The Wonders of Nature

I. Basic Information Location: Southeast of Zhidan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, about 2 km from the county seat. Navigate to "Maoxiang Grand Canyon Scenic Area." Opening Hours: 8:00–16:30 (some periods adjusted to 9:00–18:00, it is recommended to confirm in advance). Ticket Prices: Platform ticket purchase approx. CNY 59.9–76 (including scenic transportation + rain boots), on-site ticket purchase from CNY 79, discounts for students/children. Some articles mention the original price of CNY 168 (including scenic transportation), but this may be an early price, so it is recommended to refer to the latest platform information. II. Transportation Guide Self-driving: From Yan'an: About 1–1.5 hours (navigate to "Maoxiang Grand Canyon Scenic Area"). From Xi'an: 2.5 hours by high-speed train to Yan'an, then 2 hours by chartered car or self-driving. Note: The last 5 km is a gravel road, so an SUV is recommended. Public Transportation: Yan'an Bus Station → Zhidan Bus Station (2-hour bus), then a 10-minute taxi to the scenic area. There is a free scenic area bus from Zhidan County to the entrance. III. Must-See Attractions and Routes Core Attractions: Qiankun Valley: Sunlight shines through a narrow opening, forming Tai Chi light and shadow. The best time to photograph is 10am or 3pm. Lovers' Canyon (Jueqing Valley): Heart-shaped sky and winding canyon, suitable for couples to check in. Palace Corridor: Tall rock walls like a palace passage, suitable for wide-angle lens photography. Like Water Flowing Years Wall: Rock texture like traces of time, clearer on rainy days. Body Shaping Lane: The narrowest point allows only one person to pass sideways, testing body shape and courage. Geocentric Tunnel: 30m dark cave, with a sudden opening at the end. Recommended Route: Scenic transportation to the entrance → visit Qiankun Valley → Lovers' Canyon → Palace Corridor → Like Water Flowing Years Wall → Body Shaping Lane → Geocentric Tunnel → scenic transportation back (about 3 km, 2–3 hours). IV. Photography and Outfit Suggestions Best Shooting Time: 10:00–13:00, when sunlight shines directly into the canyon, the light and shadow effect is the best. Outfit: Bright-colored windbreaker, overalls, or white/black/red dress to contrast with the red sandstone background. Equipment: Wide-angle lens for panoramic views, telephoto lens for details, and icefalls can be photographed on rainy days (limited to April). V. Precautions Safety: Some sections of the road are slippery, so wear non-slip shoes and be careful when traveling on rainy days. There are no restrooms in the canyon, so it is recommended to take care of your physiological needs in advance. Equipment: Bring your own water and snacks, as there are no commercial facilities in the scenic area. Mosquito repellent spray, sunscreen, and hat (strong ultraviolet rays in summer). Signal: Only mobile network coverage, inform relatives and friends of the itinerary in advance. VI. Surrounding Food and Accommodation Food: In Zhidan County, Lao Xing's mutton, mutton noodles, black rolled noodles, and spicy liver bowl tuo are recommended. There are no restaurants in the scenic area, so you can bring your own simple meals. Accommodation: County hotels: Jubao Holiday Hotel, Zhidan Hotel (CNY 200–500/night). Scenic area B&Bs: Cave-style B&Bs, experience the characteristics of northern Shaanxi (book in advance). VII. Season and Weather Recommendations Best Season: April–October (April icefalls, autumn red leaves). Rainy Days: May be closed, it is recommended to check the weather forecast and wear waterproof clothing on rainy days. VIII. Other Tips Group Tour: Some platforms provide a "ticket + scenic transportation + travel photography" package, which is suitable for photography enthusiasts. Surrounding Linkage: Can be combined with Hukou Waterfall, Qiankun Bay, Wave Valley and other Loess Plateau attractions to plan a 3-day in-depth tour. Summary: Maoxiang Grand Canyon attracts tourists with its original Danxia landform and legendary stories. It is suitable for photography, adventure, and nature lovers. Plan your trip in advance and pay attention to safety and equipment to fully experience the shocking beauty of the "longest carved rock valley in Asia!"