[2025 Fanshi Attraction] Travel Guide for Qishan Cultural Tourism Scenic Area (Updated Mar)

Following my previous post about returning from Mount Wutai to Shahe (Mount Wutai train station), I got off the bus at the crossroads (the bus's final destination is Mount Wutai train station, but I got off halfway to be closer to Hanshan), and it was just over a 10-minute walk to Hanshan. 💕💕💕 I stayed near Hanshan that night to conveniently enjoy the night view. I arrived at the entrance of Hanshan Cultural Tourism Scenic Area after 7 pm, and although it wasn't completely dark yet, most of the lights in the scenic area were already on. Our tour mainly followed the central main road, without going to the side attractions like Hanshan Temple (which requires climbing) or the National Treasure Art Gallery. The total tour time was a bit over an hour, for the reference of other friends. The tour map is on p2. ❤️❤️❤️ The first half of the tour included the Ruyi, Peace Bottle, and metallurgical process statues... These were a bit hard to see at night, so I recommend visiting during the day if you want to see them. I felt that the latter half of the tour had more highlights, and the following places are must-visit photo spots. 🧡🧡🧡 👉🏻1. The huge lotus lamp + distant buildings, with the yellow lights, it's simply amazing! 👉🏻2. A unique cave, you must, must, MUST see this!!! It doesn't look like much from afar, but once inside, I was truly amazed. The design is fantastic, with the overall shape of a grotto, and the interior is all relief murals, including scenic spots around Mount Wutai. Each panel's relief is exquisitely crafted, and with the lighting, it feels like being in a fairyland. I also really loved the small ceramic tile paintings on the ground, with a classic pixel art style. 👉🏻3. The big crown, haha, a name I came up with. I read that this place is a fountain, but I didn't see it in action. However, the big crown itself is very pretty, with a bit of a European amusement park vibe, playful yet magnificent. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻Finally, I highly recommend the breakfast I had the next morning in Shahe, on the way to Mount Wutai train station. There's a Zhang Ji Bing House, and when I passed by, I saw many locals buying big bags of it. I don't know what they're all called, but they had a variety of items like baked sesame cakes, fried dough, and maya (sesame leaves), sold by weight. We bought 4 different kinds for a total of 3.5 yuan, and my favorite was the one shaped like a dumpling with a potato mash filling, super delicious! The outside was crispy, and the inside was soft potato mash with a hint of scallion flavor, something I've never tasted elsewhere. If you go, you must try it! 💛💛💛 Next up, a roundup of snacks in the ancient city of Xinzhou!!! From Mount Wutai train station (Shahe), I took the green-skin train to the ancient city of Xinzhou!!!

You read that right, this is Shanxi~||| This is a free 4A-rated scenic area, the backyard of Mount Wutai, and also the ceiling of Shanxi's night views. 🌄 Mount Wutai, a sacred destination for a spiritual journey! Mount Wutai, that ancient and mysterious land, 🏞️ is a pure land in my heart. Mount Wutai is not only a tourist attraction but also a sacred place for spiritual journeys. 🙏 Every time I come here, I can feel the tranquility and peace, as if I have found the home for my soul. If you are also tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, why not take a walk in Mount Wutai and experience the purity and beauty. 💖 📍 Hanshan Cultural Tourism Area Located in Shahe Town, Fanshi County, Shanxi Province, 40 kilometers north of Mount Wutai Known as the backyard of Mount Wutai Just scan the QR code to make a reservation upon entry, it's a free scenic area 🟠 The daytime scenery is beautiful, but the night view is even more worth seeing, so it's recommended to go at sunset and wait for the night to fall to watch the light show The fountain show is open from Wednesday to Sunday 🟡 The light show and fountain at Ruyi Square are the most worth seeing 🟢 The 3D printed panoramic map of Mount Wutai is also very impressive 🔵 We especially like the checkered floor tiles, they have such an exotic style, and the murals also give off a Dunhuang vibe To the right of the exit, there is a small play area for children with some electronic game machines and snacks for sale There are local sesame oil pancakes nearby, with a thin pancake that is particularly delicious We also bought mooncakes, which are traditional sesame oil flavored 🏷️ If you go at night, it's recommended to wear an extra layer of clothing, as it can be a bit cold on the mountain, and bring mosquito repellent spray The scenic area has hot water, vending machines for water, and restrooms are easy to find Overall, it's great, especially suitable for visiting at night. If you spend the day at Mount Wutai or Yanmenguan, you can come here in the evening. It's just about an hour's stroll, and not tiring at all

Fanshi County's Hanshan Cultural Tourism Scenic Area is the backyard of Mount Wutai, one of China's four famous Buddhist mountains. It is 30 kilometers away from the Pingxingguan scenic area and 70 kilometers away from the Yanmenguan scenic area. The Jingyuan Railway, National Highway 108, and the S40 expressway run east to west across the area. The scenic area is constructed according to the national 4A-level scenic area standards, inheriting and excavating regional culture, famous historical figures, and local cultural collections, promoting and displaying the precious historical and cultural heritage of Fanshi stone. Initially, everyone thought that the place was named after the late Ming Dynasty monk, Master Hanshan. However, after investigation, it was found that Master Hanshan's name was also modeled after a real Hanshan mountain. This mountain is located to the northeast of the northern peak of Mount Wutai, with a unique and beautiful shape. Many hiking enthusiasts have made special trips to visit it. According to the 'Guangqingliang Zhuan', it is recorded that: Legend has it that Emperor Xiaowen of Wei went to Mount Tai to escape the summer heat, and Manjusri Bodhisattva transformed into a Brahman monk and asked the emperor for a piece of land just big enough to place his seat for meditation and residence. Emperor Xiaowen agreed to his request. So the Brahman monk spread out his seat, which stretched over more than five hundred miles. When Emperor Xiaowen realized he was divine, he rode his horse at full speed, and looking back, he saw the mountain majestically following behind him. Emperor Xiaowen shouted, 'How dare you, Hanshan, keep following me?' With that shout, the mountain finally stopped, and hence it was named Hanshan.