Qiankun Bay Photo Spot

🔥A hidden gem in Pianguan! The sunrise at Qiankun Bay is breathtaking! The First Bend of the Yellow River stuns you to your knees!

Who says Shanxi only has ancient architecture? Pianguan Qiankun Bay completely changed my perception of Shanxi! The Yellow River makes a sharp 270° turn here, like a giant dragon coiled on the Loess Plateau🏞️

📍Location: Near County Road 017, Pianguan County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province
⏰Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Advance reservation and registration required to see the sunrise!)

🌅Must-try experiences:
1️⃣ Panoramic view from the observation deck
Climb the 360° circular observation deck, with a cliff right beneath your feet! The Yellow River forms a perfect Ω shape here, looking like a fingerprint on the earth in aerial shots (remember to bring a wide-angle lens)

2️⃣ Cliffside plank road hike
A 2-kilometer-long suspended plank road, with a vertical cliff on one side and the rushing Yellow River on the other. If you’re faint-hearted, hold onto the railing🤣 You’ll encounter many geological fault wonders along the way

🍜 Local food highlights:
✔️ Yellow River carp paomo: freshly caught wild carp, the broth is so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows fall off
✔️ Youmian Kaolaolao: an intangible cultural heritage noodle dish, dip it in lamb sauce and you can eat three big bowls
✔️ Pianguan oil cake: made with jujubes from the Yellow River beach, crispy outside, sticky inside, sweet but not greasy

💡Hardcore tips:
• At sunrise, mist rises from the canyon, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere
• In autumn, you can see the stunning contrast of red leaves on both banks and yellow river water
• There are old boatmen by the river who can tell stories about the ancient ferry crossing

⚠️ Real experience tips:
- No water sold inside the scenic area! Bring enough drinking water
- Strong winds by the cliff, wear a windproof jacket and shoes with good grip
- Few rural bus trips from the county town to the scenic area, carpooling is recommended

📸Top photo spots:
1️⃣ Qiankun Pavilion: perfect for framing! You can capture the entire river bend in one shot
2️⃣ Glass observation deck: lie down and shoot for a stunning view of the Yellow River beneath your feet