Ningwu Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Shanxi is so photogenic! It's even more intense than the feeling of a heartbreak

"For underground relics, see Shaanxi; for aboveground relics, see Shanxi." ✅ Must-visit spots in Shanxi ✴️ Jinci: A royal sacrificial garden, with the Never-Old Spring, the Statue of the Serving Maid, and the Zhou Cypress known as the 'Three Wonders of Jinci' ✴️ Wang's Grand Courtyard: Known as the 'Folk Forbidden City' and 'Shanxi's Imperial Palace', it has a strong ancient atmosphere ✴️ Pingyao Ancient City: One of the four great ancient cities, an outstanding example of a Han Chinese city during the Ming and Qing dynasties ✴️ Hanging Temple: An aerial loft, it is a temple that integrates Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism ✴️ Mount Wutai: A national natural and cultural dual heritage site, one of China's five major Buddhist holy sites ✴️ Yungang Grottoes: The statues are majestic, considered the crown of Chinese stone carving art in the 5th century ✴️ Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: China's existing ancient wooden structure pavilion-style tower, come see the exquisite construction art of the ancients ✴️ Mount Heng: A Chinese geographical landmark, with the Hanging Temple located at the foot of Mount Heng ⭐ Travel Tips ✈️ To get to Shanxi by plane, you first fly to Taiyuan and then transfer 🚄 After taking the high-speed train to the local area, there are buses to the city center; for more distant attractions, it's better to join a day tour in advance Shanxi is really a treasure place, with few people, you're right to come here!

Shanxi's 'Green Wilderness,' —— Luya Mountain

Shanxi's 'Green Wilderness,' —— Luya Mountain. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the city 📝Note tips: The scenery is even more beautiful after May

Ningwu Luya Mountain | A fairyland of peaks, a ten-mile scroll

| A fairyland of peaks, a ten-mile scroll.🏞 Ningwu Luya Mountain | A fairyland of peaks, a ten-mile scroll. ⛰ Luya Mountain is located in Dongzhai Town, Ningwu County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. It is the source of the Fen River, the mother river of Shanxi, with an altitude of over 2800 meters, making it the second highest mountain in Shanxi after Mount Wutai. It boasts honors such as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and "National Geopark," 🏅 and is listed in the preparatory list of national natural and cultural dual heritage, also being a rare ecological gene bank in the world. It is named for its resemblance to "reed shoots." ⛰ Luya Mountain is the only Buddhist sanctuary of Pilu in China, with the Prince's Hall as the Buddha's top. Centered around Luya Mountain (Prince's Hall main peak), the scenic area includes Malun Grassland, Little Luya Mountain, the Perennial Ice Cave, Millennium Geothermal, as well as cliff plank roads, Tianchi Lake clusters, and Lover's Valley among many other attractions. ⛰ Luya Mountain is a northern primitive high-mountain type landscape tourist area that integrates ten major landscapes including mountains, rocks, forests, grasslands, caves, lakes, springs, valleys, temples, and passes. ?These tourist products are part of a scenic area that combines a national geopark, national forest park, national nature reserve, national water conservancy scenic area, and a Chinese folk culture tourism demonstration area. 💡 The scenic area contains about 820,000 mu of primary secondary forest, 66,000 mu of grassland, over 50 kinds of animal and plant resources, and more than 10 scenic spots. Among them, Malun Grassland is one of the largest subalpine meadows in North China, with a rugged terrain and magnificent scenery. It is known as the "Shangri-La of the North"!

Ningwu Luya Mountain: Peaks upon peaks of verdant beauty, a screen stretching continuously

Located in Dongzhai Town, Ningwu County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, Luya Mountain is not only the source of the Fen River, the mother river of Shanxi, but also stands tall as the second highest peak in Shanxi after Mount Wutai. Its magnificent scenery has earned it national honors such as the AAAA-level tourist attraction and national geological park, and it has been included in the tentative list of China's natural and cultural dual heritage, truly a world-class ecological treasure. Its name originates from the unique shape of the mountain, which resembles the 'sprout of a reed'. Luya Mountain is not only renowned for its beautiful natural scenery but also because it is the only Buddhist pilgrimage site of Pilu in China, with the Prince's Hall considered a sacred place of the Buddha's crown. The entire scenic area, with Luya Mountain at its core, is surrounded by attractions such as Malun Grassland, Little Luya Mountain, the Perennial Ice Cave, and the Millennium Geyser, each filled with mystery and charm. This scenic area, where mountains and waters depend on each other, integrates ten major landscapes including mountains, rocks, forests, grasslands, caves, lakes, springs, valleys, temples, and passes, showcasing the unique charm of the original high-mountain landscape in the north. Here, not only is there the magnificent scenery of national geological parks and national forest parks, but also the ecological beauty of national nature reserves and national water conservancy scenic areas, enriched with the profound connotations of China's folk culture tourism demonstration areas. On this vast land, the primitive secondary forests, grasslands, and rich animal and plant resources together constitute a vibrant ecological painting. Among them, Malun Grassland, with its unique subalpine meadow scenery, is known as the 'Shangri-La of the North', bringing an unforgettable natural experience to visitors.

Luya Mountain in Chenzhou City, Shanxi Province is a famous summer resort. There is a Wannian Ice Cave formed three million years ago. The four seasons are frozen and chilly in the cave. Even in the midsummer season, the temperature of the cave is 20-30 degrees, and the cave is still ice and snow. The icicles, ice shoots and ice hanging from low temperature are everywhere, and in the mountains where the four seasons are very distinct, such natural phenomena are rare! The location of the wannian ice cave is located in Chunjingyu Village, 50 km west of Ningwu County, Quzhou City, Shanxi Province, at an altitude of 2,300 meters. According to the on-site inspection of the authoritative geological experts of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this hole was formed in the Cenozoic Quaternary glacial period, about three million years ago, and is one of the rarest large ice caves outside the permafrost discovered so far in the world. Entering the cave, as the steps descend, the cliffs around the cave are covered with thick, hard ice, and the thicker the ice, the deeper the ice. It is said that the cave is always at a constant temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius. The area that has been developed so far is about 100 meters deep, and the boardwalk is divided into upper and lower layers. As the first-level steps step in, the colorful lights illuminate the crystal-clear icicles. It feels like there is a hole in the sky, just like the world inside the ice romance, ice sculptures are everywhere.

The colorful Wannian ice cave shines in this world.

Luya Mountain, Ningwu County, Chenzhou City, Shanxi Province. The Luya Mountain on the ice and fire is a flaming mountain on one side and a thousand-year ice hole on the other. The 10,000-year-old ice was formed in the Cenozoic Quaternary glacial period, about three million years ago, hence the name Wannian Ice Cave. The cave is kept icy all the year round, and even if it enters the cave during the hot summer, it is still a scene of severe winter, which is completely different from the outside of the cave. After the development, the Wannian ice cave is more than 100 meters away from the ground. More than 100 meters, divided into five layers, through the ice hole, the ice ladder, the ice stack, you can visit all floors. The icicles, ice curtains, ice waterfalls, ice shoots, ice flowers, ice bells, ice buddha, ice sheets, ice hangs, ice beasts, ice people formed by ice are all in a world of ice. Stepping into the ice cave, through the bright lights, you can see the ice waterfall, ice Buddha, ice bell on the wall, ice shoots, ice sheets, ice beasts on the ground, hanging ice on the top of the cave, ice cones, big and small. The scenery is exquisite, or crystal-clear, or graceful, all amazing.

Primitive ancient village on the cliff | Luya Mountain Suspended Village

| Luya Mountain Suspended Village. The suspended village, because the village is built on a cliff more than 2300 meters high, people call it "suspended village". It is said that the suspended village was formed in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. When Li Zicheng entered Beijing, the four princes who fled to Ningwu took refuge in the Puying Temple on Qingzhen Mountain. His followers built sheds and houses on the cliffs not far from the temple. The followers settled down and named this place Wanghuagou Village, the suspended village, located in the depths of Guanmianshan, Ningwu County, northwest Shanxi. An ancient village in Xinzhou, Shanxi, because it is backed by a cliff and faces the endless abyss, it is called "suspended village". It is said that Zhu Cihuan was here to avoid assassins, and he thrived here until today. What is most amazing is that everything in the village is built with stones and wood, clinging to the mountain, and built layer by layer. In order to increase the durability of the houses, the houses in the village are all wind and rain shelters. Every house in the cliff village is built against the cliff, with the cliff behind it, and only the wooden stakes below support it, or it is supported by heavy wooden boards. The gaps between the walls and the wooden boards are perfectly integrated, which is amazing. Cliff Village & Suspended Village tips 1. Navigate to Luya Mountain Suspended Village, you need to drive a mountain road, the road conditions are okay. 2. Tickets 60 3. Opening hours 9 am to 5 pm (it is recommended to go early in winter) 4. The play time is about 2-3 hours 5. There are icicles, flocks of sheep, free-range chickens and ducks, you can climb mountains, you can sit in the village in a daze 6. Small scenic spot, fewer tourists 7. In addition to the original buildings in the village, there is also tourism development. There are villagers in the village, mostly left-behind children and the elderly. 8. There are many scenic spots in Xinzhou. If you want to arrange a 2-3 day trip, you can consider Xinzhou Ancient City, Luya Mountain (better in summer), and far away Wutai Mountain, Yanmenguan, Laoniuwan (there are related notes for reference before) 9. The temperature difference in the mountain is large, it is recommended to wear thicker, keep warm 10. Food: There are small restaurants in the county town, the taste is good and the price is appropriate. But hygiene is not guaranteed. If you mind, you can consider going around Xinzhou Ancient City. There were also recommendations for Xinzhou related food before. To enter the suspended village, you need to walk a winding mountain road. It is recommended to check the weather in advance, whether there is snow. It is best to contact the scenic spot in advance to ensure that the mountain road is normal and there is no mountain closure. Travel safely.

I have long known that there is a famous "hanging temple" in Hengshan, Beiyue, but I don't know that there is a hanging village in Zhangzhou, Shanxi. Usually, the ancients lived by water. Even in the mountains, they built villages on relatively sloping slopes. The hanging village in Shanxi was suspended above the cliffs at 2,300 meters above sea level. In an adjacent house, in order to expand the space of the house, it is probably for safety reasons. A wooden log sticks out on the cliff to build an air plank road. Looking up from the mountain, it seems that there is no sky or space. Not touching the ground, quite amazing.

This route in Shanxi, which celebrates the autumn season, is like a fairy tale in fall

Shanxi's route seems like autumn in a fairy tale world, with its treasure trove of autumn colors intoxicating visitors. Although there's no need to travel to the distant Xinjiang, one can still experience the fairy-tale-like autumn atmosphere here. However, it's puzzling why such beautiful autumn scenery is so rarely appreciated by tourists? This route can be called the most beautiful autumn scenery tour in Shanxi: ✅ The winding mountain roads are lined with golden leaves that seem to heal the soul. ✅ Rivers and grasslands, accompanied by the figures of cattle and sheep, sketch out enchanting landscapes. ✅ Passing through the Shenchid Nanshan scenic area (national hiking trail), it's like a treasure trove, not only with pine cones, sea buckthorn, squirrels, and other plants and animals but also with magnificent hiking trails that accompany you all the way, offering breathtaking views. ✅ The entire route is sparsely populated and charmingly scenic. ✅ You can stop at will to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. ✅ You can also camp and picnic, fully enjoying the care of nature. ✅ Moreover, this treasure route is completely free! For both adults and children, this route is simply fantastic! Children can see animals such as cattle, sheep, horses🐎, donkeys, squirrels🐿️, and more. They can also play in the water, collect leaves, pick pine cones, and harvest sea buckthorn, reaping the fruits of autumn. Adults can linger in the beautiful scenery, take photos to record the moment, or choose to camp and picnic. It's a pity that the sight of a real-life squirrel running with a pine cone in its mouth wasn't captured on camera~ ⚠️This route is completely free! 🔍Navigate to Taipingzhuang Village, Shenchi County, Shanxi, and then follow the Taibing Line➡️Chunzhi Line➡️Xinwu Line➡️Wuzhai County (starting from Taipingzhuang Village or Wuzhai County). If you have ample time, you can also choose the Luya Mountain scenic area, but even if you don't enter the scenic area, the nearby scenery is equally beautiful and is an excellent choice for travel check-ins~ ⚠️The weather is getting cooler, please wear a coat. There are farmhouses to stay along the way, but not many restaurants, so it's recommended to bring your own food, or find a nearby farmhouse to enjoy delicious meals~ ▶️Nearby attractions recommendation: After completing this route, if you have time, you can also go to Luya Mountain, Xinzhou Ancient City to enjoy yourself. ❤️The most beautiful scenery is always on the road, take your wishes and set off~

Shanxi Family Tour | Explore the beautiful and less crowded 'Little Switzerland of Shanxi' | Luya Mountain

Have you heard of Luya Mountain? I believe 99% of people don't know about this 'Little Switzerland of Shanxi', Luya Mountain, which is less crowded and beautiful. It's definitely worth collecting after testing on National Day! 🚗Transportation: Luya Mountain is located in Ningwu County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. You can drive directly from Beijing! 🏨Accommodation: Recommended by local friends, we stayed at: Wuzhai Fengze International Hotel in Wuzhai County. 🌟Reason for recommendation: This is a place with high accommodation standards near Luya Mountain Scenic Area, convenient for self-driving to the scenic area and the journey is beautiful! The cost performance is also great, 259 yuan per night for a double standard room, the room is large and clean, free parking, very good! You can choose to walk or drive to visit Luya Mountain, we chose to drive up the mountain! Day1⃣️Day One: 🧭Navigate from the hotel to: He Ye Ping (not Luya Mountain Scenic Area, the scenic area is large, we went to the most beautiful part), winding mountain road all the way up, there are jungles and streams, shuttling between the colorful jungles, worthy of the name 'Little Switzerland of Shanxi', absolutely beautiful! The surprise is: the top of the mountain is a flat highland grassland - Malun Grassland, marvel at the wonders of nature! 🎫Tickets: No tickets required for the whole journey on the first day🆓 Day2⃣️Day Two: Navigate from the hotel to: Suspended Village. Along the way, you will pass a place called Yunwu Ridge, where you can park, climb the mountain trail, there are viewing points for taking photos, and the mountain next to the trail can take children to experience the fun of digging mushrooms. You can also see sea buckthorn along the way, if you are lucky enough to meet farmers picking sea buckthorn, you can buy a kilogram of original sea buckthorn with branches for 2 yuan to taste, very sour, that is the raw material for sea buckthorn juice! Navigate to the destination Suspended Village: An ancient village built on a cliff at an altitude of 2300 meters, feel the wisdom of the ancients, worth a look! 🎫Tickets: You can buy tickets at the entrance, 60 yuan for adults, 30 yuan for children, and 10 yuan for parking. 🌟Tips: 1⃣️ It's quite cold on the mountain, especially the grassland on the top of the mountain, so bring a thick coat or down jacket. 2⃣️The mountain road is narrow, some places are quite steep, be sure to drive safely. This less crowded and beautiful 'Little Switzerland of Shanxi', Luya Mountain really surprised me, it's really worth it! If you are interested, please like, follow and collect it quickly!