Travel Notes in Shaanxi: Yan'an Ganquan Grand Canyon
On May 16, 2024, at 2:06 PM, we boarded the K8168 train to Yan'an. The reason we only stayed in Xi'an for one day and immediately rushed to Yan'an was due to another circumstance. We had originally planned to spend a few more days in Xi'an before heading to Yan'an without returning to Xi'an. However, checking the weather forecast, we saw that the 17th and 18th would be sunny and clear—Ganquan Grand Canyon in Yan'an is best viewed under bright sunlight with ample light, making photos exceptionally stunning. The weather beyond those two days was unpredictable. So we changed our itinerary: go to Yan'an first, then back to Xi'an. This adjustment indeed worked out well, but that's a story for later.
At 5:40 PM on May 16, we arrived at Yan'an Railway Station. After exiting, we took bus K22 and got off at No.3 Middle School, checking into Junyi Hotel. That same day, we booked a one-day tour of Ganquan Grand Canyon for the 17th, costing 88 yuan per person (excluding entrance fee and shuttle bus). We usually don't favor group tours, but when researching Ganquan Grand Canyon, we found transportation inconvenient. Aside from self-driving, there are two options: public transit—no direct bus to the scenic area, only infrequent township buses from Ganquan County bus station, plus an additional taxi ride for several kilometers. Later, we discovered a one-day tour from Yan'an that, though pricier, offered convenience, so we signed up online.
On the morning of May 17, 2024, we had a自助 breakfast at the hotel at 7 AM. At 7:40 AM, the one-day tour bus picked us up. The bus was quite full; by the time we left Yan'an, all 38 seats were taken. We arrived at Ganquan Grand Canyon at 10:30 AM and took the scenic shuttle bus (70 yuan per person, mandatory as walking is not possible). The entrance fee was 100 yuan, but we were exempt. Only two valleys were open that day: Huashu Valley and Longba Valley, the most representative attractions.
Ganquan Grand Canyon is located in Xiasiwan Town, Ganquan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province. Also known as Yucha Valley, it features red sandstone geology shaped over millions of years by wind erosion, water dissolution, and scouring. It forms a large-scale cluster on the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi, rare in China, earning the reputation 'Natural Wonder of Underground Fissures on the Loess Plateau.' The canyon comprises 120 valleys of various sizes, where water, sunlight, and moss interweave, creating changing light and vibrant colors. Each valley is a beautiful picture. Due to varying water content in red sandstone across seasons, light absorption and refraction differ, so the canyon displays different colors year-round. Especially dynamic colors and delicate micro-landscapes reveal the canyon's vitality, holding high geological research and tourism value. It is known as 'World's Living Danxia, China's Dream Valley.'
Currently developed scenic spots include:
Huashu Valley: 1100 meters long, 15–25 meters high, winding and long, with a perennial stream and green moss on cliffs. Rich in figurative patterns of light and shadow, like a natural masterpiece. Micro-landscapes include 'Ancestor Totem,' 'Fairy Longing for the Mortal World,' 'Time Tunnel,' 'Visitor from Outer Space,' etc. Known as 'Photographer's Paradise.'
Longba Valley: 2500 meters long, with the first 800 meters as the open tourist area and the next 1700 meters as an ecological conservation zone. Valley height 10–20 meters, width varies, narrowest only allowing one person. Inside, moss is lush, textures undulating, lines graceful. Under sunlight, light and shadow interweave, dreamlike. Micro-landscapes include 'Millennium Kiss,' 'Cliff Rings,' 'Crazy Stones,' etc.
Peony Valley: Named for wild purple-spotted peonies growing around. Total length 1700 meters, first 100 meters open. Winding paths and beautiful scenery. Micro-landscapes include 'Jade Cicada Watching the Sky,' 'Peony Fairy,' 'Unique Arch Bridge,' 'Fairy Cave,' etc. Adjacent across the river is Yixiantian Valley (One-Line-Sky), about 100 meters long, 4 zhang high, 3 chi wide, with micro-landscapes like 'Ground Fissure Wonder,' 'Cliff Prairie,' 'Lion's Vigil.'
Since sunlight reaches the valley floor only for a limited time each day, 11 AM to 2 PM is the best viewing period; after that, the experience diminishes. The weather was sunny, and heaven provided perfect conditions. We first went to Longba Valley—already stunning—then took the shuttle to Huashu Valley, which was even more magical. The light, the lines, dazzling and mottled, made us lose track of time. By the time we finished these two valleys, it was after 2 PM, nearly time to assemble and return. We left reluctantly.
Around 4 PM, we returned to Yan'an, got off at Wanda Plaza, took a stroll along the Yan River, and then went back to the hotel to rest.
