2025 Youyu County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in September)

Cross the Great Wall and the grasslands! The secret frontier of Youyu, Shanxi, is revealed🏰 📜 The Millennium Echo of the Beacon Border Town Standing by the rammed earth walls of ancient Youyu City, you can almost hear the neighing of war horses. This northernmost border town of Shanxi was a military fortress against the Xiongnu during the Qin and Han dynasties and became one of the "Nine Key Border Towns" in the Ming dynasty. Over 1,700 years of war memories have engraved the "Youyu Spirit" into every crack of the city bricks—on the left is a history of continuous beacon fires, on the right is a lush green present. 🌳 The Miracle of Desert Turning into Oasis 1️⃣ Shahu Pass Great Wall Builder: Ming Dynasty, Jiajing period Story: This fierce pass was the first stop for Shanxi merchants heading west. The remaining beacon towers witnessed countless sorrows of leaving home, now gently embraced by the sprawling Korean pine trees. Latest discovery: During last year’s restoration, Ming dynasty bricks were unearthed with clear craftsman fingerprints. 2️⃣ Youyu Spirit Exhibition Hall Host: Contemporary desert controllers Story: Sixty years ago, this was a barren land with "nine out of ten hills bald." Now, the forest coverage rate has soared from 0.3% to 57%. The exhibition hall displays patched cotton-padded jackets and worn-out shovels, telling the story of three generations planting trees in relay. Tip: Be sure to touch the replica of the "Meritorious Shovel" at the entrance—it’s said to bring good luck from the forest planters! 3️⃣ Cangtou River Wetland Builder: Nature and desert controllers Story: Once a flood-prone river, it is now a paradise for over 400 bird species. Walking along the wooden boardwalk in autumn, you can see egrets taking flight among the reeds, creating a stunning contrast with the distant ruins of the Ming Great Wall. Birdwatching secret: Bring binoculars between 6-7 AM for the best chance to spot the rare black stork! 🍂 Unique Cultural Landscape Local elders say, "The wind here is green." Indeed, Youyu people even carry the scent of grass and trees in their conversations—they might point to a forest and say, "This was planted by the old county magistrate’s team," or "Under that row of poplars lies my grandfather’s desert control diary." This symbiotic memory between people and nature is more moving than any interpretive sign. 🌈 Reasons to Visit A Jiangnan beyond the frontier! The magical collision of the Great Wall and grasslands🌄 🚗 Travel Tips 📍 Address: Youyu County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province 🚗 Self-drive: About 3 hours from Taiyuan (via Erguang Expressway) 1️⃣ Shahu Pass Ancient Great Wall Ming dynasty military fortress! The best-preserved rammed earth Great Wall site 📸 Tips: Climb the beacon tower to photograph the winding Great Wall—especially beautiful at sunset 2️⃣ Youyu Grassland Shanxi’s little Hulunbuir! Experience Mongolian culture with horseback archery 🐎 Must-try: Grassland motorbiking, grass skiing, Mongolian yurt experience 🍜 Food Recommendations ▫️ Youyu lamb: Boiled in clear water, incredibly fresh! ▫️ Youmian Kaolaolao: Shanxi’s specialty noodles ▫️ Sea buckthorn juice: Local specialty, sweet and sour to refresh your palate 🎯 Special Experiences ▫️ August Grassland Music Festival (tent camping is super fun) ▫️ September Nomad Nadam Fair (horse racing and wrestling are thrilling) ⚠️ Tips to Avoid Pitfalls ▫️ Large temperature difference on the grassland, bring a jacket ▫️ Agree on the price before horseback riding

Shahukou is located at the junction of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia provinces. It was called "Chanhekou" in ancient times. It was renamed "Shahukou" in the Ming Dynasty to resist the invasion of Mongolia. It was changed to "Shahukou" in the Qing Dynasty. It is also known as "Xikou" and has a history of more than 2,000 years. Shaohukou is an important military fortress and pass in the northern part of the Ming Great Wall. It was once the core passage for Shanxi merchants to "go west" and the only way for trade between the Central Plains and Mongolia and Russia. It is the birthplace of the "Dashengkui" business and is known as "There is Zhangjiakou in the East and Shaohukou in the West". There are remains of the Ming Great Wall and newly renovated city gates and towers at Shaohukou. Climbing up the Great Wall, you can overlook the Cangtou River Valley and experience the unique landscape at the junction of Shanxi and Mongolia. Shaohukou is not only a military relic, but also a witness to Shanxi merchant culture, immigration history and ethnic integration. It is known as "a microcosm of Shanxi history in the Ming and Qing Dynasties." Near Shaohukou are Shaohubao (a place where troops were stationed in the Ming Dynasty and trade flourished in the Qing Dynasty) and Youwei Ancient Town (a place where troops were stationed in the Ming Dynasty). Tickets: Free attractions

🚌Transportation: - Self-driving: Search for "Righteous Spirit Expo Hall in Youyu County" in your map navigation app and follow the navigation instructions. Parking is convenient, making this a good option for travelers who want to arrange their own itinerary. - Public transportation: First, get to Youyu County, then take a local bus or taxi to the attraction. This is a relatively economical option, but you may need to spend some time waiting and transferring. 🕙Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 - 17:00 (entry stops at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays). 🎫Tickets: Free admission 🌟Highlights: - 4D cinema: There is a 4D cinema in the hall that plays a promotional video about the spirit of Youyu County. This immersive experience will give you a more intuitive understanding of the changes in Youyu County. 📸Photo ops: - Inside the hall: There are many historically significant exhibits and scenes in the hall that are worth taking photos of, such as pictures of the people of Youyu County planting trees and the tools they used at the time. These photos will record the greatness of the spirit of Youyu County. - Outside the hall: The architecture of the expo hall is unique and the surrounding environment is beautiful. Taking photos of the exterior of the building and the surrounding green landscape with the expo hall in the background is also a good choice. 🍜Food recommendations: - Youyu pies: Traditional local food with a golden, crispy crust and delicious filling. - Youyu oil-boiled meat: Made with carefully selected ingredients and finely cut, this dish is crispy and flavorful, and highly nutritious. - Youyu salt-fried lamb: The meat is tender and delicious, making this a local specialty. - Youyu mixed sugar cake: Sweet and richly layered, this cake is sweet but not greasy. - Youyu pea porridge: Nutritious and delicate, a bowl of this porridge will warm your stomach and your heart after your visit. 💡Tips: - Follow the rules of the hall during your visit. Do not touch the exhibits and take care of the cultural relics and public facilities. - Keep quiet and do not make loud noises in the hall to avoid affecting other visitors. - Take care of the environment and keep the hall clean. Take your trash with you when you leave.