2025 Jiaocheng Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

As the ancestral temple of the Pure Land School of Chinese Buddhism and the founding temple of the Pure Land sects in Japan, Xuanzhong Temple is honored as the "Number One Pure Land Sanctuary." This ancient temple nestled deep in the mountains combines religious significance, historical heritage, and natural scenery, making it an excellent destination for those seeking spiritual tranquility and cultural depth. Basic Information Address: Shibi Mountain, 10 km northwest of Jiaocheng County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province Status: National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, birthplace of the Pure Land School of Chinese Buddhism Best Season: April to October (spring, summer, and autumn offer serene mountain views, ideal for hiking and worship) Highlights: Millennium-old temple complex, historical steles, Pure Land culture exhibitions 🚗 Option 1: Economy Sedan (Zen-inspired Self-drive · Independent Travel) Suitable for: Small groups of 2-4 people who prefer independent exploration Recommended Models: Volkswagen Lavida, Honda City, or other sedans with 1.6L or larger engines Daily Cost: Rental fee 200-300 RMB + fuel and tolls about 150 RMB (round trip from Taiyuan) 🗺️ Route Plan: One-day Pure Land Culture Exploration 07:30 Pick up car in Taiyuan and depart, navigate to "Xuanzhong Temple" (about 1.5 hours drive) 09:00 Arrive at the foot of the mountain parking lot, transfer to the shuttle bus or hike up 09:30-12:00 In-depth tour: → Hall of Heavenly Kings (Ming Dynasty wooden structure) → Mahavira Hall (rebuilt in Qing Dynasty) → Thousand Buddha Pavilion (masterpiece of painted clay sculptures) → Stele Gallery (steles from Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties) 12:00-13:00 Vegetarian lunch inside the temple or at a farmhouse restaurant at the mountain base 13:30-15:00 Hike the bamboo Zen trail on the back mountain, visit the Patriarch Pagoda Forest 15:30 Return trip, stop by Jiaocheng town to buy local specialties like jujube juice 17:00 Arrive back in Taiyuan Advantages: Highly flexible itinerary with adjustable stop times; ideal for Zen meditation and photography enthusiasts for deep creative work. 🚐 Option 2: Business Van (Zen Retreat Exclusive · Family Pilgrimage) Suitable for: Families or groups of 5-7 people, including elders or young children Recommended Models: Buick GL8, Mercedes-Benz Vito, or other 7-seat business vans (with professional driver) Daily Cost: 800-1000 RMB (including driver service fee, round trip from Taiyuan) 🗺️ Route Plan: One-day Premium Pure Land Cultural Zen Retreat 08:00 Hotel pick-up by business van, equipped with Zen music and cultural commentary 09:30 Direct arrival at the temple square, no shuttle transfer needed 09:50-12:30 VIP guided tour (monk-led explanations available by appointment): → In-depth interpretation of the three patriarchs: Tanluan, Daochuo, and Shandao → Special access to stele rubbing experience (advance booking required) 12:30-13:30 Customized vegetarian banquet (private Zen dining room) 14:00-15:30 Zen practice session (choose between incense meditation or sutra copying) 16:00 Return transfer to Lüliang city or Taiyuan Advantages: No mountain climbing fatigue, exclusive cultural interpretation; perfect for religious cultural study tours or family elder respect trips. 💡 Ultimate Practical Tips 1. Hiking Details: From the temple gate to the main temple requires climbing about 300 steps, approximately a 30-minute walk The scenic area offers a paid shuttle bus (15 RMB per person one way) 2. Vegetarian Meal Reservation: Temple vegetarian meals require booking one day in advance by calling 0358-3520xxx Recommended dishes: Scutellaria tea, homemade tofu from the temple 3. Cultural Preparation: It is recommended to watch the documentary "Millennium Bodhi Road · Xuanzhong Temple Chapter" in advance You can purchase the book "Outline of the Pure Land School" (available at the temple’s circulation point) 4. Combined Tours Recommendation: Combo 1: Xuanzhong Temple + Jiaocheng Guashan (Tianning Temple) for a one-day Buddhist cultural tour Combo 2: Xuanzhong Temple + Pangquangou Nature Reserve for a dual experience of Zen retreat and ecology 🌄 Seasonal Special Experiences Spring (April-May): Magnolia and mountain peach blossoms at the ancient temple, perfect for photography Autumn (September-October): Colorful foliage, participate in the temple’s "Mid-Autumn Moon Worship Ceremony" Winter (November-March): Snowy Zen atmosphere, but be cautious of slippery paths and shuttle bus suspension Conclusion Whether you choose the economical self-guided exploration or the exclusive business van service, the millennium-old Buddhist chants and the secluded mountain valleys of Xuanzhong Temple will wash away worldly troubles. This journey is not just a trip but a homecoming for the soul.

Lvliang, the pearl of western Shanxi, is located at the junction of the Loess Plateau and the Lvliang Mountains. It is one of the important birthplaces of Yellow River culture. Here, you can experience the magnificent "First Town of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River" at Qikou Ancient Town, the Taoist paradise of North Wudang Mountain, and the primeval forests and waterfall clusters of Pangquangou. In three days and two nights, you will travel through the ancient commercial routes, explore Taoist sacred sites, embrace natural wonders, and unlock a dual feast of culture and nature! 1. Preparation: Key Information and Essentials 1. Basic Information Location: Western Shanxi Province, north bank of the Yellow River, about 180 km from Taiyuan (2.5-hour drive). Climate: Temperate continental climate, short spring and autumn, distinct winter and summer; summer average temperature 22-28°C, winter average temperature -5°C to 5°C. Tickets: Qikou Ancient Town: Free (some attractions like Heilong Temple and Lijiashan charge separately, about 50 RMB total); North Wudang Mountain: 72 RMB/person (cable car round trip 140 RMB); Pangquangou: Forest trails free, rafting 120 RMB/person; Liu Hulan Memorial Hall: Free (reservation required). Best Seasons: Spring (April-May): Blossoming wildflowers, rhododendrons blooming in Pangquangou; Summer (June-August): Summer resort, cool Yellow River water activities at Qikou Ancient Town; Autumn (September-October): Colorful foliage, red leaves covering North Wudang Mountain. 2. Essentials Clothing: Bring a light jacket in summer (large temperature difference in mountains), non-slip shoes (steep stone steps at North Wudang Mountain); in winter, down jacket and anti-slip chains are needed. Gear: Sunscreen, umbrella (weather changes frequently in mountains), power bank, trekking poles (for hiking at North Wudang Mountain). Others: ID card, student ID (for discounts), cash (some villages have poor signal), mosquito repellent (for summer forest areas). 2. Transportation Guide: How to Get to Lvliang 1. Long-distance Transport Self-driving: From Taiyuan: Take Jingkun Expressway → Qingyin Expressway, about 2.5 hours; From Xi’an: Take Baomao Expressway → Qingyin Expressway, about 5 hours. High-speed train/Train: Lvliang Station (city area): Regular trains stop here; take a bus to the city center (about 20 minutes, fare 2 RMB); Lvliang North Station (some high-speed trains stop): 30 km from city center, taxi about 40 RMB. Bus: From Taiyuan Jiannan Bus Station → Lvliang Passenger Transport Terminal (about 3 hours, fare 60 RMB). 2. City and Scenic Area Transport Bus: Covers main city attractions, but chartered cars are needed between scenic spots; Chartered car: Recommended for touring Qikou Ancient Town and North Wudang Mountain (about 400 RMB/day); Carpool: Local guesthouses can help arrange carpooling (about 150 RMB/person/day). 3. Accommodation Recommendations: From Ancient Town Inns to Mountain Lodges 1. Qikou Ancient Town (Recommended) Advantages: Stay overnight by the Yellow River, feel the atmosphere of the ancient commercial route. Recommendations: Qikou Inn (200-300 RMB/night): Renovated Ming and Qing dynasty houses, windows facing the Yellow River; Yellow River Family (150-200 RMB/night): Budget option, 5-minute walk to Heilong Temple. 2. Lvliang City Area (Convenient) Advantages: Convenient dining, suitable for transit. Recommendations: Lvliang International Hotel (400-600 RMB/night): Four-star, includes breakfast; Beichuan River Guesthouse (200-300 RMB/night): Like "Mountain Residence Listening to Waves," quiet and serene. 3. Pangquangou (For Nature Lovers) Advantages: Close to forest trails, ideal for hiking enthusiasts. Recommendations: Pangquangou Resort (300-500 RMB/night): Wooden villas, includes breakfast; Farmhouse (100-150 RMB/night): Simple and clean, experience farmhouse meals. 4. Three Days Two Nights In-depth Itinerary: Culture + Nature + Red Memories Day 1: Qikou Ancient Town + Lijiashan (Yellow River Commercial Route and Cave Dwelling Secrets) Theme: Ancient Town → Yellow River Culture → Cave Dwelling Art Morning: Qikou Ancient Town (8:30-11:30): A Yellow River water transport hub from the Ming, Qing to Republic periods, known as the "First Town of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River"; Must-see: Heilong Temple (highest point of the town), Ming and Qing Street (stone slabs + old shops), Erdao Street (folk customs display); Tip: Arrive before 8 am to avoid tour groups and enjoy the morning light alone. Noon: Lunch at Qikou Ancient Town’s "Yellow River Family" (recommended Yellow River carp, minjian noodles). Afternoon: Lijiashan Village (13:30-16:00): The "Han Family Village" depicted by Wu Guanzhong, terraced cave dwellings built on the mountain, known as the "Potala Palace on the Loess Plateau"; Activities: Hike to the mountaintop viewing platform for a panoramic view; explore inside the cave dwellings to feel ancient wisdom. Evening: Return to Qikou Ancient Town, take a boat cruise on the Yellow River at night (50 RMB/person, about 40 minutes), watch the sunset glow over the river. Night: Ancient town night market (try bowl-shaped steamed buns, jujube cake, Yellow River shrimp). Day 2: North Wudang Mountain + Anguo Temple (Taoist Paradise and Tang Dynasty Ancient Temple) Theme: Taoist Sacred Site → Mountain Climbing Challenge → Ancient Architecture Exploration Morning: North Wudang Mountain (8:30-12:00): Famous Taoist mountain, main peak Xianglu Peak at 1487 meters, known for its "strangeness, danger, and beauty"; Must-see: Zhenwu Hall (mountaintop), Xuantian Bridge (cliff plank road), Stone Turtle Watching the Sea (strange rock); Route: Recommended to take the cable car up (one way 70 RMB), hike down (about 1.5 hours), enjoy the strange rock forest along the way. Noon: Lunch at the foot of the mountain "Wudang Restaurant" (recommended oat noodles and stir-fried wild vegetables). Afternoon: Anguo Temple (13:30-15:30): Tang Dynasty ancient temple built on the mountain, grand halls, praised by Liang Sicheng as the "Chinese Ancient Architecture Museum"; Must-see: Bronze Guanyin statue, Ming Dynasty murals, ancient cypress trees. Evening: Return to Lvliang city area, experience the night market (recommended Liulin sesame cakes, Xiaoyi fire-baked bread). Day 3: Pangquangou Canyon / Liu Hulan Memorial Hall (Natural Wonders or Red Education) Theme: Forest Hiking → Waterfall Play → Heroic Memories Option A (Nature Lovers): Pangquangou National Nature Reserve (8:30-12:00): One of the larger primeval forests in North China, includes the 80-meter-high "Badaogou Waterfall"; Activities: Hike forest trails (about 3 km), breathe in negative oxygen ions; in summer, try rafting (120 RMB/person, about 1 hour). Tip: Wear non-slip shoes, bring mosquito repellent; prepare change of clothes for rafting. Option B (Red Education): Liu Hulan Memorial Hall (8:30-11:00): Free admission, exhibits the life story of female hero Liu Hulan; in front of the hall is Mao Zedong’s inscription "Great in life, glorious in death"; Must-see: Martyrs’ cemetery, monument, former residence site. Wenshui County Zhetian Shengmu Temple (11:30-12:30): Wu Zetian’s ancestral temple, Tang Dynasty style architecture, learn about the empress culture. Return: Depending on your schedule, you can choose to return directly or buy Lvliang specialties (walnuts, red dates, Liulin bowl-shaped steamed buns). 5. Food Guide: Taste the Flavors of Lvliang 1. Must-try Specialties Liulin Bowl-shaped Steamed Buns: Made from buckwheat flour, served with garlic vinegar sauce, smooth texture; Yellow River Carp: Specialty of Qikou Ancient Town, tender meat, steamed or braised; Minjian Noodles: Small pointed strips made from bean or buckwheat flour, served with pickled vegetables and tofu sauce; Xiaoyi Fire-baked Bread: Crispy outside, various fillings (meat, sugar, jujube paste). 2. Recommended Restaurants Qikou Ancient Town "Yellow River Family": Authentic Yellow River cuisine, rustic environment; Lvliang City "Old Lvliang Restaurant": Clay pot stews, Pingding kouwan specialty. 3. Pitfall Tips Specialty shops inside scenic areas are overpriced; it is recommended to buy walnuts and red dates at city supermarkets; Small snacks like bowl-shaped steamed buns are small portions, try several kinds. 6. Notes: Safety and Cultural Respect Hiking North Wudang Mountain: Some sections are steep, wear non-slip shoes, bring water and snacks; Yellow River water activities: Pay attention to safety, avoid deep water areas; Pangquangou Forest: Do not leave the group, follow reserve regulations; Red sites: Keep quiet, do not touch cultural relics. Lvliang, an underestimated treasure land In three days and two nights, from the Yellow River shouts of Qikou Ancient Town to the sea of clouds at North Wudang Mountain, from the forest whispers of Pangquangou to the heroic spirit of Liu Hulan, Lvliang redefines the meaning of "niche travel" with its profound history and natural beauty. Here, there are no crowded crowds, only echoes of history and gifts of nature!

Lüliang is a charming city rich in natural landscapes and profound historical and cultural heritage. Here is a two-day, one-night travel guide covering six attractions: Day 1: Qikou Ancient Town - Lijiashan Village - North Wudang Mountain - Morning: After arriving in Lüliang, head to Qikou Ancient Town. Qikou Ancient Town is a millennium-old town on the Yellow River and one of the birthplaces of Shanxi merchants, known as "The First Town of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River." Stroll along the Ming and Qing dynasty streets, admire ancient buildings such as escort agencies, draft banks, and pawnshops, and experience the prosperity of Shanxi merchant culture. Climb the Black Dragon Temple to overlook the entire town and the Yellow River scenery. - Afternoon: Depart from Qikou Ancient Town and head to Lijiashan Village. Lijiashan Village was praised by the national painting master Wu Guanzhong as one of the three great discoveries of his life. The village’s cave dwellings are layered and staggered, allowing you to appreciate the unique residential style of the Loess Plateau. After the visit, proceed to North Wudang Mountain, a famous Taoist mountain known as "The First Famous Mountain of Sanjin." You can climb the steep peaks, enjoy natural scenery such as strange peaks, bizarre rocks, and dense forests along the way, and visit the Taoist temple at the summit to experience the profound Taoist culture. - Evening: Stay near North Wudang Mountain and savor local specialties such as knife-cut noodles, Youmian Kaolaolao (a type of buckwheat noodle), and rice balls. Day 2: Jin-Sui Border Revolutionary Memorial Hall - Guashan - Liu Hulan Memorial Hall - Morning: Visit the Jin-Sui Border Revolutionary Memorial Hall, located in Caijiaya Village, Caijiaya Township, Xing County, Lüliang City. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national patriotic education demonstration base. The hall houses over 4,300 cultural relics, allowing you to learn about the revolutionary struggles of the Lüliang people during the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War, and to pay tribute to the revolutionary martyrs. - Noon: Have lunch nearby and try Lüliang specialties such as Xiaoyi roasted meat sandwich and Lin County mixed vegetable stew. - Afternoon: Head to Guashan, named for its cluster of peaks arranged like the trigrams of the I Ching. It is a 4A-level scenic area featuring eight towering peaks, layered ridges, and ancient cypress trees, which are a major attraction due to their strange and interesting shapes. The Tianning Temple on the mountain was founded in the first year of the Tang Zhen Guan era and is the earliest and largest Buddhist temple among the many temples on Guashan. Then visit the Liu Hulan Memorial Hall, located in Liu Hulan Village, Liu Hulan Town, Wenshui County, Lüliang City. The white marble monument in front of the hall bears Mao Zedong’s handwritten inscription: "Great in life, glorious in death." The exhibition room mainly displays 74 relics of martyr Liu Hulan and paintings and various documents reflecting her life story, where you can commemorate the martyr and feel the revolutionary spirit. Transportation and Accommodation - Transportation: Lüliang’s attractions are quite spread out, so it is recommended to rent a car or drive for flexible itinerary arrangements; public transportation is also available, with tourist shuttle buses to some attractions, but transfers may be required, which can be time-consuming. - Accommodation: On the first day, you can choose to stay at a hotel or guesthouse near North Wudang Mountain for convenience the next day; alternatively, you can return to Qikou Ancient Town and stay in cave dwellings within the town, such as Qikou Inn or Yellow River Family, to experience a unique lodging atmosphere.

Every time I go out to explore ancient sites and rural temples, the thing that makes me happiest is not discovering or finding something special, but chatting with the local cultural heritage protectors, the elderly uncles and aunties. I don’t know why, but I love chatting with them, freely and openly, saying whatever comes to mind without holding back. It just feels very comfortable. Sitting in the courtyard, having a casual chat, and when leaving, they endlessly remind me to take it slow on the road. I find this even more joyful than seeing a stunning ancient building. This is also why it’s hard for me to go out with my companions. Guangzu Longwang Temple is located in Guangzu Village, Tianning Town, Jiaocheng County. It faces south, with the courtyard measuring 18.22 meters long from north to south and 15.84 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of 289 square meters. The exact date of its founding is unknown. It was renovated in the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign (1843) and the 19th year of the Republic of China (1931). The existing structure is a Qing Dynasty relic. At the south end of the central axis is the mountain gate, and at the north end is the main hall. On the east and west sides, from south to north, are the bell (drum) towers, side halls, and ear halls. The mountain gate is one bay wide, four purlins deep, with a five-beam frame, a single-eave hanging gable roof, and features a set of dougong brackets with six clusters. The main hall is three bays wide, four purlins deep, with a four-beam front porch frame, a single-eave hanging gable roof, and features dougong brackets with seven clusters of three-step single-angled brackets. The rear wall has a 14.28 square meter mural of the "Dragon King and All Beings," while the murals on the interior gable walls are faded and unclear.

**🟢 Green Route · Basic Pilgrimage Line (1 hour)** **Theme: Ancient Temple of a Thousand Years · Core Pilgrimage** 1. **Mountain Gate Plaza** (🟢 Starting Point) → 2. **Hall of Heavenly Kings** (Ming Dynasty Statues) → 3. **Mahavira Hall** (Main Shrine of Shakyamuni Buddha) → 4. **Seven Buddhas Hall** (Liao Dynasty Painted Sculptures) → 5. **Thousand Buddha Pavilion** (Panoramic Viewpoint) ✅ **Suitable for**: Visitors with limited time or first-time visitors, focusing on key cultural relics. **🟠 Orange Route · Cultural In-depth Line (1.5 hours)** **Theme: History and Humanities · Artistic Exploration** 1. **Stele Corridor** (🟠 Starting Point, Stone Inscriptions from Various Dynasties) → 2. **Patriarch Hall** (History of the Pure Land School) → 3. **Sutra Library** (Ancient Book Exhibits) → 4. **Pagoda Forest** (Tombs of Eminent Monks) → 5. **Zen Tea Garden** (Rest and Tea Tasting) ✅ **Suitable for**: Culture enthusiasts, recommended with guided tours. **🔵 Blue Route · Nature and Zen Meditation Line (2 hours)** **Theme: Serenity in Nature · Mindful Journey** 1. **Back Mountain Trail** (🔵 Starting Point, Pine Forest and Streams) → 2. **Guanyin Cave** (Natural Stone Grotto) → 3. **Listening Spring Pavilion** (Waterfall Viewpoint) → 4. **Meditation Platform** (Meditation Experience) → 5. **Vegetarian Dining Hall** (Healthy Vegetarian Meals) ✅ **Suitable for**: Visitors seeking tranquility or natural scenery, recommended to wear non-slip shoes. **💜 Purple Special Recommendations** - **Night Tour of Xuanzhong Temple** (Weekends Only): Ancient architecture illuminated by lights, guided by purple light strips, reservation required. - **Dharma Assembly Events**: Check the temple's bulletin board (dates marked in red). --- **📌 Practical Tips** 1. **Color Coding**: The scenic area map and signposts use matching color-coded labels; scan QR codes for audio guides. 2. **Accessible Pathways**: The green route is fully ramped and wheelchair-friendly. 3. **Best Photo Spots**: Thousand Buddha Pavilion (sunset), Stele Corridor (light and shadow), Listening Spring Pavilion (water scenery). > "One color, one Pure Land; one step, one Zen heart" — Xuanzhong Temple welcomes you!

Hey everyone 😎, May-June in Lüliang is absolutely heavenly! Average temperatures of 15℃-25℃, neither cold nor hot, wildflowers in full bloom, and most importantly, fewer tourists with gorgeous scenery—every casual photo looks like a masterpiece! The folds of the Loess Plateau hide thousand-year-old villages, Yellow River wonders, famous Taoist mountains, and the fragrant Xinghua Village. Let's go check it out now! 💨 ➤【Lüliang Introduction】 Lüliang is located in western Shanxi, where the Yellow River meets the Lüliang Mountains, featuring both the vastness of the Loess Plateau and the rich heritage of Yellow River civilization. This is a revolutionary base area where the stories of "Heroes of Lüliang" took place, and it's also the hometown of Fen liquor, with a 4,000-year history of brewing! 🍶 ➤【Scenic Highlights】 ❶ Yellow River Wonders: The First Bend of the Yellow River, Qikou Ancient Town's living fossil memories 🌊 ❷ Ancient Village Hideaways: Cave dwellings stacked layer upon layer, like poems frozen in time 🏘️ ❸ Famous Taoist Mountain: North Wudang Mountain's steep and beautiful terrain, perfect for hiking ⛰️ ❹ Liquor Town Charm: The fragrance of Xinghua Village can intoxicate the entire spring 🍻 ➤【Recommended Attractions】 ❶ Qikou Ancient Town 💰Admission: Free (some attractions charge fees) ⏰Opening Hours: All day ✨Highlights: Ming and Qing dynasty ancient docks, Yellow River water-eroded reliefs, Black Dragon Temple overlooking the confluence of two rivers, breathtaking sunsets! Cave dwelling guesthouses have amazing atmosphere~ 😍 ❷ North Wudang Mountain 💰Admission: 72 yuan ⏰Opening Hours: 7:30-18:00 ✨Highlights: Climb 1,600 steps to the summit, see the "Turtle and Snake Battle of Wits" rock formation, misty clouds creating a fairyland! The Taoist temple at the summit has strong incense offerings, get yourself a safety charm~ ⛩️ ❸ Pangquan Valley 💰Admission: 60 yuan ⏰Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30 ✨Highlights: North China's "green lungs," perfect for summer heat escape! Hiking, rafting, chance encounters with rare brown eared pheasants, and sleeping in forest cabins with the sound of streams 🌲🌿 ❹ Xinghua Village 💰Admission: Free (Museum 50 yuan) ⏰Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30 ✨Highlights: Visit the Fen Liquor Museum, taste freshly brewed raw liquor, take traditional-style photos in the apricot blossom forest! Must try the "Eight-Eight Banquet" in Jia Family Village—this intangible cultural heritage food is divine! 🍶 ❺ Lijia Mountain Village 💰Admission: Free ⏰Opening Hours: All day ✨Highlights: The "Han Tomb" cave dwelling cluster from Wu Guanzhong's paintings, with a phoenix-shaped terrain that's breathtaking! The potato-based food "Helengzi" made by village grandmas is so delicious you'll lick the plate~ 🏞️ 🏖【3-Day 2-Night Itinerary】 D1 Taiyuan→Qikou Ancient Town (Stay in cave dwelling guesthouse) Morning: Explore the five-li-long ancient street; Afternoon: Climb Black Dragon Temple to watch Yellow River sunset; Evening: Eat "bowl holder" noodles with sea buckthorn juice! 🌅 D2 Qikou→Lijia Mountain Village→North Wudang Mountain (Stay at mountain foot guesthouse) Rise early to photograph morning mist over cave dwellings, hike North Wudang Mountain at noon, enjoy the refreshing breeze at the summit! 🍃 D3 Pangquan Valley Rafting→Xinghua Village→Return Morning: Forest rafting; Afternoon: Slightly tipsy tour of Xinghua Village, pack two bottles of Fen liquor to take home! 🚗 ➤【Must-Try Foods】 ❶ Bowl Holder: Buckwheat cold noodles with spicy sauce, tangy and appetizing! ❷ Helengzi: Steamed potato wrapped in dough, amazing with garlic vinegar 🥔 ❸ Xiaoyi Fire-Baked Bread: Crispy baked flatbread with braised meat, breakfast staple! ❹ Eight-Eight Banquet: 8 cold dishes and 8 hot dishes, the highest courtesy for guests in Fenyang~ 🍜 ➤【Accommodation Guide】 ❶ Cave Dwelling Guesthouses: Available in Qikou Ancient Town and Lijia Mountain, stay in history for just hundreds of yuan 🛖 ❷ Forest Cabins: Small wooden cabins in Pangquan Valley, open the window to see the starry sky 🌌 ❸ City Hotels: Lüliang Wanda Jinhua Hotel, convenient location with good value 🏨 🚂【Transportation Guide】 ✈️ By Air: Taiyuan Wusu Airport→Lüliang City (2-hour drive) 🚄 By High-Speed Rail: Beijing/Xi'an→Lüliang Station, take a taxi to attractions 🚗 Self-Driving: 3 hours from Taiyuan, many mountain roads so experienced drivers recommended! ➤【Tips】 ❶ Occasional rain in May-June, bring a light jacket and sunscreen 🌂 ❷ North Wudang Mountain has steep steps, wear non-slip shoes! 👟 ❸ Buy liquor from official stores in Xinghua Village, don't get tricked by "homemade brewing" ⚠️ ❹ Narrow roads in ancient villages, be careful when passing other vehicles; hiring a car costs about 300 yuan per day 💰

**⛰️Lüliang Travel Guide | Explore "Hometown of Mountains and Rivers, Secret Land of Liquor" in 1 Minute! 🍶** 📍 **Address**: West-central Shanxi Province (High-speed train to Lüliang Station, 2-hr drive from Taiyuan/Linfen) 🔥 **Must-Visit Recommendations**: 1️⃣ **Beiwudang Mountain**: A Northern Taoist Holy Land! Climb the "Heavenly Ladder" to the top of Incense Burner Peak, with its unique pine trees, bizarre rocks, and rolling sea of clouds. Aerial photography captures its perilous beauty like a "Fairyland in the Sky" 🏔️. 2️⃣ **Qikou Ancient Town**: The First Town of the Yellow River's Nine Bends! Listen to the waves at Ming and Qing Dynasty merchant houses and the Heilong Temple, stay in a cave dwelling guesthouse, and wait for a Yellow River sunset 🌅. 3️⃣ **Pangquangou**: The Green Lung of North China! Go canyoning, explore the Brown Eared Pheasant, escape the summer heat at 23℃, and enjoy the colorful forests in autumn like an oil painting 🍂. 4️⃣ **Jiajiazhuang】Literary Village!** The filming location of Jia Zhangke's movies. Visit the Seed Cinema and art parks, and take retro industrial-style photos 📽️. 💡 **Travel Tips**: ✅ **Best Seasons**: May–October (canyoning + ancient town), winter (snow scenery of Beiwudang). ✅ **Transportation**: The attractions are scattered, so it is recommended to drive or charter a car (approx. CNY 400/day). ✅ **Must-Eat Foods**: Liulin Wantuan, Helengzi, Linxian Stew, the night market is filling for an average of CNY 20! ✅ **Hidden Gems**: Visit the Xinghuacun Fenjiu Distillery and taste the fragrance of thousand-year-old Fenjiu (don't be greedy 🍶). 📸 **Internet-Famous Spots**: 🌉 **Beiwudang Mountain Cliffside Walkway】A bottomless abyss under your feet. Daredevils can challenge the "Walk in the Clouds"! 🏮 **Qikou Heilong Temple】Climb up to overlook the Yellow River's bend and take epic photos at the ancient opera stage. ✨ **Pangquangou Canyoning】Brave the 8 km rapids. Getting wet and screaming in the summer is a must💦. 🌿 **Cangerhui Ecological Zone】Forest cabins + starry sky tents, a Nordic-style healing experience that is sure to please. 🎫 **Ticket Prices (Reference)**: - Beiwudang Mountain: CNY 72 - Qikou Ancient Town: Free (some attractions charge fees) - Pangquangou: CNY 78 (including canyoning) - Jiajiazhuang: CNY 50 💬 **Interactive Question**: Would you rather conquer the Heavenly Ladder of Beiwudang Mountain or chill out in the ancient town of the Yellow River? Share your travel personality in the comments! 👇

❤️Recommended attractions: 1. Qikou Ancient Town🏛️ Open all day Must-try foods: Lao Jie Wantuan (better with mustard), Yellow River Catfish Soup 2. Bei Wudang Mountain⛰️ Opening hours: 6:00–18:00 Tickets: CNY 48 Featured views: Wind-moving stone on the mountaintop, natural stone scenery of a tortoise and snake matching wits Recommended items to bring: Telephoto lens Nearby attractions: Former Residence of Yu Chenglong 3. Pangquangou Forest Park🌳 Opening hours: 8:00–16:30 (reservations required) Recommended activities: - Hiking on the stream trail in Badagou - Pangquangou rafting (open in May, reservations required 3 days in advance) 4. First Bend of the Yellow River🏞️ Opening hours: 8:30–18:00 (reservations required) Best experience: - Overlooking the 180° turn of the Yellow River from the mountaintop viewing platform - Drone aerial photography (available for rent in the scenic area) Recommended time: After 3pm, when there are fewer people and better light 5. Zetian Shengmu Temple🛕 Opening hours: 8:30–17:30 Tickets: Free Hidden attraction: Fenghuang Terrace behind the temple offers a distant view of Wenshui County 6. Anguo Temple🕍 Opening hours: 8:00–18:00 Tickets: CNY 10 Featured experiences: - Dragon Spring water from the back mountain can be collected - Photograph the Five Dragon Wall and the Chinese Scholar Tree in the same frame Recommended foods: 😍😍😍 1. Wantuan (with mustard) 2. Yellow River Catfish Soup 3. Shanxi Aged Vinegar 4. Daoxiaomian 5. Pingyao Beef Travel tips: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 1. May–October is the best time to visit 2. There is a large temperature difference in the mountains, so it is recommended to bring a coat 3. Reservations are required for some attractions 4. Prepare cash for unexpected needs 5. Respect local customs Transportation recommendations: 🚗🚗 1. Taiyuan is a transportation hub, so it is recommended to start from here 2. You can choose to charter a car or take a long-distance bus between attractions 3. Pay attention to safe driving on mountain roads Special reminders: ❣️❣️ 1. Protect cultural relics and historic sites 2. Pay attention to the opening hours of the scenic area 3. Bring sunscreen 4. Prepare comfortable hiking shoes

### **⛰️ Sketch by Lui Leung** Lu Liang = Shanxi's "wild cousin", left hand Yellow River right hand loess slope, focusing on a ** "soil hi soil hi" ** hard-core romance. - **Slogan**: "Our mountains here will sing, the wind will rap, and Xintianyou is more refreshing than your alarm clock!" - **For the crowd**: Wild kids who want to escape the city, folk song lovers, noodle terminators, warriors who want to prove they have good legs --- ### **🚗 Must-See Attractions Recommendation** **1. The Ancient Town of Jikou (Yellow River Version of Venice)** - **Points to watch**: The Yellow River Pier in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, now changed to "Celebrity Photography Base" - **How ​​to play**: - Count the sheepskin rafts on the Yellow River from the Black Dragon Temple (you will start to get seasick when you count 3). - When staying in a kiln cave B&B, ask: is it "primitive" or "true pristine" (the latter may have spiders sharing) - **Cold Knowledge**: The ground of the shops in the ancient town is lower than the door frames - it's not subsidence, it's hundreds of years of "marks of age" washed by the Yellow River water. **2.North Wudang Mountain (Steel Straight Male Version of Wudang)**** - **Features**: - The stairs are so steep that I doubt my life. After reaching the top, I can proudly post in my circle of friends: "Conquered Xiaohua Mountain in the north." - The dojo of Emperor Zhenwu, but the most effective is to treat "phobia of heights" (just scare) - **Money-saving tips**: Villagers at the foot of the mountain will sell "climbing sticks", which actually have the same effect of picking up a branch **3. Pangquangou (natural air-conditioned room for Shanxi people)** - **How ​​to play**: - Come rafting in summer, splashes specialize in all kinds of disobedience - Pretending to encounter brown-horse fowls (Shanxi provincial birds), they are actually even harder to see than the leaders - **WARNING**: Don't drink mountain spring water casually unless you want to experience "pure natural detox" **4. Apricot Village (Apilgrimage Site for Alcoholics)** - **Must Do**: - Take a deep breath at the winery – the alcohol content can be even higher in the air than in a bar - Be cautious and try to "receive raw pulp", otherwise the afternoon trip will become a "bed-finding trip" --- ### **🍜Lu Leung Foodie Guide** **[Carbohydrate Bomb Package]** - **Oatmeal 栲栳栳**: Luliang people use oatmeal noodles to make "spaghetti", ordering mutton noodles can eat the majesty of the loess high slopes - **Bowl Tuan**: Buckwheat made cold food, drizzled with old vinegar and spicy oil, sour and spicy refreshing level comparable to first love - **Yellow Rice Oil Cake**: Fried carbohydrates + sugar, Shanxi people's "donut", eat one can endure hunger for three hours **【Hard Core Snacks】** - **合 fool**: QQ bouncing balls made of potatoes, dot sauce to eat out the illusion of "Shanxi bowl chicken" - **Xiaoyi Fire Roast**: Bigger than the face of the cake, recommended for two people to share, otherwise you do not want to see the flour for the next three days - **Lin County Tofu**: Tofu made with Yellow River water, the soy flavor is so rich that I suspect that I used to eat fake tofu --- ### **😴 Accommodation Recommendation (Poor Travel Version)** - **秧kou Kiln Cave Inn**: 80-120 dollars/night, warm in winter and cool in summer, the disadvantage is that the WiFi signal may not be enough to spread far - **Lishi City Express Hotel**: 100 dollars or so, suitable for "be a wild man in the morning, a modern man at night" switch - **Pangquangou Farmhouse**: 150 dollars/day including accommodation, but the whole village turns off the lights on time after 9pm, night owls choose carefully --- ### **💡 Trivia Egg** 1. The Luliang people call potatoes "yam eggs", but they are not related by blood to real yams 2. The local folk song "Blooming Tune" sings "peach blossom red apricot white", which is actually disguised to praise one's hometown 3. In the wine cellar of Apricot Village, there are some wines older than your age (but don’t think of stealing them). **Final advice**: - Don't compete with the Lu Liang people for drinking, they drink from wine bottles - Buy vinegar to be sure of "Ninghuafu", otherwise you may buy "Shanxi old vinegar youth version" - Beware of the flock when taking photos, they know how to pose better than you (The strategy is over! I wish you to develop a pair of iron legs in Lu Liang and reap a steel-like stomach!)

The hotels around Taiyuan are really great. They are comfortable to stay in. When traveling to Shanxi, take the west exit of the Qingcun Expressway ramp to get to the hotel. I fell in love with the room at first sight. It was clean and hygienic.

Autumn in Pangquangou starts in the second week of October every year! The larch trees slowly turn yellow, and the mountains are full of colors. 🚙Transportation: Depart from Taiyuan, drive for more than two hours, and drive on mountain roads for one hour. The road conditions are good, and the scenery along the way is nice. Follow the Wenyu River to reach Pangquangou. Suitable for camping. You can drive to the riverbank near Pangquangou and enjoy the autumn scenery.

| The stone wall is a shadow of the Pure Land, and the master once set up a Pure Land court. Xuanzhong Temple | The stone wall is a shadow of the Pure Land, and the master once set up a Pure Land court. Explore the depths of Lvliang, outside the hustle and bustle of Jiaocheng, there is the thousand-year-old Xuanzhong Temple, the birthplace of Amitabha Buddha, one of the ancestral courts of the Pure Land Sect. Do you know its secrets and glory? Crossing the hustle and bustle and stepping into Xuanzhong Temple is like stepping into another time and space. The ancient temple is built on the mountain, quiet and deep, the Heavenly King Hall has the legacy of the Ming Dynasty, the four heavenly kings are colorful and extraordinary, and they are treasures in the temple. Ancient steles stand tall, and the ink treasures of the Tang Dynasty female calligrapher Gao Shi of Bohai have been re-engraved in the Jin Dynasty, but they are still precious. On both sides of the Daxiong Hall, the Song, Yuan and Qing dynasties were inlaid with stone tablets, and the calligraphy was exquisite. The works of Wang Shilu were particularly eye-catching. Although the ancient temple has been baptized by war, the tranquility and solemnity make people forget the troubles of the world and feel the true meaning of the Pure Land of Buddhism. Are you also attracted by the ancient and mysterious Xuanzhong Temple? Come to the comment area to share your feelings, let us explore more stories behind the ancient temples together!

Wenshui is not far from Jiaocheng. From Wenshui to Guashan (Jiaocheng Guashan is located 3 kilometers north of Jiaocheng County), the distance is about 30-40 kilometers. Today, I drove there. The road was smooth and it took only more than 40 minutes to get there. Since ancient times, there has been a saying among the people: "The cypress of Guashan, the pine of Huangshan, and the bamboo of Yunqi." It can be seen that the cypress of Guashan is the best in the world. Their history can be traced back to a thousand years ago. They have experienced the vicissitudes of life and witnessed countless changes. The cypress trees have different shapes. Some are tall and straight, reaching into the sky; some are twisted and twisted, like a lying dragon. Each of them has a wonderful folk legend, which can be described as a historical "living fossil". They are evergreen all year round, adding a deep green to Guashan. The "First Mountain" written by the Song Dynasty calligraphy master Mi Fu on the top of the temple gate is strong and powerful, and the momentum is magnificent. Walking on the small road of Guashan, it seems to hear the echo of history. The ancient cypress trees and the solemn temples complement each other. We are intoxicated in this quiet world, feeling the magic of nature and the profound historical heritage, and we are reluctant to leave. Today's journey is really comfortable. If you want to experience the beauty of Guashan, come and feel it.

We got up early and came to the thousand-year-old Xuanzhong Temple with a few friends. The gate was not open yet, and a few monks were sweeping the floor. We negotiated with the monks and they let us in. We cleaned the temple. Amitabha, the monks actually agreed. The temple gate opened, and an ancient atmosphere came oncoming. The halls are scattered and elegant. As the birthplace of the Pure Land Sect, the Sanskrit here is lingering, full of a sense of sacredness. The surrounding mountains and forests are surrounded by quietness. We swept the floor and admired it, as if we could touch the context of history and feel the unique charm of the thousand-year-old temple.

The autumn in Pangquangou is a painting given by nature, from dark green to golden, dark red, and then brown, forming a clear autumn oil painting. Hiking in the primeval forest, it seems that every tree is telling its own beautiful picture, every detail is full of poetry and tenderness, and the autumn wind gradually changes the forest into colorful autumn clothes. The red and yellow sea buckthorn fruits are full of branches, like strings of amber, lighting up the tranquility of autumn. The mountains surrounded by clouds and mist are like light ink landscape paintings, revealing a quiet beauty. This hazy beauty makes people feel a kind of tranquility and depth beyond the world, as if they are in a fairyland that is independent of the world. Walking in the forest, stepping on the golden carpet woven by countless fallen leaves, every step seems to be able to hear the song of autumn. The fallen leaves witness the change of seasons and also tell the endless life of nature. 📍Scenic spot address: Pangquangou National Nature Reserve is located at the junction of the northwest of Jiaocheng County and the northeast of Fangshan County in Shanxi Province, located in the middle of the Luliang Mountains, and is a natural reserve for wild animals and plants 🚗Scenic spot traffic: self-driving 👍️Must-visit attractions: The hiking routes in Pangquangou include: "Dashagou Ring Line, ~ Qianyunding Mountain Ring Line and ‌Gujishan Hiking Route. ‌‌ 🎟️Ticket related: 30 yuan ticket 💗Other tips: 📍Dashagou Ring Line‌ is a popular hiking route with a total length of about 14 kilometers and a time of about 6-7 hours. The starting point of the route is the 302 provincial road, passing through Dashagou, along the way you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery, such as canyons, streams and forests. 📍Qianyunding Mountain Ring Line‌ is about 10 kilometers in total and takes about 4-5 hours. The starting point of the route is ‌Jiaocheng Diaowo Village, passing through Qianyunding Mountain, the top of the mountain is flat and open, surrounded by lush pines, oaks and other tall trees, the scenery is spectacular. 📍‌Gujishan Hiking Route‌ is the hiking route of Gujishan, the highest peak of Pangquangou, with a total length of about 10 kilometers and a time of about 5-6 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the primeval forest, strange peaks and rocks, and streams, and you can also pick mushrooms.

Jiaocheng Guashan | The Smoke Temple listens to the thousand valleys of cypress, the stubborn rock naturally forms the hexagrams. Jiaocheng, located at the foot of Luliang Mountain, is an industrially developed place among the four counties in the plain, with factories everywhere and trucks passing through. But hidden in the mountains on the west side of Jiaocheng is Xuanzhong Temple, one of the Pure Land ancestral courts, which is said to be the first manifestation of Amitabha Buddha in China. Near the city is Guashan Tianning Temple, famous for its cypress trees. The cypress trees of Guashan are known for their age and graceful posture, earning the name "Huangshan Pine, Guashan Cypress." The connotation of "ancient temples hidden in deep mountains" makes this small city near Taiyuan worth a visit. Guashan is the cultural card of Jiaocheng. It is said that the peculiar mountain shape corresponds to the principles of the "Yi" (Book of Changes), hence the name Guashan. Tianning Temple and Guashan Academy are listed as national level six, preserving a complete group of wooden structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties. On the peak of the mountain, there is a stone Buddha hall enshrining Tang dynasty Buddha statues. Therefore, when Tianning Temple was announced as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units, its era spanned from the Tang to the Qing dynasties. What attracts attention in Guashan is none other than Tianning Temple and the thousand-year-old cypress trees growing all over the mountain. Only trees over a thousand years old are qualified to be tagged. The ancient cypress trees are dense, making it a pure land on earth. Guashan currently does not charge an entrance fee, but you can choose to take a scenic shuttle bus to skip the hiking trail to Tianning Temple. For those who are short on time, it is better to leave the hiking opportunity to the local leisure visitors. After passing through the mountain gate, you will face the Thousand Buddha Pavilion built over brick caves. The courtyard between the Thousand Buddha Pavilion and the mountain gate preserves a large number of steles, among which a late Ming iron stele is quite rare. Walking down the dark and steep steps under the Thousand Buddha Pavilion to the Daxiong Hall, you will suddenly feel enlightened. The ancient cypress trees in front of the hall stand upright or slant out, each with a different posture but all vigorous. The tranquility and solemnity of the ancient temple are evident here. The Daxiong Hall is a relic from the Zhengde period of the Ming dynasty, with five rooms in width and three rooms in depth, and a single-eaved gable roof. The statues of the Three Buddhas inside are works from the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, with a stable and orderly style. Behind the Daxiong Hall is the Pilu Pavilion, a relic from the Qing dynasty, with three rooms in width and four rooms in depth, and a two-story three-eaved gable roof. Except for the top floor, the other floors do not have dougong (bracket sets). This wooden pavilion is grand and has a lot of appreciation value. Inside, there is a small wooden shrine enshrining the vertical Three Buddhas. Continuing to climb for about twenty minutes, you can reach the Baodeng Wangfo Hall, marked as the Stone Buddha Hall on the scenic map. The hall is a relic from the Chenghua period of the Ming dynasty but has undergone major repairs, so it lacks much ancient charm. The Tang dynasty stone Buddha inside the hall is very majestic, and some murals are preserved on both sides. There is also a miniature Guanyin Hall on a cypress tree here. After leaving the Stone Buddha Hall and descending the mountain back to the back of Tianning Temple, walk to the right facing the back wall of the temple to reach the Pagoda Forest, which has twenty-two tomb pagodas and is a secluded place in Guashan. Following the path beside the Pagoda Forest down the mountain, you will return to the right side of the Tianning Temple mountain gate. Next to Tianning Temple is Guashan Academy, which can be visited along the way.

❤️Detailed guide to the first rafting in North China in Pangquangou, Luliang, Shanxi 🌿Driving from Jinzhong Yuci to Taiyuan on the highway, the whole journey takes about 3 hours, half on the highway and half on the national highway (there are many trucks on the national highway, and it is also a winding mountain road, so the traffic jam was quite serious on the way back). The scenery is more beautiful when you are almost there. 👉🏻Parking is divided into upper and lower docks, unified parking fee: 10 yuan (paid once at the upper and lower docks) 👉🏻Rafting ticket: 148 yuan (online ticket purchase) ❤️It is recommended to park at the lower pier (the shower room is at the lower pier, which is convenient for taking a shower directly after rafting) and then take a car to the upper pier to pick up the ticket. 🌿You can park your car at the upper pier. After rafting, you can take a shuttle bus (included in the ticket, but the waiting time is long. You can pay 10 yuan for the driver to take the car to the upper pier. There are paid ones around) return to the upper pier, and then drive to the lower pier ❤️Rafting essential checklist: Mobile phone waterproof bag Change of clothes and towels Toiletries, sunscreen products .Goggles/swimming goggles/sunglasses Raincoat (only windproof, clothes will still get wet) Stainless steel basin (this is better than a plastic scoop and is suitable for close combat) Water Gun Episode 1△Long Range Chase match Slippers (try not to wear flip-flops as they can easily float away) Waterproof bandage (to prevent scratches) .Waterproof sticker The total duration is about three hours. The rafting starts at 1 o'clock and admission stops at 3 o'clock. You can get off the boat and participate in water splashing in the middle of the rafting route. There are 4-6 people in a boat, and it can only float if there are enough people. If there are not enough people, the staff will help you get them together. When rafting, try to wear sunscreen and long pants to avoid sunburn.

The Pure Land School is a practice that simplifies the profound Buddhist theories into easy-to-follow methods, accommodating the expectations and aspirations of believers. By chanting the name of "Amitabha Buddha", people can transform the "joy, anger, sorrow and happiness" in their hearts into their longing for the future Western Paradise. It was advocated by the eminent monk Huiyuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty and founded by the eminent monk Shandao of the Tang Dynasty. It became widely popular, especially in the middle Tang Dynasty. Its representatives are the three eminent monks Tanluan, Daochuo and Shandao, who are usually called the founders of the Pure Land Sect. When tracing the place where Pure Land Buddhism was spread, one must inevitably mention Xuanzhong Temple in Jiaocheng County. Xuanzhong Temple was founded in the second year of Yanxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (472 AD) and completed in the first year of Chengming in the Northern Wei Dynasty (476 AD). ), is located in the Shibi Mountain 10 kilometers northwest of Jiaocheng County. It is a place with steep mountains and a quiet environment with beautiful scenery. But the fame of Xuanzhong Temple spread throughout the world not only due to its elegant scenery, but mainly due to the prosperity and development of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the eminent monk Tanluan came to Shibi Mountain. On the one hand, he worked hard to build a temple; on the other hand, he studied Buddhist classics, wrote books, and vigorously promoted the Pure Land doctrine. His "Commentary on the Sutra of Contemplation of the Infinite Life Buddha" is praised as one of the three major sutras of the Pure Land Sect. For a time, the temple was crowded with people, all beings were happy and praising, and the sound of chanting Buddha's name echoed throughout the forest and valley. Eminent monks such as Daochuo in the late Sui Dynasty and Shandao in the early Tang Dynasty followed their teacher's aspirations, chanted Buddha's name with beads, promoted the sect's style, expanded and repaired the temple, which brought this ancient temple into its heyday and made the Pure Land Sect famous both at home and abroad. In the ninth year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty (635 AD), Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, visited the temple in person as the Son of Heaven and donated "many treasures" to pray for future generations and eliminate disasters, and named it "Shibi Yongning Zen Temple"; in the seventh year of Yuanhe in the Tang Dynasty (812 AD), Emperor Xianzong of Tang named it "Longshan Shibi Yongning Temple"; until 1231, Emperor Taizong of Yuan named it "Longshan Huguo Yongning Shifang Daxuanzhong Zen Temple", and since then it has been named "Xuanzhong Temple". It is worth mentioning that during the Tang Dynasty, when Xuanzhong Temple was flourishing During that period, the Japanese monk Ennin came to the Tang Dynasty to study the Tiantai Sect and Esoteric Buddhism, and also absorbed the Pure Land Sect. From then on, the Pure Land Sect of Chinese Buddhism spread to Japan. Afterwards, the Japanese monk Genku founded the Japanese Pure Land Sect, and his disciple Genshin founded the Jodo Shinshu Sect. The believers and disciples of these two sects all call China's Tanluan, Daochuo, Shandao and others their ancestors, and regard Xuanzhong Temple as their ancestral temple. The most worth seeing things in the temple are the inscriptions from past dynasties. Here there are statue steles from the Northern Wei, Northern Qi and Sui dynasties, the ordination platform stele, the temple, village and forest four boundaries stele from the Tang Dynasty, and the stele in praise of the Iron Maitreya Statue in Shibi Temple. In addition, there are dozens of steles from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. These inscriptions, dating from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, are not only a group of artistic treasures, but also a rare group of historical documents for studying the history of Chinese Buddhism, especially the Pure Land Sect. Just as the couplet on the Patriarch Hall says: "Tanzu, Daozu and Shanzu, three generations of ancestors promoted the Pure Land; the Buddha treasure, Dharma treasure and Sangha treasure, the precious raft for thousands of years will cross the maze."

Come to Pangquangou to experience the romance of autumn 2.5h Navigation from Taiyuan [Badaogou] There is a section of road under construction on the way, and if you are unlucky, you may encounter traffic jams. It is recommended to leave early I didn't go into the scenic area, but the scenery along the way was already beautiful. The weather is cold recently, so it is recommended to bring a down jacket. If there is no wind, it won't be too cold.

Pangquangou Forest Park, you won't regret going there, I must recommend it to everyone. Pangquangou Nature Reserve is a place of clear mountains and waters in the vast Loess Plateau, and is the habitat of protected animals such as leopards and brown pheasants. Compared with other forest parks we have visited, it is more primitive and pure, with no traces of artificial development except for wooden plank roads and dirt roads, and the management is also very extensive, so dogs can be brought for play. At the east gate of the village, you can see a bridge leading to a mountain gully, which is a wild scenic spot. We really like this place, there are many cows eating grass and resting on the hillside at the entrance, after entering, we walk along the creek, basically no climbing, moss, dead wood, and random stones constitute a very special primitive forest scene, other tourists say there are monkeys. We let the dog run for a while after making sure no one was around, the cool weather made the dog very happy. The stream is shallow, and dogs who like water can play in the water at will. The road from Yangchitai Village to Badaogou is narrow with many large trucks, it is only 1.5 lanes but two-way traffic, frequent reversing and wrong-way driving, testing driving skills. It is recommended not to drive wide vehicles.

Xuanzhong Temple is located on the Shibi Mountain, ten kilometers northwest of Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province. It was founded in the second year of Yanxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (472 AD) and completed in the first year of Chengming (476 AD). Because the terrain here is rugged and the mountains are like walls, it was renamed 'Shibi Temple'. In 1983, Xuanzhong Temple was listed as a national key Buddhist temple in the Han area by the State Council. In 2012, it was rated as a AAAA tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration. On the central axis of Xuanzhong Temple, there are halls such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Treasure Hall, the Seven Buddhas Hall, and the Thousand Buddhas Hall, which are distributed from south to north. They are arranged from low to high, blending with the mountain. The mountain gate is a single-eave gate, and in the center are the four simple and robust characters of 'Yongning Zen Temple'. Chengdu-Jiangyou-Wu's Back Mountain in Chengdu: It takes more than three hours to get there from Chengdu (there is a checkpoint at the foot of the mountain that checks the displacement of cars below 2.0). We drove the car to the end of the asphalt road where it was difficult to walk. The parking fee at the local farmhouse is 20 yuan. If it doesn't rain, off-road vehicles can drive up.

It was founded in the second year of Yanxing (472) in the Northern Wei Dynasty and completed in the first year of Chengming (476). Therefore, the formation is stacked with mountains and the mountain is shaped like a wall, so it was renamed "Shibi Temple". From the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Xuanzhong Temple successively hosted the three founders of the Pure Land Sect of Chinese Buddhism. Amitabha Pure Land belief spread rapidly from the scholar class to the Chinese people, and then established sects and spread as far away as Korea and Japan. Xuanzhong Ancient Temple became the Following Donglin Temple in Lushan Mountain, it is another ancestral temple of the Pure Land Sect of Chinese Buddhism. In 1983, Xuanzhong Temple was listed as a national key Buddhist temple in the Han area by the State Council. In 2012, it was rated as an AAAA tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration.

Xuanzhong Temple was founded in the second year of Yanxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 472) and completed in the first year of Chengming in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 476). It is located in the middle of Shibi Mountain, 10 kilometers northwest of Jiaocheng County. The mountains here are layered and steep, the environment is quiet, and the scenery is beautiful. But the fame of Xuanzhong Temple is not only due to its elegant scenery, but mainly due to the prosperity and expansion of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the monk Tanluan came to Shibi Mountain, on the one hand, he worked hard to build the temple; on the other hand, he studied Buddhist scriptures widely, wrote books and theories, and vigorously promoted the doctrine of Pure Land. The 'Commentary on the Sutra of Contemplation on the Buddha of Infinite Life' he preached is regarded as one of the three sutras of the Pure Land Sect. For a time, the temple was bustling with people, and everyone was happy and praised, and the sound of chanting Buddha echoed in the valley. Address: In the Shibi Mountain, ten kilometers northwest of Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province Level: The seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units There is no public transportation directly to it, it is better to drive by yourself, the temple closes around four in the afternoon

Autumn Tour Pang Quangou | The October of each year is the best viewing period for the autumn of Pangquangou, so we drove to the Pangquangou National Nature Reserve. In the autumn, Pangquangou, mist concealing, Akita splendid, layered forest, dyed, colorful, dreamlike. Along the way, many cattle in groups have passed through, and some have walked on the golden grasses; some are still leisurely and dignified and stand still; others are quietly drinking water at the stream. So quiet, an idyllic landscape is in front of us.

Eleven travel