2026 Guangling Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in February)

#SeptemberGoodPlaces2025 The Guangling County Paper-Cutting Museum in Datong City is like a window into the depths of time. The works on display range from intricate and meticulous to simple and delicate, each cut and line imbued with the craftsman's meticulous attention to detail and wisdom. Strands of red paper, as thin as a cicada's wing, transform into breathtakingly lifelike figures of flowers, birds, insects, fish, and mythological stories. Inside the museum, one can almost hear the sound of the knife's tip scraping across the paper, a rhythm etched by time and a mark of folk art passed down through generations. Guangling paper-cutting is more than just art; it's a spirit, a sentiment that captures the beauty of life within a single, imposing piece of paper.

Location Located in Yixing Township, Guangling County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, 13 kilometers south of the county town, the temple is built on the cliffside of Tianwang Ridge in the Hengshan Mountain Range. Known for its perilous terrain, it is constructed against the mountain and is as famous as the Hanging Temple, earning the nickname "Little Hanging Temple." 🚗 Transportation Guide By Car: Depart from Datong city center and drive south along Provincial Road S203 for about 2 hours to reach Guangling County. Then navigate to "Shengquan Temple." Note that some sections of the mountain road are narrow, so it is recommended for experienced drivers. By Public Transport: Take a bus from Datong Bus Station to Guangling County (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, take a taxi or hire a car to the scenic area (about 30 minutes). 🌟 Highlights of the Scenic Spot Hanging Wonder The temple is built on a cliff over 100 meters high, supported by dozens of wooden pillars. From afar, it appears to be hanging in mid-air, resembling the Hanging Temple of Hengshan. The main hall, "Daxiong Baodian," is well-preserved and features Ming and Qing dynasty murals with ancient and rustic colors. Sacred Spring Water Inside the temple, there is a thousand-year-old spring that never dries up. The water is clear and sweet. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own bottles to collect and enjoy this natural gift. Cliffside Stone Inscriptions Along the way, you can see cliffside stone carvings from the Song and Ming dynasties, which document the history of repairs and literary works by scholars, showcasing profound cultural heritage. Natural Scenery Tianwang Ridge is lush with vegetation, vibrant in spring and summer, and adorned with colorful foliage in autumn. From the heights, you can overlook the entire Guangling Basin. 📝 Travel Tips Route Planning: Entrance Gate → Tianwang Hall → Hanging Architecture Complex → Sacred Spring → Rear Mountain Viewing Platform (approximately 2-3 hours in total). Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn (April-June, September-October) when the weather is cool and the mountain scenery is at its best. Ticket Information: Currently free to enter. Some areas are under renovation, so it is advisable to check with the scenic area management office in advance. ⚠️ Important Notes Cliffside paths lack guardrails, so safety precautions are necessary, especially for visitors with children who should be supervised at all times. Wear non-slip athletic shoes as some stone steps are steep and slippery. Respect cultural relics—do not touch murals or stone carvings, and avoid littering. 🍜 Nearby Recommendations Local Cuisine: Guangling tofu, yellow millet fried cakes, buckwheat "bowl托" (a local dish). Recommended spot: "Guangling Snack Street" in the county town. Other Attractions: Water God Temple (located in the county town, a Ming dynasty architectural complex), Baiyang Valley (a natural gorge, 30 minutes' drive from Shengquan Temple). Summary Shengquan Temple combines hanging architecture, historical culture, and natural scenery, making it ideal for visitors who enjoy exploring ancient sites and photography. Avoid visiting during holidays to better experience the temple's tranquility. Before departure, contact Guangling County's cultural and tourism bureau to confirm its opening status. Have a wonderful trip! 🌄

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]

After seeing these photos, do you think this temple is very magnificent? The Buddha statues in the temple are shining with golden light, and there are exquisite reliefs on the walls on both sides. It’s just that the internal structure is not very convenient for taking pictures. This is a newly built temple, which was built only more than 20 years ago, and some Buddhist halls are still under construction. With modern technology, it is not difficult to build tall buildings. Now, although its cultural relic value cannot be seen, time may fly by quickly, and more than 500 years may pass in the blink of an eye. By then, people in the future will use this to study the architecture and sculpture art of the early 21st century. [Grin]

Guangling·Datong Guangling Chaoyang Temple is located on a branch of Mount Heng, 8 kilometers north of Guangling County, very close to the ancient fortress of Jianxi. It is an ancient temple still under renovation. However, looking from the roadside, the outline of its full appearance has already emerged, and it is quite large in scale. Chaoyang Ancient Temple was originally named Guanyin Temple. It is said that the temple was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, rebuilt in the fourteenth year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and also rebuilt in the winter of the Guichou year of Emperor Yongzheng and the sixtieth year of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. During the Qianlong period, it was renamed Chaoyang Temple. Chaoyang Temple faces west and is built against the mountain. Its architecture has four levels. The first level is the Hall of Heavenly Kings, with the Bell Tower and Drum Tower on the north and south sides respectively; the second level is the Hall of Patriarch Bodhidharma, with the Hall of Ksitigarbha and the Temple of the Goddess on both sides; the third level is the Hall of Ancient Buddha, which is the main hall, with the Hall of Guanyin and the Hall of Ksitigarbha on both sides; the fourth level is the Dharma Hall, with the Study Hall and the Chanting Hall on both sides, with more than a hundred rooms in total. On the platform of the fourth level, you can see many small courtyards, which are extremely quiet and are mostly monk quarters. The architectural style is similar to cave dwellings, very similar to the residential buildings in Yanbei. Chaoyang Temple has undergone many changes and was once in a state of disrepair. The current renovation of Chaoyang Ancient Temple shows that the project is huge. A large amount of timber is piled up inside the mountain gate at the foot of the mountain. These timbers are huge in size and are made of real materials, which can roughly estimate the high cost. The current mountain gate, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Guest Hall, Dining Hall, Bell and Drum Towers, and the east and west side rooms have been completed, and it is estimated that it will be completed in one or two years.

Guangling Water God Hall, an ancient monument hidden on Hushan Guangling County Water God Hall, located in the southeast of Guangling County, Shanxi Province, is a tourist attraction that combines natural beauty with cultural history. The Water God Hall was originally named Fengshui Temple. It was built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. Later, Wenchang Pavilion was added during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and renamed the Water God Hall. The history here can be traced back to at least 500 years ago. It is a monument rich in history and culture. The main building of the Water God Hall faces north and south, covers an area of ​​7,600 square meters, and the overall building is octagonal, with a compact structure and seamless integration. The main buildings include the Holy Mother Hall, Zen Room, Wenchang Pavilion, Bell and Drum Tower, Laojun Hall, etc. These buildings not only have religious and cultural value, but also are representatives of traditional Chinese architectural art. The Water God Hall has a unique geographical location. It is located on Hushan Mountain and is surrounded by water, as if it is an island floating on the water. There are not only beautiful natural scenery here, but also rich biodiversity. The wetland area is 30,000 acres, with a variety of plants and wild animals. There are also many murals preserved in the Water God Hall, which are known as "Guangling's Qingming Riverside Scene".

Starting from Beijing, simply adjust your route using maps and navigation. A 2-day trip to Weixian, Hebei, is approximately a 3-4 hour drive from Beijing. For a 3-day trip, include Guangling, Shanxi, which is conveniently located near Weixian. **Day 1: Weixian** - Depart at 8:00 AM, and it's recommended to take the Nanshan Lailai Expressway for a more comfortable drive. - Arrive at the Airy Plateau at noon. Do not enter the scenic area. About two kilometers before the entrance, look to the left for a stunning small canyon. You can camp or have a picnic in the car (don't forget to bring food), then take a break and capture some photos. - Next, head to Feihuyu Grand Canyon. Walk along the road in the canyon without needing a ticket. The most famous spot is Feihuyu Yi Zhuzhang, with picturesque scenery along a 15-kilometer road, complete with numerous rest areas to park. - In the evening, make your way to Weixian County for dinner and accommodation (be sure to book in advance), as it is close to the ancient city of Weizhou that you will visit the next day. **Day 2: Weixian** - In the morning, explore the ancient city of Weizhou. There are numerous small attractions, and if time permits, you can view the Nanan Temple Tower and Bell Tower from outside. Choose other attractions based on your preference. More details are available in a separate note. - Enjoy lunch in the ancient city. For a 3-day trip, spend an additional two hours in the city after lunch; for a 2-day trip, proceed directly to the next destination. - Visit the Warm Spring Ancient Town, navigating to "Xigu Baogao of Warm Spring Ancient Town." There are three ancient forts, with the largest and most well-preserved being the Xigu Fort, which is highly recommended. It features an ancient street to explore, and entry is free. - If it's a 2-day trip, conclude your journey here. For the return trip, consider adding "Xidashenbao" as a stop to see it. - For a 3-day trip, in the evening, you have two options: watch the tree blossom performance in Warm Spring Ancient Town (check in advance for availability, usually during holidays) and book a homestay here, or head to Guangling County for dinner and accommodation. **Day 3: Guangling** - In the morning, visit the Shuiren Hall, a small lake with a central island and a cluster of ancient buildings. Entry is free. - Explore the Shengquan Temple, a small suspended temple that is quite impressive. Entry to the temple below is free, but it's unclear if you can climb the cliff and the potential entrance fee. - Conclude your trip. As with the return trip, it's recommended to stop at Xidashenbao on the way back.

🏯✨ In Guangling County of Datong, there is a place that doesn't fit in with the loess plateau. This place is called Shuishentang, surrounded by bare loess high slopes, only this area is encircled by a lake. If you don't mention that this is Datong, Shanxi, the scenery is just like the landscapes of Jiangnan. 🏯✨ The uniqueness of this ancient building can be known by its name. While most temples are called something-si (temple), this place is simply named Shuishentang in three characters. The overall architectural style dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although not grand in scale, it is exquisitely delicate and charming. 🏯✨ The only way to enter Shuishentang is through an arch bridge. The site is surrounded by a lake on all sides, with the current appearance dating back to the Qing dynasty. The architectural complex is generally octagonal, resembling a castle surrounded by walls. With a central axis design, the main hall and the pagoda are located in the middle, flanked by side halls and wing rooms. 🏯✨ The courtyard of Shuishentang is not large, but the layout is rich. The small yard includes the Lingying Pagoda, Holy Mother Hall, Zen rooms, Wenchang Pavilion, mountain gate, bell and drum towers, and Laojun Hall, among others. 🏯✨ The appearance of the Bagua courtyard is not common in the history of ancient architecture. The entire Shuishentang seems to be closely nestled together, with its towers and pagodas ingeniously integrated with the distant mountains. The complete Ming and Qing architecture adds an ancient charm to Shuishentang. 🏯✨ Inside Shuishentang, there are also some exquisite murals and reliefs. The murals are quite old, while most of the reliefs have been carved in the last decade or so. The small Shuishentang is like a microcosm of Guangling County in Datong, a place with a profound cultural heritage. It also has a different style from Datong city, yet the scenery of Shuishentang in the north resembles the landscapes of Penglai.

Navigation: Guangling Shengquan Temple, located in Guangling County, Datong, Shanxi. This Shengquan Temple, if calculated by driving distance from Beijing, is less than 300 kilometers, and possibly up to 300 kilometers on the east side. Below is an introduction to Shengquan Temple and my personal opinions and feelings. 1 Guangling Shengquan Temple was founded during the Taihe period of the Northern Wei Dynasty in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, nearly 1600 years ago, and is relatively well-preserved. 2 Because there is another temple built on the cliff at the foot of Hengshan Mountain in Datong called the Hanging Temple, which is more famous compared to this temple, some people refer to this Shengquan Temple as the 'Little Hanging Temple' or 'Guangling Hanging Temple'. 3 I personally prefer this Shengquan Temple because it's more original, without too many traces of modern restoration (of course, there have been restorations), and it lacks an excessive commercial atmosphere. When I visited, there was no admission fee required (not sure if this is always the case), just some souvenirs and wishing activities. Also, part of the cliff is inaccessible, with the main gate closed, and I don't know if there are other times when it is open. 4 To get to this temple, you have to walk a long mountain road, which is narrow, but it's a cement-paved road, so cars can drive up without any problem. I guess there is no public transportation, and if you are not driving yourself, it should be easy to find a ride from the town of Guangling County, which is only about ten kilometers away. 5 The mountain road past this temple leads all the way to the top of the mountain, as seen in picture 9 on the top left, which looks nice. Unfortunately, I had to give up the idea of driving to the top of the mountain because there was ice and snow on the road surface at that time.

This cliff temple, named Shengquan Temple, is located in Guangling County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, China. Although it is not as famous as the Hanging Temple of Hengshan, it has unique natural scenery and architectural art value. Shengquan Temple was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and has been renovated during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple we see today should be the result of renovations in recent decades. The temple is built on the mountain, simple and elegant, like a pavilion carved into the wall. The newly built part is clean and tidy, with a square courtyard and bluestone paving. The surrounding area is the common temple, and the cliff temple embedded in the rock gives a sacred feeling. When you climb the stairs and enter the high platform in the air, you can discover the beautiful scenery in front of you, overlooking the ancient temple in the valley from a high place, which is very beautiful. Shengquan Temple perfectly combines architectural aesthetics and mechanics. It uses the horizontal beams embedded in the mountain as the foundation, cleverly uses the support of the mountain rock, the structure of the wooden tenon and stone mortise is rigorous, and the layout is clever, making the pavilion between the cliffs more beautiful. This peculiar architectural art combined with cultural edification is rare worldwide. It is deserved to be praised as a miracle in the history of architectural art. Buildings like the Hanging Temple are not only the treasures of ancient Shanxi architecture, but also the pride of our country's ancient architecture. They have witnessed the long history and cultural heritage of our country and are worth our inheritance and promotion.

#awesomepic A spiritual place to visit if you go to Dai Dong. You should go early in the morning because it can rain in the afternoon or in the cold season it gets dark quickly. I rented a taxi to get here in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The path is narrow and there are many people so you have to wait in line to go up. If you go on weekends or holidays, it will probably be very crowded. When buying tickets, remember to buy a combo ticket. If you don't buy enough, you won't be able to go up to the temple.