Things to do in Jingbian County
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Top 10 attractions in Jingbian County
The Wave Valley Scenic Area
Wavy Valley is also known as Jingbian Red Sand Rock Canyon. It is part of the Jingbian Longzhou Danxia Landform and is located in Yanjiazhaizi in Longzhou Township, southeast of Jingbian County. The Wavy Valley is a red sandstone landform with a magical appearance and high scientific research value. The spectacular landscape naturally formed over hundreds of millions of years. It is rare in China and can compete with the Danxia landform in the United States!Jingbian County · 21.3km from downtown
Tongwancheng Archaeological Site Park
Tongwancheng is located about 60 kilometers north of Jingbian County, Yulin City. Because the city wall is made of large sand, clay and lime, the walls are white, and the locals call it Baichengzi. And because it was built by the Southern Xiongnu "Helian Bobo" during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (founded in 413 AD), it is also known as Helian City. Most of this 1,600-year-old ancient city has been buried by yellow sand. What tourists see is only the ruins, and the public transportation to get here is not very convenient, so most of the people who can come here to play are Tourists very interested in history and frontiers. If you are also interested in historical attractions or frontier attractions, you can take the shuttle bus bound for Batu Bay in Inner Mongolia from Jingbian County, get off at Baicheng and walk for 15-20 minutes to reach the scenic spot. It should be noted that Baicheng probably did not have a shuttle bus back to the county seat in the afternoon (the bus back to the county seat in the afternoon would sometimes be cancelled), and only the next morning would there be a shuttle bus back to Jingbian County. Tongwancheng is the only relic of the capital of the Huns in history. The whole city consists of the inner city and the outer city, and the inner city is divided into the east city and the west city. All the existing ruins are the remains of rammed earth buildings. At that time, the materials for building the city were mainly three-compound soil composed of large sand, clay, lime and glutinous rice water. According to legend, the city of Tongwan was in charge of Gugan Ali, who was very brutal. If he could use an awl to penetrate the city wall by an inch, he would kill the builders. The city built with these raw materials has already stood in the Mu Us Desert in Saibei. for over a thousand years. When tourists come here, they can circle the city from the southeast corner, with a total length of about 5 kilometers. At present, the part that is higher than the ground and has not been buried by yellow sand is mostly in the southern section of the city wall. In the southern section of the city wall, if you walk from east to west, you can see the ruins of many enemy platforms. There is a high platform near these enemy platforms. This is the commanding height of the city, and it is also the Yong'an platform where "Helian Bobo" handled the state affairs. Going west from Yong'an Terrace, you can see a pier. The pier is about 30 meters high. It has become a paradise for birds. Many birds build their nests on the pier. It is said that the application for the World Cultural Heritage has already begun, and the Xiongnu Cultural Square is also planned to be built. If you like the original Tongwan City, it is recommended to visit it as soon as possible. There are no decent hotels near Tongwan City, you can stay in the homes of the surrounding villagers. The service facilities around the scenic spot are not very complete, and tourists can bring some drinking water and dry food by themselves.Jingbian County · 43.5km from downtown
Maowusu Desert
The Maowusu Desert is located between Yulin City, Shaanxi Province and Ordos (Ikezhao League), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, covering an area of 42,200 square kilometers. The Great Wall runs through the southern edge of the desert from east to west. According to research, in ancient times, this area was a good pasture with fertile water plants and pleasant scenery. Later, due to climate change and war, the ground vegetation was completely lost, and sand was formed on the spot, forming the later desert (sand). There was a story of "Three Relocations to Yulin". Today is not what it used to be, and now Yulin has become a "famous city". There has been sand accumulation since the Tang Dynasty, and a vast desert has been formed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. One of the big sand areas in China. It is located at 37°27.5′~39°22.5′ north latitude and 107°20′~111°30′ east longitude. It includes southern Ordos in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northern sandy area in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, and northeastern Yanchi County in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with a total area of 39,800 square kilometers. The place name originated from Maowusu Village, Haizetan Township, Jingbian County, northern Shaanxi. The continuous sand belt from Mengjiashawo in Dingbian to Gaojiagou Township in Jingbian is called the small Mu Us sand belt, which is the range of Mu Us at the beginning. Since the sandy land along the Great Wall in northern Shaanxi is continuously distributed with the sandy land in the south of Ordos (Ikezhao League) in Inner Mongolia, the sandy land in the southeastern Ordos Plateau and along the Great Wall in northern Shaanxi is collectively referred to as "Mu Us Sand Land".Jingbian County · 10.1km from downtown
Wave Valley Water Danxia
Shuishang Danxia is a type of natural landform. In Jingbian County, the geological resources are rich and diverse, forming a unique and rare landscape. This area features numerous valuable geological relics such as linear valleys, alley valleys, and sheer cliffs, along with natural resources like streams, sandy areas, water system reservoirs, and reed marshes. These elements create a distinctive wavy sandstone landform, also known as "Shuishang Danxia." It combines the landscape of the Wave Valley in the USA, the features of Antelope Canyon, and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, offering breathtaking and stunning scenery.Jingbian County · 19.3km from downtown
Danxia Landform Shiguang Rock
The Longzhou Danxia Landform Scenic Spot is located in the northwest of Shaanxi Province, southwest of Yulin City, and Longzhou Township, one kilometer southeast of Jingbian County. It is one of the "50 Scenic Spots of the Yellow River in China". Natural scenery, colorful folk customs, its unique geological landforms and peculiar appearance are known as the wonders of China's Wave Valley. At the 2018 China Yellow River Tourism Conference, the Longzhou Danxia Landform Scenic Spot was rated as "50 Scenic Spots of the Yellow River in China".Jingbian County · 21km from downtown
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
The Hukou Waterfall is a famous waterfall on the Yellow River. The roiling water of the Yellow River roars downward here with great power. The Hukou Waterfall area is divided by the Yellow River. On the west side is Yichuan County, Shaanxi, and on the east side is Ji County, Shanxi. The waterfall is also divided into the Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shaanxi) and the Shanxi Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shanxi). Separate tickets are sold for each area. The Shanxi section of the Hukou Waterfall is located 45 kilometers west of the seat of Ji County in Linfen City, Shanxi.China · Ji County
Shenshu Jian
There are about 300 ancient willows in the sacred tree stream, most of which are unique and have a history of 600 years.Jingbian County · 35.9km from downtown
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
The Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River is located on the riverbed of the Yellow River in the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon, where the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi face each other across the river. The main stream of the Yellow River, originally hundreds of m wide, suddenly narrows to dozens of m and plunges into a deep trough with a drop of 20–30 m, resembling water being poured from a giant pot—hence the name "Hukou" (Pot Mouth). Due to the large amount of sediment carried by the river, the waterfall presents a rare golden-yellow view: the turbid waves roar down with a sound like distant thunder rolling through the valley, while the rising mist lingers before the cliff, earning the nickname "smoke rising from the water." On sunny days, sunlight casts a rainbow over the waterfall, known as "a rainbow playing in the water." The mist may drench visitors even without wind or rain, creating the wonder called "rainfall under a clear sky." Hukou waterfall is regarded as the symbol of the "soul of the Yellow River" and the spirit of the Chinese nation. In 1938, when poet Guang Weiran crossed the Yellow River, he witnessed the roaring waves of Hukou and the boatmen's chants, which inspired him to create the now-legendary Yellow River Cantata. Liang Heng's essay of the same name was selected for middle school Chinese textbooks, and the back of the fourth series CNY 50 banknote also features this scene. Many first learned about it through textbooks and currency before visiting in person. In the past, cargo ships had to leave the water and bypass the waterfall here, leaving behind the maritime memory of "sailing on dry land." The scenery here varies with the seasons: In early spring, the upstream ice melts and the water level rises sharply, coinciding with the blooming of mountain peach blossoms on both banks, known as the "March peach blossom flood." In midsummer, the rainy season brings abundant water, with muddy waves towering into the sky. After fall begins, the rainy season subsides, and the water becomes high and steady. As the fall breeze sweeps by, rainbows often appear, earning the name "Hukou autumn breeze." In deep winter, layers of ice form along the banks, and overflow freezes into inverted ice peaks, glistening under the sunlight, creating the spectacular "upside-down ice peaks." The viewing platform on the Shaanxi side stretches along the cliff top on the western bank, offering a commanding view of the "thousand-mile Yellow River funneled into one pot" and the ten-mile-long Dragon Trough below the waterfall. During high-water seasons, the mist is heavy, and clothes get soaked quickly, so remember to protect your camera and phone; the boardwalk is slippery, so watch your step while walking and taking photos.China · Yichuan
Little Western Paradise
Little Western Paradise is perched atop Phoenix Mountain in Xi County, Linfen, Shanxi Province. This Buddhist temple, originally named the Thousand Buddha Nunnery, was established during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty. It earned its initial name from the thousand Buddha statues enshrined in its Main Hall of the Great Hero. Later, it was renamed due to the inscription "Entering the Western Paradise" above its gate and to distinguish it from another ancient temple, "Great Western Paradise," located south of the city. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing a river in front, the temple is compact yet ingeniously laid out across its upper and lower courtyards. Ascending the stone steps and passing through the secluded "Heavenly Grotto" corridor evokes a sense of gradually entering a Buddhist paradise. The upper courtyard centers around the Main Hall of the Great Hero, flanked by the Manjusri Hall and Samantabhadra Hall. The Main Hall is the temple's crowning jewel: within its modest 100-square-meter space, nearly 2,000 suspended sculptures adorn niches, gables, beams, and rafters, transforming the hall into a museum of suspended sculpture art. Five interconnected niches dominate the rear wall, housing the Medicine Buddha, Amitabha, Sakyamuni, Vairocana, and Maitreya seated on lotus thrones, with ten principal disciples standing beside them. The southern wall depicts Buddhist narratives featuring the Four Sages and Four Heavenly Kings, while the northern wall portrays the 33 celestial palaces of Mount Sumeru. Flying apsaras, divine birds, and musician bodhisattvas dance among clouds on the beams, their gilded polychrome surfaces retaining vibrant hues after centuries. This rare collection of late Ming to early Qing suspended sculptures has gained wider recognition since the temple became a filming location for the popular game Black Myth: Wukong, attracting many travelers for dedicated visits. The lower courtyard also rewards exploration: the Immeasurable Hall faces east, where dozens of bronze Buddha statues interplay with wooden celestial palaces in what was once the monks' meditation hall. Opposite stands the Skanda Hall, housing a single nanmu-carved statue of Skanda. The temple also preserves thousands of volumes from the Yongle Northern Canon, a Ming imperial gift. Visitors are advised to spend extra time in the Main Hall—dim lighting requires slow, upward gazes to appreciate the intricate details of the high-placed sculptures. After exploring both courtyards, one can ascend Solitary Paulownia Peak via the "Seemingly No Path" route behind Skanda Hall, where the Cloud-Touching Pavilion offers panoramic views of the rural landscape below.China · Xi County
Baiyun Temple, Temple of Family Wang
Jingbian County · 318m from downtown
Free things to do in Jingbian County
Maowusu Desert
Jingbian County · 10.1km from downtown
Xixia Imperial Tombs
China · YinchuanImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytime
tong wan cheng yi zhi bo wu guan
Jingbian County · 43.3km from downtown
Baota Mountain
China · Yan'anImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytime
Ningxia Museum
China · YinchuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytime
Wuhai Lake Leisure Resort Tourist Area
China · Wuhai
Yangjialing Revolutionary Site
China · Yan'an
Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site
China · Yan'an
Qikou Ancient Town
China · Lin County
Ningxia Geological Museum
China · YinchuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytime
More ways to travel from Jingbian County
Private Tours in Jingbian County
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What travellers say about Jingbian County
Anonymous user15 October 2026
5.0
Wave Valley in Jingbian, Shaanxi, is truly an underrated scenic spot. The scenery is very unique, the facilities are complete, and the large loop is not difficult, making it accessible to most people.
The Wave Valley Scenic Area
cocoliu41399 July 2026
5.0
The museum was very well done; although small, it was very well-designed. The children had a great time interacting with the exhibits. The shuttle bus took us to the ruins to experience the grandeur of Baicheng.
Tongwancheng Archaeological Site Park
扶疏子29 December 2019
5.0
The Maowusu Desert is one of the four major sandy areas in China. It is located between Yulin, Shaanxi Province and Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with an area of 42,200 square kilometers. It is located at 37°27.5′-39°22.5′ north latitude and 107°20′-111°30′ east longitude. It includes the southern part of Ordos in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the northern sandy area of Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, and the northeastern part of Yanchi County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It has a lot of precipitation, which is conducive to plant growth. It was originally a relatively developed animal husbandry area, with a large area of fixed and semi-fixed sand dunes. The Great Wall passes through the southern edge of the desert from east to west.
Maowusu Desert
蓝天之旅途26 January 2025
5.0
The following is a review of the Danxia Water in Wave Valley:
Is it worth going?
The Danxia Water in Wave Valley is very worth a visit. It is a rare wave-shaped Danxia landform in the world, with a unique landscape type, which is very similar to the Antelope Valley and Wave Valley in the United States. Here, tourists can appreciate the geological wonders carved by nature for billions of years and feel the ingenuity of nature. Whether it is photography enthusiasts who want to find unique shooting materials, or ordinary tourists who are eager to appreciate the magnificent natural scenery and explore the mysteries of nature, they can get a good experience.
Highlights
- Unique landform: formed in the Cretaceous period 96 million years ago, it is formed by red sandstone after long-term wind and water erosion. It has smooth wavy textures, like red ice hanging or frozen magma, which is in sharp contrast with the surrounding environment.
- Blending of mountains and water: There is a wide water surface in the Danxia Water area. The red Danxia landform and the green or blue lake water complement each other. The peaks are reflected in the lake, and the Danxia stands on the shore, which is poetic and picturesque.
- Rich landscape: There are natural resources such as streams, sand, reed marshes, and geological relics such as valleys, alley valleys, and cliffs. You can enjoy the rugged and beautiful style gallery by boat.
- Changing light and shadow: The light and shadow effects are different at different times and seasons. Under the sunlight on sunny days, the red sandstone is bright and dazzling; the sunset glow in the evening adds a mysterious color to it; in spring and autumn, the color changes of vegetation make the scenery more gorgeous.
Wave Valley Water Danxia
布晓呆27 February 2023
5.0
Jingbian Danxia was formed 96 million years ago. The sand dunes here were continuously infiltrated by groundwater, deposited layer by layer, and condensed into sandstone. Through the natural carving of crustal movement, flowing water and wind, various wavy Danxia landforms such as linear valleys, lane valleys, and red cliffs were formed. This landform has attracted domestic and foreign tourists, photographers, and media to check in and express their opinions here.
Danxia Landform Shiguang Rock
yangliaopan15 October 2026
5.0
We got a combined ticket for Shanxi and Shaanxi, and we went to the Shanxi section first.
We experienced the majesty of the Mother River, there were stage performances,
we had photo opportunities with little donkeys (suitable for children), and
we could drive to the other side of the Shanxi section.
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
行摄九州12 September 2020
5.0
Shenshujian in Jingbian is a very distinctive natural attraction. The willow trees here are called hairy willows, or willows with sweat. There are no tall forks on the tops of the willows, but only many separate branches. There are more than 100 such trees, some of which are as old as 370 years old. Coming here is like entering a pastoral scenery. There are also many crops such as old corn, potatoes, and watermelons nearby, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of nature.
Shenshu Jian
哥玛兽16 October 2026
5.0
The shuttle bus I took from Wanglongtai was not crowded, the facilities were fairly complete, the driver departed promptly, and the ride was smooth. They even turned on the air conditioning in the afternoon. The price of 16 yuan was reasonable.
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
Mozart-xu17 October 2026
5.0
This is a lesser-known but highly recommended tourist attraction; the suspended sculptures of gods and Buddhas filling the sky are truly breathtaking. It's advisable to stay in Xixian County so you can enter the scenic area early the next morning. The area is well-managed, but the space is small, and it gets quite crowded during holidays.
Little Western Paradise
ZPSXKK118521 March 2026
5.0
With a long history, rich culture and religion, and located in the city center, it is surrounded by many hotels, making it convenient for dining and accommodation. It is also a good place to visit The Wave.
Baiyun Temple, Temple of Family Wang
