Top 50 Best Things to Do near Lvliang [2026]

The Black Myth: Wukong made this tourist attraction popular. It feels like the locals in this small county really cherish tourists who come from afar, and they are very hospitable. Of course, the suspended sculptures are also really beautiful.

Upon arrival, I found that the scenic area management personnel were in place and provided clear explanations. There was no clutter or miscellaneous items in the area. The temple was small but very clean, and the order was well maintained. Most importantly, the cultural relics were truly breathtaking; I was awestruck after seeing them. The wisdom and diligence of the ancient craftsmen are worthy of respect.

Don't skimp on the price; hire a guide. A group tour costs around 20-30 yuan per person. This way, you won't wander aimlessly, won't get too tired, and will see all the worthwhile sights. The gardens and city walls are a must-see – perfect for photos!

Stepping through the heavy gates, one truly grasps the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Wang Family Compound. Three centuries of history have etched its essence into the multi-story buildings built against the mountainside, their imposing presence resembling a city, understated yet exuding the grandeur of a distinguished family. Brick, wood, and stone carvings are brimming with auspiciousness and craftsmanship; window lattices reflect the clouds, corridors echo with the wind—every step feels like an encounter with bygone eras. Climbing to a high vantage point, one sees endless gray-tiled roofs and distant mountains shrouded in mist; the vision and spirit of Shanxi merchants are encapsulated in this very place. Without excessive clamor, only the serene passage of time remains. Having visited, one will understand what truly defines the premier residence of Chinese folk architecture.

The Shuanglin Temple Painted Sculpture Art Museum in Pingyao isn't large, but it has a lot to offer. It's definitely worth hiring a guide to explain these artistic treasures. It's also a great place to bring children for sketching!

Amazing to see the statues, quite impressive and detailed work. The temple is really calm and tranquil to walk around

Zhangbi Ancient Castle is one of China's top ten charming towns, alongside Wuzhen in Zhejiang, Tongli in Jiangsu, and Heshun in Yunnan. The popular TV show "Where Are We Going, Dad?" was also filmed here. Here, there are no verdant mountains and clear waters, no black-tiled roofs and white walls; yellow earth is its base, perfectly blending with the earth's surface. The most distinctive feature of Zhangbi Ancient Castle is its well-preserved military tunnels. Entering this three-dimensional network of tunnels, you'll find yourself on another level before you know it, and when you reappear in the light, you've reached the other side of the village. The castle's construction echoes the constellations, earning it the title of "China's First Village of Constellations." The peacock-blue glazed stele under the front porch of the Kongwang Buddha Palace is a rare treasure, and the Ming Dynasty glazed decorations on the temple roof remain beautiful to this day. After visiting Zhangbi Ancient Castle, we had lunch at the Fumanyuan Restaurant near the scenic area entrance. The restaurant was incredibly crowded; we later learned that someone was holding an engagement banquet, and we almost ended up attending a Shanxi banquet! After lunch, we rested for a while, then leisurely drove towards Qikou Ancient Town. Qi refers to the sand and gravel in shallow water. The Yellow River flows south along the border of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, where boats encounter obstacles. Goods transported from upstream are unloaded and transshipped here, giving rise to the ancient town of Qikou. After seeing Hukou Waterfall, the Yellow River at Qikou Ancient Town is so calm that it makes one wonder if this is still the Yellow River of my memories. That night, we stayed in a cave dwelling, an experience I had never had before. Qikou Ancient Town has only two main roads: the dusty Yellow River Highway and the relatively quiet Ming and Qing Dynasty Street. The Black Dragon Temple stands on a hillside at a bend, offering a superb vantage point overlooking the southward flow of the Yellow River and the ancient town itself. As evening approached, the number of tourists gradually decreased, and there was virtually no nightlife. We ate dinner and returned to our cave dwelling—the earliest we had gone to bed during our trip.

The military castle is laid out according to the constellations in the sky. It has a temple, ancient alleys, and a three-level underground tunnel that stretches for 10,000 meters. About 1,500 meters of the tunnel is open to the public. It is cool and interesting inside. There is also a glass museum. It is quite nice!

One ticket allows unlimited access, which is great; it's valid for three days. I was traveling alone, so I didn't have to rush. I could stroll leisurely along the city wall, overlooking the ancient city, and then choose some historical sites that interested me to visit. Entering each scenic area by scanning a QR code was very convenient.

The ancient city has a rich cultural heritage, so it's essential to find a reliable guide to explain the past and present of Pingyao Ancient City. Most local guides offer this service. Four hours is enough to see the main historical sites. The evening light show is also worth watching; remember to bring a cushion to sit on.

The scenic area is quite large, but there weren't many people. This might be due to insufficient attention and promotion from the local cultural and tourism bureau. I only discovered it was a 5A-level scenic area upon arrival. The shuttle buses within the scenic area are very convenient; they stop at each stop by simply waving, and you can tell the driver or press the bell before getting off. Food inside the scenic area is slightly more expensive than outside, but that's understandable given it's a tourist area. The scenery is beautiful; every snapshot is a picturesque view. Climbing the stairs was really tiring. There are many Taoist temples and monasteries, but some are quite dilapidated and unrepaired, with peeling paint on the exterior walls. Hopefully, the local government can properly protect them, given their over 1000-year history.

It's totally worth it! Mianshan Scenic Area is absolutely not to be missed. As a national 5A-level scenic area, it is not only the birthplace of the Qingming Festival (Hanshi Festival) in China, but also renowned for its "uniqueness, danger, and beauty," and is hailed as a "fairyland on the cliff." The scenic area is very large, with many attractions scattered around, so you must take the scenic shuttle bus.

The Wanfo Hall, the only remaining wooden structure from the Five Dynasties period in China, along with the only Five Dynasties temple and monastery painted sculptures in the country, is hailed as the "First National Treasure of Five Dynasties Wooden Structures in China," and is considered one of the "Three Treasures of Pingyao" along with Pingyao Ancient City and Shuanglin Temple. It's about a 20-minute drive from Pingyao Ancient City, located in a village. 1. The temple is very small. The guided tour at the entrance (50 yuan) is completely overpriced; it's like a lifeless, fast-paced machine reading aloud, barely engaging my reading. 2. Its main appeal lies in its age; its artistic impact is not as strong as Shuanglin Temple. 3. Wanfo Hall (Five Dynasties, Northern Han): It perfectly preserves the grand and imposing style of Tang Dynasty architecture, using pure mortise and tenon joints. 4. The 11 painted sculptures inside Wanfo Hall are original works from the Five Dynasties period (the only one of its kind in any temple or monastery in China), making it the only surviving group of Five Dynasties painted sculptures besides the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang.

At the Wanfo Hall of Zhenguo Temple, I witnessed the legendary "Five Dynasties Time". Those painted sculptures stand quietly here, their wooden and clay bodies cracked and mottled, yet they embody a thousand years of time.

It's definitely worth a visit, and you can even bring your dog. It's very convenient to drive right to the entrance! When the mountains and rivers of the geography unfold before your eyes, the sheer vastness and magnificence you feel is truly breathtaking!

The Yanchuan Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction built around the Yellow River. The river meanders majestically within the park, and Qiankun Bay itself, with its unique grandeur and scenery, was named one of China's ten most beautiful canyons by *China Geography Magazine*. The Yellow River, flowing for millennia, uniquely forms the "First Bend of the Yellow River"—Qiankun Bay—with a magnificent 320-degree arc within the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon of Yanchuan, Shaanxi. Here, the Yellow River changes its turbulent course, meandering like a dragon, perfectly blending the grandeur of the Loess Plateau with the philosophical concept of Yin and Yang, forming a naturally formed "Tai Chi diagram."

Carved into the cliff face for millennia, the pine breeze whispers through the ancient mountain. The beauty of Tianlong Mountain lies hidden deep within its verdant slopes, nestled in the lowered gaze of the Buddha statues. There are no crowds, only stone steps, ancient cypress trees, and statues that seem to converse with time. The colossal Buddha at Manshan Pavilion overlooks the bustling world; the returning Buddha head tells tales of centuries of vicissitudes. The winding mountain road, like a dragon lying amidst the clouds, offers breathtaking views of lush greenery, with the whispers of history carried on the wind. This is a mountain that needs to be experienced slowly; the stones possess a soul, the Buddhas a spirit, and the wind a story. A single visit will leave you with unforgettable memories.

The Tianlongshan Grottoes are excellent, fully showcasing the sculptural art of the Northern Qi and Tang dynasties. They can be visited alongside the Xiangtangshan Grottoes for mutual reference. If driving, it's recommended to navigate directly to the Grottoes Museum. This route also passes the popular spiral road bridge. Park your car at the museum; the bus stop is right next to it. Take the bus (4 yuan per ride) back to Longmen Station, then begin your descent from the mountain. Finally, you can return directly to the museum to retrieve your car and head home. Note that the route involves crossing several spiral road bridges and overpasses on both the ascent and descent; the road is steep, so those with poor driving skills should not attempt it.

The Jin Temple is quite large. Besides the Jin Temple Museum, the surrounding Jin Temple Park is also quite pleasant to stroll through. Taxi access is easy, but leaving the area is more difficult. We hired a guide for a tour, but the content is actually covered on the scenic area's signage. Deepseek is sufficient for the tour guide. We checked out the Three Wonders, Three Treasures, and Three Plaques, and took a photo with the thousand-year-old dragon cypress.

The scenery in Jin Temple is very good, with beautiful views, careful design, and water everywhere. If you come to Shanxi, you must visit Jin Temple to learn about the origin and culture of Jin. Moreover, the tickets for scenic spots in Shanxi are not expensive.