Yanchuan

Things to do in Yanchuan

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Yanchuan

View all Attractions
Baota Mountain
No. 19 of Best Things to Do in Shaanxi

Baota Mountain

7.4
4.5/5
5.1k reviews

Baota Mountain is located in the center of Yan'an city, by the side of the Yan River, and is named after the pagoda on the mountain. The pagoda was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing structure is a pavilion-style brick pagoda rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. The pagoda, together with the mountain, the Yan River, and the bridge, forms the city skyline of Yan'an and is also a symbol of the revolutionary holy land in people's hearts. The poet He Jingzhi wrote in "Returning to Yan'an" the famous line, "How many times in my dreams have I returned to Yan'an, embracing Baota Mountain with both hands," adding emotional weight to this mountain. The mountain is densely scattered with historical sites, including Song dynasty cliff carvings, Fan Gong Well, beacon towers, Star-gazing Tower, Jialing Academy, ancient city walls, and the former site of the Japanese Workers' and Peasants' School. Among them, the inscriptions "Jialing Mountain" in clerical script and "My chest harbors tens of thousands of armored soldiers" by Fan Zhongyan of the Northern Song dynasty have long been renowned. An iron bell cast in the Ming dynasty still hangs beside the pagoda, which was used for timekeeping and alarms during the CPC Central Committee's Yan'an period. Ascending the mountain path to Star-gazing Tower and beacon tower areas offers panoramic views of Yan'an city and the Yan River. After nightfall, the mountain and pagoda illuminate, and gazing back at the lit pagoda from near Yan River Bridge remains a favorite photo spot for many travelers.

Yan'an · 69.9 km from Yanchuan
The Qiao's  Family Compound
No. 16 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

The Qiao's Family Compound

7.8
4.7/5
15.1k reviews

The Qiao's Family Compound is located in the center of Qiaojiapu village, Qi county, also known as "The Qiao Family CourtyardIt was the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a renowned commercial and financial capitalist in the Qing Dynasty, and has served as a filming location for over 30 movies and TV series, including "The Qiao Family Courtyard" and "Raise the Red Lantern." If you've seen these films, you'll surely recognize the scenes here: rows of red lanterns hanging high, towering brick walls, exquisite carvings, beautiful bracket sets and upturned eaves, and deep alleys. This is the famous The Qiao Family Courtyard. This is a residential complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties, its architecture resembling a castle, imposing and grand, typical of the living style of a large northern family during the Ming and Qing periods. Viewed from above, the entire courtyard layout resembles the Chinese character "囍" (double happiness), symbolizing good fortune. The complex is meticulously laid out yet also varied; even the more than 140 chimneys on the rooftops are unique. It is said to have been built by the imperial family.The Forbidden CityThere's a saying that "for residential architecture, visit the Qiao family courtyard". Upon entering the Qiao family courtyard, a straight stone-paved path approx. 80 m long divides the six courtyards into two rows, north and south. According to traditional naming, the three courtyards on the north side of the Qiao family courtyard are called the old courtyard, northwest courtyard, and study courtyard from east to west. The three courtyards on the south side are called the southeast courtyard, southwest courtyard, and new courtyard, reflecting the construction sequence of each courtyard. The brick carvings, painted decorations, and inscribed plaques in each courtyard are exquisitely crafted. The standout is the "hundred longevity characters" screen wall at the main entrance, featuring 100 uniquely styled seal-script "longevity" characters, where art and culture blend seamlessly. The brick carvings at the land god shrine are also noteworthy. Under the eaves of every room in the Qiao family courtyard, you'll find genuine gold-painted decorations, notably created using the raised paste technique with meticulous layering and final gold application. Among the many inscribed plaques at the Qiao family courtyard, the one personally calligraphed by Fu Shan in the fourth courtyard is particularly remarkable.Danfeng pavilion“Plaque”, when visiting here, be sure to learn about the story behind this plaque. Additionally, there are three treasures in the Qiao Family Courtyard: the ten-thousand-people ball, the rhinoceros gazing at the moon mirror, and the nine-dragon lantern. The rhinoceros gazing at the moon mirror was the treasure that brought wealth to the Qiao family, while the nine-dragon lantern was a gift from Empress Dowager Cixi, located in the courtyard at the southern center. Today, the Qiao family courtyard also serves as a folk museum, with its six courtyards respectively displaying agricultural life through the seasons, life rituals, inner gardens, commercial customs, luxurious furnishings, and the history of the Qiao family. Visitors can explore while learning about the Qiao family's philosophy of life, household management, and business.

China · Qi County
Taiyuan Botanical Garden
No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi

Taiyuan Botanical Garden

7.6
4.7/5
6k reviews

Overview of Taiyuan Botanical Garden The attraction is a landscaping project designated by the municipal party committee, was selected into the third batch of PPP demonstration projects by the Ministry of Finance, and won the Shanxi Province PPP Project Award for Improving the Living Environment. It is located at the foot of Taishan Attraction in Jinyuan District, starting from Fengyugou Mouth in the west, extending to Old Jinci Road in the east, from Fengyu Shahe in the north to Taigu Highway in the south, with a total area of approx. 2,730 mu and a total project investment of CNY 3.558 billion. The overall plan of the garden is divided into five functional areas: the entrance management area, the plant scientific classification area, the plant scientific application area, the plant evolution display area, and the scientific experiment area. The construction content includes five major building areas—the main entrance building, the exhibition conservatory, the potted plant museum, the waterfront restaurant, and the research center—as well as twenty-five specialized gardens. To date, more than 5,800 species of plants have been collected. The architectural design of the botanical garden project was completed by the internationally renowned design firms DMAA Architecture Design Co., Ltd. of Austria and Valentin Urban Planning and Landscape Design Office of Germany, and the landscape design was completed by the Beilin Landscape Planning and Design Institute of Beijing Forestry University. The attraction aims to protect species diversity, plant resources, and historical resources in Shanxi Province throughOwn responsibility, collectTaihang Mountains, Lüliang MountainsA comprehensive botanical garden in our province featuring temperate-zone plant resources dominated by distinctive plants, with introduced and domesticated new, superior, and specialty varieties suitable for the local area. It fully leverages its science education and educational functions, achieving an organic integration of beautiful garden landscapes, scientific substance, and distinctive local cultural resources. It is a comprehensive botanical garden integrating scientific research, science education, tourism, ecological leisure, and cultural tourism, adding to the city a great destination where residents can both systematically learn botanical science knowledge and enjoy leisure, entertainment, and vacation travel,At the same time, it connects with Jinci Temple, Tianlong Mountain Scenic Area, Taishan Longquan Temple Attraction, Mengshan Giant Buddha Attraction, Jinyang Lake Park, and Jinyang Ancient City Ruins Park to form a unique tourism brand for Taiyuan. In addition, its completion provides the necessary conditions for our city to consolidate its title as a "National Garden City" and to create an ecological garden city. At the same time, it has very important practical and strategic significance for improving the categories of parks in our city, promoting the rapid formation and development of the provincial capital's tourism area, improving the urban ecological environment, building a famous historical and cultural city, enhancing the city's quality, and constructing a city of green mountains and clear waters and a harmonious and livable city. Main entrance The main entrance building covers an area of 20,135 m² and incorporates the architectural style of Shanxi courtyard compounds. It is a comprehensive building integrating offices, the plant science popularization hall, the specimen hall, the lecture hall, the restaurant, and visitor reception. Visitors can stand on the cantilever of the main entrance to overlook the entire botanical garden, and in the distance, they can also gaze at the Taishan attraction, taking in the beautiful scenery at a glance. At the main entrance, there are also the Taiyuan Botanical Garden Plant Science Popularization Hall and the Insect Specimen Hall. The Taiyuan Botanical Garden Plant Science Popularization Hall covers an area of 4,300 square meters. All 118 educational science videos in the hall were independently directed and filmed by our garden. The exhibition is themed "Vivid Colors, Fragrant Life, Endless Vitality" and is divided into seven major thematic exhibition areas: Plant Evolution (exploring the origin of plants), Plant Mysteries (understanding plant structure), Plant Wisdom (discovering the wonders of plants), Plant Value (counting the contributions of plants), Plant Ecology (appreciating the influence of plants), Plant Culture (plants and traditional Chinese culture), and Shanxi's Botanical Beauty (distribution and conservation of plants in Shanxi). In the wonderful atmosphere of innovative integration between art and nature, light and shadow dance with flowers and leaves as visitors stroll through. The insect specimen museum displays more than 2,000 boxes (over 4,000) of rare insect and other arthropod specimens, and through the explanation of basic knowledge, it aims to help people understand nature, experience nature, and love nature, and enhance awareness of protecting insects, protecting plants, and protecting the environment. Insects are closely related to human life and are one of the most successfully evolved, diverse, and wonderfully fascinating groups of organisms on Earth. From colorful butterflies, flower-visiting honey-making bees, and loudly singing cicadas, to agile dragonflies and mantises wielding their "broadswords"; from marching ants in groups, to annoying mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, and so on.The variety of insect species is unmatched by other animals. Insects are not only numerous in species, but the number of individuals within a single species is also astonishingly large. More than 1.1 million species of insects are known worldwide, and there may be several million more waiting to be discovered. Harmony between humanity and nature has become a consensus of human society in the present era. Only by living in harmony with the animals and plants of the natural world can humanity achieve sustainable development—this is the purpose and significance of our planning of the insect specimen science exhibition. Exhibition greenhouse The botanical garden conservatory complex consists of three individual conservatories—the Tropical Rainforest Hall, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Succulent Plant Hall, and Rare Flowers Hall—as well as the conservatory energy center. All three exhibition conservatories are built with wooden dome structures with a span of 88 m. Their construction concept inherits the classical wooden structure construction theory of Shanxi on the basis of modern conservatory construction, representing a combination of the classical and the modern, and isBotanical gardenA simple tribute to this beloved land beneath our feet. The tropical rainforest conservatory covers an area of 5,521 m² and consists of the Tropical Rainforest Wonders Area, Tropical Rainforest Community Simulation Area, Flying Waterfall Viewing Area, Fun Botanical Garden, Palm Garden, and Tropical Aquatic Plant Garden; Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Succulent Plant Hall covers an area of 2,245 m² and collects and displays succulents from Africa, the Americas, and Australia; the Rare Plants and Four Seasons Flowers Exhibition Conservatory covers an area of 1,470 m² and mainly collects and displays tropical flowers, ferns, shade-loving plants, and more. For a long time, the exhibition greenhouses of botanical gardens have become charming places in the minds of visitors. The beautifully shaped large exhibition greenhouses, such as those at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United KingdomPalm houseAlong with the Princess of Wales Conservatory, the grid-shell large-span hemispherical greenhouses at the Missouri Botanical Garden in the United States, the New York Botanical Garden conservatory, and the Longwood Gardens conservatory in Philadelphia, these structures are not only the diamonds in the crown of their botanical gardens but have also become landmarks of the architecture, culture, and civilization of their cities. To a certain extent, exhibition greenhouses can represent the level of cultural, scientific, and technological development of a city. Exhibition greenhouses originated during the European Renaissance. At that time, greenhouses served as cultivation and propagation bases for plant introduction, providing experimental materials and venues for scientific research, as well as places for cultivating flowers and plants for household use. With the improvement of economic and technological levels and humanity's understanding of nature, exhibition greenhouses have undergone significant transformations. Today's exhibition greenhouses are not only places for plant collection and display, scientific conservation and research, but also green spaces that integrate ecology and environment, science popularization and education, culture and art, and tourism and appreciation. Therefore, the exhibition greenhouse is a multi-level, multi-disciplinary, and multi-faceted field, whose construction and operation involve architecture, horticulture, ecology, aesthetics, and management, forming an indoor garden that is artificially controlled and displays plants growing in different regions and climatic conditions along with their living environments. Tropical rainforest hall The tropical rainforest hall covers an area of 5,521 m², relying on the existing mountain terrain on the north side and connecting to a water body on the south side. Through cliffs, precipices, gorges, caves, and flying waterfalls, it presents diverse landscape spaces. The mountain reaches a height of 12 m, with towering peaks and steep cliffs, while also featuring deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and babbling streams. The overall layout combines openness and enclosure, creating a natural and varied topography. Bridges, plank roads, platforms, and stepping stones connect these nodal spaces. The exhibition hall is furnished with various typical tropical rainforest plants. The upper layer is dominated by tall trees whose crowns rise high above the other layers, standing out like a crane among chickens. The middle layer consists of small and medium-sized trees, interspersed with epiphytic and climbing plants that form hanging gardens. The lower layer contains ground cover and fern plants of varying density, while the large trees have gnarled and intertwined roots of diverse forms, making visitors feel as if they are walking through the beautiful and mysterious plant world of a tropical rainforest—sometimes striking and magnificent, sometimes elegant and peculiar, sometimes plain and tranquil, and always deeply evocative. The exhibition hall consists of six areas. Tropical rainforest wonder area The cliff and precipice terrain at the entrance leaves visitors entering the exhibition hall in awe, and stone carvings and rock paintings reflecting the regional culture of the rainforest can be seen everywhere on the cliff face. Following the direction of the cliff, the rumbling sound of water can be faintly heard in the distance, and the skywalk spanning the air comes into view, drawing visitors' footsteps irresistibly to explore. Visitors can also climb the steps to enter the 5 m high aerial viewing platform, where the beautiful scenery unfolds in full view. The plant arrangement in this area mainly focuses on presenting the typical landscape features of tropical rainforests, such as the eight major phenomena of tropical rainforests and the "five trees and six flowers" of Buddhist culture. Tropical rainforest community simulation area Clever use is made of the uneven terrain to display the typical views of Asian tropical rainforest, American tropical rainforest, and African tropical rainforest plant communities. Within the jungle, lush greenery abounds, with tall and dense tree crowns, and hanging gardens created by epiphytic plants can be seen everywhere, colorful and full of spring beauty. The root systems of various plants are also bizarre and distinctive, giving visitors an immersive tropical rainforest experience and feeling. Waterfall viewing area At the entrance, the waterfall is heard before it is seen, and after a winding path it suddenly comes into view before visitors. With the waterfall as the core view of the attraction, it has a drop of 9 m, cascading down in tiers and formed by stacked stone, with a pool of clear water below; the scene combines movement and stillness, blending plants with mountains and water. The viewing point for the waterfall is the viewing platform, from which visitors can gaze into the distance and let their imagination wander. On the ground level, a paved area is left in front of the waterfall as a space for visitors to stroll, enjoy the view, rest, and take photos. Tropical rainforest fruit tree area This area is located on the northwest side of the exhibition hall, where the mountain rises to a height of 12 m and streams flow gently. Various interesting rainforest fruits are planted according to the terrain, such as bananas, papayas, guavas, and jackfruit. Each fruit has different suitable growing conditions, but they generally share a preference for heat and intolerance of cold, so they grow in warm, humid places. In the tropical rainforest fruit tree area, this dazzling and unique phenomenon is displayed, opening up a rainforest world for visitors. Tropical rainforest style area This area is located at the western entrance, where the terrain is relatively flat. It features a concentrated planting of various tall and stately palm plants, graceful and upright in form. Beneath the palms, seasonal flowers are arranged in bright, vivid colors and are replaced periodically according to the season, creating a charming exotic landscape. Tropical aquatic botanical garden With the towering mountain as a backdrop, the water system of the entire mountain is designed to return to this water body. Travelers weave through the undulating tropical jungle, their eyes overwhelmed by the ever-changing scenery, until they arrive at the open water surface, calm and soothing, and stroll across the wooden bridge, connecting with the water and letting their spirits soar. Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Desert Plant House The Taiyuan Botanical Garden's Desert Plant House is a landscape greenhouse integrating species conservation, scientific research, and educational exhibition. The exhibition hall collects desert plants from Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, showcasing the customs and cultures of different desert regions. Combining the existing terrain with a large-scale layout approach, the greenhouse is divided into regional exhibition zones based on the places of origin of cacti and succulents. American desert flora region The area covers approx. 600 m², making it the main exhibition area in this pavilion. The area features saguaros, golden barrel cacti with their all-over golden color, Ferocactus with eagle-claw-like spines, ponytail palms with bottle-shaped trunks, shaving brush trees with trunks resembling tortoise shells, and elegant yuccas as the backbone of the community, with other plants from the Agavaceae and Cactaceae families arranged in a balanced density, allowing visitors to truly experience the American desert scenery with a strong Native American flair. African desert flora region This area covers approx. 200 m² and focuses on showcasing representative desert plants native to the African desert and savanna desert zones. It features a community backbone of the silver-spined, commanding African milk barrel, the desert rose with its sturdy branches and fiery blooms, the awe-inspiring, intricately sculpted Aloe erinacea, and the solitary, leafless pencil cactus, complemented by a desert view of wind-eroded rocks and isolated walls of shifting sand,Among themDotting with other succulents such as aloes and sansevierias, it makes visitors feel as if they were in the vast and lonely African desert where eagles soar. Australian desert flora region This area covers 50 m² and features a community backbone of towering, majestic Queensland bottle trees shaped like giant bottles, elegant and handsome black ebony trees known as Australia's "Black Prince," and robust, formidable Australian Moore cycads, complemented by red soil and curved red rocks, along with other small and medium-sized desert plants arranged with a balanced density, showcasing a unique and charming Australian style. Premium desert plant display case Mainly, it shows that during the growth of desert plants, some species undergo abnormal variations in their form or epidermal color, primarily including variegation, cristation, and monstrose forms. Because the probability of occurrence is very low, they are generally difficult to see, so the mutated individuals appear particularly precious. On one side of the steps in the desert greenhouse, several groups of glass display cases are arranged, mainly used to display cristate golden barrel cactus, variegated golden barrel cactus, cristate African milk tree, and relatively rare premium desert plants such as the genus Lithops of the family Aizoaceae. The dry creek meanders and twists, narrowing from wide to narrow, passing through various exhibition areas to connect the entire desert plant hall before disappearing within the venue, symbolizing the longing for water in the desert and the long-standing historical culture. The echoing peak column in the middle of the venue uses driftwood to create a giant structure shaped like a bottle tree, serving as an extension of the entire venue's space, and the raised central section can display some folk culture specimens from various regions. Four seasons flower hall The greenhouse covers an area of 1,470 m² and incorporates the concept of a sunken garden, with pathways connecting three view levels—high, middle, and low—with a drop of 3 m, spiraling downward. The north entrance serves as the main viewing route, descending step by step through the second-floor viewing platform to reach the ground floor of the entire exhibition hall. The south side features an accessible pathway for people with special needs to reach the ground floor. For plants, tropical flowers, ferns, and shade-loving plants are used to create rich view layers. The varying-height retaining walls are a major feature of this exhibition hall, using materials such as stainless steel panels, stone, and plants to display rich facade effects. Greenhouse plant exhibition area This area covers 470 m² and features a concentrated display of rare plants, shade-loving plants, and ferns, with occasional accents of uniquely shaped, elegant landscape trees or rare plants. Carnivorous plant exhibition area Carnivorous plants use their own methods to make insects stay on their leaves and stems, then fall into their traps and be consumed. The exhibition area displays carnivorous plants through transparent glass display panels, which can both ensure the safety of visitors and allow visitors to observe the growth forms of carnivorous plants up close. Floral-themed attraction display area This area covers 235 m² and is built with walls and streams, using orchids as the main floral material to create a themed attraction. Here, visitors can admire different varieties of orchids and enjoy a feast of orchids. Throughout the year, different themed floral displays are presented here—flowers and scenery together, with flowers within the scenery and flowers blending into the scenery—making it a great spot for visitors to take photos. Premium flower exhibition area Display rare orchid varieties from around the world in a concentrated arrangement using racks, partitions, driftwood, and display cabinets. Examples include: Cattleya from the Americas, the "Queen of Orchids" Phalaenopsis from Southeast Asia, the "Rising Star of Orchids" Cymbidium from Korea, the "Greek Princess" Miltonia, and the "Elegant Dancer" Oncidium. Hanging plant exhibition area This area covers 50 m² and features various tropical orchids and other hanging foliage and flowering plants arranged in a concentrated display through various carriers. Three large-scale three-dimensional floral installations are arranged at varying heights, creating a delightful visual experience. Bonsai Hall One flower, one leaf, one bodhi; one pot, one landscape, one world. Bonsai originated in China, with a long history and a distant source. In the long river of human social history, during the primitive period, humans lived in groups in nature and depended on nature. With the development of human civilization, people living in cities, although residing in cities, still long for and deeply love every plant, every mountain, and every river of nature. This circular, streamlined building employs a technique that combines the solid and the ethereal, bridging the past and the present to showcase the long history, unique craftsmanship, innovative achievements, and cultural connotations of bonsai. Amid the tide of inheritance and innovation, it will remain true to its original aspiration and open a new chapter for Jin-style bonsai! The Bonsai Hall has two floors. Currently, the first floor displays scholar's rocks and landscape bonsai, while the second floor displays stump bonsai, succulents, and other plants. Screens, railings, tables, and other furniture are used to divide the space and display the bonsai and scholar's rocks, presenting the great art of Chinese bonsai through immersive scenes. Bonsai emphasizes the trinity of the scenery, the pot, and the stand. The three essential elements of bonsai complement one another and merge into a single whole, integrating multiple artistic elements to present the overall beauty and artistic beauty of the work. The artistic creations of bonsai craftsmen through the ages enable a small bonsai to reveal a vast world. The pot reveals the beauty of nature, and only through artistic conception can one appreciate the ingenuity of the craftsmanship. As the saying goes, bonsai and scholar's rocks are inseparable; many bonsai enthusiasts are also lovers of scholar's rocks. This is because stones are used when making root-over-rock bonsai and water-and-land bonsai, and if scholar's rocks can be used to complement them, the effect is even more striking. In addition, bonsai and scholar's rocks are both refined hobbies, and the two share much in common. Waterfront restaurant The waterfront restaurant has a building area of 2,822 m² and is built by the water. Its roof uses a traditional Chinese post-and-lintel timber structure, and the floor-to-ceiling glass offers a panoramic view of the botanical garden. Dining here is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Research center The total area is approx. 54 mu. The research center has 7 individual buildings in total, namely the library and specimen museum, staff apartments, laboratory and office building, expert apartments, and garden waste treatment station. To facilitate plant resource introduction and domestication, ex situ conservation, and scientific research for researchers, the research center also features 300 mu of experimental fields. 25 specialized gardens In addition, there are 25 specialized gardens, including: the Plant Application Garden,Xuanqiu Garden, bamboo garden, APG taxonomy garden, rose garden, rare and endangered plant garden,Perennial flower garden, Lilac and Viburnum Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Chrysanthemum Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Rock Garden, Medicinal and Tea Garden,Pagoda, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Arboretum, Ginkgo and Conifer Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Bonsai Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Sophora Garden, Climbing Plant Garden, Water Garden, Brownfield Restoration Demonstration Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Peach Blossom Garden, Cherry and Plum Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Crabapple Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Peony and Herbaceous Peony Garden, Willow and Linden Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Magnolia Garden. Throughout the year, the scenery is ever-changing. In spring, flowers bloom in abundance; in summer, lush greenery prevails; in fall, the entire garden turns golden; and in deep winter, pines and cypresses stand tall.

China · Taiyuan
Guanque Tower
No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi

Guanque Tower

7.5
4.5/5
5k reviews

A national AAAA-level tourist attraction and one of the top ten attractions in Shanxi Province, Guanque Tower is located on the eastern bank of the Yellow River west of Puzhou Ancient City in Yongji, Shanxi. Alongside the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Hubei; Yueyang Tower in Yueyang, Hunan; and Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, Jiangxi, it is renowned as one of China's four great historical and cultural towers. Originally built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557–571 AD) by military commander Yuwen Hu as a defensive watchtower, the tower earned its name from the storks that frequently perched on its structure. The Tang Dynasty poet Wang Zhihuan's celebrated poem "On the Stork Tower" ("The sun along the mountain bows; The Yellow River seawards flows. You will enjoy a grander sight; If you climb to a greater height.") has become an enduring masterpiece, widely known both domestically and internationally. After standing for over 700 years through the Tang and Song dynasties, the tower was destroyed during warfare in the early Yuan Dynasty (1222 AD). The reconstructed Guanque Tower follows Tang-style architecture, featuring four eaves externally with three visible tiers, while internally comprising six floors. With a total height of 73.9m, it epitomizes the grandeur of the Tang era. Ascending Guanque Tower not only offers breathtaking panoramic views but also immerses visitors in the brilliance of China's 5,000-year civilization.

China · Yongji
Guangsheng Temple
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Linfen

Guangsheng Temple

7.4
4.7/5
2.4k reviews

Guangsheng Temple is located at the southern foot of Huo Mountain in Hongtong County, Linfen, Shanxi. It is said to have been initially built during the Eastern Han Dynasty and renamed to its current name in the Tang Dynasty. Despite being repeatedly destroyed by wars, fires, and earthquakes over the centuries, the surviving halls are primarily structures from the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. The attraction consists of the upper temple on the mountain peak, the lower temple at the foot of the mountain, and the Water God Temple, forming a high-low connection that creates a natural upward visiting route. The Feihong Pagoda in the upper temple is the visual center of the entire complex. This octagonal thirteen-story brick pagoda, standing over forty meters tall, is adorned with glazed tiles in yellow, green, blue, white, and other colors from the second floor upwards. Figures of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, celestial beings, coiled dragons, and lion-like beasts protrude from the brick surfaces layer by layer. When sunlight hits it on clear days, the entire structure refracts rainbow-like brilliance, which is said to be the origin of its name "Feihong" (Flying Rainbow). The 1986 TV adaptation of *Journey to the West* filmed the episode where Tang Monk sweeps the pagoda to uncover an injustice here. In the 1930s, Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin also highly praised the quality and craftsmanship of the pagoda's glazed decorations during their survey. Behind the pagoda, a row of dark red sutra cabinets still stands in the Amitabha Hall, where the Buddhist canon "Zhaocheng Golden Tripitaka" was once stored. This engraved Tripitaka from the Jin Dynasty lay forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery in 1933. During the Anti-Japanese War, to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands, local soldiers and civilians risked their lives to transport it overnight. Now housed in the National Library of China, it is regarded as one of the library's most treasured collections. The sutra cabinets remain in the hall, and this legendary tale is worth pausing to hear. The Water God Temple at the foot of the mountain, the Mingying Wang Hall, is adjacent to the Huo Spring outlet. Its walls are adorned with over ten Yuan Dynasty murals centered around themes of praying for rain, rainfall, and giving thanks to deities. These murals depict water god worship and urban life rather than the typical Buddhist or Taoist subjects found in ordinary temples. The eastern section of the southern wall features "The grand performance troupe Zhongduxiu performing here," showcasing over ten actors and musicians representing various role types (sheng, dan, jing, mo, chou) on the same stage. This is a precious image for studying Yuan Dynasty zaju performances and, along with "The ball-hitting game," has been included in history textbooks. The adjacent Great Buddha Hall of the Lower Temple is a Yuan Dynasty wooden structure. Its original large-scale murals were stripped and sold overseas in the late 1920s, with the famous "Illustration of the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra" now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. To appreciate Yuan Dynasty murals, focus your attention on the Water God Temple. A bottom-up route is recommended: first visit the water god temple and lower monastery, then ascend via stone steps or the mountain road to see the Feihong pagoda at the summit. The glazed colors appear especially vibrant on sunny days, making it easier to capture great photos.

China · Hongtong

Experiences you can't miss in Yanchuan

Featured Day tours in Yanchuan

View all Day tours
Yan'an Nanniwan + Yellow River Qiankunwan 1-day tour (Chinese and English service)
󱌍
FromJPY 34,999
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River 1-day tour [door-to-door pickup│optional skip-the-line]
󱌍
5.0/5
· 3 reviews· 72 booked
Duration: 11 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromJPY 6,824
1-day tour to Hukou waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River and Huangdi mausoleum Xuanyuan temple in Shaanxi + optional Chinese/English-speaking guide
󱌍
FromJPY 7,534
Departing from Linfen: One-day private car tour to visit Hukou Waterfall and Xiaoxitian
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromJPY 19,384
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River day tour
󱌍
4.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 11.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromJPY 7,060
1-day tour to Hukou Waterfall + The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor in Shaanxi|Pure sightseeing, no shopping stops|Free pick-up/drop-off service
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
9% off
Limited-time sale
FromJPY 12,752JPY 14,168
Yanchuan Today's weatherClear 2-17℃
Yanchuan weather for the next 2 days11/7: 0-10℃, 11/8: -7-8℃

Free things to do in Yanchuan

What travellers say about Yanchuan

user-avatar
Anonymous userNovember 5, 2026
5.0
The Wang Family Compound, with its centuries-old history and grand scale, is often referred to as the "Folk Palace," bearing witness to the achievements of the Wang family. The currently open area represents only a small portion, yet it is still awe-inspiring!

WANG JIA DA YUAN

user-avatar
夜阑月色溶溶October 7, 2026
5.0
Because we had children with us, we opted to take the sightseeing bus up and down, which was very relaxing. We got a close look at the pagoda, took photos, and learned about its history, especially the plaques at the north and south gates: "Soaring high above the heavens, overlooking the mortal world"—for over 1000 years, the pagoda has achieved this.

Baota Mountain

user-avatar
豆妈小晶晶November 2, 2026
5.0
Hiring a guide is a must. A guided tour takes about an hour and a half, and you'll see everything you need to know. Otherwise, you'll wander around aimlessly without understanding anything. Before leaving, we had some free health-promoting tea at the景区 service center. All the plaques, screen walls, and stone carvings are worth seeing.

The Qiao's Family Compound

user-avatar
AAAAKKKK-1October 12, 2024
5.0
There are many myths and legends about the origin of Chinese civilization, which have a certain guiding role in establishing a sense of honor and identity for the nation itself, and can demonstrate the breadth of Chinese civilization in some aspects. There are also popular science knowledge related to geological landforms. On-site visits can be seen and touched, which can establish or update cognition more intuitively and vividly than pictures and texts in textbooks. There are mountains and water here, and the vision is broad, which can relax your mood, especially after sweating, which will have a positive effect on the cleaning of a body of silence. Note: If you drive to Huifengzhai by yourself, you will see the signs of Qingshui Bay and Qiankun Bay at the intersection, pay attention to the direction. If you go to Huifengzhai on foot, it is recommended to bring more water and food. Walking here will consume a lot, and it will add to the fatigue on sunny days.

Huifeng Village

user-avatar
Anonymous userOctober 30, 2026
5.0
Taiyuan Botanical Garden is definitely worth a visit. It's not just a simple park; it's a large ecological space that integrates nature exploration, photo opportunities, and relaxation. Whether you want to bring your kids to get close to nature or take beautiful landscape photos, this place has you covered. Photo enthusiasts should head to the starry sky elevator and the three greenhouses—wearing light-colored clothing will result in better photos. Families with children can visit the petting zoo, feed the swans, and enjoy a leisurely sightseeing bus tour. The best strategy is to enter the park at 3 PM to experience both the daytime and nighttime views in one go.

Taiyuan Botanical Garden

user-avatar
Xave EdisonNovember 5, 2026
5.0
Absolutely stunning! The journey begins by crossing a glass bridge before descending into the valley, surrounded by spectacular wave formations. The entire park takes around 3–4 hours to explore, depending on your pace.It is fascinating how Mother Nature has sculpted the Danxia landscape into magnificent wave-like formations. The park is well-developed, with wooden walkways allowing visitors to admire these natural wonders up close.The hike is relatively easy, except for the final climb out of the valley, which is manageable for most fitness levels.Visiting in November was a great decision, with fewer local tourists. I practically had the entire place to myself, allowing me to enjoy the scenery and take photos at my own pace.One of the highlights is One Line Sky (一线天), a narrow passage surrounded by breathtaking wave formations. Absolutely mesmerising!Overall, Bolang Valley is a spectacular natural wonder worth visiting!

The Wave Valley Scenic Area

user-avatar
楚云霁月August 21, 2026
4.0
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.

Taiyuan Ancient County

user-avatar
骑着蜗牛赶绿灯November 4, 2025
4.0
Here, a magnificent 360-degree bend is formed, and when viewed from above, it resembles a golden epic of the earth, possessing both majestic and delicate natural wonders, as well as rich cultural and historical stories.

First Bay of the Yellow River

user-avatar
M52***90October 11, 2026
5.0
I hadn't originally planned to visit the Stork Tower, as it's a reconstruction completed in 2002. However, I came across a travelogue about climbing it, and perhaps the focus for modern people isn't so much on whether it's an ancient building, but rather on Wang Zhihuan's famous line, "To see a thousand miles further, climb one more story." When you reach the top and gaze into the distance—the Yellow River, the Zhongtiao Mountains, the blue sky and white clouds overhead, the wind blowing from Fengling Ferry—don't we feel the same sentiment as Wang Zhihuan back then? Sometimes, even a simple visit can lead to unexpected experiences. The scenic area has set up signature boards for each province, autonomous region, municipality, and region. Surprisingly, this tourist experience made the friendship between Qin and Jin (Shaanxi and Shaanxi) more tangible. The board for Shaanxi Province has already been replaced twice, as it's become too densely packed with signatures from friends from neighboring Shaanxi. The scenic area simply put up a sign at the very front of the signature corridor that reads "Qin People Gather!" It looks like it'll be full soon too.

Guanque Tower

user-avatar
皮皮泡泡哦哦哦October 20, 2026
5.0
The ancient pagoda was particularly impressive, and the glazed sculptures shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. Their forms were incredibly lifelike. The only downside was the long wait for the shuttle bus; we got on the bus five minutes ago, but waited for another 40 minutes.

Guangsheng Temple

Trip Moments in Yanchuan

Popular cities near Yanchuan

Frequently asked questions

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Yanchuan?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Yan'an Nanniwan + Yellow River Qiankunwan 1-day tour (Chinese and English service), Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River 1-day tour [door-to-door pickup│optional skip-the-line], and 1-day tour to Hukou waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River and Huangdi mausoleum Xuanyuan temple in Shaanxi + optional Chinese/English-speaking guide. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 6, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Yanchuan is around JPY 6,824 – JPY 50,613. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.