Dingxi

Temperature differences between day and night are noticeable in the mountainous areas, so bring a light jacket.

Located in central Gansu, Dingxi is known for the ravines and terraced fields of the Loess Plateau, alpine meadows, canyon forests, and historic architecture that together shape the city’s travel landscape. It is both the “Home of Chinese Potatoes” and the “Millennium Hometown of Medicinal Herbs,” while local specialties such as noodles and potatoes are also worth including in your itinerary.

• Dingxi Weihe Source Scenic Area: The Weihe River, the Yellow River’s largest tributary, rises here. The scenic area is densely forested, and you can follow the wooden boardwalk upstream to visit the clear, sweet-tasting “Pinzi Spring” and learn about the legend of Yu the Great guiding the Weihe River. In autumn, the yellow leaves set against the snow create an especially graceful scene.

• Dingxi Guiqing Mountain: Known as the “Little Jiuzhaigou of Central Gansu,” Guiqing Mountain features Broken Ravine Fairy Bridge and seas of clouds. Canyons, peak forests, and ancient trees intermingle to create a rare humid mountain landscape in central Gansu. Summers are cool, and the hiking is moderately easy.

• Dingxi Zheyang Mountain: The area is dominated by karst landforms, along with canyons and Danxia landscapes. It is known as one of the few “sinkholes and fissures” in northwestern China. The mountain forests are peaceful, while streams and waterfalls flow down the rock faces. It is suitable for light hiking and geological sightseeing. The Zhang Jizhong version of *Journey to the West* was also filmed here.

• Dingxi Langdu Wetland Grassland: Covering more than 900,000 mu, Langdu Wetland Grassland is an ecological wetland grassland on the plateau and offers a different view of the Loess Plateau from its usual stereotyped image. Meadows, winding streams, and cattle and sheep create a picturesque scene, while the gently sloping wooden boardwalks make it easy for older visitors and children to stroll.

• Dingxi Lijia Dragon Palace: Lijia Dragon Palace is an important group of historic buildings in the ancestral home of the Li clan. Its surviving 1,899 dragon carvings reflect the history of the local clan’s development. When visiting, be mindful of ceremonial spaces and related rules, and take the opportunity to learn about local culture through the details of the architecture.

• Gansu Dingxi Weiyuan Tower: Weiyuan Tower stands in the center of Longxi County and was first built during the Northern Song dynasty. It is a drum tower built across a street. From the upper level, you can look out over the old city streets, while a busy market connects to the area below. It is one of Longxi’s most representative historic buildings.

A Taste of Dingxi: Noodles and Medicinal-Herb Cuisine

Dingxi’s local cuisine is not limited to potatoes. Noodles, cured meat, and food traditions associated with medicinal herbs also form a distinctive part of the region’s culinary identity.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Self-Drive/Private-Car Itinerary

Dingxi’s attractions are spread far apart, so traveling by self-drive or private car is recommended and also makes it easier to enjoy the scenery along the way.

• Day 1: Arrive in Dingxi and explore Longxi Old Town

After arriving, you can stay in Anding District or Longxi County town. In the morning, head to Gansu Dingxi Weiyuan Tower and climb up to observe the layout of the old town from above. In the afternoon, visit Dingxi Lijia Dragon Palace to learn about Li clan culture. In the evening, dine along the old street and try Longxi cured meat and jiangshui noodles.

• Day 2: Head to the source of the Weihe River

Drive to Weiyuan County, a journey of about 2 hours. Visit Dingxi Weihe Source Scenic Area, see Pinzi Spring and Dingxi Yuguang Forest, and experience the natural environment around the Weihe’s source. In the afternoon, you can continue to Dingxi Baling Bridge, an ancient bridge built entirely of wood without iron nails. Stay in Weiyuan County town overnight.

• Day 3: Canyon forests or highland grasslands

Option A (for hiking): Head to Zhang County and choose either Guiqing Mountain or Zheyang Mountain to explore canyons, peak forests, sinkholes, fissures, and other geological features. Option B (for grasslands): Head to Langdu Wetland Grassland in Min County. Walk slowly along the wooden boardwalks, watch the herds of cattle and sheep, and enjoy the cool 20°C weather and the wide-open grassland. Arrange the afternoon according to your return schedule.

Practical Travel Tips

• Transportation: Dingxi’s attractions are widely scattered, with most located in outlying counties, so self-driving or hiring a private car is recommended. From Lanzhou, you can take a high-speed train to Dingxi North Railway Station, then rent a car or join a shared ride locally.
• What to wear: Day-night temperature differences are considerable in northwestern China and are even more pronounced in grassland and mountain areas. Bring a light jacket or windbreaker. Wear non-slip sports shoes when hiking in the mountains, as rocks beside streams can be slippery.
• Sun protection and moisture care: Ultraviolet rays are strong and the air is dry, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and moisturizing skincare products.
• Where to stay: Anding District is the urban area, while transportation and dining are also convenient in Longxi County town. When visiting Langdu Grassland or Guiqing Mountain, consider staying in a nearby county town.
• Buying local products: For specialties such as vacuum-packed wide noodles, Min County pastries, dang gui, and huang qi, it is best to shop at county-town supermarkets or farmers’ markets, where prices are usually more reasonable. Avoid buying them casually from roadside stalls.