Things to do in Yangyuan
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Top 10 attractions in Yangyuan
Badaling Great Wall
The Badaling Great Wall is renowned as one of the Nine Strategic Passes under heaven, combining majestic cliffs with picturesque greenery to form the most spectacular section of the Ming Dynasty fortifications. Living up to the Chinese saying "He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero," this remains the premier choice for most Chinese visitors to experience the Wall. The fortress gate exhibits a trapezoidal shape, narrower on the east and wider on the west, featuring two gate towers. The eastern arch bears the inscription "Juyong Waizhen" (Frontier Town of Juyong), while the western gate displays "Beimen Suoyue" (Key to the Northern Gate). North of the fortress stretches the 12-tower Northern Wall section, while to the south lies the less crowded Southern Wall with 7 watchtowers. If time permits, we recommend exploring the Southern Wall first before tackling the more popular Northern section. ▲Walk Through Six Centuries of Golden History: A Visual Feast of Vermilion Foliage Blanketing the Great Wall ▲ As night descends, the Badaling Great Wall transforms into a gilded dragon winding through shadowed peaks, its illuminated battlements whispering tales of millennia - where imperial splendor meets enduring mystery beneath constellations of golden light. ▲Cloaked in winter's crystalline mantle, the Badaling Great Wall becomes a silver serpent coiled between snow-draped peaks, its ancient stones gilded by dawn's golden raysChina · Beijing
The Palace Museum
The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is also the symbol of ancient China. When you are in the majestic and orderly high walls and deep courtyards, you can truly feel its former glory. ▲The long history has left behind large-scale precious buildings and countless cultural relics, which have also become the main attraction of visiting the Forbidden City today. ▲Classic attractions: The Forbidden City Corner Tower is a polygonal building with a convex plane on all four sides. It is located in Dongcheng District, Beijing. The roof has three layers. The upper layer is a hip roof with vertical and horizontal intersections. It is composed of a gable roof with flowing water on two slopes and a hip roof with four slopes. Because there are nine main ridges on this roof, it is called the Nine-ridge Hall. ▲Sundials are divided into two types according to their installation principle: equatorial and horizontal. The sundial installed using the equatorial principle is called an equatorial sundial. The key points of its production are that it must have a time plate, a latitude arc and a gnomon. When operating, the time plate must be parallel to the equatorial plane of the earth, the gnomon must be in the same direction as the earth's axis, and the shadow cast by the gnomon on the gnomon is the desired time. ▲The Treasure House is located in the Ningshou Palace area. It has a rich collection of treasures, including Buddhist supplies, ornaments, daily utensils, and treasures for appreciation. Among them, the red coral lion about 14 cm high, the Dongzhu court beads about 130 cm long, and the gold "Fengtianzhibao" seal are all rare treasures. ▲The Clock and Watch Museum is located in the Fengxian Hall in the palace. Most of the clocks on display are British products, but there are also clocks from other countries such as France and Switzerland. In addition to the timing function, these clocks are decorated with figures, birds, beasts, flowers, etc., which can also make various different movements. They are very delicately made. Among them, the copper-plated gilded writing clock, the copper-plated gilded enamel gourd-top fishing and woodcutting farming clock, and the copper-plated gilded rotating flower running man rhinoceros carrying clock are very rare.China · Beijing
Universal Beijing Resort
Beijing Universal Studios is a highly anticipated theme park destination, including Universal Theme Park, Beijing Universal CityWalk, and two resort hotels. It features brand new selected Attraction and includes popular entertainment facilities and attractions from Universal Theme Parks around the world. ▲Universal Studios Beijing: Blending Chinese cultural elements to create a unique experience, it has seven theme Attraction, 37 rides and entertainment facilities and landmark attractions, 24 performances, 80 Dining and 30 retail stores. ▲Minion Land: It is a colorful world full of joy! At this moment, these naughty Minions are walking around the streets, ports and city centers, having fun all over the world without restraint! At the same time, Gru is also recruiting soldiers for the Minions Army, so hurry up and sign up at Gru's house! ▲The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Here you can leave the ordinary world behind and experience the wonderful rides and endless magical adventures, which will lead you step by step into a thrilling and interesting magical world! ▲Transformers Metrobase: This is a Cybertron-style base, which is transformed by Transformers the size of a city. If you are ready to become an agent, then accept Optimus Prime's recruitment, join the Beijing Nest Force, fight side by side with the Autobots, and fight against the Decepticons to protect the earth! ▲Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness: This is an ancient place like a paradise, and also a legendary place that combines the beauty of nature and craftsmanship. Come here to explore your own Kung Fu! There's also Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Hollywood, and Waterworld waiting for you to explore! ▲The Universal Studios Grand Hotel The Universal Studios Grand Hotel is located at the entrance of Universal Studios Beijing and offers Hollywood-themed accommodation and the privilege of Early Park Admission via the Universal Studios Beijing VIP Experience entrance; NUO Resort Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the entrance. Guests can enjoy a well-equipped fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and spa center (NUO SPA). Guests can also enjoy Early Park Admission via the Universal Studios Beijing VIP Experience entrance. Both hotels combine themed features with high-end facilities to create an immersive vacation experience.China · Beijing
Xuankong Temple
Xuankong Temple is located between the cliffs of Cuiping Peak in Jinlong Gorge, Hengshan. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and has a history stretching longer than 1,500 years. It is a well-preserved high-altitude wooden cliff building in China. At the foot of Hengshan, from a distance, you can see the Hanging Temple suspended over the mountainside. The entire temple is hung on the steep cliff, skillfully utilizing and building into the concave and convex portions of the cliff, making it exceptionally staggered and yet rhythmic. Visitors walk along the wooden plank road suspended within the temple to feel the magical architectural charm of the Hanging Temple.Hunyuan · 61.5 km from Yangyuan
Yungang Grottoes
Yungang Grottoes Scenic Area is divided into a landscape zone and the grottoes. It is one of the three largest grottoes in China. The sculpture combines Chinese and Western art. Here you can experience the artistic charms of Northern Wei Dynasty. Yungang Grottoes not only embodies traditional Chinese art style but also integrates art styles of ethnic groups from ancient India, countries west of China and China's central plains. It is a famous historical site in Datong City.Datong · 86.1 km from Yangyuan
Huayan Temple
Huayan Temple is located in the center of Datong. This temple was built in the 8th year of Liao Qingning Period (AD 1062). In the Daxiong Hall of Huayan Temple, you can see the groundworks of Liao Dynasty and the buildings of Jin Dynasty, as well as the statues of Ming Dynasty and the murals of Qing Dynasty. The Hall of BojiaJiaocang in the temple is the only Liao Dynasty building here. The statues from Liao Dynasty in the Hall are extremely precious. There is a double-storey pavilion-style cabinet behind the Hall of Bojiajiaocang, the upper level is for Buddha statues and Buddhist altars, and the lower layer stores for books.Datong · 72.8 km from Yangyuan
WuLongXia
The Wulong Gorge system was formed by volcanic lava eruption 100 million years ago. After being eroded by the Sanggan River for hundreds of millions of years, a natural canyon about 10 kilometers long and hundreds of meters wide was formed. It is a volcanic geological park. Wulong Gorge is full of green grass in spring, shaded by trees in summer, covered with red in autumn, and picturesque in winter. There are Huaguo Mountain, Shuilian Cave, Wuxing Mountain, Liang Zhu Flying Tomb, Acacia Cliff, and Seeking Roots in the Valley in the gorge. There are clear streams, rapids, hot springs, and waterfalls, as well as the magical landforms of "dragon and phoenix", strange volcanic lava, and cultural relics passed down through the ages, which make the mountains, rivers, grass, and trees here add Unlimited natural and mysterious colors. There are also many entertainment activities in the Attraction, including sand sliding, grass sliding, boating on the lake, canyon rafting, bamboo rafting, kayaking, horse riding and shooting in the woods, barbecue by the mountain spring, singing in the yurt, bonfire party, etc.Datong · 30.2 km from Yangyuan
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
The full name of Yingxian Wooden Tower is Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It is in the Fogong Temple in the northwest of Yingxian County. The octagonal wooden pagoda has five stories. Except for the high-end stone foundation of the first floor, the rest of the pagoda is made of wood using the traditional craftsmanship of Sunmao. Each layer of the wooden tower is equipped with wind chimes for a pleasant sound when the wind blows.China · Ying County
Prince Kung's Palace Museum
Prince Kung's Palace Museum is located by the Shichahai lakeside and stands as one of the best-preserved princely mansions from the Qing dynasty in Beijing. It originally served as the residence of Heshen, a powerful official during Emperor Qianlong's reign. After Heshen's downfall, the property was granted to Prince Qing Yonglin, and later to Prince Gong Yixin during the Xianfeng era, hence the name "Prince Kung's Palace." This mansion witnessed the entire decline of the Qing dynasty, earning the saying "One Prince Kung's Palace, half the history of the Qing dynasty." The complex features a mansion in the front and a garden at the rear, both laid out along central, eastern, and western axes with meticulous order and grandeur. The mansion consists of multiple siheyuan courtyards connected along a central axis: The central Yinan Hall, roofed with green glazed tiles, follows the specifications of a prince's main hall. On the eastern route, the two-courtyard complex of Ledao Hall and Duofu Pavilion once served as the residence of Heshen's son Fengshen Yinde and Princess Hexiao of the Gulun rank, with Ledao Hall later becoming Prince Gong's living quarters. The western route features delicate refinement, with Xijin Study standing out particularly – its partitions are entirely made of exquisitely carved nanmu wood, modeled after the Ning Shou Palace in the Forbidden City. This extravagant construction later became one of Heshen's listed crimes. At the mansion's end stands a two-story elongated building commonly called "Ninety-nine and a half rooms," its rear wall punctuated by a row of variously shaped decorative windows. Legend claims this was the treasure vault and marks the boundary between mansion and garden. The garden, named Cuijin Garden, was reconstructed by Prince Gong's commissioned artisans, blending the charm of Jiangnan landscapes with northern architectural layouts. Its three marvels are the Western-style gate carved from white marble, the stele inscribed with the character "Fu" (blessing) by Emperor Kangxi, and the grand all-wood theater. Hidden in the Secret Cloud Cave within rockeries, the "Fu" stele conceals wishes for numerous descendants, abundant harvests, talent, longevity, and blessings in its strokes—easily missed if one isn't attentive. The theater, an enclosed wooden structure, reportedly projects vocals throughout without amplification. Bat motifs dominate the garden's "blessing" theme: the Bat Pool, Bat Hall, and painted beams interplay harmoniously. From the Moon-Inviting Platform, visitors overlook the entire garden, while the Winding Stream Pavilion preserves the refined legacy of ancient floating wine cup poetry. When touring, you may first follow the central axis to see the mansion, then pass through the western gate to enter and appreciate the garden in detail. There are usually more travelers visiting during holidays, so it's advisable to start early and allow enough time to slowly savor the history and details of this princely mansion.China · Beijing
Datong Ancient City
Datong Ancient City is the historic core of Datong, Shanxi. It served as the capital Pingcheng during the Northern Wei dynasty, the western auxiliary capital during the Liao and Jin dynasties, and a strategic frontier stronghold in the Ming dynasty, earning it the enduring title "northern key." Over its 2,000-year history spanning dynastic changes, the city's location remained largely unchanged, preserving its chessboard-style street grid centered on Sipailou to this day. The 2008 conservation and restoration project reunited the city walls, reconnected the moat, and gradually revived ancient architecture and old streets, layering the grandeur of an ancient capital with modern life within the same walled city. The ancient town offers an exceptionally dense concentration of noteworthy sights: in Huayan Temple's Liao- and Jin-dynasty halls, the graceful "clasped-hands, smiling" Liao-dynasty bodhisattva statue in the Scripture Depository Hall has long been hailed as the "Oriental Venus"; Shanhua Temple preserves a complete complex of Liao- and Jin-era wooden architecture. The Nine-dragon Wall, originally a glazed screen wall before the Ming-dynasty Dai Prince's residence (destroyed in war), survives with its nine coiling dragons still radiant—older and larger than its counterparts in Beijing's Forbidden City and Beihai Park. Climbing the reconstructed Ming-style city walls reveals a bird's-eye view of the square town's crisscrossing four main streets and orderly rooftops. An evening wait for sunset on the ramparts, followed by the illuminated outlines of walls and watchtowers after dark, makes for one of the town's most enchanting moments. Walking is recommended for touring: the attractions inside the city walls are spaced closely, allowing Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, the Nine-dragon Wall, and the drum tower to form a connected route. When tired, you may turn into the area around East Drum Tower Street, where time-honored shops and snack stores are concentrated, making it ideal for resting and replenishing. The ancient town covers a considerable area, so allocate at least half a day and wear comfortable shoes to leisurely appreciate the layered historical depth of this ancient capital.Datong · 72.1 km from Yangyuan
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Free things to do in Yangyuan
Badaling Great Wall
China · BeijingImmediate access, Book now for todayThe Palace Museum
China · BeijingUniversal Beijing Resort
China · BeijingImmediate access, Book now for todayXuankong Temple
Hunyuan · 61.5 km from YangyuanImmediate access, Book now for todayYungang Grottoes
Datong · 86.1 km from YangyuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeHuayan Temple
Datong · 72.8 km from YangyuanImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeWuLongXia
Datong · 30.2 km from YangyuanPre-sellingYingxian Wooden Pagoda
China · Ying CountyImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimePrince Kung's Palace Museum
China · BeijingImmediate access, Book now for todayDatong Ancient City
Datong · 72.1 km from Yangyuan
What travelers say about Yangyuan
MinkNaraOctober 16, 2026
5.0
จองกับ trip.com สะดวกสบายไม่ต้องพะวงเรื่องการหาซื้อตั๋วว่าอยู่ตรงไหน สามารถไปต่อคิวขึ้นกระเช้าได้เลย คิวรอขึ้นกระเช้าที่นี่ยาวรอนานช่วงเช้า บนกระเช้าใช้เวลาขึ้นไม่นานประหยัดเวลาได้เยอะ ขาลงเดินใกลใช้เวลาพอสมควรแต่ได้ชมวิว ผ่านพิพิธภัณท์ ต้องเผื่อเวลา ถ้าเวลาน้อยแนะนำขึ้นลงกระเช้า
Badaling Great Wall
300***23October 19, 2026
5.0
Guide Su is a fantastic tour guide who takes good care of every visitor. Although the weather was uncooperative and it was raining, we were still able to follow Guide Su's explanations and complete all the procedures, thus successfully concluding our three-hour tour of the Palace Museum.
The Palace Museum
Mina美美October 18, 2026
5.0
I tried out a few popular attractions, and the heavy rain made for a refreshing experience. I thought the Decepticons wouldn't be running because of the rain, but there was a surprise tonight! Halloween is awesome!
Universal Beijing Resort
Anonymous userOctober 19, 2026
5.0
Every snapshot is a beautiful scene! The park is very well maintained, with picturesque views at every turn and a wonderful atmosphere. The scenery is captivating, offering a high success rate for photos. You don't need to specifically find the right angle; every shot is a beautiful picture, making it a perfect blend of sightseeing and photography.
Xuankong Temple
Anonymous userOctober 19, 2026
5.0
It is very unique experience and beautiful Buddha statues in grottoes near Datong ancient city. Definitely worth a visit, very close to Beijing!
Yungang Grottoes
旺仔小王子ooOctober 19, 2026
5.0
It's beautiful! The painted decorations in Shanxi are truly unique; it feels like you're surrounded by immortals. Huayan Temple has the largest existing chiwen (mythical beast ornament), and the all-copper underground palace is also astonishing. Definitely worth a visit!
Huayan Temple
135***16April 11, 2026
5.0
Wulong Gorge on the Sanggan Ancient Road is a canyon scenic area located in Yunzhou District, Datong City, Shanxi Province. Situated south of E'mao Village near Cetian Reservoir, it was formed by volcanic lava eroded by the Sanggan River over millions of years. Stretching approximately 10 kilometers, it is one of the three core scenic areas of the Datong Volcanic Cluster Geopark and is hailed as the "Jiuzhaigou of Northern China."
WuLongXia
Anonymous userOctober 19, 2026
5.0
Every snapshot is a beautiful scene! The park is very well maintained, with picturesque views at every turn and a wonderful atmosphere. The scenery is captivating, offering a high success rate for photos. You don't need to specifically find the right angle; every shot is a beautiful picture, making it a perfect blend of sightseeing and photography.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
156***70October 18, 2026
5.0
When visiting historical sites in Beijing, the subway is the must-use mode of transportation. Hiring a guided tour is highly recommended. The vast Prince Gong's Mansion came alive under the guidance of Liu, the guide from Xiucai Shuo. After this guided tour, I can easily stroll around the mansion on my own next time. The crowds are larger in the afternoon; the guide said it's better in the morning.
Prince Kung's Palace Museum
118***69October 18, 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit. Huayan Temple in Datong Ancient City was built during the Liao, Jin, and Northern Wei dynasties. The architecture is magnificent and simple, and it's remarkably well-preserved. The Buddha statues inside are solemn and dignified, with vivid depictions. The murals, though hundreds of years old, remain remarkably vibrant. We are grateful to the people of Datong for protecting them so well.
Datong Ancient City
