Three-Day Travel Guide for Changzhi

Changzhi, historically known as "Shangdang," is located on the southern foothills of the Taihang Mountains and is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Here, you can find the magnificent landscapes of the "most exquisite section of the 800-li Taihang Mountains," as well as ancient temples, primitive villages, and revolutionary memories. This three-day guide will take you from the awe-inspiring Taihang Gorge to the tranquility of ancient architectural relics, from intangible cultural heritage crafts to authentic mountain flavors, immersing you in the "inner and outer mountains and rivers" of Changzhi! Day 1: Taihang Grand Canyon · Traverse the Most Beautiful Scar on Earth Theme: Hiking at Baquan Gorge + Exploring Hongdou Gorge + Camping under the Stars in the Canyon Morning: Baquan Gorge · Taihang Mountains Activities: Route A Hiking (Recommended): Take a boat into the valley → hike the zigzag plank road → ascend via the Sky City elevator → descend by cable car (about 4 hours, suitable for physically fit visitors); Route B Easy Tour: Take sightseeing bus + cable car + elevator, suitable for families or elderly. Tips: Entrance fee 100 RMB, sightseeing bus + boat + elevator + cable car combo ticket 180 RMB; enter the valley at 8 AM to avoid crowds, wear non-slip shoes (some plank roads are slippery). Noon: Canyon Farmhouse Cuisine · Taste the "Taihang Mountain Delicacies" Recommendation: "Taihang Renjia" farmhouse restaurant outside Baquan Gorge scenic area, must-try: Lucheng Shuai Bing: wafer-thin pancake rolled with donkey meat, served with garlic vinegar sauce; Shangdang Cured Donkey Meat: Changzhi intangible cultural heritage, firm texture, salty and slightly sweet; Wild Mushroom Soup: made with pine mushrooms and chicken mushrooms picked in the canyon, incredibly fresh. Afternoon: Hongdou Gorge · A Must-Visit "Valley of Love" for Couples Highlights: Named for the abundant yew trees, the gorge features spots like Qixianyu and Sandie Pool, said to be the love site of the Seven Fairies and Dong Yong. Walk along the stream, watch waterfalls cascade, and marvel at the strange rock formations—perfect for couples' photos. Activities: Lock "Love Locks": lock your love under the "Three Lives Stone"; Play in the Water and Stream: in summer, you can step in the water and catch small fish to cool off. Tips: Entrance fee 80 RMB, 15 km from Baquan Gorge, recommend charter or self-driving. Night: Canyon Camping · Watch the Milky Way Fall over Taihang Activities: Recommended campsite: "Starry Sky Camp" inside Baquan Gorge scenic area (tents and sleeping bags provided, 200 RMB/night); Stargazing Guide: after 10 PM when light pollution is minimal, use a star map app to find the Milky Way and Big Dipper; Bonfire Party: some campsites offer bonfires and folk music performances (advance booking required). Day 2: Ancient Architecture and Folk Customs · Feel the Historical Warmth of Changzhi Theme: Discover the Beauty of Faxiang Temple’s Polychrome Sculptures + Be Amazed by Guanyin Hall’s Hanging Sculptures + Visit the Lu’an Prefecture City God Temple Market Morning: Faxiang Temple · The "Eastern Smile" of Tang and Song Polychrome Sculptures Activities: Focus on the "Twelve Perfect Enlightenments": Bodhisattvas with flowing robes and downcast eyes, as if listening to worshippers’ prayers; Find the "Tang Dynasty Stone Lantern": unique stone lanterns inside the temple, known as "Everlasting Lamps." Tips: Entrance fee 30 RMB, 1-hour drive from Changzhi city center, opens at 9 AM with fewer visitors. Noon: Changzi Fried Pancakes · Savor the Carbohydrate Joy of Southeast Shanxi Recommendation: "Old Changzi Restaurant" near Faxiang Temple, must-try: Changzi Fried Pancakes: pancake strips stir-fried with bean sprouts and shredded meat, drizzled with garlic vinegar sauce, tangy and appetizing; Jutou Meat Jelly: boiled pig head meat chilled into jelly, served with garlic paste. Afternoon: Guanyin Hall · The "Buddhist Kingdom" of Hanging Sculptures Highlights: Built in the Ming Dynasty, the hall houses over 500 colorful and hanging sculptures on beams and walls, representing Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism coexisting. It is known as the "Museum of Chinese Hanging Sculpture Art." The 3-meter-high Guanyin statue with flowing ribbons seems ready to break through the wall. Activities: Count the Hanging Sculptures: find the smallest statue inside (only thumb-sized); Take Stunning Light and Shadow Photos: afternoon sunlight filters through the windows, casting mottled shadows on the sculptures. Tips: Entrance fee 20 RMB, 40-minute drive from Faxiang Temple, the hall is dimly lit, bring a flashlight. Evening: Lu’an Prefecture City God Temple · Explore the 600-Year-Old Market Highlights: Built in the Yuan Dynasty, it is the largest existing City God Temple in Shanxi. The square in front hosts a "Ancient Market" every Saturday selling handicrafts and local snacks, offering a glimpse into Changzhi’s local life. Activities: See the "Three Wonders": Ming Dynasty wood-carved City God statue, Qing Dynasty glazed archway, Yuan Dynasty opera stage; Buy Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts: Lihou Tiger (fabric tiger), Shangdang Duijin (silk applique paintings). Tips: Free admission, market hours 9 AM–5 PM (Saturdays), fewer people in the evening, good for photos. Day 3: Red Memories + Taihang Ancient Village · Travel Between History and Everyday Life Theme: Relive the War of Resistance at the Eighth Route Army Taihang Memorial + Explore the Cliff Village of Yuejiazai + Enjoy the Pingshun Sichuan Peppercorn Feast Morning: Eighth Route Army Taihang Memorial · Remember the Flames of War Activities: Dress in Military Uniforms for Photos: uniforms available for rent inside the museum (20 RMB/hour); View "War Diaries": displays of soldiers’ letters and straw sandals, deeply moving. Tips: Free admission, reservation required; 30-minute drive from Changzhi city center. Noon: Wuxiang Jujube Cake · Eat the "Red Army Rations" Dessert Recommendation: "Wuxiang Snack Shop" near the memorial, must-try: Wuxiang Jujube Cake: steamed with red dates and millet flour, sweet and sticky but not greasy; Minjian Soup: small strips made from buckwheat flour, served with pickled cabbage and tofu broth. Afternoon: Yuejiazai · The "Stone Village" on Taihang Mountain Highlights: Located on a cliff edge in Pingshun County, all houses are built with stone slabs, known as the "Sky Village of Taihang." The village preserves ancient trees, stone mills, and old wells, offering an authentic farming life experience. Activities: Walk the "Cliff Road": drive or hike 1 km along the cliff road with sheer cliffs on both sides; Stay in Stone Slab Guesthouses: "Yuejia Inn" (200-400 RMB/night), open the window to see the sea of clouds. Tips: 1.5-hour drive from the memorial, mountain roads are rugged, recommended for experienced drivers. Evening: Pingshun Sichuan Peppercorn Feast · Taste the Numbing and Spicy Freshness of Taihang Delicacies Recommendation: "Sichuan Pepper Farmhouse" at the entrance of Yuejiazai village, must-try: Sichuan Pepper Chicken: free-range chicken stir-fried with Pingshun’s big red robe Sichuan peppercorns, numbing and fragrant; Sichuan Pepper Leaf Pancakes: fresh pepper leaves mixed with flour and pan-fried to golden. Transportation and Accommodation Guide 1. Transportation Long-distance: Flight: Taiyuan Wusu Airport → Changzhi Airport (1 hour, limited flights); Train: Changzhi Station / Changzhi East Station (high-speed rail), East Station is closer to the city center, taxi about 15 RMB. City Transportation: Attractions are scattered, chartering a car (about 1000 RMB/3 days) or self-driving is recommended; sightseeing buses available inside Taihang Grand Canyon. 2. Accommodation City Cost-Performance: Changzhi "Lu’an Yilong Bay Hotel" (400-600 RMB/night), within walking distance to Bayi Square; Taihang Mountain Specialty: Baquan Gorge "Starry Sky Camp" (tent 200 RMB/night), Yuejiazai "Stone Slab Guesthouse" (200-400 RMB/night). Which moment in Changzhi impressed you the most? The canyon sunrise, the divine light of hanging sculptures, or the smoke from ancient villages? Share your story in the comments and let’s cheer for Changzhi together!