Old Ox Bay

Old Ox Bay

Old Ox Bay is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Yellow River winds through nine bends and eighteen curves; a divine ox carved the river to Pianguan. A lantern flashed in fright, turning the plow to shape Old Ox Bay.

After parting with the Yalu River in Liaoning, the Great Wall traversed countless mountains and ridges until it finally met the surging southward-flowing Yellow River at Pianguan for the first time. The Great Wall and the Yellow River are two of China’s greatest wonders—one is a majestic and awe-inspiring dragon forged by human diligence and wisdom, while the other is a jade-like ribbon shaped by nature’s miraculous power, twisting and tumbling with muddy waves. From Pianguan westward all the way to Lanzhou in Gansu, the Great Wall and the Yellow River eventually part ways. Along this stretch, they meet four times and travel side by side over many sections, complementing each other's grandeur. Across China, the Great Wall and the Yellow River brave mountains, deserts, and every obstacle, moving forward with unyielding determination.

The place where the Great Wall and the Yellow River meet is called Old Ox Bay, located in Pianguan County, Shanxi Province. During the Ming Dynasty, it was a garrison fortress built in the third year of the Chenghua era (1467 AD). On the cliff near the Yellow River, right next to the Old Ox Bay Fortress, there is a well-preserved hollow brick watchtower. Towering on the cliff and overlooking the Yellow River, it is one of Pianguan’s famous scenic spots. Although the Great Wall reaches Old Ox Bay and meets the banks of the Yellow River, it does not cross the river to the west. Instead, it follows the eastern bank of the river southward, passing through Wanjiazhai and Guanhekou to Hequ County, before crossing the river into Baode County and continuing westward.

Old Ox Bay is world-renowned as the place where the Great Wall and the Yellow River meet for the first time. The pace of life here is as slow as that of an ox. The people still seem to work the land from dawn to dusk, living an ancient, pastoral life that city dwellers might “envy.” Unembellished and authentic, Old Ox Bay retains the marks of time, taking you back to the frontier history and immersing you in its rustic and desolate charm.

Where the Yellow River and the Great Wall meet hand in hand.

Attraction Address: Laoniuwan Village, Pianguan County, Xinzhou City

Best Travel Time: Summer, autumn, and winter are all suitable

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00

Ticket Price: 96 RMB per person; Free for seniors over 75 with ID; 50 RMB per student with valid student ID; Free for children under 1.2m; Free for disabled visitors with disability certificate; Free for military personnel with military ID

Transportation Info: Taiyuan – Pianguan (depart from East Bus Station), approx. 4 hours drive; Shuozhou – Pianguan, approx. 2.5 hours drive. Self-driving: Take the Daguang Expressway, exit at Shuozhou, then follow the route: Pinglu – Xiashuitou – Laoying Town – Pianguan – Laoniuwan in Pianguan.

Travel Tips: 1. Regular activities include bonfire parties, fishing, hiking, motorboat rides, folk singing, and photography. The climate in summer and autumn is pleasant, with beautiful scenery, emerald waters, and majestic fortresses. In winter, the area is covered in snow, offering spectacular views. 2. Attraction Phone: 0350 – 7655004