The Yellow River Stone Forest in Baiyin, Gansu province, is renowned for its towering stone pillars and rugged rock formations. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Yet, the Yellow River's wonders extend far beyond Linxia's confluence and grottoes. As the river continues eastward, it slices through the arid landscapes of Baiyin, a city about 200 kilometers away, where another geological masterpiece awaits — the Yellow River Stone Forest, a national geological park.

Here, the landscape shifts from Linxia's water-sculpted limestone to vast, wind-carved pillars rising from the desert. It's surrounded by rolling hills, desert stretches and the constant presence of the Yellow River's winding ribbon.