Things to do in Qingxu

If I were to recommend the only must-see attraction in all of Shanxi, Jinci Temple would be my top choice. Its beautiful environment and rich cultural heritage make it a vivid representation of history. The ancient trees, palaces, and buildings are truly awe-inspiring, offering a sense of cleansing and rejuvenation.

The old town was rather deserted. The art exhibition was quite nice, though a bit over the top. But the park at the exit was absolutely gorgeous. Winding paths led to secluded spots, and unexpected beauty unfolded.

Upon entering the ticket hall of Taiyuan Botanical Garden, you'll see lizards, snakes, groundhogs, and other small animals—quite captivating. After passing through the ticket gates and entering the park, you'll find the popular escalator. Taking the escalator up offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery. The three large plant greenhouses each have their own unique features. Overall, a thorough visit is well worth the ticket price.

This was my first time visiting Tianlong Mountain Scenic Area. From Taiyuan Railway Station, I took bus 308 to the last stop, then walked for less than ten minutes to reach Tourist Bus 1 (4 yuan). I got off at Longmen Station and walked down the mountain. The visit took about three and a half hours. I saw Bailong Cave and wasn't tired at all. I took a bus down the mountain from the National Treasure Hall. I passed the popular "Instagrammable" bridge twice, and it was beautiful.

I learned about Jinci Temple in junior high and high school Chinese classes, and 30 years later I finally got to visit it. I should have taken my time and spent the whole day exploring it, but unfortunately I only had half a day, and I had to rush to Pingyao the next morning.

The scenery is absolutely stunning. And transportation is incredibly convenient. After taking bus 804 or 856 to the last stop, it's less than a ten-minute walk to the bus stop for the Tianlongshan Grottoes (Sightseeing Route 1), which costs four yuan one way and can be paid with NFC. Seeing such a beautiful sky from the popular bridge was truly breathtaking.

The Qiao Family Compound is the former residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a famous Shanxi merchant during the Qing Dynasty. It is hailed as "a shining pearl in the history of northern folk architecture" and is often referred to as "the Forbidden City for the imperial family, and the Qiao Family Compound for folk residences." Built during the Qianlong era, the courtyard with its blue bricks and gray tiles exudes a truly dignified and imposing atmosphere, with every brick and tile reflecting the confidence of the Shanxi merchants over the past century.

Breathtaking view, amazing hike to the top, unreal experience and genuine atmosphere. Highly recommend

The ancient city of Jinyang, founded in the mid-to-late Spring and Autumn Period (497 BC), served as the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period, a secondary capital during the Northern Qi Dynasty, the capital of the Northern Han Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and finally, Beijing during the Tang Dynasty. Jinyang witnessed the division of Jin by three states, the border defense of the Western Han Dynasty, the hegemony of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, the secondary capital of the Northern Qi Dynasty, the founding of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and the wars of the Five Dynasties. A series of major historical events were closely linked to the ancient city of Jinyang. In the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo reign of the Song Dynasty (979), the Song Dynasty destroyed the Northern Han Dynasty and burned Jinyang to the ground. The Fen River was then diverted to flood the city, razing the ancient city to the ground. Currently, the ruins of the temple and the canal are available at the site, but the core ruins of the Jinyang Palace have yet to be found. Admission is free, and parking is convenient.

The Our Lady Hall of Jin Temple is the main hall of Jin Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and is also one of the three national treasures of Jin Temple. It was built during the Tiansheng period of the Northern Song Dynasty, facing west to east, and located at the end of the central axis. The architectural style of the Our Lady Hall is unique and has high historical, artistic and scientific value. The main features of the Our Lady Hall include: 1. **Large-scale building**: The hall is 31 meters long and 25 meters wide, with a double-eaved hip roof, a total height of 19 meters, a width of seven rooms, a depth of six rooms, and a plane that is approximately square. 2. **Exquisite architectural structure**: There are corridors around the main hall, and the front corridor is two rooms deep, which is very spacious. This "sub-step surrounding" architectural form is a unique example among the existing ancient buildings in China. 3. **Exquisite decorative art**: A large number of Song Dynasty colored sculptures are preserved in the Our Lady Hall. These colored sculptures are vividly shaped and exquisitely crafted, and are treasures of ancient Chinese sculpture art. 4. **High historical and cultural value**: The Our Lady Hall was built to worship Yi Jiang, the daughter of Jiang Ziya, the wife of King Wu of Zhou, and the mother of King Cheng of Zhou, and has important historical and cultural value. In general, the Notre Dame Hall of Jinci is one of the outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese architecture. It not only demonstrates the superb skills of ancient Chinese architecture, but also reflects the profound heritage of ancient Chinese culture. If you are interested in ancient Chinese architecture and historical culture, the Notre Dame Hall of Jinci is definitely a place worth visiting.