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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Lan County [2025]
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31183 reviews
8.9
From JOD 1.000
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 821 users24304 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Yungang Grottoes were first carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty. In 398 AD, Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei moved the capital from Shengle (present-day Helingeer County) to Pingcheng (present-day Datong City), making Wuzhou Mountain a crucial transportation hub between the two cities. After Emperor Wencheng of Northern Wei ascended the throne, he ordered the monk Tan Yao to oversee the restoration of Buddhism. With Emperor Wencheng's support, Tan Yao chose the beautiful and spiritually rich Wuzhou Mountain, "carving five caves into the mountainside, each with a Buddha statue, the tallest being seventy feet and the next sixty feet, their carvings magnificent and unparalleled in their time." Most of the caves at Yungang were completed before Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang, but the statue-making work continued until the Zheng Guang era (520-525 AD). The Yungang Grottoes were carved over a period of about 150 years, spanning the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang dynasties. There are 45 main caves and 252 smaller niches, with more than 59,000 stone sculptures, making them a treasure in the Chinese grotto art treasury.
Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are twenty grottoes in total, each worth exploring in detail. Grotto 6 is currently closed. A full visit takes approximately three hours. Stamp collection point: The official museum shop opposite Grotto 20. The museum also houses the only Yungang Buddha statue with a ceramic eye that was lost overseas and subsequently returned.
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The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
4.7
/5
17820 reviews
8.6
From JOD 8.960
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 users13071 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I've been to Hukou Waterfall twice, the first time from the Shaanxi side and the second time from the Shanxi side. I personally think the waterfall is more spectacular from the Shanxi side because you can go down below the Dragon Cave and look up at the waterfall, which is a truly unique experience.
I bought tickets online through Ctrip, and entered the scenic area directly by scanning a QR code. I took a bus to the attraction to see Hukou Waterfall. It was more beautiful in Shanxi than in Xi'an, allowing me to experience the magnificence of Hukou Waterfall up close! I was also lucky enough to see a rainbow!
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Jinci Museum
4.8
/5
14299 reviews
8.6
From JOD 7.980
Based on 119 reviews
Taiyuan Ancient County/Jinci Temple | 92.5 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 145 users11144 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jinci Temple is a perfect example of the harmonious integration of natural landscape and man-made architecture. Relying on the water systems of Nanlao Spring and Zhibo Canal, it forms a beautiful landscape of "small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers."
Transportation and Parking: Buses (such as routes 308 and 804) from downtown Taiyuan provide direct access to the entrance of Jinci Park, which is very convenient. Parking is also large and convenient.
Tour Route: It is recommended to start from the central axis, visiting the following sections in order: Water Mirror Terrace -> Golden Man Terrace -> Duiyue Archway -> Offering Hall -> Fish Pond Flying Bridge -> Holy Mother Hall (the core area), and then visit the Zhou Cypress, Nanlao Spring, Tang Stele Pavilion, etc. on both sides.
My first visit to Taiyuan, and my first stop was the Jinci Museum – it was amazing!
The Holy Mother Hall: Top-tier Northern Song Dynasty architecture! The 42 painted clay maiden statues have incredible expressions, and the 8 dragon-carved pillars have a built-in 3D effect (there's even a dragon!). Fish Pond Flying Bridge: China's earliest overpass! Offering Hall: A Jin Dynasty pure wood pavilion plus, built without a single nail yet withstanding 800 years of wind and rain.
Song Dynasty Painted Clay Sculptures: The Holy Mother Hall's star team! Each maiden has a unique expression, and their clothing and postures are all different. Zhou Bai: A 3000-year-old reclining war god! Nanlao Spring: "Jade Water" certified by Li Bai! You can even drink the water from the dragon-shaped stone mouth at the spring's source!
No.
4
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Pingyao Ancient City
4.6
/5
21454 reviews
8.5
From JOD 12.270
Based on 1,383 reviews
Inside Pingyao Ancient City | >100 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 485 users13624 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
16090 reviews
8.4
From JOD 4.780
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 144 users14830 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The awe-inspiring presence of the Sakyamuni Pagoda at Fogong Temple can only be truly appreciated in person—its immense size, exquisite structure, and rich array of inscriptions. It truly deserves the title of "South Tower, North Pagoda."
The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, also known as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, is located in Fogong Temple in Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. It was first built in the second year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056). It is the tallest and oldest existing pure wooden pavilion-style building in the world, and is known as one of the "Three Great Towers of the World" along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
No.
6
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Xuankong Temple
4.7
/5
9940 reviews
8.4
From JOD 1.500
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 761 users7485 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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Dazhao Temple
4.7
/5
7944 reviews
8.3
From JOD 3.500
Based on 139 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604716303154
Address: Dazhao Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
10-yard golden dragon & mural
Grand blessing ceremony on Lantern Festival
Saved by 350 users5108 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Photography is prohibited in many areas of the temple, but it has a distinct Tibetan Buddhist style, and some of the statues clearly date back to the past. Overall, it's well worth a visit.
Jokhang Temple, the oldest Yellow Sect temple in Hohhot, has a wide-ranging influence in Inner Mongolia.
A renowned tourist destination with excellent value, its magnificent temple architecture, precious cultural relics and artwork, and the mysterious Chamu dance and Buddhist music constitute the Jokhang Temple's "Temple Culture," making it a truly worthwhile experience. The recommended duration of the visit is approximately three hours.
No.
8
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Whistling Dune Bay
4.3
/5
4792 reviews
8.2
From JOD 11.970
Based on 81 reviews
Xiangshawan | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008785550
Address: Dalad, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Breathtaking desert views & panorama
Camel rides in the desert
Saved by 327 users3077 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Today, Ordos is increasingly green, and it's rare to find such a small patch of desert left for tourists to experience. There are plenty of recreational activities, and the service is generally good. My summer trip was long ago, but the dark clouds and lightning over the desert during the thunderstorms remain vividly in my memory.
A day at Xiangshawan was like stepping onto a joyful alien planet!
The fun can be summed up in two words: pure and simple! Walking barefoot into the soft, warm sand was incredibly satisfying. Riding in a giant cable car deep into the desert, your heart and mind expanded along with the expansive view.
The most exhilarating ride was the dune buggy – like a roller coaster, plunging and drifting between dunes, everyone screaming and laughing. Riding camels in a line, listening to the tinkling camel bells, slowly swaying across the boundless sea of sand, felt like stepping onto the Silk Road.
For the adventurous, sandboarding is a must. Swooping down dunes dozens of meters high, the wind whipping past your ears – so thrilling! When you're tired, lie on the sand and watch the clouds; the world is just blue and yellow, so pure it makes you want to sing.
This place isn't just scenery; it's a giant playground. All your worries are blown away by the wind, leaving only a wild and carefree heart!
No.
9
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Little Western Paradise
4.8
/5
4170 reviews
8.2
From JOD 3.500
>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
3852 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Although it was quite crowded during the summer holidays, it was still well worth the trip. There were parking spaces, and the queues were relatively orderly. The suspended sculptures at Xiaoxitian were exceptionally beautiful; definitely worth the visit!
With a building area of only 216.72 square meters, the hall is filled with colorful sculptures. Besides the five main statues on the altar, the walls, pillars, and even the rafters are adorned with thousands of painted sculptures. These sculptures, each with a unique posture and vivid form, are situated within the halls and pavilions of a Buddhist kingdom. Some are over 3 meters tall, while others are only the size of a thumb. Intricate yet not chaotic, elaborate yet orderly, they express the vast world of Buddhism. While many famous mountains and ancient temples in China possess various types of suspended sculptures, none are as intricate and magnificent as Xiaoxitian, nor as exquisitely beautiful.
No.
10
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Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
4.6
/5
13843 reviews
8.2
From JOD 8.980
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 234 users9152 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.
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