[Chen Fan / For China Daily]

3. Qikou town and Laoniu Bay

The ancient town of Qikou sitting along the Yellow River was once a vital trading point. It flourished in history as goods transported along the waterway and brought in large numbers of visitors.

The once bustling hub is now a relaxing town. It is home to a population of about 30,000 people. Many residents still live in local-style caves.

Laoniu Bay is about 300 km from Qikou. Situated on the border of Shanxi province and Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Laoniu Bay is the only spot where the mighty Yellow River shakes hands with the Great Wall. Regarded as one of the 10 most beautiful canyons in China, the area has been made into a national-level geological park.

If you go: Take a three-hour high-speed train from Beijing to Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi. Qikou town is about three hours' drive from Taiyuan. You can also take a bus from Taiyuan to Qikou, which costs about 70 yuan. The bus leaves at about noon every day. It will be a special experience to spend a night in a local residents' cave dwelling, at a price of about 50 yuan per room. Be aware that there is no public bus connecting Qikou town and Laoniu Bay. You may need to hire a private van to reach Laoniu Bay, with the price depending on how well you negotiate.

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