Heihe Grand Canyon
黑河大峡谷
A canyon of about 100 kilometres carved by the upper Heihe River through the Qilian Mountains, alternating between river meadows, cliffs and primeval forest; a niche self-drive route west of Qilian.
The Heihe Grand Canyon lies in western Qilian County, from Zhamashi Township to Yeniugou Township. The Heihe River, which rises in the Qilian Mountains and flows into Zhangye as an inland river, cuts through the range here to form a canyon roughly 70 to 100 km long. Driving west along S302 and county roads, the valley alternates between wide and narrow stretches. Where it widens, lush river meadows host herders' tents and grazing yaks; where it narrows, cliffs tower on both sides, the river runs fast, and the slopes are covered in Qilian juniper and spruce forest. Deep in the canyon, the Yeniugou area is home to Yugur and Tibetan herding communities, and there are wetlands at the Heihe source. The canyon has not been developed as a fee-charging scenic area, so it is mainly enjoyed through self-drive sightseeing along the way. Most roads are asphalt, with some gravel sections, and the region is sparsely populated. Route: from the Qilian county seat west through Zhamashi Township to Yeniugou Township is about 80 km and two hours; stop at canyon viewpoints and riverside meadows along the way, or continue west through the heart of the Qilian Mountains to Gangcha on the north shore of Qinghai Lake to form a small loop. Notes: there are almost no petrol stations or restaurants along the way, so fill up and bring dry food before setting out; mobile signal is patchy; in the rainy season, watch for falling rocks and flash floods; do not drive onto grazing land. The coordinates are an estimated location for the middle section of the canyon. Suitable for self-drivers with ample time who enjoy wild landscapes; ordinary visitors can skip it.
Opening hours
All day