Jingbian Wave Valley is located north of Xi'an, about 450 km away. The drive takes around 5 hours. From Yan'an, it is about 150 km and takes about 2 hours. From Pingyao Ancient City, it is around 350 km and takes about 4.5 hours.
Jingbian Wave Valley is named for its resemblance to The Wave in Arizona, USA. The unique landscape is formed from red sandstone, weathered and eroded over time, creating wave-like textures. Here, you can feel a Martian vibe. Many nature lovers and photography enthusiasts flock here.
In this magnificent landscape, the most spectacular sights include:
- Flame Danxia火焰丹霞: A true world of rock art. The sandstone displays indescribable fiery colors. Each rock seems to tell the story of time.
- Red Cliff Danxia赤壁丹霞: The towering cliffs contrast sharply with the Loess Plateau across the way. From a distance, the red cliffs resemble a giant ruby embedded in the earth, radiating a mysterious and enchanting glow.
- Earth Core Danxia地心丹霞: This is particularly ingenious. The natural patterns on the sandstone resemble time's fingerprints, with sweeping curves like ocean waves. It feels as if centuries of history are settled and flowing here.
Facts about the Jingbian Wave Valley:
- In Chinese: 靖边波浪谷
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Visit duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
- Ticket price: CNY 90
- Reservation needed: No
- Address: Wuyang Road South, Jingbian County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province
Hi, I'm Ken. I've lived in Xi'an for more than 20 years, having arrived in 1999 to study. During my college years, I fell in love with Xi'an's rich history and vibrant culture. After graduation, I chose to stay and become a cultural ambassador, sharing the city's attractions and culinary delights with international visitors. My goal is to help everyone discover the magic of Xi'an and fall in love with it, just as I did.
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Walking Routes in the Jingbian Wave Valley
Jingbian Wave ValleyThere are two routes for exploring Jingbian Wave Valley:
1. The first Route is suitable for young photographers or those in good shape. It takes about 2.5 hours.
Entrance → Flame Danxia → Red Cliff Danxia → One Line Sky → Earth Core Danxia → Return Bridge → Exit
Flame DanxiaOne Line Sky2. The second Route is suitable for families with elderly or children. It takes about 1.5 hours.
Entrance → Glass Viewing Bridge (50 yuan) → Flame Danxia → Red Cliff Danxia → Earth Core Danxia → Divine Tree Bridge → Return Bridge → Dragon Heart Bridge → Exit
Earth Core DanxiaPreparation:
- Make sure to apply sunscreen, prepare for rain, wear comfortable shoes, and bring band-aids. In summer, pack mosquito repellent.
- There are no decent restaurants in the area, so it's best to bring snacks or simple meals.
Arrange a Trip to Jingbian Wave Valley from Xi'an
Since Jingbian Wave Valley is about a 5-hour drive from Xi'an, I recommend staying at least one night. Otherwise, if you leave at 7 AM, you might not return to your hotel until around 9 PM.
You can consider adding Hukou Waterfall to your two-day itinerary. It's the second largest waterfall in China and offers stunning views of the Yellow River.
Hukou Waterfall- Day 1: Depart Xi'an around 8-9 AM. Visit Wave Valley after lunch. Stay overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn in Jingbian, about a 30-minute drive from the valley. It's a relatively upscale hotel with complete facilities and a convenient location in Jingbian Town.
- Day 2: Depart in the morning for Hukou Waterfall, which takes about 3.5-4 hours. Visit the waterfall in the afternoon, then drive back to Xi'an for about 3.5 hours.
If you have seven days, see our
If you only plan three days, consider a three-day trip, including a visit to the Yellow Emperor's Tomb.
Yellow Emperor's Tomb- Day 1: Depart Xi'an, arriving at the Yellow Emperor's Tomb in about 2.5 hours. After visiting, drive to Hukou Waterfall (about 2 hours). Stay near the waterfall at the Yunshang Guanpufang Hotel. It's less than a 15-minute drive away.
- Day 2: Visit Hukou Waterfall in the morning. After lunch, drive to Jingbian (about 3.5 hours). Stay overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn in Jingbian.
- Day 3: Explore Jingbian Wave Valley in the morning, then drive back to Xi'an in the afternoon.
After visiting the Wave Valley, you can also stay an extra night in Yan'an to visit the Yaodong (traditional dwellings carved into hillsides) and experience the Holy Land of the Chinese Communist Revolution Movement (gaining insight into modern Chinese revolutionary history).
YaodongDriving about 4.5 hours to Pingyao Ancient Town after visiting Jingbian Wave Valley is also a wise option.
Pingyao Ancient TownSome of our clients also choose a three-day trip visiting Yunqiu Mountain, Hukou Waterfall, and Jingbian Wave Valley together. Yunqiu Mountain is famous for its massive ice cave clusters and a 2,500-year-old ancient village.
- Day 1: Drive from Xi'an to Yunqiu Mountain (about 3.5 hours). After visiting, drive to Hukou Waterfall and check into the hotel (about 2 hours).
- Day 2: Visit Hukou Waterfall in the morning. After lunch, drive to Hilton in Jingbian (about 3 hours).
- Day 3: Visit Wave Valley in the morning, then return to Xi'an after lunch (about 5 hours).
Recommended Xian Tours
- 3-Day Essence of Xi'an Tour
- 7-Day Xi'an, Wave Valley & Hukou Waterfall Tour
- 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery
If you want to arrange a trip to Jingbian Wave Valley and other attractions from Xi'an, we could customize and adjust for you based on your needs, just contact us.
Best Time to Visit Jingbian Wave Valley
The best months to visit are April, May, September, and October. The weather is mild, mostly sunny, and the scenery is stunning.
In spring, the Wave Valley comes alive as temperatures warm up. The desert vegetation begins to revive, and wildflowers bloom, adding vitality to the red sandstone world.
Jingbian Wave Valley in springIn autumn, the sky is a deep blue, temperatures are pleasant, and the desert vegetation turns yellow. The dunes become more vibrant, and the sandstone textures are clearer, resembling the surface of Mars. This is the perfect time to capture the valley's beautiful autumn colors.
Summer is hot, but the vegetation is lush. After rain, the Danxia landscape appears even more vivid. If you visit then, be prepared for heat and sun.
In winter, the valley is covered in snow, appearing tranquil and mysterious. If you enjoy exploring different seasonal scenery, it's worth a visit.
Jingbian Wave Valley is covered in snowBest Times of Day:
Morning and evening are ideal for seeing sunrises and sunsets. The best times for photos are during these periods or right after rain. There are great photo spots, like "One Line Sky," and a photo opportunity with an astronaut's statue at Flame Danxia.
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