Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon

Laoniuwan, also known as Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon, is located at the border of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, with the Yellow River as the boundary. The southern side belongs to Pianguan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi, and the northern side is Qingshuihe County, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. It is the place where the Yellow River and the Great Wall 'shake hands.' The Inner Mongolia side is part of the Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area, known as 'China's most beautiful canyon,' while the Shanxi side is the Pianguan Laoniuwan Scenic Area, both being national 4A-level scenic spots. Although the two scenic areas face each other across the river, driving to the opposite side requires a detour of more than 20 kilometers. Laoniuwan has a unique geographical environment. The Yellow River flows vertically south through Laoniuwan, making a peculiar big turn in the middle and lower parts of the Jinshan Grand Canyon, blocked by the Lüliang Mountains. This bend is called 'the first bend of the Yellow River in the world.' According to legend, when Taishang Laojun was plowing the fields and opening the river with his divine ox, the opposite Mingdeng Mountain shone brightly, startling the ox, which plowed out a curved land, hence the name Laoniuwan. This time, on the way back to Beijing from Ordos, I happened to pass by Laoniuwan. Since the Laoniuwan Scenic Area on the Shanxi Pianguan side was temporarily closed, I went to the Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area on the Inner Mongolia side. Before coming here, I had heard debates about which side offers a better view of Laoniuwan. After visiting in person, I can tell you that the view from the Inner Mongolia side is better for seeing the bay, while the Shanxi side offers a more historical perspective with the ancient Great Wall. Each has its own merits. Of course, if you bring a drone, both sides are equally good!