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Xiangyu Ancient Castle
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Jincheng

Xiangyu Ancient Castle

5.7
4.5/5
151 reviews
On the picturesque map of Qinshui, a county with millennia of history, lies a hidden treasure—Xiangyu Ancient Castle. Xiangyu Ancient Castle is located in Xiangyu Village, approximately 50 km southeast of Qinshui County, Shanxi Province. This historic site was the hometown of Sun Juxiang (Minister of Revenue) and Sun Dingxiang (Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate) during the late Ming Dynasty. Recognized as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a AAAA-level tourist attraction, it has been acclaimed by experts as "China's Premier Ming Dynasty Rural Castle in Northern China." The ancient fortress stands with Phoenix Mountain to the north, Xiangyu River to the south, Dongyang Mountain to the east, and Tiger Valley Peak to the west, blending architecture with natural landscapes to create a rustic and pristine beauty. Built under the direction of brothers Sun Juxiang and Sun Dingxiang, construction began in 1614 during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era and was completed in 1634 during the Chongzhen era, spanning 20 years. Covering approximately 32,500 square meters, the south-facing fortress is built against the mountain with layered courtyards and towering structures, showcasing grandeur. It uniquely combines military defense, East-meets-West architectural fusion, and metaphysical design elements. The ancient fortress features a "three-horizontal, nine-vertical" street layout resembling scattered stars, forming a honeycomb-style castle from the Ming Dynasty. Within its walls lie eight cultural theme courtyards showcasing military defense, folk customs, historical officialdom, and imperial examination traditions. The hidden troop tunnels stand as masterpieces of the cold weapon era, combining professional defensive structures with a unique bead-string corridor design. The surviving "Panorama Tower" blends Eastern and Western architectural elements, featuring arched doorways and windows adorned with intricate "eyebrow-eave hanging pillar" brick carvings—an oriental fortress with distinct Western influences. Mystical patterns of ancient metaphysics like the "Hetu Luoshu," the fortress's strategic grid layout, and distinctive "tiger-paw paths" further shroud the entire castle in an aura of mystery. Xiangyu Ancient Castle is the epitome of Taihang ancient fortresses, a model of Ming and Qing architecture, and a marvel of harmonious integration with its natural surroundings. It has become a hub for traditional Chinese culture, a filming location for movies and TV shows, and a popular spot for artistic sketching. Now evolving into a slow-living destination, it offers visitors a perfect retreat for wellness, leisure, and vacation.Qinshui · 39.3 km from downtown
Liu's Residence

Liu's Residence

3.6
4.1/5
71 reviews
The Liu Family Residence Historical and Cultural Tourism Area, the ancestral home of Liu Zongyuan in the Tang Dynasty, is located in Xiwenxing Village, Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. It is surrounded by Taihang, Wangwu and Zhongtiao Mountains and covers an area of ​​4 square kilometers. It is a national 4A-level Attraction, a famous historical and cultural village in China, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. In the fourth year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty, Liu Zongyuan's descendants made their fortune through farming and reading. They built the Hedong Liu Family Mansion with one entrance and thirteen courtyards, covering an area of ​​more than 30,000 square meters. It is the original ancient village in China where people of the same ancestor live together for generations. The ancient residential buildings have superb craftsmanship and unique style. They integrate the essence of Ming and Qing architectural art and the architectural styles of the north and the south. At the same time, they ingeniously apply the palace construction technology to the folk, truly recording the history of Chinese scholars and literati serving as officials for hundreds of generations, and profoundly revealing the social development history from "officials to merchants" in the Ming Dynasty to "merchants to officials" in the Qing Dynasty. It is indeed a masterpiece of Chinese ancient residential architectural art. The existing stone lions with ingot ears, the brick carvings of the first-class blue lotus, and the wood carvings of the four meanings of the Ming Dynasty and the eight immortals are so unique in China. The original calligraphy and painting inscriptions left by the famous Chinese Neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi, the master of "Xinxue" Wang Yangming, one of the four great talents in Jiangnan, Wen Zhengming, the enlightenment teacher of calligraphy Fang Yuanhuan, and the painting saint of the Tang Dynasty Wu Daozi are extremely rare in the world. The Attraction is surrounded by mountains and springs. It is a treasure land that combines "the green dragon on the left and the white tiger on the right" and "the golden turtle exploring the water". When you come to the Liu's residence, you can not only see the original works of the sages and the cultural relics, and taste the ways of self-cultivation, family harmony, governance of the country, and peace in the world, but also drink sweet springs, eat Hedong special dishes, pick fresh fruits in the thousand-acre orchard, trace the traces of the masters, and experience the life of the saints. We sincerely welcome people from all walks of life at home and abroad to visit and develop together.Qinshui · 15 km from downtown
Qinshuili Mountain National Forest Park

Qinshuili Mountain National Forest Park

2.7
4.2/5
111 reviews
Lishan in Qinshui is a national nature reserve. It is said that it was the place where Yu Shun, one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors in ancient China, cultivated and governed. He compiled the first calendar in the Yellow River Basin, the "Phenological Calendar", here, so he named this mountain "Lishan" and it became famous all over the world.   Lishan is located in Xiachuan Village, Qinshui, Jincheng, Shanxi. The total area of ​​the Attraction is 120 square kilometers, consisting of Shunwangping, Nvying Gorge, Ehuang Valley, Xiachuan Ruins and Lishan Ancient Village. The territory is extremely rich in animal and plant resources, with 11 national second and third level protected plants and 9 national protected animals, such as: leopard, golden eagle, lotus fragrance tree, yew, etc., and is known as the "Treasure House of Animal and Plant Resources in Shanxi Province".   Shunwangping, with an altitude of 2,358 meters, is the largest and highest alpine meadow in North China. In spring and summer, the clouds and mist on the top of the ping are arbitrary, as if entering a fairyland. It is more like a natural garden than a grassland. Hundreds of Chinese herbal medicines gather here, covering the sky and the earth, and the sea of ​​flowers is Unlimited. From May to September every year, the mountain flowers change every half month, and various colors appear in turn, with sweet and moist fragrance, which makes you confused and intoxicated. Being in it, you are one with nature, indescribably comfortable and inexhaustible. In autumn, the forest is dyed with red leaves, and the red leaves are gorgeous under the sunshine. Deep red, light red, deep and shallow form a world of red leaves. In winter, the snow is white and the sky is high and the clouds are light. The icicles and ice waterfalls all over the mountains seem to be in a crystal world.   Nüying Gorge was cut by Shunwang's knife and is famous for its water show. It is 6 kilometers long, with gurgling water and vines entwined in the gorge. The water flows down from Shunwangping and seeps out from the valley. It contains a variety of minerals and trace elements, without a trace of human pollution, and can be taken and drunk. There is no trace of haze in the air here. In the hot summer, a cool breeze blows through, and the comfortable environment makes you feel happy.   Ehuang Valley was formed by Shun using a halberd to split the mountain when he was cultivating Lishan Mountain. It reveals a majestic masculine aura everywhere. The whole canyon is magnificent, with rocks and stones that block out the sky. Walking into it often makes you feel that there is no way out, as if you are in a desperate situation, but as long as you muster up the courage to keep going forward, you will find another village with willows and flowers.   This is a summer resort, a paradise for photographers, a popular science learning base, and a place that can bring you leisure and happiness.Qinshui · 31.4 km from downtown
Millennium City Park
2026 Asia 100 - Night Attractions

Millennium City Park

8.8
4.6/5
28.9k reviews
Millennium City Park is located by the Longting Lake in Kaifeng, a large-scale historical and cultural theme park that faithfully recreates the Northern Song Dynasty's capital based on the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by artist Zhang Zeduan, following the original layout at a 1:1 scale. The park is divided into two sections by the Shuangting Bridge: the southern area recreates the bustling urban life of Bianjing, with taverns, teahouses, pawnshops, and artisan workshops lining the streets, where peddlers with shoulder poles and shouting shop assistants move about; while the northern area features imperial gardens, with lakeside halls and quadrangular courtyards standing by the water. Staff and vendors throughout the park wear Song-style attire, accompanied by ancient music and the rhythmic sounds of bells and drums, creating the illusion of "stepping into a painting and traveling back a thousand years in a single day." The architecture here offers visually striking highlights: the Rainbow Bridge spanning the Bian River replicates the famous bridge from ancient paintings, arching like a rainbow—watching grain barges pass beneath recreates the painting's ambiance. Fuyun Pavilion towers above all other structures with its crimson facade and golden-roofed eaves, offering panoramic garden views. The reconstructed Shangshan Gate mirrors Kaifeng's Northern Song dynasty city gates, standing majestic with resplendent paintings as the garden's most imposing structure. Waterside pavilions like Shuixin Xie, Double Pavilion Bridge, and Nine Dragons Bridge dot the emerald waters in picturesque harmony. The daytime highlight is the scattered live performances throughout the park: "Judge Bao inspecting the Bian River grain transport" unfolds on the water by Rainbow Bridge, "Squire Wang's daughter seeking a husband" brings the embroidered ball tossing matchmaking to the streets, and "Yue Fei unhorsing Prince Xiao Liang" stirs up dust with galloping hooves in the drill ground. Folk performances like cockfighting, stilt walking, cuju (ancient football), and pan drumming are interspersed throughout. Families with children can visit Fun Garden and Great Song Games to try archery, dart throwing, rope climbing, and hoop diving—experiencing every Song dynasty game from a thousand years ago—or dress in period costumes at Square Courtyard to take mock imperial exams. Street-side workshops showcase folk crafts like Bian embroidery, Zhuxian Town woodblock prints, official kiln porcelain, and dough figurines, where visitors can watch artisans at work. The park takes on a different face after nightfall: red lanterns light up one after another, and the streets are ablaze with lights, making it seem like a completely different place from daytime. The large-scale water show "Northern Song Dynasty: Splendid Dreams of Dongjing" is performed on Jinglong Lake. The entire show is connected by eight classic Song Dynasty poems and a scroll of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," transporting the audience back to Dongjing of the Northern Song Dynasty a thousand years ago. The performance lasts approx. 70 minutes, and many travelers specifically reserve their itinerary for the evening to wait for this show. After the performance, you might as well climb the Shangshan Gate tower to overlook the park scenery and the night view of Kaifeng under the lights. Dining in the park is also convenient: the snack street and night market around the Dongjing food area gather Kaifeng snacks like soup dumplings and mutton pancake, perfect for eating while strolling; for a proper sit-down meal, head to Sunyang Restaurant, a recreation of the "main shop" depicted in paintings, and try traditional Henan dishes such as soup dumplings and carp with noodles.China · Kaifeng

Experiences you can't miss in Qinshui

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What travelers say about Qinshui

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冰糖Bingtang18 February 2026
5.0
Strolling through Xiangyu Ancient Castle feels like stepping back 600 years to the Ming Dynasty. The mottled walls, the scattered cave dwellings, and the deep, secluded alleys—every brick and tile carries the weight of history. The honeycomb-style hidden troop tunnels are ingenious and awe-inspiring. Climbing the Yilan Tower offers panoramic views; the ancient castle at the foot of the Taihang Mountains possesses both the grandeur of a military fortress and the warmth of ancient village life. Free from the hustle and bustle of excessive commercialization, only the tranquility accumulated over time remains, allowing one to understand the wisdom and perseverance of the ancients. This trip was incredibly rewarding, leaving us wanting more. The tour guides were warm and attentive! A big thumbs up to our guide, Xiao Li, for taking such beautiful photos of us! 👇Photos of the lovely young lady!

Xiangyu Ancient Castle

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Anonymous user8 October 2024
4.0
It is worth going, a small attraction, free travel, you can slow down and take a closer look. The stone lions in front of the gate are interesting. It is close to Lishan Mountain, and the scenery is different in each season. You can enjoy flowers in spring, escape the heat in summer, enjoy clouds in autumn, and enjoy snow in winter. Shanxi is worth visiting twice or three times.

Liu's Residence

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139***582 November 2026
5.0
This stay exceeded my expectations; it was very comfortable overall. The hotel has a quiet and elegant atmosphere, without any noise, making it perfect for those who want to relax. The front desk staff were friendly and polite, check-in was quick, and they patiently answered all my questions without being perfunctory. The room was meticulously cleaned, with even the corners spotless, and the bedding was soft and dry, making it easy to relax as soon as I lay down. The bathroom had stable water pressure, hot water came out quickly, and the toiletries were of good quality. The room had excellent natural light and ventilation, preventing it from feeling stuffy, and the infrastructure was functioning properly, with stable WiFi speeds. The public areas were spotless and pleasing to the eye. The location is also convenient, with many dining and shopping options nearby. I didn't encounter any annoying minor issues, making my stay very worry-free. The price-performance ratio is excellent, and you can feel that the hotel is run with care, not just going through the motions. I will definitely choose this hotel again next time I'm in the area, and I would also recommend it to my friends traveling here. It deserves five stars!

House of The Huangcheng Chancellor

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D78***8811 August 2026
3.0
The navigation was correct, and the road conditions were good. The scenic area is free, but there are security guards at the entrance to limit the number of visitors. I arrived at noon, and there were 4 or 5 cars ahead of me. They said that only one car could leave and one could enter at a time. If you only want to see Kuanglutu, you can park at the entrance and walk in, which is less than 1 kilometer.

Taihang Honggu National Forest Park

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M42***2919 June 2022
5.0
Worth recommending everyone to buy [Cost-effectiveness] [Fun] [Scenery] Worth recommending [Fun] [Scenery] [Cost-effectiveness] Worth praising [Scenery] [Fun] [Cost-effectiveness]

Douzhuang Village

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小胖鸡出门减肥3 November 2026
5.0
The Longmen Grottoes are a very worthwhile site to visit. Unlike the relatively enclosed grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes offer a very direct and close-up view of the scenery inside and outside the grottoes, especially the Vairocana Buddha and its disciples, bodhisattvas, heavenly kings, and guardians. The close-up view is truly breathtaking!

Longmen Grottoes

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还不曾去过倒悬山!15 June 2022
4.0
Danshui and Qinshui actually belong to the same water system, or it can be said that Danshui is a tributary of Qinshui, because after they flow southward through the gap between Taihang and Wangwu Mountains, they merge into one when they reach the North China Plain. The location of the Battle of Changping is at the source of Danshui, which is today's Gaoping City in Jincheng, because the root cause of the Battle of Changping between Qin and Zhao was that Zhao State tried to prevent the Qin army from going north into the Changzhi Basin. You must know that after crossing Taihang Mountains from Changzhi, you will reach Zhao's capital Handan, separated by a mountain.

Qinshuili Mountain National Forest Park

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_TT***333 November 2026
5.0
Wonderful theme park with lots of activities and performances

Millennium City Park

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Frequently asked questions

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Qinshui?

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 Luoyang, Henan: Longtan Grand Canyon & Red Rock Zhang Valley Geological Wonder Chinese Group Day Tour, Luoyang Longtan Grand Canyon 1-day tour ◆ Premium small group/door-to-door transfer/pure play + English-speaking guide, and 1-day tour to Jiaozuo Movie Town + Qing Tian River + Daquan Lake + Guanyin Gorge in Henan with Chinese and English services (excludes admission tickets). Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Qinshui is around AED 246.76 – AED 750.62. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, 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.

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