Things to do in Xiangyuan

Finally, I've arrived at Xiantang Mountain! Xiantang Mountain is located in Qiangji Township, 25 kilometers north of Xiangyuan County. It gets its name from Xiantang Temple, which is built halfway up the mountain. Originally named "Jiulong Mountain," the main peak is 1700 meters above sea level, covering an area of ​​over 20 square kilometers. From the summit, one can see layer upon layer of peaks, shrouded in mist, resembling nine dragons gathering. Xiantang Temple, ancient, solemn, and magnificent, is nestled halfway up the mountain, with Duxiu Peak (Cuiwei Peak) rising abruptly from the surrounding mountains beside it.

I didn't have high expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised when I entered. It was really nice. It felt like if you're looking at a canyon, you could walk right in and see everything without having to go around to the other side. The scenic area is quite large, so it's a bit far if you don't take public transportation. But the Taihang Mountain landscape is definitely worth a visit.

It's not very entertaining and doesn't seem suitable for children, but it's great for adults. It's very moving and thought-provoking; the stolen Buddha head and the historical events surrounding the Buddhist reforms serve as evidence of the entire East Asian Buddhist statue civilization. It was truly heartbreaking to see.

The theme park is a 1:1 replica of Zhang Zeduan's "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting, depicting the Bianliang period. Because it is circular, you can walk around from the welcoming gate to the Duanmen gate. There are performances at different times during the day and evening. In the afternoon, there is a fairy scattering flowers on the city wall of the Cold Weapon Museum, followed by a live cannon fire performance of the Battle of Tokyo on the inner lake. In the evening, you can watch the iron flower performance. If you don't queue for the rides, you can easily walk around for half a day and then in the evening to finish the park. It is perfect to come during the Qingming Festival to have a subtle sense of stepping into the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting of the Song Dynasty.

November 9, 2026: The ginkgo leaves at Jinci Temple are still yellow. If you want to see them, you'd better hurry in the next couple of days, because the temperature has dropped and the wind has picked up, causing the leaves to fall very quickly. Right now, both the trees and the ground are a vibrant yellow. A leisurely visit to Jinci Park and Jinci Museum will take two to three hours. If you have enough time, you can hire a guide.

The price is quite reasonable. The main attractions are the performances and the interactive games with NPCs in the park where you can win silver tickets. I wouldn't recommend it when it's crowded. The "Three Attacks on Zhu Family Village" and "Iron Flower Show" require reservations after entering the park, which are quite difficult to book. Overall, it's okay.

It's very worthwhile, but it's also very crowded, which might slightly detract from the overall experience. However, the people are incredibly welcoming, and there are many beautiful spots for taking photos. The food is also affordable and inexpensive, which kids enjoy. I'll definitely go back when it's less crowded.

Pingyao Ancient City is truly worth the trip! As the best-preserved ancient county town from the Ming and Qing dynasties, walking on the city walls and overlooking the panoramic view, one is overwhelmed by the weight of history. The underground vaults of Rishengchang Exchange House and Xietongqing Exchange House are eye-opening, allowing one to deeply appreciate the wisdom of Shanxi merchants in "connecting the world through finance." The courtroom performance at the county government office is very interesting and highly interactive. Although commercialization is inevitable, the core cultural charm remains rich. The atmosphere is even better when the lights come on at night, and the local delicacies, such as Pingyao beef and bowl-shaped rice cakes, are also very authentic. It is well worth spending two days slowly exploring and savoring this "living ancient city."

The awe-inspiring power of Hukou Waterfall can only be truly appreciated in person. Gazing at the roaring Yellow River, the melody of the Yellow River Cantata involuntarily echoes in my mind.

The Nuwa Palace is magnificent, and the stone-carved scriptures are truly awe-inspiring. It's entirely walkable and not difficult; there's no need to take the shuttle bus or cable car. The activities in the park are quite entertaining, but the prizes are rather lackluster.