Guyuan, Liupan Mountain & Mount Kongtong 5-Day Summer Retreat
See grottoes and Danxia landforms in Guyuan, cross Liupan Mountain to Mount Kongtong in Pingliang, ideal for a slow-paced summer and autumn retreat.
Explore the southern mountainous region of Ningxia, visiting the Xumishan Grottoes, Huoshizhai Danxia landforms, and the Liupan Mountain Red Army Memorial Site, before crossing the provincial border into Pingliang, Gansu, to climb Mount Kongtong. This uncrowded and cool route is perfect for returning visitors who have already been to Yinchuan and Zhongwei. A self-drive or chartered car is required. The Pengyang Terraces are skipped to allow for a one-way, non-returning route departing from Pingliang.
Huoshizhai, Liupan Mountain National Forest Park, and Yehegu (Wild Lotus Valley) close around the end of October until the following spring. Please verify dates before traveling.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Guyuan and Silk Road Relics
Guyuan（Guyuan Museum、Warring States Qin Great Wall (Guyuan)）
It takes about 30 minutes from the airport to the city center, and about 10 minutes from the museum to the Northern Qin Great Wall in the north of the city. All are close to the urban area.
The Guyuan Museum is closed on Mondays. It is best to arrange a morning arrival flight.
Stay: Guyuan City Proper (Yuanzhou District)
Day 2 · Mount Xumi and Huoshizhai Danxia
Guyuan（Xumishan Grottoes、Huoshizhai National Geopark、Longwangba Village）
Drive from the city center to Mount Xumi (approx. 1 hour), then to Huoshizhai (approx. 1 hour), and continue via Longwangba to Longde (approx. 1.5 hours).
The Mount Xumi visit takes about 3 hours, so an early departure is recommended.
Stay: Longde County Town
Day 3 · Liupan Mountain Long March Memorial Site
Guyuan（Liupanshan Red Army Long March Memorial、Liangdianxia、Laolongtan）
Drive from Longde to the Memorial Hall (approx. 20 mins), then head south to Liangdianxia and Laolongtan (approx. 1 hour), and continue to Jingyuan (approx. 15 mins).
Stay: Jingyuan (Southern Foot of Liupan Mountain)
Day 4 · Xiaonanchuan to Pingliang
Guyuan（Xiaonanchuan Scenic Area、Yehe Valley） → Pingliang & Kongtong Mountain
Drive from the county seat to Xiaonanchuan (approx. 15 mins), head north to Yehegu (approx. 40 mins), and transfer to Kongtong Ancient Town (approx. 1.5 hours).
The route involves many mountain roads. Cross the provincial border in the afternoon and avoid driving in rainy weather or at dusk.
Stay: Kongtong Ancient Town
Day 5 · Climb Mount Kongtong and Depart
Pingliang & Kongtong Mountain（Kongtong Mountain、Wendao Palace、Tanzheng Lake (Kongtong Reservoir)）
Take the scenic area shuttle up the mountain and explore on foot for about half a day. Take a taxi down the mountain to Pingliang Railway Station (approx. 30 mins).
Train services from Pingliang are infrequent and slow. Check the schedule before departing or opt for a long-distance bus instead.