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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Gujiao [2025]
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31073 reviews
8.9
From TWD 44
Based on 996 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527992666
Address: No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
Saved by 813 users24208 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Definitely do your research beforehand and ask for a lecture; the knowledge points are incredibly dense and impressive. Highly recommended. On weekdays, you don't need to go early in the morning and squeeze in with the crowds. I went back around 11 am to revisit the various caves and found that there were hardly any people there then.
The Yungang Grottoes are relatively well-preserved. I hope everyone can cherish this artistic treasure of our country and refrain from graffiti. Overall, it is very impressive, but you must find a guide. The charm of humanistic art lies in its history!
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The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
4.7
/5
17762 reviews
8.6
From TWD 392
Based on 213 reviews
Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603577955000
Address: Yanhu Road, Hukou Town, Jixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Spring & fall thunderous waterfall
See the Thundering Falls in spring and fall
Saved by 157 users13020 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenic area is excellent. The management is very humane, giving you a more pleasant experience than expected. The staff in the lobby are very welcoming, and the pricing is transparent. A special photo shoot costs only 20 yuan and even includes costumes. Definitely worth a visit!
Tiger Mouth Waterfall is a place well worth visiting. In summer, the water volume is abundant, and standing on the bank, you truly feel as if the Yellow River is performing a grand chorus, roaring and crashing. The Yellow River also contains a lot of silt, and the splashing water is full of silt.
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Jinci Museum
4.8
/5
14238 reviews
8.6
From TWD 348
Based on 119 reviews
Taiyuan Ancient County/Jinci Temple | 32.1 km from downtown
Phone +864006088608
Address: In Jinci Park, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Growing Buddhist Relics Tower overlooking Jinci's panorama
Jinci's Three Treasures showcase ancient architectural charm
Saved by 146 users11085 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jinci Temple, as the oldest existing royal sacrificial garden in China, boasts ancient buildings and thousand-year-old cypress trees, showcasing a unique northern garden charm. The Song Dynasty painted clay statues of maidens in the Holy Mother Hall are a masterpiece, and the ingenious structure of the Fish Pond Flying Bridge is a unique example of ancient bridge architecture. The Zhou Cypress and Tang Locust Tree, along with the Nanlao Spring, constitute the "Three Wonders of Jinci," and a stroll through the temple grounds allows one to feel a rich historical atmosphere.
It is recommended to visit on a weekday morning to avoid peak tour group crowds and enjoy the interplay of light and shadow on the ancient buildings. The scenic area is quite large, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Remember to bring sun protection in summer and warm clothing in winter. For visitors interested in history and culture, it is recommended to learn about the relevant background information beforehand or rent an audio guide (20 yuan/time), which can greatly enhance the depth of the visit.
As expected of a national 5A-level scenic spot, it's steeped in history. The scenic area comprises Jinci Park and a museum. Jinci Park is free, and I happened to visit during its peak foliage season. Learning about history while enjoying beautiful scenery was a wonderful experience.
No.
4
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Pingyao Ancient City
4.6
/5
21389 reviews
8.5
From TWD 535
Based on 1,383 reviews
Inside Pingyao Ancient City | 78.2 km from downtown
Phone +8603545690000
Address: No. 58 Zhaobi South Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
Enjoy stunning sunset views from the city wall in the evening
World-class photography exhibition
Saved by 480 users13574 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The ancient city is quite large, and it was tiring to explore. Opinions may vary. I allocated two days and bought a combined ticket, which allowed me to visit most of the attractions. Food prices were generally a bit high; nothing particularly amazing, but I didn't regret it either.
The best-preserved ancient city in the country! It's definitely worth a visit. The city's functions and layout are excellent, and with Liu Bowen's strategic planning, it's truly incredible!
No.
5
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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
4.8
/5
16002 reviews
8.4
From TWD 209
Based on 182 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603495088889
Address: Northwest corner of Yingxian city, Shuozhou city
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
11-foot Buddha statue inside
Panoramic views of nature & history
Saved by 142 users14747 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the tallest and oldest surviving wooden structure in the world, and it is known as one of the "Three Great Towers of the World," along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower. Only the first floor is open to the public.
Seizing the last days of autumn, I embarked on a journey through Shanxi. My first stop was the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, built during the Liao Dynasty and located within the Fogong Temple in Yingxian County. It is the world's tallest and oldest existing pure wooden pavilion-style building, constructed without a single nail. Having withstood nearly a thousand years of wind and rain, it is a testament to the wisdom and creativity of the ancients. Each level of the pagoda also contains many painted sculptures and murals, but unfortunately, only the first level is currently open to the public. It houses an exceptionally tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, draped in a red robe and seated on a lotus pedestal—exquisitely beautiful. The inscriptions on each level of the pagoda are all significant in their history. The saying "Shanxi is the place to see the cultural relics" is truly well-deserved.
No.
6
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Xuankong Temple
4.7
/5
9918 reviews
8.4
From TWD 127
Based on 793 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603528333081
Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburb of Wuyuan County, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Admire Exquisite Wood Carved Murals Along the Plank Road
Cliffside's breathtaking architecture
Saved by 757 users7467 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Hanging Temple is worth a visit. If you're not afraid of heights, you should definitely climb it. However, the scenic area is a bit of a rip-off. The ticket office and the Hanging Temple are in two separate places, and it feels like they're just trying to get you to take their shuttle bus.
The Hanging Temple (a national cultural relic) is located in Ciyangxia, Hengshan Mountain, 4 kilometers southeast of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. It is a temple complex integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, situated approximately 60 meters above the ground.
It was first built in the 15th year of the Taihe reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty (491 AD). It has been repaired throughout the dynasties. During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, the south and north buildings, along with the suspended walkway, largely formed the current spatial layout. The existing buildings are mainly from the Ming and Qing dynasties. (Filming location for Black Myth: Wukong) The temple gate faces south, with the west side considered the main entrance. It is a wooden frame structure with a multi-layered horizontal layout running north-south. The overall layout is "one courtyard and two buildings," with a suspended temple courtyard at the south end and two suspended flying buildings at the north end.
It is one of the earliest and best-preserved high-altitude wooden cliff-side buildings in China. The great Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai inscribed the words "Magnificent" on the cliff face. The great Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake exclaimed it as "a magnificent sight under heaven."
In the first year of the Tianxing era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (398 AD), the Northern Wei established its capital in Pingcheng (present-day Datong City). Before his death, Kou Qianzhi (365-448 AD), a Taoist master of the Northern Wei, left a will: to build a temple in the sky, so as to "reach the heavenly guests above and sever the hustle and bustle below." Afterwards, his disciples raised funds from various sources, carefully selected a site, and designed the temple. The Hanging Temple was completed in the fifteenth year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (491 AD).
Travel Guide
Transportation: Bus 901 goes directly there, running once an hour, taking 2.5 hours. The last bus departs at 6 PM. However, sometimes the bus doesn't stop.
Ticket Price: Located within the Hengshan Scenic Area, the outer perimeter ticket is 15 yuan, and the climbing ticket is 100 yuan. Reservations must be made one week in advance through "Beiyue Yunyou" (Northern Yue Cloud Tour). (Free for those over 60 years old; military personnel with preferential treatment cards need to purchase a climbing ticket). Shuttle bus fare between Hengshan attractions is 20 yuan. (Not recommended for those with a fear of heights)
Time: 1-2 hours
Accommodation and Meals: Stay overnight in Hunyuan Ancient Town. Taxi fare to Hengshan is 10 yuan. The local specialty, liangfen (cold noodles), can be made in six or seven different flavors.
Nearby Attractions: Datong Ancient Town, Yungang Grottoes, Yong'an Temple, Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda, Hanging Temple, Hengshan Mountain, Jueshan Temple Pagoda, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.
No.
7
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Little Western Paradise
4.8
/5
4119 reviews
8.2
From TWD 153
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603576733033
Address: Xiaoxitian, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Check out Black Myth: Wukong
Ancient Zen temple from Ming
3804 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
It's a bit of a shame that I couldn't enter through the main entrance because the 81-step staircase was under construction. The thousand suspended Buddha statues were truly breathtaking; it's hard to imagine how they were built. I pray to the thousand Buddhas, and may everything go smoothly for me.
It's a bit of a shame that I couldn't enter through the main entrance because the 81-step staircase was under construction. The thousand suspended Buddha statues were truly breathtaking; it's hard to imagine how they were built. I pray to the thousand Buddhas, and may everything go smoothly for me.
No.
8
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Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
4.6
/5
13822 reviews
8.2
From TWD 392
Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609114838030
Address: Yanhu Road, Hukou Town, Yichuan County, Yan'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Feel waterfall's power up close
Hukou Waterfall panoramic view
Saved by 232 users9148 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Buying tickets online was very convenient; they were valid immediately. The bus ride was smooth, and the scenery along the way was beautiful. The waterfall was spectacular; the children were very impressed. The scenic area isn't large, but hearing the roar of the Yellow River made it all feel like the perfect arrangement! Highly recommended.
Hukou Waterfall, located in Hukou Town, Yichuan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, is adjacent to Hukou Town, Ji County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. It is a famous waterfall on the main stream of the Yellow River, the second largest waterfall in China, and the largest yellow waterfall in the world.
No.
9
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Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10469 reviews
8.1
From TWD 174
Based on 147 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522042001
Address: No. 459 Xia Sipo Street, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Saved by 169 users8611 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Absolutely breathtaking! Huayan Temple is definitely worth a visit, highly recommended!
The murals are also fantastic! It's very crowded. The pagoda in the back is worth seeing, but I don't recommend climbing to the top—it's incredibly tiring, almost exhausting! There's not much to see from the top either. The underground palace is newly built and decorated entirely with copper, which isn't very attractive.
The itinerary was quite flexible. Huayan Temple was a must-see, but we bought tickets at the entrance, which was very convenient.
The temple grounds are quite large, and even a quick visit took two hours. The bronze underground palace is magnificent; it got a bit crowded on the weekend, so there was a queue.
No.
10
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Wutai Mountain
4.6
/5
8252 reviews
8.0
From TWD 174
Based on 440 reviews
Wuye Temple | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8618634384269
Address: 205 Provincial Rd, Wutai Xian, Xinzhou Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China, 035515
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 days
Highlights:
Pilgrimage to five unique peaks
Panoramic view of Mount Wutai
Saved by 129 users5501 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery is nice and the bus is very convenient, good reviews! But the consumption level in the scenic area is a bit high, especially in some farmhouse restaurants, where two people can eat more than 100 yuan, while other places in the mountains only cost dozens of yuan.
The tour is very nice and I visited many temple which is very peaceful. The guide is also polite and helpful.
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