2024 Linfen Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Linfen is located in the southwestern part of Shanxi Province. Located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, it is near Changzhi and Jincheng. This is one of ancient Chinese civilization's birthplaces and it is famous for its long history and culture. Sometimes called "the first capital of China" the city is scattered about with all kinds of cultural relics and historical sites. Rich in wheat and cotton resources, this city is one of North China's important grain and cotton production bases. Sometimes it is called by the beautiful moniker, the “hometown of cotton and wheat.” The spectacular "Ancient Emperor Yao Temple" and the ancient murals depicting the story of the city, which can be seen in Guangsheng Temple, both add a touch of color to the city.
Today's Weather
Foggy 3-11℃
Popular Attractions
Hukou Scenic Area
Little Western Paradise
Guangsheng Temple
Hongdong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden
Mount Yun Scenic Area
Recommended hotel for Linfen travel: Mercure Linfen West Railway Station Hotel!
Recommended hotel for Linfen travel: Mercure Linfen West Railway Station Hotel!
👋 Hi everyone, today I want to share with you the Mercure Linfen West Railway Station Hotel, it's really great!
🏨 The hotel is super convenient, located near Linfen West Railway Station, it's a great choice for travelers.
As soon as you enter the lobby, you can feel the elegant French atmosphere, the decoration is exquisite and grand.
🛏 The room is spacious and bright, decorated warmly and comfortably. The bedding is so soft that you don't want to get up once you lie down, and your sleep quality is instantly improved. The room is well-equipped and of very good quality.
🍳 The breakfast also surprised me, with a wide variety and excellent taste, it can meet the needs of different people.
💁♀️ The staff's service is warm and thoughtful, every detail is taken care of, making you feel extra warm.
🎉 Here, you can enjoy a comfortable stay and feel the thoughtful service. Mercure Linfen West Railway Station Hotel is definitely your best choice in Linfen!
Gushe Mountain, Linfen City, Shanxi Province
Gushe Mountain is listed as one of the first provincial-level scenic spots in Shanxi Province. The entire scenic area covers an area of about 40 square kilometers, with nearly 100 scenic spots scattered throughout the mountain. Some of the more famous ones include Shenju Cave, Lotus Cave, Iron Buddha Cave, Queen Mother Pavilion, Eight Immortals Cave, Yunwu Temple, Huixian Terrace, Han Xiangzi Temple, Sheshen Cliff, Wulong Pool, Ruyi Valley, Songwang Stone, Dressing Table, General's Hat, South Heaven Gate, Horse Hitching Post, Xianjing Stone, Chessboard Stone, Horse Hoof Battle, and Jiukong Mountain.
2024 Linfen Tour: Guye Mountain Guanyin Pavilion.
There are many exquisite hanging sculptures in Linfen. In addition to the famous Xiaoxitian, the Guye Mountain Xiangou Cave Biyan Temple Guanyin Pavilion hidden in the mountains also has a small and beautiful Ming Dynasty hanging sculpture.
The Guanyin Pavilion is built on a cliff, and you need to climb a stone ladder inside the cave that can only accommodate one person. It is not large in scale, with seven layers of hanging sculptures. In the center is Guanyin Bodhisattva (Figure 1), with Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva on both sides (Figures 2 and 3), surrounded by more than 100 statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Devas, Vajra Warriors, and Flying Devas, forming the "Guanyin Dharma Assembly." On both sides, from top to bottom, are the Ten Great Kings, Eighteen Arhats, Twenty-Four Devas, and Twelve Perfect Enlightenment (Figures 4 and 5), with vivid images, but some of them seem to be later additions.
The three Ming Dynasty Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall (Figure 14) are also very exquisite.
The two ginkgo trees in front of the Mahavira Hall are turning yellow, adding some vitality and brightness to the ancient temple.
There are also sculptures in the Shenju Cave (Figure 19), which are obviously modern works, with stiff expressions and a big difference!
Like Biyan Temple, many temples in Guye Mountain are built on cliffs (Figure 20), which can also be considered "hanging temples"!
It is currently a provincial-level protected site. Due to the lack of public transportation and rugged roads (although it is not far from Linfen City, the mountain roads are narrow and winding, with many large vehicles, which is a great test of driving skills!), there are not many tourists. The entrance fee is CNY 35.
Take advantage of the fact that it is not yet popular and go enjoy it!
In 2024, I visited Linfen's Tiemen Temple and Pingyang Drum Tower.
Dayun Temple is located next to Shanxi Normal University. It was first built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang dynasty and rebuilt during the Kangxi period. It is commonly known as Tiemen Temple because of the huge iron Buddha head inside. It is now a museum, and you can visit for free with your ID card. There is a free parking lot nearby.
The most eye-catching building in the temple is the 39.5-meter-tall golden-roofed pagoda. The pagoda is square-shaped, with 60 glazed reliefs of Buddhist themes embedded on all four sides. They are exquisite and can be compared to the glazed pagoda of Guangsheng Temple.
Inside the pagoda is a 15-ton Tang dynasty cast iron Buddha head, which is breathtaking. It was originally gilded, but most of it is now gone.
Not far from Dayun Temple is Pingyang Drum Tower, also known as Dazhong Tower. It is also square-shaped and is said to be the tallest drum tower in China.
Linfen Museum, Shanxi Province
Originally located at No. 40 Tiefo Temple, Xihai, Gulou, the new museum is located at the southern end of Jiuzhou Square, Binhe West Road, Linfen City. It houses 140,000 cultural relics. The main building has three floors above ground for exhibitions and one floor underground for storage. It is the central repository of cultural relics in the city. Precious cultural relics representing the history and culture of Linfen are protected, stored, and displayed in the museum, with a special focus on bronzes, ceramics, water and land paintings, and woodblock New Year paintings.
Linfen Yao Emperor Mausoleum | Ancestor Worship
| Ancestor worship. The mausoleum of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors is the first, and the grace of a hundred generations and a thousand autumns flows long."
There are several places recorded in historical documents as Yao's Tomb, but it is generally believed to be in Linfen, Shanxi, and sacrifices have been held here throughout the ages.
The Yao Emperor Mausoleum is surrounded by cliffs, with a river flowing south in front of the mausoleum, and lush pines and cypresses. The mausoleum is 50 meters high and 80 meters around. A temple was built in front of the mausoleum, said to have been built in the early Tang Dynasty. According to the inscription of the second year of the Jin Taihe era (1202 AD), Emperor Taizong of Tang once stationed here during his expedition to Liao, and because he visited the Yao Mausoleum, he had his statue made.
It is said that when Emperor Yao died, the people mourned, and on the day of the funeral, people from all directions brought a handful of soil to the mausoleum, which accumulated into a mountain, becoming the tallest mausoleum among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
Address: North bank of the Laoye River, west of Beijiao Village, Dayang Town, 35 km northeast of Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province.
Self-drive Black Wukong Tour D3.
Self-drive Black Wukong Tour
D3 Shanxi - Hongtong Guangsheng Temple - Dayun Temple
"What's the use of repairing a broken temple when people's hearts are burned out?"
Guangsheng Temple - Feihong Tower, one of China's four famous towers and the world's largest multicolored glazed tower.
Dayun Temple - Iron Buddha, the world's largest iron Buddha head, weighing 15 tons.
Follow Wukong to Shanxi and check in at the Chinese Yao Temple.
The Yao Temple is a sacred temple that carries the memory of the source of Chinese civilization. In the Yao Temple, the solemn statues are lifelike, and Emperor Yao's eyes are deep and wise, as if they have traveled through thousands of years and are watching the future generations. Here, you can feel the benevolence and wisdom of the sages, which is the spiritual treasure of the Chinese nation, inspiring generations of Chinese children.
In Linfen!! Highly recommended hotel!!.
🏘️Location/layout: There is a big white swan at the door, the location is excellent, close to the central Drum Tower Street, the bed in the room is very comfortable, and the layout is reasonable
Facilities: Complete hardware facilities, everything is relatively new, and it is very clean
🏕️Surrounding attractions: Gong and Drum Bridge, Fenhe Park, the view of Linfen's Fenhe River outside the guest room window
💗Other tips:
The design of the private room in the Chinese restaurant is a big highlight, and the swimming pool is also very clean
The key is that the cost performance here is super high✔️
An Underrated City 'Linfen' 2 Days 1 Night Guide
Initially, the decision to go to Shanxi was attracted by the filming location of Black Myth: Wukong, Xiaoxitian . After learning more, I discovered this place is a treasure trove. Each ancient building scattered in various remote counties is impressive on its own .
"Have you not seen, the Yellow River's water comes from the sky"—Hukou Waterfall, a place long imprinted in my mind .
🚉Transportation Guide:
How to get to Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
① There are buses to the scenic area from Linfen Railway Station and Linfen West Station every morning .
② The journey takes 2 hours, the ticket price is around 60, arriving at the scenic area at 11:00 AM, and returning at 2:00 PM .
Hukou Waterfall Water Volume
December-March (least water volume, not recommended to visit)
April-May (moderate, mixed with upstream melting ice and snow, slightly white)
September-October (best, large water volume, good season, gives a sense of thousands of horses galloping) .
✅Must Experience:
How to Enjoy Hukou Waterfall
1 Take the scenic shuttle bus at the entrance for 20💰, five minutes to the waterfall viewing point, or walk 4km, about 50 minutes if not taking the bus.
2 Enter the waterfall viewing point, walk downstream along the waterfall, playtime 30min-1h.
3 Underground caves are closed, there are donkey rides for photos 📸 for 20+💰.
Transportation:
Two railway stations: Linfen Station (old station, green trains) and Linfen West (high-speed rail station).
🏨Hotel Environment:
Choose near Guli or Linfen Station, convenient for transportation and dining, average cost 50-100 per person .
🍲Food Recommendations:
Linfen people love eating wheat, dry chewing buns are very fragrant .
Beef meatball noodles, casserole dried tofu, cold noodles stir-fried buns, juanjuan, pan-fried soft rice .
🗓Itinerary:
Linfen is said to be an underrated city.
Besides Hukou Waterfall, this small city of Linfen is also great for strolling .
① Drum Tower: The Drum Tower at dusk gives a feeling of being in Xi'an, there is a photo wall with the words 'Linfen' near the north of the Drum Tower 📸.
② Fen River: Fen River Park under the Rainbow Bridge, a place for locals to relax and play, Fen River is the mother river of Linfen .
③ Iron Buddha Temple: A scenic spot reachable from the Drum Tower, the Iron Buddha Temple inside is very impressive! Time: 09:00-17:00 .
④ Linfen Museum: A national first-class museum, the 'Pottery Human Face Barrel-shaped Vessel' is the treasure of the museum, closed on Mondays, 9:00-17:00 .
⑤ Huamen: Known as the 'Monument of Chinese Civilization' and 'The First Gate of the World' in North China, 08:00-18:00, ticket price 35 .
⑥ Xiaoxitian & Guangsheng Temple: Recently very popular, relatively remote, ticket price 35, ps: there are cars to the scenic area from Luogu Street, 2h to the scenic area, ticket price 35 .
🍽Dining Recommendations:
🍜Beef Meatball Noodles (Shifeng, Bai Laosan, Xue Laowu are all very good and reliable).
Xinbaihui Naota Xiaoyuan (gathers Linfen's special snacks and delicacies! Worth a visit to try, recommended dishes: Guoguo Egg Pancake, large stinky tofu, secret spicy sauce is very fragrant).
Small Stewed Meat Noodles, Neng Neng Food, Nine Points Sweet, Linfen Spicy Mix (sweet and sour slightly spicy yyds!).
From witnessing historical ancient buildings to nurturing civilization of the Yellow River, the static and dynamic, feeling the ultimate Chinese aesthetics and the endless power of civilization .
Weekend Escape from Beijing!! Two-day Linfen Travel Guide, Copy and Go!!
Weekend Escape from Beijing!! Two-day Linfen Travel Guide, Copy and Go!!
4 hours and 33 minutes from Beijing, immerse yourself in the beauty of Linfen's ancient buildings
Day 1: Huamen (40r) - Yaomiao (40r) - Huaxia Zhiyuan - Xiaotan - Dayun Temple (also known as Tiefo Temple) - Linfen Drum Tower
Tips: If you have time, you can also visit the Linfen Museum (0r, reservation required)
√ Huamen: 40r, known as the "Gate of the World", symbolizing a monument to Chinese civilization, integrating historical commemoration and sightseeing. The three gates on the front represent the three emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu.
√ Yaomiao: 40r, a temple dedicated to Emperor Yao, an ancient sage, a window to explore the five thousand years of Chinese civilization
√ Huaxia Zhiyuan, Xiaotan (similar to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing), near Yaomiao, check in on the way
√ Dayun Temple (also known as Tiefo Temple): =Or, closed on Mondays, from a distance, it is a six-story square pavilion-style brick tower, about 30 meters high, with four squares from the first to the fifth floors and an octagon on the sixth floor. The iron Buddha head is hidden under the pagoda, hence the name Tiefo Temple.
√ Linfen Drum Tower: At the intersection of the city center, near the old commercial district
Day 2: Hukou Waterfall - Xiaoxitian - Guangsheng Temple, you can visit all in one day, it is recommended to charter a car, the high-speed train between attractions is about 2 hours
√ Hukou Waterfall: =100r, ferry 20r, Longdong 20r; finally saw the Yellow River in the book, unfortunately, the entire scenic area was closed due to the flood season, only the outer perimeter was 00, it is recommended to watch at close range, prepare an umbrella in advance, wear dark clothes
√ Xiaoxitian: =35r; Black Myth Wukong shooting location
1, go up about 9, 10 floors, only on foot
2, the main hall is on the hillside, flash and selfie sticks are not allowed
3, we arrived at Xiaoxitian in Xixian County at about 11:30, it is recommended to eat something before going up Xiaoxitian (moved to tears by the 5jiA of the scenic area)
√ Guangsheng Temple: 68r, mountain and downhill ferry =20r; visit route, upper temple on the hillside - lower temple at the foot of the mountain - water god temple (electric cars are available for each section)
1, Feihong Tower, 47.31 meters high, the highest colorful glazed tower
2, about 200 square meters of Yuan Dynasty opera murals in the Water God Temple
3, there are two ancient cypresses planted in the Tang Dynasty in the upper temple
4, "Medicine Master Sutra Transformation" and "Fiery Light Buddha Painting" in the back hall of the lower temple
5, "Zhao Cheng Golden Collection" is now preserved elsewhere
Linfen's ancient buildings, hanging sculptures, and murals all impressed me, and even my taste buds couldn't escape...
【Attraction Guide】Yao Temple: Don't miss any cultural relics.
【Attraction Guide】Yao Temple: Don't miss any cultural relics
1️⃣Yao Temple Travel Notes Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yao Temple, a sacred place where history and culture intertwine, every inch of land is steeped in ancient legends and stories. Here, you can feel the strong historical atmosphere and the wisdom of the ancients.
2️⃣Attraction Highlights:
Ancient architecture: The architectural style of Yao Temple is simple and elegant, and every brick and tile reveals the traces of the years.
Cultural display: A large number of historical materials and cultural relics about Emperor Yao are displayed here, allowing you to deeply understand the source of Chinese civilization.
Tranquil atmosphere: Different from the hustle and bustle of the city, the interior of Yao Temple is quiet and is a good place to escape from the hustle and bustle.
3️⃣Fun Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In addition to visiting ancient buildings and cultural relics, there are also rich cultural activities and experiences. For example, you can participate in traditional handicraft production and experience the wisdom and lifestyle of the ancients.
4️⃣Featured Check-in:
Yao Temple Main Gate: The huge stone lion and the simple gate building are good places for photo souvenirs.
Cultural display area: Take a photo with ancient cultural relics and leave a dialogue with history.
Ticket price:
Adult ticket: CNY 50/person
Student ticket: CNY 25/person (purchase with student ID)
In Shanxi, I finally understood the extreme aesthetic of the myriad gods and Buddhas
Shanxi, China Xiaoxitian Xiaoxitian 'Seeing the future, why not worship'. Let's follow 🔥 'Black Myth: Wukong' to tour ancient buildings and feel the profoundness of Chinese culture 👍
📍Phoenix Mountain, west of Xixian County, Shanxi Province
🚘Transportation: Xixian is quite far from Linfen City, it is recommended to drive 🚗 or hire a car.
🎫Tickets: 35 yuan for adults, 18 yuan for half-price tickets
🔈Guide: 50 yuan (regardless of the number of people)
🏘️Introduction to Xiaoxitian:
Xiaoxitian, also known as Qianfo Temple, was founded by Zen Master Dongming. The main hall, Daxiong Hall, is filled with wooden and clay sculptures, exquisitely crafted, and is considered the 'masterpiece of suspended sculptures' in the history of Chinese sculpture.
📖Xiaoxitian is divided into the upper and lower courtyards. The lower courtyard is the main part of the temple, with the Wuliang Hall facing east, and the Weituo Hall opposite Wuliang Hall. The upper courtyard is the essence of the entire temple. The main hall, Daxiong Hall, is where the suspended sculptures are located, with the Manjusri and Samantabhadra halls on either side.
📖Daxiong Hall is divided into three parts: the main wall, the north wall, and the south wall🔈
📖Sculptures: There are more than 1,000 statues in total. The largest is 3 meters high, and the smallest is only the size of a fingernail. The Buddha statues are serene, kind-faced, vivid, and lifelike.
🏜️Main attractions of Xiaoxitian:
✅Dizang Hall ✅Kuixing Pavilion ✅Guanyin Hall ✅Heavenly King Hall ✅Weituo Hall ✅Daxiong Hall ✅Wuliang Hall ✅Three Saints Hall ✅Manjusri Hall ✅Samantabhadra Hall
⚠️⚠️Attention❗️
Xiaoxitian offers free vegetarian meals 🍚, but only before 11 o'clock
Pets are prohibited 🚫 in the scenic area
Parking fee 🅿️ is uniformly 5 yuan (no time limit)
The visitor center at the entrance offers free stamps
Only Xixian specialty Yuluxiang pears are sold near the scenic area, you can go to the county town for meals 🍽️
Went to Yao Temple in Linfen, here are my true feelings, every word from the heart
Yao Temple is a national ancestral temple that encompasses rich historical culture and five thousand years of civilization.
Public Transportation:
First arrive at Linfen City, then transfer to local buses or taxis to reach Yao Temple.
Tour Route:
Yao Temple Scenic Area: Yao Temple - Wufeng Tower - Yaojing Pavilion - Guangyun Hall - Sleeping Palace - Yaodian Wall Gallery - Yaozi Wall Gallery - Ancestral Worship Hall - Ceremony Gate - Bell Tower - Drum Tower - Yaojing.
Precautions:
1: Follow the regulations of the scenic area, do not touch or damage cultural relics and landscapes at will.
2: Pay attention to safety, especially when visiting ancient buildings and climbing mountains, be careful and cautious.
Visit the Museum | Pingyang Millennium · Linfen Museum
| Pingyang Millennium · Linfen Museum. Linfen Museum, located at the southern end of Jiuzhou Square on Binhe West Road, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, is a comprehensive museum integrating functions such as cultural relic collection, protection research, display promotion, and educational services. It was first established in 1993, originally located at No. 40 Tiefo Temple, Xihai, Drum Tower. The new museum was fully completed and opened in September 2018.
The total construction area of the museum is 32,429 square meters, with an exhibition hall area of about 2,000 square meters. Its design concept is derived from the ancient Taosi Observatory, symbolizing the "sun and moon shining together." The overall architecture is shaped like "the sun embracing the moon," cleverly integrating traditional culture with the Fen River Ecological Park, creating a unique visual effect.
The museum has a rich collection, housing 140,000 cultural relics, including 94 sets of national first-class cultural relics, 488 sets of second-class cultural relics, and 2,037 sets of third-class cultural relics. The museum's treasures include pottery, porcelain, and bronzes, with bronzes, ceramics, and woodblock New Year paintings being particularly distinctive.
The exhibits in Linfen Museum are divided into four main themes: "Ancient Footprints," "The Earliest China," "Jin Hegemony in the Spring and Autumn Period," and "Millennium Pingyang," comprehensively showcasing Linfen's historical heritage and cultural resources. Among them, the "Ancient Footprints" exhibition hall displays the long history of early Homo sapiens thriving on this land; the "Earliest China" exhibition hall showcases the Taosi culture that emerged in southern Shanxi about 4,500 years ago, equivalent to the Yao and Shun periods in ancient history, laying the foundation of Chinese civilization; the "Jin Hegemony in the Spring and Autumn Period" exhibition hall tells the glorious history of the Jin State for over 600 years; and the "Millennium Pingyang" exhibition hall displays the ancient culture with regional characteristics of the Pingyang area.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Mondays. Admission is free, but visitors need to present valid identification to receive a free admission ticket.
Ancient relics around Linfen City
Linfen Tour / Around Linfen City
*Ganying Temple Brick Pagoda
The brick pagoda of Ganying Temple in Quwo, built during the Jin Dynasty (1165), is a dense-eave style structure. The great earthquake of 1303 (Yuan Dynasty) caused the top of the pagoda to fall and the upper part of the pagoda body to crack. It has since survived two major earthquakes during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty and the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. During World War II, the Japanese army attempted to blow it up, but the stone pagoda stood firm. After more than eight hundred years, the stone pagoda is broken but still stands tall. In the 1970s, it was still the tallest building in Quwo, a landmark of the county, but now it is submerged in a residential area, next to a primary school. The matching Ganying Temple, once filled with the scent of incense, was sadly burned down by the invading Japanese army in 1941.
*Dayun Temple in Linfen
Founded in the sixth year of the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty (632), it was destroyed by an earthquake in the thirty-fourth year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1695) and rebuilt in the fifty-fourth year of Kangxi (1715). Because an iron-cast Buddha head is enshrined in the pagoda of the temple, the locals call the temple 'Iron Buddha Temple'. The Iron Buddha head is completely of Indian appearance, an original from the Tang Dynasty. There is a small story about why there is only one Buddha head. It is said that there was a Buddha statue with a clay body and an iron head near the capital, majestic and spirited. One day, the Buddha closed his eyes to rest and dozed off. Suddenly, the heavy iron head fell to the high ground inside Pingyang City on the east bank of the Yellow River. Later, people built a temple and pagoda where the Buddha head landed, and the head was enshrined inside.
*Houtu Temple in Dongyang
The reason why Houtu Temple is a national treasure is because of its Yuan Dynasty architecture and Ming Dynasty colored sculptures.
The Yuan Dynasty stage is the most beautiful, with a cross-hipped roof, grand flying eaves, and a three-layered inner eave beam frame forming an eight-trigram-shaped caisson. The overall image is dignified and atmospheric, with exquisite details.
The door of the Holy Mother Hall is locked, and one can only peek at the Ming Dynasty colored sculptures through the broken window paper.
*Niuwang Temple in Yaodu District
The stage of Niuwang Temple is also Yuan Dynasty architecture. Its appearance is relatively simple, with a straightforward frame structure, uninspired caisson patterns, and an ordinary temperament. Inside the main hall, the Ox King, Horse King, and Dragon King are enshrined, very down-to-earth.
Transportation: Rent a car for self-driving
Accommodation: Fenyang City
Inside the abandoned hospital lies a hidden, stunningly beautiful temple of the state
⚠️ There is a temple dedicated to the gods of the land and grain hidden on the east side of Hongji Bridge. If you don't look carefully, it's very easy to miss this magnificent temple.
⚠️ The existing temples of the state are all Qing Dynasty buildings, featuring offerings hall, main hall, bell and drum towers, etc. Climbing through the narrow corridors and ascending the drum tower, we can't help but marvel at the exquisite ancient architecture and be impressed by the superb skills of the craftsmen...
⚠️ The main hall is tall and elegant, with a majestic atmosphere. The upturned eaves form beautiful curves, making the massive roof appear relaxed and light; the offering pavilion is sturdily and generously designed; the bell and drum towers have flying eaves and intricate structures. However, the most outstanding feature of the temple of the state is the wood carvings on the buildings. The railings connecting the columns, the sparrow braces, and the decorative drooping lotus column heads, as well as the layered brackets, are all finely carved with patterns of double dragons playing with pearls, fish and cloud patterns, and stories of landscapes and people. The compositions are vivid, the carving is skilled, the lines are smooth and natural, and with the addition of red lacquer painting, it is truly a magnificent combination of architectural technology and decorative art.
⚠️ From the side, you can climb to the top of the drum tower, where the dome-shaped caisson is made of complex wooden components and depicts simple and unsophisticated colored paintings, showing extreme craftsmanship. The surrounding eight trigrams hint at the ancient Chinese philosophical thought. The spiritual concept of the five elements and eight trigrams, which is actually based on materialism, is crucial to the governance of the nation's land and grain for an agricultural country.
⚠️ On September 1, 2008, a team of ancient building restorers was repairing the dilapidated temple of the state in Fen Cheng Town, Xiangfen County.
Shanxi·China
Just Go: Linfen, Shanxi
In Linfen, the deepest impression is the culture of roots and family. There are the rituals of seeking roots and worshipping ancestors at the Great Pagoda Tree, with sayings like "Travel all over the world, Hongtong is home", "Use the warmth of home to welcome your return", and "All journeys are departures, coming to Linfen is returning home"; there is the reverence and commemoration for the Chinese ancestor Emperor Yao, such as the Yao Temple, Huabiao, and Huamen, known as "the land of the root ancestors, the old home of the Chinese people".
1. Great Pagoda Tree Ancestral Worship Park
The only national ancestral worship site themed on "seeking roots" and "worshipping ancestors", located in Hongtong County, a national 5A-level scenic spot, and a key cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province. From the second year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty to the fifteenth year of Yongle, over nearly 50 years, the Great Pagoda Tree experienced 18 official migrations, mainly to 18 provinces including Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu, and nearly 500 counties and cities. After 600 years of relocation and migration, the descendants have thrived, and today, wherever there are Chinese people around the world, there are descendants of the Great Pagoda Tree immigrants. The reason why the Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree is so named is that the immigrants at that time all gathered under the Great Pagoda Tree and were then sent to various places in groups. Many descendants of the immigrants consider themselves "people from under the Great Pagoda Tree" and have special feelings for the Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree, treating it as home, calling it ancestor, and recognizing it as their root.
2. Yao Temple
Founded during the Jin Dynasty, located on the west bank of the Fen River, it was moved to its current location in the third year of Xianqing of the Tang Dynasty (685 AD) and has been for over 1300 years. It has always been a national sacrificial site and has undergone many renovations and expansions. Emperor Kangxi, Guangxu, and Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty have visited here. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, the name of China began with Yao, who was the earliest to designate the nine provinces and unify the Chinese nation.
3. Yaodu Huabiao
Praised as "China's First Huabiao", it is 21 meters high, symbolizing the 21st century, with the body of the column coiled with the Chinese century dragon, and a roaring beast sitting on the top, with the base carved with the Great Wall and the Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River.
4. Huamen
The total height of China's Huamen is 50 meters, with a length of 80 meters and a width of 40 meters, covering an area of more than 22,000 square meters, also known as the Gate of Chinese Civilization, symbolizing the door of civilization opened by Emperor Yao. It is the world's tallest gate building and China's first monument to Chinese civilization
There are many more fun places
Here lies China's first glazed pagoda, but also indignation and regret
🌸 Linfen, a hidden city of gourmet food and romance 🌆
🌼 Stepping into Linfen is like entering an ancient scroll. Every brick and tile here tells a story of a thousand years. But today, what I want to unveil for you is the hidden gourmet food and romance of Linfen.
🍜 First, the tempting Linfen beef meatball noodles, with al dente noodles paired with tender beef meatballs, topped with a unique secret sauce, every bite is full of happiness.
🌸 In a corner of this city, there are also artistic little shops hidden away. Exquisite coffee, handmade desserts, and the warm lighting all make it hard to resist stopping by.
🌇 The night in Linfen has a unique flavor of its own. Strolling on the ancient streets, feeling the breeze on your face, and seeing the dim lights, it feels as if the whole world has quieted down.
🎈 Linfen is not just a city with a long history, it is also a place filled with gourmet food and romance. For your next trip, why not come here and experience that unique charm!
The Linfen Wealth God Tower, a must-visit spot in Shanxi tourism
The century-old temple in the center of Linfen city has been rebuilt, and the incense offerings are very prosperous. The Wealth God Culture Exhibition and the Gold Cool Cafe have just opened, with three exhibition areas showcasing three forms of Wealth God culture, definitely worth a visit. You must try the Five-Direction Wealth God Coffee, and there are many cultural and creative products like Wealth God figurines and shrines, which are also very interesting. The site is super photogenic Linfen Shanxi
Shanxi Linfen | Step into the museum, and dream back to the ancient and modern times of a thousand years
| Only in the museums of Shanxi can you see bronze wares displayed in such a way that they seem invaluable—measured in kilograms, yet exuding a grandeur...
The Linfen City Museum, as a municipal museum, really puts in a lot of effort. The environment is very good, quiet, and the exhibition is also arranged with great care.
🌟 Highlights:
Visiting Shanxi and not going to a museum would really be a waste of natural beauty.
Do you feel that the small towns in the south of the Yangtze River, after becoming tourist spots, have a particularly severe homogenization?
Here, that's not the case!
Experience the feeling of a thousand years of history, the sensation of life pulsating
🚉 Transportation Strategy:
Coming out of Linfen West Station, take a taxi directly, a 5-kilometer journey, and you'll arrive in 10 minutes.
Fen River Bank Park
I went on a business trip to Linfen and stayed at the Swan Hotel, which is right next to the Fen River. The next morning, I got up early to exercise in the Fen River Park. There were still a lot of people exercising in the park, and the buildings were very characteristic, with an ancient charm, featuring water and attics, as well as a section of Chairman Mao's quotations, which felt very good. The Xuan Tower is quite spectacular, and there are also many murals advocating against corruption.
⏳Play Time: 2 hours
🕙Business Hours: Open park
👍Most Recommended: Morning exercise
The Linfen Museum: A Witness to the Splendid Chinese Civilization
The ancient name of Linfen was Pingyang, which was renamed to Linfen Prefecture after Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, and the name Linfen has been used to this day. Linfen has a long history and is one of the important birthplaces of the Chinese nation and the cradle of the Yellow River civilization.
The Linfen Museum's architecture is located on the Binhe West Road in Jiuzhou Square, shaped like the embracing sun and moon, inspired by the 'Sun and Moon Shining Together' ancient observatory at the Taosi site. The museum's collections mainly consist of bronzes, ceramics, water and land paintings, and woodblock New Year paintings. In addition, the exhibition halls also feature folk theatrical arts such as Puzhou opera and shadow puppetry.
As the saying goes, 'To see three thousand years of civilization, look to Shanxi; to see five thousand years of civilization, look to Linfen.' The collections of the Linfen Museum are a testament to the inheritance and advancement of Chinese civilization. It is truly remarkable that a regional museum can have such a vast and exquisite collection; architecture so grand and majestic; functions so complete and diverse. It is truly eye-opening, and the first stop on my trip to Linfen has been so impactful. I look forward to greater discoveries in the exploration of Linfen in the coming days!
The largest iron-cast Buddha head in the country
Dayun Temple, also known as the Iron Buddha Temple, is located in Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, and is named for the towering pagoda that houses a giant iron-cast Buddha head beneath it.
Dayun Temple was built in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (632 AD), and was destroyed by an earthquake in the thirty-fourth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1695 AD). It was rebuilt in the fifty-fourth year of the Kangxi era (1715 AD). The entire temple complex faces west to east and consists of three courtyards. The first courtyard is composed of the mountain gate and the Hall of Heavenly Kings; the second courtyard consists of the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, and the flanking halls to the south and north; the third courtyard is made up of the Mahavira Hall, the south and north wing rooms, the Sutra Preservation Tower, and the central glazed golden-top pagoda.
According to inscriptions and beam frame inscriptions, the glazed golden-top pagoda is a relic from the fifty-fourth year of the Kangxi era (1715 AD), and the Sutra Preservation Tower is a relic from the eighth year of the Guangxu era (1882 AD). Although there are no inscriptions or beam frame inscriptions for the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the flanking halls, or the wing rooms, analysis of their beam frame structures and architectural features suggests that they are works from the mid-Qing Dynasty.
The glazed golden-top pagoda has a square plan and is the essence of the temple's architecture. The pagoda is 39.5 meters tall and consists of a base and five levels of the pagoda body. Inside the base, there is an iron Buddha head, with a diameter of 3.8 meters, a height of 6.8 meters, and a weight of about 15 tons. The exterior is repaired with clay sculpture and painted, the Buddha head is hollow, originally containing sutra scrolls and treasures of the temple. This Sakyamuni Buddha head was cast in one piece from pig iron. The Buddha head has a dignified and compassionate facial expression, full cheeks, broad eyes, wide lips, and ears that hang down to the shoulders. According to its stylistic features, it is an original work from the Tang Dynasty and is the largest iron-cast Buddha head discovered in China to date. Each level of the pagoda has brick eaves that imitate wooden structures, with corridors surrounding each level, and upturned corners with hanging copper bells that ring in the wind, creating a Zen-like atmosphere. The outer walls of the pagoda above the second level are inlaid with 60 pieces of glazed relief, all depicting Buddha and stories from the Buddha's life, surrounded by mountains, trees, flowers, flowing clouds, cities, lion statues, and other patterns, making it a rare example of a Qing Dynasty glazed pagoda in China.
Address: South of Drum Tower, Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, adjacent to Shanxi Normal University
Transportation: Take bus routes 7/11/23/15/101 to Drum Tower Station
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Admission: Free
A super healing trip to the zoo
Linfen City Zoo, located in Yaodu District, Linfen City, is directly accessible by bus, and the transportation is very convenient!
The zoo looks a bit dated, and the facilities are somewhat old, but they are still kept clean and there isn't much of a strange smell. There are quite a lot of different types of animals, including the carnivore area, herbivore area, bird area, monkey area, small animal area... You can also feed hippos and giraffes in the park! Hippo feed is 30 yuan per portion, with a few types of fruits to choose from. I chose watermelon, and the experience of feeding the hippo was good! Giraffe feed is 10 yuan per portion of straw, the experience is not as good as Nantong Zoo!
The only regret is that the little internet celebrity of the zoo, the little tiger 'Milk Bean', was always sleeping, even the big goose named 'Iron Pot' that always bullies 'Milk Bean' was sleeping!
In summary, Linfen Zoo is very good overall, it feels very stress-relieving!
Address: Southwest corner of the intersection of Huancheng South Road and Qinshu Road, Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province
Transportation: Get off at Bus No. 11 Zoo Station
Time: March-October 9:00-17:30, November-February 9:30-17:00
Per capita: 33 yuan
PS: It is forbidden to bring your own food to feed in the zoo, violators will be fined 500 yuan
Pathfinder Episode 11: Jinfeng Tomb Village in Linfen
🌸
Linfen, Jinfeng Tomb Village.
It was quite by chance that Daniu found this place. From the photos, it's full of old things that look like a prince fallen into the market, a princess married to a peddler.
🌸
The Jinfeng Tomb is the burial place of Zhu Jixi, the King of Jin. We don't know who this guy is until we check... He has a big background~ His grandfather is Zhu Yuanzhang! And it's a close relationship.
The main street of this village is the original divine path of the Jinfeng Tomb, and the stone beasts and statues on both sides are now integrated into the houses on both sides of the street...
Along the street, there are many dilapidated and collapsed old houses, which are said to be the residences of the tomb keepers from generation to generation.
At the head of the street, the old temple is still there, and the tomb of the King of Jin is located at the corner of the mountain behind the temple.
🌸
Walking from the head of the village to the end of the village, it's only about two hundred meters, but it's an experience of what's called obliteration~ A concrete interpretation.
Gray Whale
Linfen Exploration|Gray Whale Smart Hotel
The smartest hotel
Location: Opposite the Orthopedic Hospital on Pingyang North Street
Intelligence is reflected in Xiaodu (tablet/no display screen) smart toilet/ordinary toilet projector/normal TV
Every type of luxury in each room type is the highest end of this type, with tatami and luxury
After entering the room, there is no invisible consumption. Everything you can see can be taken away. Bottled water is also free to add.
The next day includes a breakfast, which is a very rich buffet
Overall, I personally like it very much celebrity hotel
The Yao Temple after the snowfall
On December 10, 2023, it snowed! This is the first snowfall of the winter in 2023, bringing a bit of severe cold to the warm winter in Linfen.
This is the birthplace of Emperor Yao and where he grew up in his youth. Locally, the Yao King's lump here is called the 'Yao King's Platform'. The character Yao itself is three 'soil' characters stacked together to form 'Yao', the original meaning is a high rammed earth platform, Yao is another way of writing Yao! The most interesting thing is that the tomb of Emperor Yao is also a large mound of earth piled up by every Chinese citizen with a handful of soil!
The auspicious snow is fluttering, the Yao Temple scenic area wrapped in silver is dressed up extraordinarily enchanting. Yao Temple
Yao Temple in Linfen
The Yao Temple was originally built on the west bank of the Fen River, moved to the east of the Fen during the Yuan Kang period of the Jin Dynasty, and moved to its current location in the third year of Xianqing of the Tang Dynasty (685 AD), which has been more than 1300 years; it has been a national sacrificial site throughout the ages, and has undergone many renovations and expansions. Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Guangxu, and Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty have all visited here. The Yao Temple now covers an area of 5.33 hectares, mainly including the mountain gate, Wufeng Tower, Yaojing Pavilion, Guangyun Hall, sleeping palace and other ancient architectural groups, as well as the Han Dynasty strange trees cypress hugs locust, cypress hugs ash, deer barking cypress, night laughing cypress and other landscapes that have been more than 1600 years. The Yao Temple was built in the Western Jin Dynasty and has a history of more than 1700 years. The old site was on the west bank of the Fen River. It was moved to the east bank of the Fen River during the Yuan Kang period of the Western Jin Dynasty. In the third year of Xianqing of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi (658 AD), the temple site was moved from the southwest of the prefecture to the current location in the south of the city. Yao Temple is a temple that collects rich historical culture and 5000 years of civilization history. It is commonly known as the Three Saints Temple. It is a temple in China specifically to commemorate Yao, Shun, and Yu. Yao established the capital Pingyang more than 4000 years ago, delineated the nine provinces, formed the earliest pattern of China, and Pingyang became one of the earliest birthplaces of Chinese civilization, known as the first capital of China. Among them, Guangyun Hall is the main hall for worshiping King Yao. The hall is 27 meters high. There are 42 stone pillars in the long corridor around it. The pillars are carved with dragons and clouds, and the craftsmanship is not vulgar. Because the old Guangyun Temple was destroyed by fire, the temple you see is rebuilt. There are also more than 10 stone steles inside, which record the great achievements of King Yao.
I declare, I'm going to stay at this hotel permanently
I declare, I'm going to stay at this hotel permanently.
Manxin, let your inner passion spread, refuse mediocrity, and live colorfully. The hotel has an open restaurant, integrating dining, business, and socializing; bar resident singing, wine and music ignite the night; intelligent constant temperature shower, high-quality bedding, clean and comfortable intelligent toilet, colorful combination sofa intelligent technology allows you to check in by yourself, come and go freely, intelligent technology supports mobile phone opening door, light control, and there is a small degree of sound accompanying your space is under your control!
It's been a long time since I came to Linfen, I didn't expect Linfen's changes to be so big, getting more and more beautiful according to the usual practice, choosing a favorite hotel is the most important, this time because the hotel I often stay in is full, I found this hotel Manxin Linfen Yingbin Avenue Hotel.
It's a super surprise hotel I've stayed in this year, with modern design and trendy fashion.
The service of the hotel is really good, the waiter came to greet and greet very warmly before entering the door, after entering, a cup of warm Manxin special drink tea was served, which made us feel warm in the cold winter. After completing the check-in, the handsome guy at the front desk also led us to the room and introduced us to the hotel facilities and equipment. The hotel's toiletries are the Pola brand used by the Japanese royal family, and the hand sanitizer can be used as facial cleanser and men's shaving foam. The room is also intelligent, lying on the bed, the mobile phone or the sound can control everything, the feeling is great. The bedding is the dream hundred series, lying on it is very comfortable, it is said that lying for a day will not be uncomfortable, I hope I can try it next time (thanks to the handsome guy's enthusiastic introduction) The hotel's breakfast is also very good, buffet style, very rich, a variety of types, meat and vegetable collocation, dessert, drink, coffee, milk, pasta, rice, everything. The key point is that they have invited resident singers to perform in the evening, there are wine cabinets in the hall, drink a little wine and listen to a little song, can it be more comfortable.
There is also a cute robot, we can send anything we need to the room
I must stay at this hotel permanently in the future, for this hotel, I have to come to Linfen more often.
Address: C Block, Pingyang International, Binhe South Road, Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province Price: 300
Transportation: about 10 minutes drive from the high-speed rail station, bus has 16 and 17 routes
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