan each.
Mutton Sauce Cave Dwelling Meal
A specialty meal combining the cave dwelling dining environment of the Loess Plateau, featuring mutton sauce as the main dish, paired with cave-dwelling homemade pickles and millet porridge, offering an authentic farmhouse flavor. Average consumption is about 30-40 yuan per person.
Nearby Food Recommendations
In Yanchuan County town, you can taste "Coarse Grain Wotou" (5-10 yuan per steamer) and "Qianqian Rice" (millet cooked with black beans, 8-12 yuan per bowl). In Yan'an city, about 40 kilometers from the scenic area, there are "Zichang Shaobing" (2-3 yuan each) and "Luochuan Apple Banquet" (specialty fruit dishes, about 60-80 yuan per person).
Tickets：
Admission is 80 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "Yanchuan Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Peak Season: 07:30-18:30
Off-Season: 08:00-17:30
Note: During the Holy Mother Peak Temple Fair (the 18th day of the third lunar month), opening hours are extended to 19:00, subject to the scenic area's announcements.
Tour Routes：
One-Day Tour Route: Scenic Area Gate → Sightseeing Bus to Qiankun Bay Viewing Platform → Walk along the Yellow River Boardwalk → Qingshui Bay Ancient Post Station → Huifeng Stronghold → Holy Mother Peak
Two-Day Tour Route: Day 1 visit the core areas of Qiankun Bay and Qingshui Bay; Day 2 climb Huifeng Stronghold and Holy Mother Peak, experience folk culture villages (such as Fuxi Dock Folk Culture Village)
Transportation：
Self-Driving:
From Xi'an: Via Baomao Expressway → Yanxi Expressway → National Highway 210, total distance approximately 380 kilometers, about 5 hours by car
From Yan'an: Via Changyan Expressway → Provincial Highway 303, total distance approximately 100 kilometers, about 1.5 hours by car
The scenic area has a large parking lot, charged at 10 yuan per day
Bus:
Yan'an East Bus Station has direct buses to the scenic area daily at 8:00 and 14:00, ticket price 35 yuan per person, about 2 hours by bus
Yanchuan County Passenger Transport Station has scenic area shuttle buses every hour from 6:30 to 17:00, ticket price 15 yuan per person
Chartered Car: Chartered car from Yanchuan County town to the scenic area is about 200 yuan per vehicle (round trip), suitable for families or group travel
Must-Visit Attractions：
Qiankun Bay Viewing Platform: At an altitude of 1,100 meters, overlooking the 320-degree grand bend, where the Yellow River and Loess Plateau merge as one, the best spot for photography
Qingshui Bay Ancient Post Station: Ming and Qing water transport ruins, experience Yellow River shipping culture, visit the folk culture exhibition hall
Huifeng Stronghold: Ming Dynasty military camp, well-preserved stone architecture, climb to the top for a panoramic view of the Yellow River canyon
Travel Tips：
The scenic area is located on the Loess Plateau with large temperature differences between day and night. Bring sun protection clothing in summer and warm clothing in winter
Some sections of the Yellow River boardwalk are steep. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry enough drinking water
When experiencing folk culture, you can participate in paper-cutting, storytelling, and other activities, costing about 20-30 yuan per item
Recommended to photograph the Yellow River bend in the early morning or evening when the light is soft and the scenery is magnificent
Precautions：
The terrain along the Yellow River is steep and dangerous. Climbing over guardrails or approaching the river channel is strictly prohibited
Some ancient buildings in the scenic area are cultural relic protection units. Graffiti or destruction is prohibited
Respect local folk customs. Keep quiet when entering temples
Self-driving vehicles should be careful of mountain road bends and guard against falling rocks. In winter, some sections may have snow accumulation, so anti-skid chains should be prepared
During peak season, there are many tourists. It is recommended to book tickets and accommodation in advance (surrounding inns are about 200-300 yuan per night)