2025 Lingqiu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

📍This county is not far from Datong and Mount Wutai, but few people make a special trip to stop here. In fact, it has seven national key cultural relics protection units. This is Fanshi County. 📍Fanshi County is located in the northeast of Shanxi Province, bordering the World Cultural Heritage Site of Mount Wutai to the south and the North Heng Mountain to the north. It is the eastern gateway of Xinzhou City. Fanshi County was established during the Western Han Dynasty and has a history of more than 2,000 years. It gets its name from the abundance of mountains and temples, as well as the north-south mountain confrontation. The terrain is characterized by two mountains sandwiching a river, with the Lutuo River, one of the five major tributaries of the Hai River, in the middle. [One] Sansheng Temple 🏯The construction date is unknown, but it has been renovated in the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The temple faces south and includes the Shanmen (Mountain Gate), Guodian (Passing Hall), Daxiong Hall (Main Hall), Grandma Hall, Mawang Hall (Horse King Hall), Erlang Hall, Guandi Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, meditation rooms, and other buildings. The Daxiong Hall preserves the Jin Dynasty structure, the Dizang Hall was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, and the other buildings are relics of the Qing Dynasty. The Daxiong Hall has three bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eave hip roof. The Dizang Hall has three bays wide, with a gable roof and glazed tile trim, and murals on all four walls. Many steles are preserved in the temple. [Two] Yanshan Temple 🏯It has been repeatedly renovated in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The main hall of the temple has been destroyed. Except for the South Hall, the rest are buildings from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republican period. The South Hall is the Manjusri Hall. The hall retains Jin Dynasty colored sculptures of the Water Moon Guanyin, attendants, Heavenly Kings, and Manjusri's mount. The inner walls are surrounded by Jin Dynasty murals, with a total area of about 90 square meters, completed in the seventh year of the Jin Dynasty (Dading), painted by the court painter Wang Kui. The murals in the temple are valuable materials for studying the history of the Song and Jin dynasties, and are known as the "Twin Walls" of Shanxi murals together with the Yongle Palace murals. [Three] Princess Temple 🏯It is named after the daughter of Emperor Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty who became a monk here. The Daxiong Hall was rebuilt in the sixteenth year of the Ming Dynasty (Hongzhi). The hall contains statues of Sakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru, Amitabha, and the disciples Kassapa and Ananda. The east and west gable walls are filled with paintings of immortals, Buddhas, ghosts, and spirits, as well as the spirits of past generations, worshiping the World-Honored One. The Pilu Hall in the Guodian (Passing Hall), built in the first year of the Ming Dynasty (Zhengde), contains statues of Sakyamuni, Brahma, Indra, and the Eighteen Arhats. [Four] Secret Temple 🏯The existing buildings are relics of the Qing Dynasty. There are also three brick towers from the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties, and the Ming Dynasty, four Northern Song Dynasty Sutra Pillars, one Ming Dynasty Sutra Pillar, three Ming Dynasty cliff stone carvings, one Qing Dynasty cliff stone carving, and 16 steles commemorating the reconstruction and donation during the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. [Five] Zhengjue Temple 🏯It was named Zhengjue Chan Temple in the third year of the Northern Song Dynasty (Xuanhe). During the Ming Dynasty, it belonged to one of the nine temples outside the North Peak of Mount Wutai. Only the Daxiong Hall remains in the temple. The Douqi (bracket set) and the parts below the main structure are relics of the Jin Dynasty. [Six] Glazed Tile Pagoda 🏯It is located in the Mount Wutai scenic area. Completed in the thirty-second year of the Ming Dynasty, it is an octagonal thirteen-story glazed tile pagoda, 32m high. The base is a stone-carved Sumi-style pedestal with carved lotus petals. There is a pavilion in the tower, and you can go up to the sixth floor through the tower cave. The exterior of the tower is decorated with yellow, green, and blue glazed tiles, mainly green glazed tiles. There are 10,000 glazed Buddha statues on the outside of the tower, so it is called the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda, also known as the "Buddha Statue Diancui Glazed Tile Pagoda." [Seven] Site of the Battle of Pingxingguan 📍No need to say more, pay tribute to the ancestors. There is a memorial hall. It is said that it recently collapsed.

On the third day of the first lunar month of the Spring Festival in 2025, I set out for Shanxi [Joyful]. I procrastinated and didn’t leave until after 1:00 p.m., and stayed in Shunping County at night. On the fourth day of the first lunar month, we visited Yan Xishan's former residence, Yanqing Temple, and stayed at the Shanxi Transportation Control Phoenix Mountain Training Base at night. We were the only guests [Yeah] [Love] On the fifth day of the first lunar month, we visited the ancient city of Jiuxian County. The closer we got, the harder it was to take good photos. Here are some recommended photos of the hotel [Cute] Yellow River Tourism Highway No. 1, explore the Yellow River Seven Forts, Luoquan Fort, stand on the beacon tower and overlook the Yellow River, the Great Wall, and the bridge. Luoquanbao was closed for construction and we were unable to visit. We also posted the hotel's promotional text and pictures [Cute] Along the Yellow River to Hequ Xinzhou Xikou Ancient Ferry, check in at Hequ Meichen Hotel at night On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Jueshan Temple Pagoda Jueshan Temple Pagoda was built in Liao Dynasty and still follows the Tang style. It is a rare masterpiece of brick carving art and musical cultural relics. The tower is covered with wind chimes. When the wind blows, the wind chimes sound beautifully. Stayed at Guangling Hotel at night. On the seventh day of the first lunar month, I took the Jingwei Expressway back to Beijing, and the journey was smooth. [Grin]

|Lingqiu Jueshan Temple. Lesser-known ancient temple | Lingqiu Jueshan Temple Location: Located in Lingqiu County, Shanxi Province, the temple is relatively easy to reach by car or public transport. Architecture: Jueshan Temple's architecture is steeped in history. The ancient temples are arranged in an orderly manner, with flying eaves and brackets that seem to tell stories of the past. The brick pagoda in the temple is a unique feature, with a distinctive shape that has withstood the test of time, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient artisans. Temple environment: The temple is surrounded by ancient trees, and as you stroll through, you can smell the faint scent of incense and pine. Occasionally, you may spot a few squirrels darting through the forest, adding a touch of liveliness to the ancient temple. Religious atmosphere: The religious atmosphere here is strong but not ostentatious. The monks' chanting is deep and melodious, immersing you in a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Here, you can pray devoutly and find solace for your soul.

Lingqiu [Jueshan Temple] Emperor Xiaowen built it to repay his mother's kindness and bestowed the plaque of "Jueshan Temple" The pagoda is from the Liao Dynasty, and the temple is a relic from the late Qing Dynasty To be honest, I didn't know about this temple before Black Monkey King. Black Monkey King is really awesome, it has made so many places popular The passenger flow of Jueshan Temple during the National Day is not small, but compared with other famous filming locations, this flow is acceptable The brick pagoda is still very beautiful. Friends who can avoid the peak period can go and see it

➡️The Liao people were fond of building pagodas, leaving many Liao pagodas on the northern land, most of which are huge solid brick pagodas with dense eaves. Having seen many Liao pagodas, Jueshan Temple Pagoda is the most beautiful. ⛩️Jueshan Temple was rebuilt in the fifth year of Da'an in the Liao Dynasty (1089) and was repaired during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It has been rebuilt and destroyed many times in history, and only a beautiful brick pagoda has been preserved to this day, which is a national key cultural relic protection unit. Because it appeared in "Black Myth: Wukong", it once again came to the public's attention. 🛕Jueshan Temple Pagoda was built in the sixth year of Da'an in the Liao Dynasty (1090). It has 13 floors with eight corners and dense eaves. The first floor of the pagoda has a pagoda room, with plank doors on the south and north, and false doors on the east and west, and false windows with brick carvings on the other four sides. The upper twelve floors are all solid. The pagoda base is composed of three parts: the Sumeru seat, the flat seat, and the lotus seat. The various carvings on the pagoda base are very delicate. In addition to the bucket and the square material imitating the wooden structure building form, the rest of the beast faces, flowers, bodhisattvas, strong men, dragons, and figures are all carved by the method of carving the ground or round carving. The pagoda is composed of hollow celestial sphere, phase wheel, treasure cover, moon, treasure bead and pagoda rod. 🖼️The inner wall of the brick pagoda retains the Liao Dynasty murals, but the interior of the brick pagoda is temporarily closed, so there is no chance to see it.

There are not only the well-known Hanging Temple/Huayan Temple/Shanhua Temple/Ciyun Temple/Yong'an Temple in Datong, Shanxi, but also the hidden treasure ancient temple in the Taihang Mountains: Ju'e Temple. 📍 Ju'e Temple, Lingqiu County This low-key and quiet deep mountain ancient temple directly integrates ancient architecture and natural environment, super beautiful! ❓ What to see in Ju'e Temple 1️⃣ Ju'e Temple Pagoda: The Liao Pagoda with a history of more than 900 years is the soul of the entire temple. It is said that even the seven-level earthquake did not harm it! 2️⃣ Southern Tour Stele: The inscription on the stele tells the story of Emperor Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty's southern tour and bestowal of the temple. It can be said to record the origin of Ju'e Temple, no wonder it has become a treasure of the temple. 3️⃣ Pagoda Chamber Murals: The same Liao Pagoda murals as the Black Myth Wukong. It's a pity that the inner chamber of Ju'e Temple Pagoda is currently not open. If you want to see these classic murals, you can only go to Lingqiu Museum. ❓ How to visit Ju'e Temple No tickets or advance reservations are required. Just arrive and start looking. ❓ How to get to Ju'e Temple Take a high-speed rail to Datong South Station, where various high-speed trains are available. Compared with Datong Station, Ju'e Temple is closer to the South Station.

The temple houses the best-preserved and most representative Liao Dynasty brick pagoda in China, known as "Pagoda Well Mountain Qi". At Jueshan Temple, you can admire the exquisite ancient architecture, feel the tranquility and solemnity of the thousand-year-old temple, and it is also one of the ancient architectural locations in Shanxi for the Black Myth: Wukong. Transportation: Self-driving navigation "Jueshan Temple", it is very easy to find with navigation About the location: Located at the foot of Dongshan Mountain About the travel guide: 1. Depart early to reserve time for in-depth tours. Tickets are completely free. You only need to bring your ID card to enter. There is an excellent light and shadow effect in front of the Daxiong Hall of Jueshan Temple. The photos are super out of the picture, so don't miss it. 2. Although the scale of Jueshan Temple is not very large, the temple has all kinds of architectural forms such as temples, pavilions, buildings, and pavilions. You can overlook the surrounding mountains from the top of the Bodhisattva, the breeze is blowing, and you can hear the crisp and pleasant bells of the ancient pagoda. On the Phoenix Terrace in the southwest of the temple, there is a square three-story dense eaves small pagoda. 3. The temple buildings are divided into two parts: temples and brick pagodas. The north stands on the pen holder mountain, showing stability in the staggered, natural scenery and ancient buildings complement each other, and the white pagoda, well and surrounding peaks form a "pagoda well mountain Qi (strange)" spectacle, also Add a sense of mystery. Recommended nearby attractions: 1. Pingxingguan Victory Site 2. Taohua Mountain Scenic Area 3. Aerial Prairie Intimate tips: 1. Located in the mountainous area, the climate is changeable, remember to bring a coat 2. Protect the environment, please do not litter 3. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, because you have to walk a lot

Jueshan Temple is located in Lingqiu County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, about 270 kilometers from Beijing. Because of its remote location and little publicity, it is unknown. Recently, due to a game, Black Myth Wukong, a craze for searching for ancient buildings in Shanxi has been set off. This makes such a beautiful Liao Dynasty brick tower enter people's field of vision. The ancient tower was rebuilt in the fifth year of Liao Da'an (1089), a thirteen-level octagonal dense eaves brick tower, with exquisite Liao Dynasty murals in the first floor, and a Liao Dynasty ancient well in front of the tower. Of course, tourists cannot enter the tower now. You can imagine that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon shadow in the well and the tower shadow have been shining on each other for more than a thousand years. In the sixth year of Ming Tianqi, a magnitude 7 earthquake occurred in Lingqiu, and many buildings collapsed. Only the ancient tower still stands tall. I don't know if it is an unknown mysterious force, protecting all beings. The remaining buildings in the temple are all left over from the late Qing Dynasty, with exquisite sculptures and strange expressions. Unlike the usual solemn Buddha statues, many of them have downturned corners of the mouth and obvious nasolabial folds. The murals on the inner wall are also relics of the late Qing Dynasty, exquisite and vivid. Out of the temple, along the right-hand side of the earth steps, you can go up to another small temple on the cliff, called "Bodhisattva Top", which is a bit of a test of physical strength, and it takes about an hour to go up and down. From the hillside, you can overlook the entire Jueshan Temple, surrounded by dangerous green mountains, the Tang River winding past, the right bank of the Tang River valley, green trees hidden, green brick flying eaves ancient tower scattered. There is also a small Sumeru pagoda on the Phoenix Terrace on the other side of the temple. The Bodhisattva has a wooden Maitreya with a smile and a vivid expression. You can go in behind the small round door hole, you need to lower your head and bend over, there is a steep and handless step carved on the rock wall, you can go up to the highest level. It's really infinite scenery, just in the winding path.

Jue Mountain Temple, also known as Puzhao Temple, has become extremely popular recently because of Black Goku! Scenic Address: Taohuashan Scenic Area, Lingqiu County, Datong City Opening Hours: 07:00-19:00 Ticket Price: Free This is a temple hidden deep in the mountains, and it is more suitable to drive there. The ancient relics inside are well preserved. If you come here to visit, it is best to spend about 2-3 hours. The mountain gate of Jue Mountain Temple is very simple and unadorned. Inside, there are the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Great Hero, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the Sutra Library, the Arhat Hall, and so on. The iconic building inside is the Jue Mountain Temple Pagoda. You can climb the pagoda to overlook the entire view of Jue Mountain Temple, which is very beautiful.

🕰️Opening Hours: 07:00 - 19:00 (Open all year round) 🎫Ticket Price: Free🆓 ⌚Recommended Duration: 1 - 3 hours 🌟Highlights 👉Long History: Jueshan Temple was founded during the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it preserves many ancient buildings and relics. 👉Exquisite Architecture: The architectural style is unique and has high artistic value. The Jueshan Temple Pagoda is a landmark building, a Liao Dynasty brick pagoda with dense eaves, beautiful in shape and exquisite in craftsmanship. 👉Rich Relics: There are murals and Buddha statues from the Liao Dynasty, which have high historical and artistic value. 👉Beautiful Natural Scenery: Surrounded by mountains, the scenery is beautiful, with ancient cypress trees in the temple creating a serene environment. 🗺️Tour Route 📍Mountain Gate: Simple and unadorned architecture with a plaque reading 'Jueshan Temple'. 📍Hall of Heavenly Kings: The first hall, enshrining Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings. 📍Main Hall: The main hall, housing statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha. 📍Jueshan Temple Pagoda: The landmark building, where you can climb to overlook the entire temple. 📍Other Buildings: Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Sutra Library, Arhat Hall, etc., which can be visited according to interest. 🚗Transportation Guide 🛣️By Car: Depart from Datong city, head south along S201, turn right at Taohua Cave Scenic Area and go straight southwest to reach. 🚌By Bus: First take a long-distance bus from Datong city to Lingqiu County, then hire a car from the county to Jueshan Temple. 🥘Food Recommendations Nearby, there are local specialties such as Lingqiu Yellow Pancakes and Lingqiu Smoked Chicken, worth trying. ⚠️Notes 🙏Respect Buddhist culture and customs, and follow the temple rules. 🧐Protect the relics and environment, do not touch or damage them. 🧣Jueshan Temple is in a mountainous area with variable weather, remember to bring warm clothes and rain gear.

Due to "Monkey King, Monkey King", there have been a lot of tourists in Shanxi recently [ThumbsUp]. When I was on a business trip in Henan, I couldn't help but take a detour to Shanxi [Chukle]. It takes about 20 minutes to drive [CarFront] from Lingqiu County along the national highway. In just 20 minutes, you suddenly enter the towering mountains from the plains, which is very spectacular and highlights the richness of Shanxi's landforms. ✨About the origin of Jueshan Temple: Legend has it that when Emperor Xiaowen visited Lingqiu, he missed his deceased mother, so he built a temple nearby and named it Jueshan Temple. Royal establishment with very high standards. There were ups and downs in the middle, and it was rebuilt many times. During the Daoguang period, the eminent monk Master Longcheng rebuilt Jueshan Temple. Most of the remaining buildings in the temple were built by Master Longcheng. There is an octagonal and thirteen-story brick tower with dense eaves in the temple, which is a relic of the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It is more than 900 years ago. It is the landmark building of Jueshan Temple and a national cultural relic. There is an ancient well on the southeast side of the pagoda, which was dug when the temple was founded in the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is said that the depth of the well is the same as the height of the brick pagoda, but it is unknown whether it is true or not [Chin]. Jueshan Temple is surrounded by mountains, with a hanging bell mountain behind it. The shape of the mountain is like a bell. There are stone caves on the mountain walls and a Guanyin Hall built inside. There is a small path to the right of the temple that leads to Guanyin Cave (20-30 minutes walk) (picture 10-12 from near and far). There is a Xumi Pagoda on the hillside on the right side of the temple (Figure 9). Tickets are free for attractions and parking is convenient (there is also a new charging pile at the door).

💖Shanxi, known as the "hometown of ancient architecture", is full of stories. Among the historical sites, Datong Jueshan Temple is like a shining pearl, shining brightly😉. With the popularity of "Black Myth: Wukong", the ancient buildings in Shanxi, where the game is set, have also become popular. This time we came to Jueshan Temple to experience the unique charm of this ancient temple. Jueshan Temple was built in the seventh year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 483). Emperor Xiaowen built it to repay his mother's kindness. This royal temple carries a profound historical heritage. The Liao Dynasty stupa in the temple is 44.23 meters high, with thirteen layers of eaves and dense eaves. The base of the tower is exquisitely carved, with beast faces, flowers, bodhisattvas, strong men, dragons, and figures, all lifelike😲. The Liao Dynasty murals on the eight walls of the first floor of the tower are treasures among treasures. The images of bodhisattvas, Ming kings, and flying sky, the faces, costumes, and techniques still follow the Tang painting style, which is amazing. In addition to the Liao Dynasty brick tower, the spectacle of "Tower Well Mountain Qi (Qi)" is also amazing. The depth of the ancient well is the same as the height of the brick tower. A small stupa is built on the rock in the southwest of the brick tower. The peak is also the same height as the brick tower, as if it is a wonderful echo of nature and human wisdom🤩. In Shanxi, the hometown of ancient architecture, Jueshan Temple attracts countless tourists to explore the historical footprints with its unique charm. Let us walk into Jueshan Temple together, feel the collision of ancient and modern, and appreciate the magnificent style of Shanxi ancient architecture💕.

Northern summers are much more comfortable than those in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. In Hunyuan County of Datong City, Shanxi, there lies a natural secret realm that is more suitable for a summer escape self-driving tour. This place is called the Buckwheat River Aerial Grassland. ❤️ Here, you can find a unique mountaintop grassland landscape, which is about a 40-minute drive from the county town. This region is known for its lush vegetation and the beauty of all things thriving, occupying a place among the rare mountaintop grasslands in the country. On one side there are cliffs, and on the other a plain, creating a unique contrast. 🚗 Because you have to drive on a dirt mountain road, it is recommended to choose an SUV for self-driving. The mountain has abundant vegetation and is far from the city, especially when it drizzles upon arrival, it is very cool, truly making it an ideal place for summer escape. We even saw a super-sized rainbow after the rain🌈 ✨ The Buckwheat River Aerial Grassland not only attracts tourists with its natural landscape but also has beautiful natural attractions nearby such as Shenxi Wetland and Lü Lv Divine Shrine, which you can visit if you have enough time. ⚠️ Precautions: Due to the unpredictable weather on the mountain, it is recommended that tourists prepare rain gear at all times and pay attention to safety, especially those who are self-driving should be extra careful when driving on mountain roads 📸 Photography suggestions: For photography enthusiasts, early morning and evening are the best times to shoot landscape masterpieces. Don't miss the chance to capture the beautiful moments of the Buckwheat River Aerial Grassland during these times. ⬇️ It is recommended to spend 3-4 hours for the visit, and you can bring some camping gear to sit on the mountain for a while

Jueshan Temple, also known as Puzhao Temple. Located in Lingqiu County, Datong City, Shanxi Province On the hillside of Jue Mountain, 15 kilometers southeast. Humanities and History: The temple was first built in the seventh year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty. (483 AD), The existing one is Jueshan Temple during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty It was rebuilt by the second generation master, Monk Long Cheng. Building Layout: The whole temple is exquisite and delicate. Covering an area of ​​8,100 square meters, There are three courtyards. On the central axis are: Mountain gate, bell and drum tower, front hall, The central nave and the east nave. There are 134 Zen temples of various sizes. The temple tower is its highlight: Pagoda Sutra Liao Dynasty Da'an Sixth Year (1090) After the renovation, Although there were many earthquakes during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, It still stands tall today. The tower is 13 stories high. The plane is octagonal. The eaves are made of solid bricks. There is an octagonal pagoda treasure inside the tower. There is an octagonal tower column in the center. There is a wooden reclining Buddha inside. There are murals on all four walls. There are brick-carved Kabuki figures around the tower base. It is a treasure of Liao Dynasty brick carving art. (The temple tower cannot be entered and climbed now) The most amazing thing is: The height of the white pagoda of Jueshan Temple, The depth of the well in the yard, The mountains next to it are of the same height. They are all 13 feet high. Leaving behind "Tajingshan Qi (Qi)" The beautiful name of Jueshan Temple. view; The temple is surrounded by high mountains, with beautiful green mountains. There are dense ancient cypresses in the temple, and the scenery is pleasant. Main attractions: Brick tower, Kuixing Pavilion, stele hall, Vajra Hall, Maitreya Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Heavenly King Hall, Weituo Hall, Wenchang Pavilion, Sutra Library, Arhat Hall, etc. ======================= Travel Information: Ticket information: Free admission. Opening hours: All day, all year round. 7:00-18:00. Traffic information: (for reference) Public transportation: From Lingqiu County: It can be reached by car to Xiaguan. Self-driving car: Navigation location: Jueshan Temple parking lot. (Free parking. Thumbs up!!!) address: 15 kilometers southeast of Lingqiu County, Datong City. Finally, I wish you a pleasant journey and good luck!