Plan at a glance
A rural road along the Yellow River
Zhongwei Route 66 is a scenic rural road leading from central Zhongwei towards Beichangtan Village. The full route is approximately 38 km long, with a signature sightseeing stretch of about 1.2 km known for its winding road and Yellow River gorge views. Vehicles still use this rural road, so follow the day's notices and on-site signs for access, parking and visitor arrangements.
Road maintenance, temporary traffic controls and weather can affect which sections are passable. Before setting out, check notices from Zhongwei and Shapotou District authorities and traffic management. Road access and visitor facilities are managed separately; use the day's road signs, traffic arrangements and service-point rules to confirm where you can park and which sections are open.
Choose between the core section and Beichangtan
For the main bends and Yellow River gorge, allow about half a day and drive along the road section open that day, then return the same way. Before continuing to Beichangtan Village, confirm that the road, parking and visitor areas are open; a map pin only identifies a location and does not confirm access.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Core viewing section
The core viewing section is about 1.2 km of the 38 km rural road. It suits visitors who are comfortable driving or hiring a car on a winding, low-speed road with other vehicles. Stop only in clearly marked public parking or viewing areas, and do not take photos from the carriageway.
Yellow River gorge and Gobi hills
The road winds along a Yellow River gorge, with Gobi terrain and hills on both sides. The scenery works well as part of a self-drive or hired-car trip. Stop only at marked parking or viewing points; road signs and unprotected shoulders are not photo stops.
Beichangtan Ancient Village
Beichangtan is the village at the end of this route, with Yellow River, gorge and historic-village scenery nearby. Before entering, confirm that the road, village parking and visitor areas are open. Courtyards and heritage facilities have their own access rules; stay in areas clearly open to the public.
Choose the right trip
If the gorge and road scenery are your main goal, plan a dedicated round trip. If you only want a road photo, first find a public parking area and estimate the full round-trip drive. If there is no legal place to stop, do not make a special drive just to take a photo, and never stop on a bend or shoulder to get a better view.
Build your day
A 2–3 hour trip to the core section
Allow about 2–3 hours from Zhongwei for the round-trip drive and a stop in the core section. This is the total trip estimate, not the time needed to visit only the 1.2 km section. Drive along the road open that day, stop where parking or viewing is marked, then return the same way. Traffic controls, queues or detours can add time.
A 4–5 hour trip with Beichangtan
Allow about 4–5 hours from Zhongwei for the round-trip drive and a short visit to Beichangtan. If the road and village are open that day, continue through the main bends into the village, stay in public areas that are open, then return as directed on site. Use the day's notice for the latest permitted travel time; do not estimate the return cutoff from sunset.
Check before returning
Temporary parking areas, village access and road conditions can change with management arrangements. If you encounter a closure, construction or staff instructions, follow the signs back. Do not bypass a restriction by taking a village lane or temporary track.
Get there
Enter from Zhongwei
Zhongwei Route 66 connects the Mengjiawan and Beichangtan areas. If you drive or hire a car, navigate to “中卫66号公路” (Zhongwei Route 66). Before entering the core bends, follow the day's traffic signs to an open visitor parking area. Facilities previously built along the route include a car park, wooden boardwalks, viewing platforms and service stops; check on-site signs to see what is open and where parking is allowed. After parking, walk to an approved viewing point. Do not park on a U-shaped bend, in a traffic lane or on an unprotected shoulder.
Drive or hire a car
Before driving, confirm that your vehicle can use the road sections open that day, that you have enough fuel for the return trip, and how passengers will be picked up. If you hire a car, ask the driver to check legal stopping areas and current traffic controls; do not assume every vehicle can travel the entire route. Before leaving, ask Zhongwei passenger-transport or traffic-service channels whether a direct bus to Beichangtan is operating.
Return transport and temporary controls
Stops for viewpoints and the village add time to the round trip, so agree on your pickup point in advance. If construction, weather or a traffic restriction changes the route, follow the traffic instructions. Before using an automatic navigation detour, confirm that the alternative road is open.
Know before you go
Put road safety first
Vehicles still use this road. Stop only in clearly marked public parking and viewing areas; do not take photos in a traffic lane, on a bend or from an unprotected shoulder. Drive slowly, and do not stop or turn around where hillsides block visibility.
Construction, weather and traffic controls
Construction, weather and traffic management can affect access. Check the road notice on the day of your trip; do not rely on unofficial online countdowns to decide when the road will close. Follow on-site signs and traffic staff.
Signal, supplies and stops
Mobile coverage and places to buy supplies vary along the route. Download an offline map and bring enough drinking water before setting out. If navigation fails, stay on the confirmed main road; do not enter an unmarked village lane, hillside or riverbank to look for a photo spot.