Yongtai turtle city, the city looks like a turtle, and only small families live in it.

This time, I drove from Zhongwei to Lanzhou, and found a little-known ancient city-Yongtai Ancient City at a distance of 0/50 km from Zhongwei/KLOC-. Historical background: Yongtai ancient city was built in the thirty-sixth year of Ming Wanli 1608, with a history of more than 400 years. Historically, it was a military fortress built to defend against the invasion of northern minorities. Origin of "Turtle City": Seen from the air, the whole ancient city is the image of a turtle. So it is also called Yongtai turtle city.

Coordinates: Yongtai Village, Stan Township, 27km southwest of Jingtai County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province. Transportation: There is no plane, and the bus can go directly. Self-driving or chartered car is recommended. 0/50km from Zhongwei/KLOC-about 2 hours. It's 0/80km from Lanzhou/KLOC-and it takes about 3 hours. Admission: free. However, it is necessary to pay for visiting the historical sites of primary schools and village heads during the period of Sinology. Accommodation: The places where you can eat and live in the ancient city are very cheap. Although the accommodation is simple, the food tastes good. Friends who want to stay and shoot the starry sky can consult the local residents of the ancient city.

It looks magnificent here. Be sure to bring a drone.

Photo tip: 1. At sunrise and sunset, there will be shepherds driving sheep in and out of the city gate, which is a sight that can't be seen anywhere else. 2. Yongtai ancient city is remote and there is no light source nearby, which is very suitable for shooting starry sky. 3. You can take a drone and shoot the unique turtle-shaped wall of Yongtai Ancient City from above. 4. There are ruins of primary schools in ethnic period in the ancient city, which are well preserved. You can pay to see some historical relics in the classroom, which is not recommended by individuals. It's perfect if it's just a photo shoot. Many people recommend shooting at the city gate. For the sake of safety and protection of cultural relics, the access to the city gate has been blocked, so we can only shoot from below. Today, there are about ten families left in this ancient city. Only when shepherds drive their sheep back to the city every day will fresh sheep bring some vitality to this ancient city. Almost all the buildings in Yongtai ancient city are built of loess. Under the erosion of years and sandstorms, this ancient city is becoming more and more desolate. Most of the infrastructure in the city no longer exists, and the moat has already disappeared under the cover of Ban. If the ecological environment around the ancient city continues to deteriorate, shepherds and remaining villagers may also leave. Eventually, Yongtai ancient city will be buried by yellow sand, completely becoming an empty city without people and gradually disappearing into the long river of history.