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 👨‍👩‍👧 . 🚌 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 . 🎯 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 . 🌟 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! . 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation Yongjing Yellow River Pearl Hotel: Enjoy a five-star experience for just over 100 RMB per person, with very convenient parking . 🍜 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 . 💡 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 📸