Shanxi Changzhi

I especially love destinations like Shanxi Changzhi that are rich in history yet low-key and off the beaten path. Based on the plan—5 days 4 nights, budget around 2000 RMB 📍 Destination: Shanxi · Changzhi City and surrounding areas (including Pingshun, Huguan, Lucheng, etc.) 📅 Duration: 5 days 4 nights 💰 Total budget: about 1800–2000 RMB per person (excluding round-trip major transportation) Note: If you depart from Taiyuan, add about 100 RMB for high-speed rail; from Beijing, high-speed rail is about 260 RMB, booking in advance is recommended. 🎒 Itinerary Overview Day Key Highlights Accommodation Photo Highlights ------ ---------- -------- ---------- D1 Arrive in Changzhi + Shangdang Gate + Night shoot at Bayi Square Changzhi City Urban nightscape, ancient architecture silhouettes D2 Taihang Grand Canyon (Baqian Gorge) day trip Huguan County Water canyon, cable car aerial shots D3 Red Flag Canal source + Taihang Water Town + Jingdi Village cliff-hanging road Pingshun County Cliff road, mountain village culture D4 Tianji Mountain (Hongyanling) + Huilong Temple Pingshun County Strange peaks and rocks, Taoist relics D5 Changzhi Museum + Return — Cultural wrap-up, slow city life 📅 Detailed Itinerary ✅ D1: First Impressions of Changzhi · City Highlights Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Changzhi East Station or Changzhi Railway Station, take a taxi or bus to city hotel (recommended to stay in [Luzhou urban area] near Bayi Square) Recommended accommodation: Home Inn/Hanting and other chain hotels, about 150 RMB/night × 4 nights = 600 RMB Afternoon activities: Visit [Shangdang Gate]—Ming Dynasty ancient architecture complex, Changzhi landmark, free admission Explore [Shangdang Battle Memorial Hall] to learn about red history (free) Evening: Stroll around [Bayi Square], shoot city night lights show Check out [Zhuoma West Street Night Market] for local snacks: Huguan mutton soup, Changzi fried pancakes, Qinxian donkey meat pancakes 💡 Blogger Tips: Wear Hanfu or Chinese-style outfits to shoot a “Dialogue between Past and Present” photo series at Shangdang Gate ✅ D2: Taihang Wonders · Baqian Gorge Exploration (Huguan) Transport: Changzhi city → Huguan Taihang Grand Canyon (bus about 1.5 hours, ticket 20 RMB; carpool round trip recommended 80 RMB/person) Attraction: Baqian Gorge Scenic Area (National 5A level) Ticket + transport package: about 150 RMB (includes boat, elevator, cable car) Visiting hours: 7:30–17:00 Highlights: Boat ride into the gorge, crystal-clear water and blue sky, very soothing Cable car flying over the gorge, perfect for aerial shots Climb to the “Sky City” glass viewing platform Dinner: Farmhouse restaurant outside the scenic area, try wild vegetables, millet porridge, stewed native chicken (about 40 RMB per person) 💡 Blogger Tips: Bring waterproof camera or GoPro for water shots; wear non-slip shoes! ✅ D3: Taihang Secret Realm · Cliff Road and Mountain Water Villages (Pingshun) Transport: Early morning transfer to Pingshun County (about 1.5 hours, carpool 60 RMB) Morning: Visit [Red Flag Canal Source] (free) The water source of Linzhou Red Flag Canal comes from Pingshun Zhuozhang River, few people and beautiful scenery, great for water conservancy cultural documentary shots Noon: Self-drive or charter along Zhuozhang River to tour [Taihang Water Town] section Optional bamboo raft drifting (50 RMB/person), picturesque green mountains on both sides Afternoon: Explore [Jingdi Village Cliff-Hanging Road] A hidden gem among hidden gems! More primitive than Guoliang, only about 100 meters long, hand-carved by villagers Free admission, great for capturing simple village life scenes Accommodation: Budget hotel in Pingshun County, about 130 RMB 💡 Blogger Tips: Shoot a first-person POV vlog “Walking the Cliff Road” with narration about the spirit of Yu Gong ✅ D4: Tianji Mountain Scenic Tour · Geological Wonders (Pingshun) Destination: Tianji Mountain Scenic Area (also known as Hongyanling) Ticket + shuttle: about 90 RMB Features: Reddish Danxia landform, cliff plank roads, waterfall clusters Highlights: Experience shouting at the “World’s No.1 Echo Wall” Walk through the “One Line Sky” narrow gap for dramatic light and shadow shots Climb to the top to overlook the vast Taihang Mountains Afternoon: Visit [Huilong Temple] on the way back (Tang Dynasty relic, national protected site, free) Extremely off the beaten path but historically valuable, great for ancient architecture details Return: Evening return to Changzhi city for accommodation 💡 Blogger Tips: Use wide-angle lens to capture geological textures; respect religious customs inside the temple ✅ D5: Cultural Wrap-up · Changzhi Museum + Farewell Morning: Visit [Changzhi City Museum] (new building, free with reservation) Rich exhibits: Shangdang area bronzes, Northern Dynasties stone carvings, painted clay sculptures Photo spots: modern architecture interior light and shadow + artifact close-ups Noon: Have your last authentic meal at the city’s old brands “Wang Ji Liangfen” or “Li Ji Pig Head Meat” Afternoon: Return according to your transport schedule 💰 Cost Breakdown (per person) Item Estimated Cost ------ ---------- Accommodation (4 nights) 150×3 + 130 = 580 RMB Meals (5 days × 60 RMB) 300 RMB Attraction tickets + transport package Baqian Gorge 150 + Tianji Mountain 90 = 240 RMB Local transport (carpool/bus) Huguan/Pingshun round trip about 200 RMB Small tickets & farmhouse meals 100 RMB Emergency reserve 100 RMB Total About 1620 RMB ✅ Remaining 380 RMB can be used to buy local specialties (such as Luzhou silk, Codonopsis, millet), upgrade photography equipment rental, or enjoy an extra coffee for a literary moment ☕ 📸 Blogger Exclusive Suggestions (Content Creation Directions) Theme video series: “I Filmed the Chinese Version of Colorado in Shanxi” — Baqian Gorge aerial shots “This Cliff Road Has Only One Household in the Whole Village” — Jingdi Village cultural record “Travel Taihang Heartland on 2000 RMB” — Budget travel vlog challenge Popular photo and text titles reference: “Changzhi, the seriously underestimated treasure of Southeast Shanxi” “No need to go to Henan, Shanxi has its own ‘Red Flag Canal’” “Deep in Taihang, I walked the most dangerous cliff road” Outfit suggestions: Hanfu/New Chinese style: suitable for ancient architecture scenes Outdoor functional wear: suitable for canyon hiking Village documentary: plain cotton and linen blend better with the environment 📌 Warm Tips: Big temperature difference between morning and night, bring a windbreaker or light down jacket Mobile signal is weak in some mountain areas, download offline maps in advance Respect villagers’ privacy, ask before shooting Hope this guide helps you create a Changzhi trip full of warmth and traffic! Wish you a smooth journey and countless great shots! —— Deepseek 🌄