The tranquil and beautiful Erxian Temple, a must-drive destination in the South Taihang Mountains, Autumn Self-Drive Trip D7

Today's main task is mountain driving, traversing two spectacular sky roads. This is an immersive and thrilling journey into the secret realms of the Taihang Mountains. The highway winds through the mountains like a silver ribbon, with every kilometer offering the ultimate experience of "driving through a painting, traveling within a landscape." Every turn of the steering wheel brings the excitement of "seeking wonder in danger." Along the way, you occasionally encounter streams, waterfalls, and ancient villages, adding vitality and a touch of everyday life to the majestic Taihang. Before leaving Lingchuan, first visit the Xixi Erxian Temple. It backs onto the Xixi stream and faces Qifeng Mountain to the south, breaking the traditional "back mountain, face water" layout to form a unique "back water, face mountain" arrangement. Surrounded by lush pines and cypresses, with babbling streams, the scenery changes with the seasons. Built during the Tang Dynasty's Qianyuan period (758-759), it was constructed to honor the two Le sisters (Chonghui and Chongshu), who became immortals after their filial piety moved heaven and earth, protecting the local area. The temple has been repaired through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with most existing buildings dating from the Jin to Ming and Qing periods. The two courtyards are symmetrically aligned along the central axis, with the mountain gate, offering pavilion, middle hall, and main hall arranged in sequence. Side halls, dressing rooms, and ear halls are staggered on both sides, reflecting the rigorous planning and spatial aesthetics of ancient architecture. The rear hall and east and west dressing rooms are outstanding examples of Jin dynasty architecture, featuring five-bracket dougong, qin-shaped single eaves hip-and-gable roofs, and finely crafted glazed ridge beasts. On both sides of the offering pavilion stand four thousand-year-old cypress trees, with uniquely shaped tree burls that, when viewed from specific angles, resemble the "twelve zodiac animals." The same burl can show different zodiac signs from different perspectives, a marvelous blend of nature and culture. Additionally, this site was one of the filming locations for the game "Black Myth: Wukong." Huahu Road winds like a giant dragon through the towering Taihang Mountains, connecting Linzhou in Henan with Huguan in Shanxi, stretching about 51 kilometers. Especially notable is the cliff-hanging road section, where seven consecutive tunnels are embedded in sheer cliffs. The tunnels only allow single-lane traffic; drivers must turn on lights and honk before entering. Outside the window lies a thousand-meter-deep abyss, thrilling and heart-pounding yet irresistible. Multiple viewing platforms along the way overlook endless mountain ranges and deep ravines. When shrouded in mist, it feels like a fairyland; on clear days, you can see the border between Shanxi and Henan provinces, with expansive views that refresh the soul. Of course, traffic jams on Huahu Road are common. The Shenlongwan Cliff-Hanging Road Viewing Platform stands atop a cliff at an altitude of 1,000 meters, with a bottomless abyss below and the winding dragon-like cliff road before you. Standing on the platform feels like being inside a giant landscape painting. The deep Shenlongwan Grand Canyon features sheer cliffs plunging like knife cuts to the valley floor, which is lush with dense vegetation. Occasional wisps of mist add a mysterious aura. In the distance, overlapping peaks roll like waves toward the horizon, majestic and grand. This collision of "suspension" and "openness" makes the viewing platform a "courage test" challenging psychological limits and a "golden spot" for capturing the magnificent panorama of the Taihang Mountains. The Daniao Sky Road runs from Chefu Valley Village to Daniao Village. Construction began in 1982 and took many years, carved by hand with axes and chisels. The 13.6-kilometer route has a vertical drop of nearly 1,000 meters, creating the legendary "First Sky Road of Taihang" known for its perilousness. Countless sharp bends fold like silver ribbons, clinging to cliffs thousands of meters high. The narrow road only allows single-lane traffic, with a sheer cliff on one side and a bottomless gorge on the other, making every turn a tense "end of the road" moment followed by a "bright new path" surprise. Traffic jams are also common here, seemingly a standard feature of the sky road. Shibanyan Town lies deep within the Taihang Grand Canyon, surrounded by mountains at a high altitude, creating a cool and pleasant microclimate. The town is named after its unique architectural style, with many houses built from slate. Streams crisscross the town, with several stone arch bridges spanning the clear flowing water. Due to the canyon location, there is a large temperature difference and high humidity, with mist often rising like a light veil from the valley floor, sometimes wrapping mountain peaks or drifting through the streets, adding vitality to the town. At night, the town’s lively atmosphere intensifies. Lights wind along the railings of the Shibanyan Bridge, illuminating the texture of each stone slab. The water, lit by colorful lights, looks like a flowing star river. Farmhouse restaurants along the street light warm yellow lamps, with the proprietress warmly welcoming guests. Dishes like iron pot stewed native chicken, stir-fried mountain mushrooms, and corn cakes all carry the fragrance of the land. Nestled against the mountains, with mountain views from the window and water at the door, afternoons are for tea tasting and forest hiking, evenings for fireside chats. This slow lifestyle is exactly the poetry and distant dream modern people yearn for.