Intersection of Light and Shadow ~ Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon

📍 Lisbon · 👁 449 reads

On the fourth day, we took a day trip from Yan'an to Yucha Grand Canyon. For independent travelers, you can take a direct bus from the South Bus Station for 70 yuan, or take a bus from Yan'an South Bus Station to Ganquan, which runs frequently at a fare of 14 yuan. After arriving at Ganquan Bus Station, you can buy a ticket (10.5 yuan) to Xiasiwan Town. Once you reach Xiasiwan Town, you can add 10 yuan to the driver to be taken directly to the Yucha Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Alternatively, you can join a local day tour group. After weighing the options, we booked a "Pure Fun One-Day Tour of Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon" on Ma Feng Wo for two people at 391 yuan. I felt this choice was quite right. Once inside the scenic area, it's all the same (you follow the shuttle bus), and you have enough time to explore. At 8:00 AM, a business car picked us up at the hotel entrance; it was an eight-person small group. We arrived at Yucha Grand Canyon at 9:16 and took the shuttle bus at 9:45. The tour ended at 12:03, having visited only two gullies: Peony Gully and Birch Tree Gully. We were quite lucky—the sun was out while we explored, but it disappeared at 1:15 PM. We got back on the bus at 1:34 PM to return to Yan'an. We asked the driver to take us to Qingliang Mountain. We arrived at 3:10 PM, and it started drizzling as we entered Qingliang Mountain. We visited Qingliang Mountain and Taihe Mountain. Originally, we planned to have dinner and then see the night view of Pagoda Hill, but unfortunately, it began to rain heavily after dinner, so we had to go back to the hotel.

Introduction to Yucha Grand Canyon

Yucha Grand Canyon is located in Yucha Village, Xiasiwan Town, Ganquan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province. "Yucha Grand Canyon" is not a specific place name but refers to a cluster of Danxia landform canyons scattered within a few kilometers of Yucha Township. It is a general term for over a hundred canyons in Yucha Township, which the locals call "gullies." The local government has centrally managed three gullies—Birch Tree Gully, Peony Gully, and Longba Gully—integrating them into a formal scenic area with a paid shuttle bus service. Since January of this year, entrance fees have been officially charged. Only two of the three gullies are open each day, announced by the visitor center. The ticket for Yucha Grand Canyon is 98 yuan, the shuttle bus is 70 yuan, making a full ticket 168 yuan. People over 65, disabled individuals, military personnel, police officers, and journalists are exempt from the entrance fee but need to purchase the 70-yuan shuttle bus ticket. Only two gullies are open each day, announced by the visitor center. This time, we visited Peony Gully and Birch Tree Gully.

According to research, about ten million years ago, a strong earthquake occurred here, causing a crack in the mountain of the Loess Plateau. The crack varied in width, and over time, rainwater erosion gradually formed this peculiar canyon landscape with beautiful wavy lines. This canyon is very similar to Antelope Canyon in the United States, drawing attention and becoming a holy land for photography enthusiasts across the country. It has been called "China's Antelope Canyon" by explorers. Currently, there are five gullies in Yucha: from south to north, they are Peony Gully, Birch Tree Gully, Butterfly Gully, Longba Gully, and Huabao Fork.

This is a mysterious underground world. Amidst the primitive landscape, light plays with enchanting shadows. No matter which angle you take, you can capture the most natural and expressive scenes of the canyon. Standing inside, it feels like you are in a time tunnel—very astonishing and awe-inspiring. This is nature's gift to humanity!

The best light is generally between 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM. Sunlight shines through the crevices of the canyon onto the rock walls, making the curves and textures of the rocks colorful and brilliant.

Entering the gully during the most favorable sunlight period (noon), the natural light still reveals its gorgeous colors.

The Grand Canyon itself is a masterpiece of nature. If you encounter good weather and time your entry well, the interplay of sunlight reflection and refraction—creating light, shadows, and colors—will absolutely leave you in awe.

The dreamy colors of the rocks and the undulating lines are like flowing paintings, both dynamic and still...

Birch Tree Gully of Yucha Grand Canyon

Vibrant green mosses carpet the rock walls like a rug.

Birch Tree Gully of Yucha Grand Canyon

Fascinating curves, moving colors—standing under the canyon gives a surreal feeling, as if you've arrived on an alien planet.

Birch Tree Gully of Yucha Grand Canyon

The canyon walls are undulating and graceful, with smooth and elegant lines. Everything feels simple, harmonious, and natural.

Birch Tree Gully of Yucha Grand Canyon

It is nature's most miraculous masterpiece!

Birch Tree Gully of Yucha Grand Canyon

Peony Gully is about 24 kilometers from the visitor center. The scenic area's shuttle bus picked us up at Peony Gully at 10:20. Peony Gully is named for the wild purple peonies growing around it. Locals also call it "Beauty Gully."