2026 Kelan Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

🐉Kelan County, this 2,200-year-old city hidden on the Loess Plateau is seriously amazing! The only Song Dynasty Great Wall in the country ✖️ China’s satellite launch center ✖️ a "boat-shaped ancient city"—it’s a magical place where past and present collide! The average summer temperature is just 22℃, perfect for escaping the heat! 🚂【Green train guide】 ✨Shijiazhuang → Taiyuan segment 🕒2–3 hours 💰37.5 yuan Recommended trains: 6031/K882/K883 Traveling through the Taihang Mountains, the window views are like a moving art gallery! ✨Taiyuan → Kelan segment 🕒5 hours 💰21.5 yuan Train 4616 (departs 8:43 AM) This mountain bus route has been running for over 30 years and is super soothing—embrace the slow life✅ 🌄【Must-visit spots】 1️⃣ Kelan ancient city (free 🆓) 📍The boat-shaped ancient city is stunning! Climb the city wall and enjoy the healing view of the Lanyi River winding around the city~ 2️⃣ Song Dynasty Great Wall 📍Wangjiacha Village, Kelan County The only one in the country! The stone walls have a deeply historic feel! 3️⃣ Songjiagou scenic area (national 4A level) 📍Next to National Highway G209 The most beautiful village in northern Shanxi! Every photo looks like a screensaver! 4️⃣ Heyeping grassland 📍Qiansuo Township, Wuzhai County, Xinzhou The largest subalpine meadow in North China! Watch the grass sway as cattle and sheep graze~ 🏨【Stay & eat】 🌟Top 3 accommodations: ✔️Chengan Hotel (night view terrace) ✔️Yunpan Wanfu (best value) ✔️Siji Rujia (ancient city center) 🍖Must-try food: Baizi lamb on Gulou Street! Tender and flavorful without any gamey taste! 📌【Practical tips】 ✅Best season: June–August ✅Suggested itinerary: D1📌Stroll the ancient city + night view of the bell and drum towers D2📌Song Dynasty Great Wall + Songjiagou D3📌Day trip to Heyeping grassland ✅Transportation: Attractions are spread out, so car rental is recommended (200–300 yuan/day) Save this! Let’s be happy mountain dwellers in Kelan this summer~🌿

Hate waiting in line, price hikes, and crowded places. Enhe, Zhuanglang, Xinzhou, and Hami are four hidden gems I discovered in August. So few people you can hear the wind, prices so low it feels like five years ago. · -- 📍Enhe Russian Ethnic Village | Spend a day as a "European villager" on the China-Russia border Trip highlights 🪵 The whole village is made of wooden log houses with blue-green window frames and natural wood walls, like stepping into a Russian movie set. Rent a bike and ride along the Erguna River. Across the river is a Russian village, and cattle and sheep cross the border without a visa. 🌅 Watching the sunset from Beishan is a must in Enhe. A 20-minute horseback ride uphill (50 yuan/hour) leads to the top, facing the setting sun. The entire Erguna River turns into a golden ribbon. 🧺 Experience making rye bread (leba) at a local Russian grandma’s house for 38 yuan per person, including baking. Knead the dough until bubbles form, then spread homemade blueberry jam on the hot bread—so good you can’t stop eating. The yard also has a few dairy cows, and you can try milking them. 🌲 Deep in the birch forest is a reindeer park. Buy a basket of moss (10 yuan), and the reindeer will come over with their big antlers. Their wet noses will make kids smile all day. Trip plan Day 1: Fly to Hulunbuir > private car to Enhe (3h) > rent a bike to ride along the river > horseback ride at Beishan to watch the sunset in the evening Day 2: Rye bread DIY > feed reindeer in the birch forest > afternoon flight to Lanzhou, then transfer to Zhuanglang Food 🥛 Freshly squeezed milk boiled to form a thick cream layer, gedeliek (beef patties with mashed potatoes), Russian borscht with sour cream · -- 📍Zhuanglang County | Terraced fields aren’t just in the south—northwest has green waves too Trip highlights 🌾 The mountaintop of Dazhuang Village in Zhaodun Township offers a legendary view of millions of acres of terraced fields. At 6 AM, morning mist floats over the fields, and sunlight filters through clouds, casting patches of green and gold. It’s not rainy season, but the terraces are lush green in August, with a grandeur and ruggedness different from southern rice paddies. 🛕 Yunyan Temple is hidden deep in the Guanshan Mountains, with 19 grottoes carved into the Danxia cliffs from the Northern Wei to Northern Zhou dynasties. The highlight is Grotto 5, the “Great Buddha Cave,” featuring a 5-meter-tall stone Buddha seated for a thousand years. The stream outside flows quietly, a hundred times more peaceful than Mogao Caves. 🌿 Chenjia Cave requires a light hike of about half an hour. A Tang dynasty ruined pagoda stands on a huge rock by the creek, surrounded by ancient trees. Sitting under the pagoda listening to the water cools away the summer heat. Locals chill watermelon in the creek and share it once cut open. Trip plan Day 3: Zhuanglang terraced field viewing platform (arrive before sunrise) > Yunyan Temple grottoes (bring a flashlight to see details) > ice-cold watermelon by the creek at Chenjia Cave Food 🌽 Yangyu jiaotuan (potatoes pounded hundreds of times, dipped in spicy garlic sauce), Zhuanglang hot pot (clay pot layered with pork belly, tofu, vermicelli), fermented oat sweet soup (jiuquzi) to cool off · -- 📍Ningwu County, Xinzhou | 3-million-year-old ice cave, North China’s “air conditioner” Trip highlights ❄️ The millennia-old ice cave formed 3 million years ago during the glacial period. Outside it’s 30°C in August, inside -4°C. Descend over 100 meters down the steps. Ice stalagmites rise from the ground, frozen waterfalls hang midair, and ice crystals sparkle under colored lights. Apart from Iceland and Norway, this is the only place where you can enter an ice cave this deep. 🌿 After the ice cave, head straight to Malun Grassland (40-minute drive), at 2,721 meters elevation, with summer temps around 20°C. The Northern Qi Great Wall ruins cross the meadow, weathered stones resembling a giant dragon’s spine. The grassland is covered with wildflowers, yellow and white, blanketing the slopes. The wind makes the grass ripple like waves. 💦 Lover’s Valley is a creek valley where you walk alongside water. The narrowest part fits only one person sideways. Tree leaves filter the light green, and the sound of water drowns out all heat. At the end is a small waterfall whose mist refreshes your face instantly. Trip plan Day 4: High-speed train to Xinzhou > private car to Luyashan (1.5h) > millennia-old ice cave (down jacket required) > Malun Grassland (best light in the afternoon) > wade in Lover’s Valley Food 🥘 Ningwu stewed lamb (large bone-in pieces, rich broth, tender meat), youmian kaolao (honeycomb-shaped noodles dipped in lamb soup), sorghum flour fish (smooth noodles with minced meat sauce) · -- 📍Hami City | Chase the Milky Way on “Mars” Trip highlights 🏜️ Dahai Dao is the world’s only legal crossing of the Yadan desert, a 1,564-square-kilometer barren land. A 4WD takes you into the core area. The Fairy Cave looks like a giant skylight carved by the wind. Standing inside, you see a blue sky framed by rock walls. The Pterosaur Canyon’s rock pillars look like giant beast ribs. At dusk, shadows stretch, making the scene look like a sci-fi movie still. 🗿 Wubao Devil City is accessible by paved road, even regular cars can get there. The “Desert Turtle” and “Potala Palace” rock formations are right by the road, making it easy to get great photos. 🌌 If you stay overnight in Dahai Dao, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye, and meteors appear every 5 minutes. On the Gobi, look down for wind-polished stones, smooth and shiny, a unique souvenir. It’s recommended to join an off-road tour (268 yuan per person, including vehicle and ticket). A guide ensures safety and helps find the best photo spots. Trip plan Day 5: Fly to Hami > Wubao Devil City (shoot sunset at dusk, best light) Day 6: Dahai Dao core area crossing (group tour) > Fairy Cave + Pterosaur Canyon > collect wind-polished stones > return Food 🔥 Roasted buns (freshly baked, thin skin, juicy lamb that’s hot to the mouth), hand-pulled rice (lamb stew with yellow radish, sweet and tender), Hami melon (local ripe melon cut open, dripping with sugary juice)

Kelan Ancient City is nestled among the mountains of northwest Shanxi. Founded during the Later Han of the Five Dynasties period, it is a uniquely shaped boat-form military city and is now a national 3A-level tourist attraction. Historically located on a key border route, the city walls are built with rammed earth foundations and covered with blue bricks. The four bastions are arranged in a regular layout, with a complete defense system, showcasing the majestic aura of a vital frontier town. The bell and drum tower in the city is a landmark building, a three-story wooden pavilion with exquisitely curved eaves. An ancient bell weighing ten thousand jin hangs inside, its chimes resonating far and wide. The Confucian Temple and the ancient prefectural office have been restored to their original appearance. The winding streets paved with bluestone slabs are full of lively local atmosphere. This place combines a millennium of frontier heritage with revolutionary memories, as great leaders passed through here, leaving praise that "Kelan is a great place." Climbing the city wall and looking into the distance, the Lanyi River flows around the city, surrounded by mountains embracing the ancient city. The smoke of a thousand years of war has long since faded, and the blue brick ancient walls stand quietly, blending profound history with peaceful daily life, fully displaying the unique, vast ancient charm of the Loess Plateau.

Title: 3-Day, 2-Night In-Depth Travel Guide to Kelan County, Shanxi Province | A Complete Guide for a Budget of 5000-10000 Yuan! Hello everyone, today I'm bringing you a super practical 3-day, 2-night travel guide to Kelan County, Shanxi Province! If you have a budget of 5000 to 10000 yuan and want to deeply experience the natural scenery and cultural heritage of Kelan, this guide is absolutely essential! 【Day 1: Arrive in Kelan and Begin Your Nature Journey】 In the morning, depart from Taiyuan or Linfen by bus or car to Kelan County, a journey of approximately 3-4 hours. It's recommended to book local characteristic guesthouses or highly-rated hotels in advance, priced at approximately 400-700 yuan per night, offering comfort and authenticity. In the afternoon, head to the Kelan Scenic Area near the famous Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River. The entrance fee is approximately 100 yuan. Experience the magnificent power of nature. The canyon scenery and waterfall views here are breathtaking, and taking photos is definitely not to be missed! In the evening, you can enjoy authentic Shanxi cuisine in the county town, such as knife-cut noodles and mutton offal soup, priced at 60-100 yuan per person. 【Day Two: Exploring Cultural Relics and Rural Scenery】 After breakfast, we will visit ancient temples and historical sites in Kelan County. Entrance fees are approximately 50-80 yuan, allowing you to experience the rich culture of northern Shanxi. Afterwards, we will drive to nearby traditional villages to experience simple farm life and participate in handicraft making, costing approximately 150-250 yuan. Lunch is recommended at a farmhouse restaurant, where you can taste local specialties, priced at approximately 80-120 yuan per person. In the afternoon, we will visit Kelan's natural park for hiking or cycling adventures. Entrance fees and rental fees are approximately 100-150 yuan. In the evening, we will participate in local folk performances or a bonfire party, with entrance fees around 80-120 yuan, to experience the vibrant ethnic customs. 【Day 3: Relaxation and Return Trip】 After breakfast, we recommend visiting the hot spring resort in Kelan County. Entrance fees are approximately 200-350 yuan. Enjoy a relaxing hot spring experience and rejuvenate. Enjoy local snacks at noon, priced at approximately 50 yuan. In the afternoon, browse the shops in the county town and purchase Kelan specialties such as walnuts and apples, with a budget of approximately 300-500 yuan. Depart for the return trip in the evening, concluding your enjoyable three-day, two-night trip. 【Budget Summary】 Transportation (round trip + local transportation): Approximately 1200-2500 yuan Accommodation (three nights): Approximately 1200-2100 yuan Food (three days): Approximately 400-600 yuan Entrance fees and experience fees: Approximately 480-700 yuan Shopping and other expenses: Approximately 300-600 yuan Total: Approximately 3580-6500 yuan. This budget allows for upgrades based on individual needs and is well within the 5000-10000 yuan range! Kelan County boasts magnificent natural scenery and a profound cultural heritage, making it a treasure trove of tourism in Shanxi.

Daizhou Wenmiao, also known as the Confucius Temple or Xuegong, is a temple dedicated to Confucius and an ancient prefectural Confucian academy. The temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty. It was destroyed by war in the 18th year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1358) and was rebuilt under the supervision of Prefect Li Yuanfeng in the 27th year of Zhizheng (1367), with completion in the 2nd year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1369). The existing complex covers more than 15,000 square meters. The Wenmiao faces south and follows a three-courtyard layout: the front courtyard features the Lingxing Gate, Pan Pond, and two ancient locust trees from the Tang Dynasty; the main structure in the middle courtyard is the Dacheng Hall, which houses an octagonal caisson ceiling, flanked by east and west corridors; the rear courtyard contains the Chongsheng Shrine. Auxiliary buildings include the Zhongyi Shrine, Wenchang Pavilion, and Minglun Hall, forming a complete Confucian educational complex. As the largest and best-preserved prefectural Confucius Temple in North China, the architectural complex showcases construction techniques from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The surviving Tang Dynasty locust trees and peacock blue glazed tile roofs are historically distinctive features. It is a nationally protected key cultural relic site.

Songjia Valley is a serene retreat embraced by mountains. The landscape features a harmonious blend of lush forests and flowing streams that meander through the valley like a silver ribbon. Each season brings its own unique charm: spring blankets the mountains with blooming flowers, summer offers cool shade under verdant canopies, autumn sets the hills ablaze with fiery red leaves, and winter transforms the area into a snow-covered wonderland. Walking along the mountain trails, the gentle sound of flowing water accompanies you, bringing a sense of calm and relaxation. Though unassuming, Songjia Valley captivates visitors with its pristine natural beauty. It is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, a sanctuary for the soul. Every pause here allows you to experience the purity of nature and the tranquility of life.

Step right out of Beisita Metro Station, and you’ll find yourself face-to-face with the entrance to Bao’en Temple, home to the iconic Beisi Pagoda. The temple welcomes visitors with its grand stone archway — walk through and follow the clear signage guiding you around the serene complex. Free incense is offered for those who wish to pay respects to the goddess, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it perfect for reflection or quiet exploration. At the heart of the temple grounds stands the impressive Beisi Pagoda. You can admire it from below or climb the winding stairs for a panoramic view — though it’s a bit of a workout! (Or simply offer to take photos of your friends from the base — no judgment!) Beyond the pagoda, take time to explore other prayer halls and the relaxing park area tucked behind the temple — a lovely escape in the city. #cherryblossom25 #suzhou #chinatrip #travel #Beisipagoda #Baoentemple #Beisita

Just a 3-minute walk from Beisita Metro Station, on the way to Suzhou’s historic town, lies Xi Bei Coffee (惜杯咖啡) — a charming two-story café that celebrates the beauty of coffee and cups from around the world. The front opens to the road, but the real magic happens at the back — where you can sip your drink while overlooking the serene riverside. We tried their iced latte, smooth and creamy to the last sip. The standout was the Hawthorn Tree, an ice drip coffee blended with hawthorn juice and topped with fresh hawthorn — tart, refreshing, and unique. To end on a sweet note, we had the affogato, served with perfectly shaped vanilla ice cream and a shot of espresso — pure delight. It’s the kind of place where artful coffee meets scenic tranquility — the perfect pause in Suzhou. #cherryblossom25 #suzhou #chinatrip #travel

|A Rich History. During the Northern Qi Dynasty, the Great Wall was built in Shanxi to resist the invasion of northern ethnic minorities. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the Great Wall was reinforced and expanded to resist the Khitan people, filling the gap of the Song Great Wall in China. The best-preserved section of the Song Great Wall is located in Wangjiacha Village, which has now become a national cultural relic protection unit. You can walk along the path and climb the wall to feel the weight of history. Address: Wangjiacha Village, Kelan County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province‌. Tickets: Free

The small towns in Shanxi always give people a feeling of the sedimentation of time. The old houses and old people in the streets and alleys seem to be unable to leave too many traces of the dust of time. Perhaps only in such small towns can one find true tranquility and relaxation. The human touch that is becoming increasingly sparse in big cities still extends here. This may be the reason why Jia Zhangke is so fascinated by these small towns in Shanxi. Kelan County, a small city in northwestern Shanxi Province, has a population of only tens of thousands, but historically it was an important military city in the border area. It still retains the clear outline of the original city. Although the city tower we see now has been renovated in recent years, it is hard to imagine that the tall urn city is the defense structure of a small county city. Strolling in the small town, modernity and tradition are intertwined and collided here, and the atmosphere of leisure and laziness fills every street. Perhaps this is how life should be.

Drive from Taiyuan and arrive at Yinmachuan in 2.5 hours. This time, we encountered heavy fog again, with a visibility of 1m. Drive safely, and beginners should not go! I recommend you to enter Yinmachuan from the south gate, and you can directly enter the wooden plank road and enjoy the alpine meadow scenery by climbing more than 200 small steps🌿 However, it costs 20💰 to enter from the south gate There are many mushrooms🍄 in the mountains, and cows🐮. It's really beautiful if the fog is not heavy! The foot of the mountain is also very beautiful!

Song Great Wall, starting from Qingcheng Mountain in Kelan County in the west, and ending at He Ye Ping, which is connected to Wuzhai County in the east. It was built during the Song Dynasty and has a history of more than a thousand years. Its architectural style is quite unique and has important reference value for the study of ancient Chinese frontier defense and social customs. The existing 20 kilometers of the Song Great Wall in Kelan are built with stone slabs. The well-preserved sections are about 4.2 meters high and about 2.1 meters wide at the top. Some sections still retain the remains of watchtowers, and local people have also found a small number of porcelain pieces, tombstones, and ancient weapons near the Great Wall. He Ye Ping is located at the junction of Ningwu, Wuzhai, and Kelan counties. The mountain is covered with ancient trees, providing dense shade. The original secondary forest covers 820,000 mu and is a national forest park. He Ye Ping is named after its shape, which resembles an enormous lotus leaf. The subalpine meadow of He Ye Ping, at an altitude of 2784 meters, is the highest peak of the Guancen Mountain, known as the 'Emerald of the Plateau.' Trekking route: Wangjiacha Song Great Wall --- Loess Slope --- He Ye Ping, a two-day trek suitable for heavy-load hiking, camping, and mountaineering enthusiasts. Activity intensity: Medium to high intensity. Travel mode: Chartered car + hiking Personal equipment: Backpack, three-season tent, moisture-proof mat, sleeping bag (from -5°C to 15°C), quick-dry clothes, windbreaker, hiking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, headlamp, sunscreen, spare batteries, military knife, camera, trekking poles, knee pads. If you have a handheld radio or walkie-talkie, you can bring it. Medicines: Antidiarrheal, Yunnan Baiyao, snake medicine, band-aids, antiseptic solution, gauze. Food: 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast. Drinking water: 6 liters for men, 4 liters for women (no water replenishment points along the way). Emergency food: Chocolate, beef jerky, candy, energy bars, etc. Common medicines: Band-aids, anti-inflammatory drugs, motion sickness pills, cold medicine, fever medicine, Yunnan Baiyao, etc. Trekking itinerary: Walk about 13 kilometers of the Song Great Wall ruins to reach the He Ye Ping alpine meadow scenic area. Accommodation: There are many hotels in Dongzhai Town nearby. Nearby scenic spots: Luyashan Scenic Area.

Songjiagou Village is located 12 kilometers east of Kexi County, Shanxi Province. The National Highway 209 and the Xinbao Expressway run through it from east to west. It is rich in water resources and has convenient transportation. Songjiagou was formerly known as Shunjiagou, implying smoothness. The simple place name contains the longing and expectation for a better life of the mountain people over the past thousands of years. Walking into Songjiagou, you can see the green bricks and grey tiles, wooden houses and yellow walls, and the ancient rural style comes oncoming. Since 2018, with the help of unique tourist resources such as the Song Great Wall, Heleping, Luyashan, Chairman Mao's Road Residence, and the ancient city, Kexi County has focused on creating the Songjiagou '6•21' rural cultural tourism season. In recent years, with its rich tourism resources, this small mountain village in the northwest of Shanxi has made the rural tourism industry booming.

There are many villages called Songjiagou in all parts of the country, but the most well-known one is undoubtedly the Songjiagou in Jixian County, Quzhou City, Shanxi Province. This once-deep poverty-stricken village has turned into a beautiful environment. It is a livable and convenient new countryside and attracts a large number of tourists. Visitors came to the village and saw not only the achievements of the beautiful new rural construction, but also many rich and characteristic local activities. In addition to the local dramas that attract local attention, there are lively folk performances, assorted specialties, handicrafts made by the villagers such as dough, paper-cutting, etc., all of which are popular among tourists.