Yonghe County Travel

Yonghe County, Linfen, Shanxi — Home of Yellow River meanders, sacred land of the Red Army's Eastern Expedition. Integrating Yellow River Qiankun Bay, Red Army Eastern Expedition Yonghe Memorial Hall, Yonghe Confucian Temple, and Gedi Ancient Village, it blends the wonder of the Yellow River, red memories, and ancient county culture. A 2-day 1-night in-depth tour decodes the history and nature at the bend of the Yellow River, capturing the unique charm of 'Number One Bend of the Nine-Bend Yellow River, Red Genes Passed Down Through Generations'.

6000+
Years of Yellow River Meander Formation
100 sq km
Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area
6+
Core Attractions
8+
Specialty Foods

Explore All Districts & Counties of Linfen

Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area, Yonghe County
Yonghe Yellow River Qiankun Bay - Number One Bay of the Yellow River
Core landscape of the National Geopark, a 320-degree large bend formed by the Yellow River flowing through Yonghe, shaped like a Tai Chi diagram, known as the 'Yellow River Meander Geological Museum', an excellent place to view the magnificence of the Yellow River and natural wonders.

Yonghe County 2-Day 1-Night Yellow River Red Tour

View Qiankun Bay to enjoy the wonder of the Yellow River, visit the Eastern Expedition Memorial Hall to remember the revolutionary years, tour the Confucian Temple to trace the county's cultural lineage, wander the ancient village to experience Yellow River folk customs.

Duration
2 Days / 1 Night
Main Destinations
Yellow River Qiankun Bay, Red Army Eastern Expedition Yonghe Memorial Hall, Yonghe Confucian Temple, Gedi Township Ancient Village, Immortal Bay, Wanghe Pavilion
Suitable For
Natural wonder lovers, red culture learners, history researchers, photography enthusiasts, families
Budget per Person
¥450-¥750
01
Yellow River Grand View
Yellow River Qiankun Bay · Immortal Bay · Gedi Ancient Village
Highlights

Morning ascend the Qiankun Bay viewing platform to enjoy the 320-degree large bend of the Yellow River, afternoon explore Immortal Bay to see Yellow River wetland scenery, evening step into Gedi Township Ancient Village to experience folk customs and cave dwelling culture along the Yellow River.

Attractions
Yellow River Qiankun Bay
Core scenic area of the National Geopark, a natural large bend formed by the Yellow River flowing through Yonghe, with a curvature of 320 degrees, a river width of about 400 meters, and steep cliffs on both banks. The peninsula inside the bay resembles 'yin-yang fish', forming a natural Tai Chi diagram, known as 'Number One Bay of the Yellow River'. The scenic area features facilities such as Wanghe Pavilion and viewing platforms, making it an excellent place to view the magnificence of the Yellow River and geological wonders.
Immortal Bay
An important part of the Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area, named after the legend that the Eight Immortals once stayed here. The bay has gentle water surfaces, dense wetland vegetation, inhabited by grey cranes, wild ducks and other waterbirds. On the shore are remains of ancient ferries and plank roads. Visitors can take a cruise to experience the Yellow River up close, and at dusk, the magnificent scene of 'the setting sun round over the long river' often appears.
Gedi Township Ancient Village
Well-preserved ancient village clusters along the Yellow River, including Xihouyu, Dongzheng Village, etc. Most buildings in the village are Ming and Qing dynasty cave dwellings with stone walls and carved wooden doors and windows intact, still inhabited by villagers. Visitors can experience Yellow River paper cutting, cave dwelling B&Bs, farmhouse cuisine, and feel the traditional lifestyle of 'living by the river', making it a living fossil of Yellow River folk culture.
Practical Info
Accommodation Recommendations
  • B&Bs at Qiankun Bay Scenic Area
  • Cave dwelling inns in Gedi Township
  • Business hotels in county town
Food Recommendations
  • Yellow River Carp
  • Minjian (Pressed Noodles)
  • Soft Millet Oil Cake
  • Yonghe Hele Noodles
Travel Tips
  • Best photo time at Qiankun Bay viewing platform: 1 hour after sunrise
  • Immortal Bay cruise ticket: ¥50/person (round trip)
  • B&Bs in ancient villages need advance booking for better experience
02
Red Memories
Red Army Eastern Expedition Memorial Hall · Yonghe Confucian Temple · County Town Scenery
Highlights

Morning visit the Red Army Eastern Expedition Yonghe Memorial Hall to revisit the history of the Red Army's Eastern Expedition, afternoon explore Yonghe Confucian Temple to feel the ancient county's cultural lineage, evening stroll through the county town to experience Yonghe's local customs before returning.

Attractions
Red Army Eastern Expedition Yonghe Memorial Hall
National patriotic education demonstration base, commemorating the history of the Red Army's Eastern Expedition in Yonghe in 1936. The hall displays the combat journey of Mao Zedong, Peng Dehuai and others leading the Red Army in Yonghe through historical photos, cultural relics, and scene restorations. Existing relics include the former site of the Eastern Expedition headquarters and Mao Zedong's residence, making it an important venue for red tourism and revolutionary tradition education.
Yonghe Confucian Temple
Shanxi Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, first built in the Yuan Dynasty, rebuilt in Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the venue for Confucian education and worshipping Confucius in ancient Yonghe. Existing buildings include Dacheng Hall, Ji Gate, Pan Pool, etc. Inside the hall, a Qing Dynasty plaque of 'Supreme Sage' Confucius and colored paintings are preserved. Ancient cypresses tower in the courtyard, making it an important physical object for studying Confucian temple architecture in western Shanxi.
Yonghe County Town Scenery Street
A commercial street showcasing the blend of modern and traditional Yonghe, retaining Ming and Qing dynasty shop layouts while incorporating modern elements. The street features Yonghe specialty stores, traditional snack shops, cultural creative shops, etc., where visitors can buy Yonghe red dates, walnuts and other local products, and experience local daily life.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • County town to Qiankun Bay: about 35 km, 3 daily tourist buses
  • Memorial Hall is 2 km from county town, walk or taxi
  • Attractions within the scenic area are scattered, self-driving or chartered car recommended
Ticket Info
  • Yellow River Qiankun Bay: ¥80
  • Red Army Eastern Expedition Memorial Hall: Free (registration required)
  • Yonghe Confucian Temple: ¥15
  • Immortal Bay: Included in Qiankun Bay ticket
Travel Tips
  • Guided tour available at Memorial Hall (¥50/time), free for groups of 10+
  • No loud noise inside Confucian Temple, respect cultural heritage
  • Yonghe red dates mature Sep-Oct, best time to buy

Must-Try Foods in Yonghe County

Yellow River Carp

Specialty dish along the Yonghe section of the Yellow River, made with wild Yellow River carp, mainly braised or stewed, seasoned with local chili and Sichuan pepper. The flesh is firm and tender, the broth rich and savory. There's a saying: 'Not eating Yellow River fish means you haven't truly visited Yonghe.' It is the signature dish for entertaining distinguished guests.

Yonghe Minjian (Pressed Noodles)

A traditional Yonghe noodle dish made by mixing mung bean flour with wheat flour, pressed through a special sieve into boiling water, shaped like small fish. Served with tomato sauce or minced meat sauce, the texture is smooth and chewy, easy to digest. It is a daily staple for locals, embodying the dietary wisdom of 'refined coarse grains' in western Shanxi.

Soft Millet Oil Cake

A traditional Yonghe festival snack, made with local soft yellow millet as the skin, wrapped with jujube paste or bean paste filling, deep-fried until golden. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, sweet and delicious. Because Yonghe's soft millet grows along the Yellow River with unique quality, the oil cake's flavor far exceeds ordinary yellow millet oil cake, making it an essential food for Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and other holidays.

Yonghe Red Date Cake

A dessert made from the national geographical indication product 'Yonghe Red Dates', mixed with yellow millet flour and steamed. Red dates are pitted and mashed, layered with flour and steamed, resulting in a bright red color, soft and sticky texture, sweet and delicious, rich in nutrition. It is a specialty food in autumn and winter, and also an excellent gift.

Yonghe County Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Apr-May: Mountain flowers bloom on both banks of the Yellow River, pleasant weather
  • Sep-Oct: Clear autumn skies, stable Yellow River water volume, ideal for sightseeing
  • Jul-Aug: Experience Yellow River rafting, escape the summer heat
  • Mid-Oct: Yonghe red dates harvest season, picking experience available
Must-Try Foods
  • Yellow River Carp
  • Yonghe Minjian (Pressed Noodles)
  • Soft Millet Oil Cake
  • Yonghe Red Date Cake
  • Buckwheat Hele Noodles
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥95
  • Accommodation: ¥100-180/night
  • Meals: ¥35-65/day
  • Transport: about ¥60
  • Total: ¥450-750
FAQ
  • Where is the best viewing platform at Yellow River Qiankun Bay? → Huifengzhai viewing platform, overlooking the entire bay
  • What important events did the Red Army's Eastern Expedition have in Yonghe? → Mao Zedong convened a military meeting here, deploying the Eastern Expedition
  • What is special about Yonghe red dates? → Thin skin, thick flesh, high sugar content, national geographical indication product
  • Can I stay overnight in Gedi Township Ancient Village? → Yes, cave dwelling B&Bs offer a strong experience, book 1-2 days in advance