The Yellow River! A worthwhile trip

☑️Route planning - North Route: Starting from Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, visit the Huitengxile Grassland to experience the grassland scenery and Mongolian culture; then go to the Nanhai Wetland Scenic Area in Baotou to enjoy the wetland ecological landscape and rare birds; finally, go to the Meiligeng Scenic Area to appreciate the strange peaks, rocks, and waterfalls. - Central Route: Starting from Datong, Shanxi, visit the Yungang Grottoes to experience the charm of Buddhist art; then go to the Ancient City of Pingyao to experience Jin merchant culture; then go to the Shanxi Yellow River Hukou Waterfall Tourist Area to watch the spectacular scene of the Yellow River water roaring down. - South Route: Starting from Xi'an, Shaanxi, drive along the Shaanxi Yellow River Sightseeing Road, passing the Sima Qian Ancestral Temple in Hancheng to appreciate the historical culture; go to the Yellow River Qiankun Bay to admire the unique Yellow River S-bend; and finally go to the Hukou Waterfall in Yan'an to feel the majestic momentum of the Mother River. 🌟Attraction recommendations - Natural landscapes: Shanxi Yellow River Hukou Waterfall Tourist Area, where you can admire the majestic momentum of the waterfall group; Shapotou in Zhongwei, Ningxia, where you can experience the unique scenery of the desert and the Yellow River; Yellow River San Shenggong National Water Conservancy Scenic Area in Inner Mongolia, where you can enjoy the scenery of the great river, desert landscape, and magnificent water conservancy projects. - Historical and cultural landscapes: Yungang Grottoes is one of the three major grottoes in China, with exquisite Buddha statues; the Ancient City of Pingyao was the financial center of the late Qing Dynasty, preserving a large number of Ming and Qing buildings; the Lajia National Site Park in Gansu witnessed the rise and fall of ancient civilizations. 😍Food recommendations - Inner Mongolia section: Roasted whole lamb, hand-grabbed mutton, and candied milk tofu to experience the boldness of grassland cuisine. - Shanxi section: Pingyao beef, Guo You Rou (braised pork in brown sauce), and Dao Xiao Mian (knife-cut noodles) to experience the charm of Shanxi pasta and specialty dishes. - Shaanxi section: Yangrou Paomo (mutton and bread soup), Rou Jia Mo (Chinese hamburger), and Liangpi (cold skin noodles) to taste the authentic Northwest flavors. 🏭Accommodation suggestions - City hotels: In cities such as Hohhot, Taiyuan, and Xi'an, you can choose star-rated hotels, such as the Sheraton Hotel Hohhot, with complete facilities and convenient transportation. - Characteristic B&Bs: In the Ancient City of Pingyao and some ancient towns along the Yellow River, there are characteristic B&Bs, such as Tian Yuan Kui Inn in the Ancient City of Pingyao, which is quaint and can experience the local customs. 🚗Transportation guide - Airplane: Hohhot Baita International Airport, Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and other airports along the route make it convenient for tourists from all over the world to arrive. - Train: Railway transportation is convenient in cities along the Yellow River. You can take a train to various attractions, such as the Ancient City of Pingyao and Hukou Waterfall, which are accessible by railway. - Self-driving: Suitable for tourists who have plenty of time and like free travel. You can drive along the Yellow River Highway or related expressways to enjoy the scenery along the way.