Yellow River Stone Forest of Jingtai
Yellow River Stone Forest of Jingtai
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
22 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
7
Average
0
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KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Oct 2019 • Business
Spectacular, breathtaking scenery in all directions. The stone forest is massive and has an estimated creation date going back four billion years.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
The Yellow River Stone Forest is a national geological park. It is adjacent to the riverside village of Old Longwan (老龙湾), Jintai district of Baiyin City, Gansu Province. Jingtai County has both mountainous and desert areas and is located at a southerly tip of the Tengger Desert. The size of the stone forest approximates ten square kilometres.
The Yellow River flows in an easterly direction, but due to its nine big bends, the direction varies. Nine Bends, the stone forest ten thousand zhang! The landscape of the Yellow River stone forest and the meandering landscape of the Yellow River depend on each other. It looks desolate and solemn on the north-west next door. This nature-created forest is comprised of many different sized and unique shaped, beautiful sand stalagmites, stone pillars, and cliffs.
We went down the river on a sheepskin raft. Our boatman has huge lungs. He showed us that he could inflate a large sheepskin airbag with three breaths. Quite amazing.
The evening and early morning views bring out spectacular charms of the Yellow River.
I don’t know where the river got its name. The water is fairly clear and appears to have a surface colour of blue-green.
The Yellow River is one of China’s major rivers, and by size second only to the Yangtze River.
The Yellow River flows in an easterly direction, but due to its nine big bends, the direction varies. Nine Bends, the stone forest ten thousand zhang! The landscape of the Yellow River stone forest and the meandering landscape of the Yellow River depend on each other. It looks desolate and solemn on the north-west next door. This nature-created forest is comprised of many different sized and unique shaped, beautiful sand stalagmites, stone pillars, and cliffs.
We went down the river on a sheepskin raft. Our boatman has huge lungs. He showed us that he could inflate a large sheepskin airbag with three breaths. Quite amazing.
The evening and early morning views bring out spectacular charms of the Yellow River.
I don’t know where the river got its name. The water is fairly clear and appears to have a surface colour of blue-green.
The Yellow River is one of China’s major rivers, and by size second only to the Yangtze River.
Written November 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
40PeterM172
Leamington Spa, UK37 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
I arranged this trip myself, with the help of a Chinese friend who took care of the practical travel and accommodation arrangements. If you do not speak Chinese or have no-one who does, doing a trip here privately will not be easy - I guess you'll need to pay a lot more to go with a tour group.
Attractions: The landscape is stunning. Get to go on the river (3 people per raft, RMB90 per raft at time of writing), go up through the forest on the donkeys, use either a buggie or the cablecar (or gondolas) to get to the top of the cliff and look back; If you can, get a car to go to the viewing point (which means you have to go through the park barrier at the top of the cliff) at sunrise. That viewing point will give you the view that you will see on many official pictures - of the bend in the river with the cliffs to your left and right.
Practical Arrangements: I travelled from Lanzhou airport to Baiyin by bus, then took another bus (about 2h 30) to Longwan village, at the foot of the cliff which marks the start of the forest. If you take the bus, be prepared for the bus driver to stop several times in villages en route. A lot of the route through Gansu is rural, meaning that the scheduled bus is the only means for people to get from place to place. The roads in rural Gansu province are not always great.
(I cannot tell you how easy it is to get back using the reverse route: I went on to Zhangye, hiring the hotel car to drive us 500km at RMB2 per km, so I have no idea where to catch the relevant bus etc. Other reviews might help with that.)
The park is situated in Longwan village. Hotels are small, some will provide towels but most won't (getting to see the quality?) and RMB100 for a night is about right. Be prepared for no-one being able to speak English, so ordering food in small cafes in the village can be a challenge. (Gansu food seems to be slightly spicy, and mutton and noodles feature quite a lot.)
Travelling from the village to the place where you can 'catch' a donkey is either by electric buggy or by car. 'Hotels' will often have a car and driver which can be at your service for an appropriate fee. (I used one to get to the top of the cliff by 4.30am, for the sunrise.) A stay of 2 nights is sufficient in most cases. You will run out of things to do relatively quickly - other than marvel at the scenery.
I went in August, and did not find this in any way overcrowded. The Chinese friends I was with didn't really seem to find this as amazing a place as I did.
Attractions: The landscape is stunning. Get to go on the river (3 people per raft, RMB90 per raft at time of writing), go up through the forest on the donkeys, use either a buggie or the cablecar (or gondolas) to get to the top of the cliff and look back; If you can, get a car to go to the viewing point (which means you have to go through the park barrier at the top of the cliff) at sunrise. That viewing point will give you the view that you will see on many official pictures - of the bend in the river with the cliffs to your left and right.
Practical Arrangements: I travelled from Lanzhou airport to Baiyin by bus, then took another bus (about 2h 30) to Longwan village, at the foot of the cliff which marks the start of the forest. If you take the bus, be prepared for the bus driver to stop several times in villages en route. A lot of the route through Gansu is rural, meaning that the scheduled bus is the only means for people to get from place to place. The roads in rural Gansu province are not always great.
(I cannot tell you how easy it is to get back using the reverse route: I went on to Zhangye, hiring the hotel car to drive us 500km at RMB2 per km, so I have no idea where to catch the relevant bus etc. Other reviews might help with that.)
The park is situated in Longwan village. Hotels are small, some will provide towels but most won't (getting to see the quality?) and RMB100 for a night is about right. Be prepared for no-one being able to speak English, so ordering food in small cafes in the village can be a challenge. (Gansu food seems to be slightly spicy, and mutton and noodles feature quite a lot.)
Travelling from the village to the place where you can 'catch' a donkey is either by electric buggy or by car. 'Hotels' will often have a car and driver which can be at your service for an appropriate fee. (I used one to get to the top of the cliff by 4.30am, for the sunrise.) A stay of 2 nights is sufficient in most cases. You will run out of things to do relatively quickly - other than marvel at the scenery.
I went in August, and did not find this in any way overcrowded. The Chinese friends I was with didn't really seem to find this as amazing a place as I did.
Written August 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foo Vung T
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia94 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
The scenery here is dramatic. With hoodoo mountain next to the yellow river, the scenery is breathtaking. We did the sheepskin raft ride. Quite an experience.
We also took the donkey ride. Worth it. Don't try to walk in through the canyon yourself. It is very far and is quite tiring.
We also took the donkey ride. Worth it. Don't try to walk in through the canyon yourself. It is very far and is quite tiring.
Written September 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seoulkiwi
South Korea175 contributions
Jul 2014
Yellow River Stone Forest
Part of a 4n5d private package tour with an elite group of South Korean photographers, the Yellow River Stone Forest tour was wonderfully arresting!
This package tour to China's Gansu province was simply amazing, breathtaking and beyond words. It included:
Day 1:
- Flights and Lodging
(Lanzhou, Gansu, China)
Day 2:
Yellow River
- Eco-Village
- Sheepskin Raft Trip (yes!)
- Donkey Carriage Canyon Ride
- Stone Forest Lookout via Gondola.
Day 3/4:
Badain Jaran Desert Safari
- Jeep safari (unforgettable)
- Camel rides
- Yurt overnight stay
- Shooting-star photo shoot
- Sunrise model photo shoot...
...and a lot lot more.
Day 4
- Badain Jaran Desert Safari
- Zhangye Danxia Landform
Day 5
- Sunflower fields photo shoot
If ever you have the chance to do this tour (or thereabouts)
- do it!
Professional photographers limit handphone pics and as yet most of my DSLR pics I have yet to transfer across. But I have uploaded a few i-phone pics for you. You'll get the picture!
This trip was really something else and totally reshaped my China paradigm. I encourage any of you out there, who are considering something out the the very ordinary to consider this.
This part of the trip was, in a word, "DEFINING".
Cautionary note:
Culinary. There's your tip.
Let's leave it at that.
Part of a 4n5d private package tour with an elite group of South Korean photographers, the Yellow River Stone Forest tour was wonderfully arresting!
This package tour to China's Gansu province was simply amazing, breathtaking and beyond words. It included:
Day 1:
- Flights and Lodging
(Lanzhou, Gansu, China)
Day 2:
Yellow River
- Eco-Village
- Sheepskin Raft Trip (yes!)
- Donkey Carriage Canyon Ride
- Stone Forest Lookout via Gondola.
Day 3/4:
Badain Jaran Desert Safari
- Jeep safari (unforgettable)
- Camel rides
- Yurt overnight stay
- Shooting-star photo shoot
- Sunrise model photo shoot...
...and a lot lot more.
Day 4
- Badain Jaran Desert Safari
- Zhangye Danxia Landform
Day 5
- Sunflower fields photo shoot
If ever you have the chance to do this tour (or thereabouts)
- do it!
Professional photographers limit handphone pics and as yet most of my DSLR pics I have yet to transfer across. But I have uploaded a few i-phone pics for you. You'll get the picture!
This trip was really something else and totally reshaped my China paradigm. I encourage any of you out there, who are considering something out the the very ordinary to consider this.
This part of the trip was, in a word, "DEFINING".
Cautionary note:
Culinary. There's your tip.
Let's leave it at that.
Written August 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeTheWorld4Peace
Manasquan, NJ560 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
My visit included a long 2-hour drive from Lanzhou, an air conditioned bus down the hill, an electric cart to the river, a sheepskin raft down the river, a donkey cart up the valley, a gondola to the top for the view, and a speedboat ride back up the river. It was very interesting and scenic – go if you have a day. I felt bad for the donkey, but we saw the valley where Jackie Chan and other movies were filmed - interesting natural formations, but the raft ride was the most interesting and exciting part.
Written July 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Atula
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia177 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Located near the city of Baiyin in the Gansu province of China, the Yellow river stone forest is said to be created in four billion years, by the high speed winds that are a regular feature in the area. We found it to be as spectacular as the Grand Canyons, or even better. Absolutely ravishing! It seemed that the park is being built. But once it is developed and tourism infrastructure is properly put in place, it will compete with the Canyons.
Presently, some tourists may not find it very hospitable. The means of transport through which one has to travel into the park are donkey pull-carts that are very inconvenient and uncomfortable to sit on, and sheep skin boats that are merely rafts, very dicey for children and old people. There crudely designed motor vehicles to go up to the centre of the park. The toilets are few and quite filthy. There is no food or available inside the park. But with the pace at which China is building its infrastructure and tourism sites, it appears that this park will be a fully developed tourist attraction in 5 years time.
Presently, some tourists may not find it very hospitable. The means of transport through which one has to travel into the park are donkey pull-carts that are very inconvenient and uncomfortable to sit on, and sheep skin boats that are merely rafts, very dicey for children and old people. There crudely designed motor vehicles to go up to the centre of the park. The toilets are few and quite filthy. There is no food or available inside the park. But with the pace at which China is building its infrastructure and tourism sites, it appears that this park will be a fully developed tourist attraction in 5 years time.
Written December 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madmatg
Pensacola, FL59 contributions
The scenery here was great! The mountains and valley and then the huge stone forest it was a great kinds of trip to see nature and since we went in a down time of the year there weren't many people. I would guess from the size of everything if you go during the tourist season it will be disappointing because it's not a very big place. But if you go off season it was terrific!
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
merc8989
kuala lumpur1,551 contributions
we travelled in a group of 14 for this silk road trip and this site is one of the many highlights.
Firstly, the view of yellow river n the surrounding area, from the top of the hill was breathtaking.
Secondly, the journey downhill with the bus is an adventure not to forget.
Thirdly, the thousands of apple trees at the foothill was amazing.
Yellow River was in front of us and we were supposed to take a small raft made of inflated lamb skin down the river to the Stone Forest.
The ladies in the group were in total shock n needed much persuasion to board the raft.
It was an amazing 'cruise' sitting on a smallish raft made from bamboo n kept afloat by several inflated lamb skin.
This 15 minutes ride was both frightening n exciting.
Then we had to ride on carts pulled by donkeys to visit the stone forest. This was the site used for JackieChan's movie, The Myth.
An excellent to visit. Refer to my photos to 'witness' the adventure.
Firstly, the view of yellow river n the surrounding area, from the top of the hill was breathtaking.
Secondly, the journey downhill with the bus is an adventure not to forget.
Thirdly, the thousands of apple trees at the foothill was amazing.
Yellow River was in front of us and we were supposed to take a small raft made of inflated lamb skin down the river to the Stone Forest.
The ladies in the group were in total shock n needed much persuasion to board the raft.
It was an amazing 'cruise' sitting on a smallish raft made from bamboo n kept afloat by several inflated lamb skin.
This 15 minutes ride was both frightening n exciting.
Then we had to ride on carts pulled by donkeys to visit the stone forest. This was the site used for JackieChan's movie, The Myth.
An excellent to visit. Refer to my photos to 'witness' the adventure.
Written November 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calvin chong
1 contribution
Sep 2019 • Friends
Awesome, amazing, mind blowing incredibly exotic. Wish I could spend another day to explore the area.
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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