Zhongwei Sikou Scenic area and Yinchuan

 9 Jul 18

Zhongwei Sikou Scenic area where the Sikou Grand Canyon is located is about 30 km south east of Zhongwei. After buffet breakfast at the hotel, we drove an hour to reach this place. It is not a popular nor large attraction and the number of visitors we saw at the gate can testify to this. There were less than 10 visitors around. Senior citizens were given free entry. That means we have free entry.

It was our last day of tour and this was the last itinerary on our list. And it's about climbing up mountain which by now, we have been so accustom to this kind of activities. But the special attraction of this site is walking across the gorge on a hanging bridge over 100 metres long.  Proudly, we all made it quite easily.

We all made it easily. As there was no other visitors at this time, we have the bridge all to ourselves for great photo shoots.

 

 

 We needed to hang on tightly to the rail on this steep cliff.

 Steep descent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 At the Sikou Buddhist Temple with a big lying Buddha statue, I donated some money on behalf of Lynn for her late father.

 

Memorial of a banished court official Mo Yang

 

 

After lunch, we drove to Yinchuan City. Below is the ancient Drum Tower of Yinchuan

 

 

 

On the walking street, 3 old folks have a treat of ice-cream after 2 weeks of hard work.

 

We stayed at this nice hotel in Yinchuan.

 

 

10 July, breakfast on the day of departure.  

 

 

 

The Journey to the West has ended as we board the Air China back to Singapore. Certainly, it was a very enriching experience as well as a happy holiday.

Scenic Drive Through Qilian Mountain to Zhongwei

8 Jul 18

It was a raining day. Today was driving day, relaxing and listening to music. The drive will take us back to Zhongwei. If not for the rain, the drive would be particularly scenic as we drove through the Qilian Mountains valleys. Along the way, we saw traditional villages with mud houses, farmlands totally inundated with the blooming yellow flower of  rapeseed, huge green patches of young maize as well as vast field of wheat.

Our driver, Xiaowang took the route that cut through Qilian Mountains, avoiding major highways.

Part of the route, the roads parallel the Datong River, and with mountains flanking both sides, surely add to the beauty of the sceneries. Truly, it's spectacular and picturesque .

 

We arrived at Shapotou, about 10 km west of Zhongwei to have a view of the bend of Yellow River.
BTW, Yellow river is 1900 km long and is the second longest river in China. Historically, the river and Chinese civilization are synonymous. It originates in Qinghai and flow through 9 provinces including Gansu and Ningxia. It also meandered its way through Qilian Mountain before it  emerges towards the plain at Zhongwei and Yinchuan.

 Tonight, Xiaowang bought us dinner. The baby lamb, the restaurant special was delicious. Together local vegetables, our dinner was indeed satisfying.

Our driver, Xiaowang has been very professional and drove us safely over 4000 km in 14 days. Job well done.

 

We stayed at this comfortable hotel