Three-Day Tour of Yangquan

Yangquan, the eastern gateway of Shanxi, is known as the "Pearl of Eastern Shanxi." Here, you can experience the millennium-old culture of loyalty and righteousness at Cangshan Mountain, the majestic and strategic Nüzi Pass Great Wall, the healing enjoyment of Daqi Hot Springs, and the red memories of Shinao Mountain. In three days and two nights, travel through history and nature to feel the unique charm of this mountain city! 1. Preparation: Key Information and Essentials 1. Basic Information Location: Eastern Shanxi Province, west foothills of the Taihang Mountains, about 110 km from Taiyuan (1.5-hour drive). Climate: Temperate monsoon climate, short spring and autumn, long winter and summer, average summer temperature 25°C, average winter temperature -5°C. Tickets: Cangshan Mountain: 80 RMB/person (including sightseeing bus); Nüzi Pass: Combined ticket 65 RMB/person (includes the pass city, waterfall, and water town); Daqi Hot Springs: 168 RMB/person (weekends); Shinao Mountain Hundred Regiments Battle Memorial Hall: Free (reservation required). Best Seasons: Spring (April-May): Mountain flowers bloom, peach blossoms at Cangshan; Summer (June-August): Summer resort, cool water fun at Nüzi Pass; Autumn (September-October): Colorful forests, red leaves covering Shinao Mountain. 2. Essentials Clothing: Bring a light jacket in summer (large temperature difference in mountains), non-slip shoes (stone steps at Nüzi Pass are slippery); down jacket needed in winter. Gear: Sunscreen, umbrella (weather changes often in mountains), power bank, trekking poles (for hiking at Cangshan). Others: ID card, student ID (for discounts), cash (some spots have poor signal). 2. Transportation Guide: How to Get to Yangquan 1. Long-distance Transport Self-driving: From Taiyuan: Take Erguang Expressway → Tianli Expressway, about 1.5 hours; From Beijing: Take Jinggang'ao Expressway → Qingyin Expressway, about 5 hours. High-speed train/Train: Yangquan North Station (actually in Yuxian, 40 km from city center): Take bus 901 to city center (about 1 hour, fare 5 RMB); Yangquan Station (city center): Regular trains stop here, exit directly to city center. Bus: From Taiyuan Jiannan Bus Station → Yangquan Bus Terminal (about 2 hours, fare 40 RMB). 2. City Transportation Bus: Supports Alipay QR code payment, covers main attractions; Taxi: Starting fare 6 RMB, about 10-20 RMB between city attractions; Car rental with driver: Recommended for touring Nüzi Pass and Cangshan (about 300 RMB/day). 3. Accommodation Recommendations: Convenient City Center to Healing Hot Springs 1. City Center (Recommended) Advantages: Walking distance to Tianning Temple, Yangquan Museum, convenient dining. Recommendations: Yangquan Hotel (300-500 RMB/night): Established four-star hotel with stable service; Beishan Park Homestay (200-300 RMB/night): Like "Mountain Residence," window views of mountains, quiet and peaceful. 2. Nüzi Pass/Daqi Hot Springs (Special Experience) Nüzi Pass Town: Stay at water town homestays (like "Guancheng Inn," 150-200 RMB/night), enjoy night strolls on ancient streets; Daqi Hot Springs Resort: Hot spring hotels (500-800 RMB/night, including hot spring tickets), perfect for relaxation. 4. 3 Days 2 Nights In-depth Itinerary: Culture + Nature + Red Memories Day 1: Cangshan Loyalty Culture + Yangquan City Night Tour (Millennium Loyal Spirit) Theme: Legend of the Orphan of Zhao → Mountain City Nightscape Morning: Cangshan Mountain (8:30-12:00): Hiding place of the orphan of Zhao during the Spring and Autumn period, known as "China's First Mountain of Loyalty and Righteousness"; Must-see: Canggu Cave, Lotus Temple, Dripping Water Cliff (waterfall); Tip: About 1.5-hour hike uphill, or take sightseeing bus (one-way 10 RMB). Noon: "Zhongyi Xuan" restaurant inside Cangshan Scenic Area (recommended Pingding clay pot dishes, Min Gedou). Afternoon: Yangquan Museum (14:00-16:00): Free admission, learn about Yangquan’s history from ancient to modern times; Tianning Temple Twin Towers (16:30-17:30): Song Dynasty relics, climb towers for panoramic views of Yangquan. Evening: Yangquan Binhe New World: Night market and snacks (recommended "Yangquan Stir-fried Not Overcooked," Hunyuan cold noodles); Beishan Park Night View: Free, light show blending with mountain scenery. Day 2: Nüzi Pass Great Wall + Water Town Ancient Village (Majestic Pass and Tenderness) Theme: The Ninth Pass of the Great Wall → Waterfall Play → Water Town Stroll Morning: Nüzi Pass City Wall (8:30-10:30): The ninth pass of the Great Wall, existing city wall, ramparts, and general’s platform; Must-photo: City gate tower, "The Ninth Pass of the World" stone tablet. Nüzi Pass Waterfall (11:00-12:00): Largest karst waterfall in North China, 30 meters drop, abundant water in summer; Tip: Wear sandals to play in water, bring spare clothes. Noon: Nüzi Pass Town "Guancheng Restaurant" (recommended sturgeon feast, pressed pancakes). Afternoon: Nüzi Pass Water Town (13:30-15:30): Ming and Qing dynasty ancient village by mountain and river, take a small boat through water alleys (20 RMB/person); Must experience: Mill, waterwheel, ancient residences. Pingyang Lake (16:00-17:00): Artificial lake combined with canyon, boating and fishing available. Evening: Return to Yangquan city or stay overnight in Nüzi Pass town to experience water town night life. Day 3: Daqi Hot Springs / Shinao Mountain (Healing or Red Tour) Theme: Hot Spring Relaxation → Hundred Regiments Battle Memory Option A (Leisure and Relaxation): Daqi Hot Springs (8:30-12:00): Hot spring resort beside a thousand-year-old ancient village, includes 40 hot spring pools (Chinese medicine pool, fish therapy pool, children’s pool); Tip: Arrive before 9 am for fewer people, soak until noon. Daqi Ancient Village (13:30-15:00): Known as the "Potala Palace of Shanxi," a 1500-year-old terraced ancient village, perfect for photos. Option B (Red Education): Shinao Mountain Hundred Regiments Battle Memorial Hall (8:30-11:30): Free admission, exhibits artifacts and photos of the Hundred Regiments Battle, climb Shinao Mountain for panoramic views of Yangquan; Must-see: Memorial monument, trench ruins. Yangquan Industry Museum (13:30-15:00): Learn about the history of the coal industry. Return: Depending on your schedule, choose to return directly or buy Yangquan specialties (walnuts, Sichuan pepper, pressed pancakes). 5. Food Guide: Taste of Yangquan 1. Must-try Specialty Dishes Pingding Clay Pot: Clay pot stewed dishes, rich and flavorful soup (recommended clay pot chicken, clay pot tofu); Min Gedou: Small dumplings made from buckwheat or wheat flour, served with pickled cabbage and tofu sauce; Yangquan Stir-fried Not Overcooked: Potato shreds coated with flour, steamed then stir-fried, chewy texture; Nüzi Pass Sturgeon Feast: Multiple ways to enjoy one fish (steamed, braised, fish balls). 2. Recommended Restaurants Old Pingding Restaurant (city center): Rustic environment, excellent clay pot dishes; Nüzi Pass Guancheng Restaurant: Freshly caught sturgeon, fresh and affordable. 3. Pitfall Tips "Specialty shops" inside scenic areas are overpriced; it’s better to buy pressed pancakes and walnuts at city supermarkets; Clay pot dishes are generous in portion, small servings for 2-3 people are enough. 6. Notes: Safety and Cultural Respect Cangshan Hiking: Some sections are steep, wear non-slip shoes, bring water and snacks; Nüzi Pass Water Play: Pay attention to safety, avoid deep water areas; Hot Spring Experience: Do not soak on an empty stomach or after drinking alcohol, limit each soak to 15 minutes; Red Sites: Keep quiet, do not touch artifacts. Yangquan, an underestimated treasure mountain city In three days and two nights, from the loyalty legend of Cangshan to the majestic tenderness of Nüzi Pass, from the healing Daqi Hot Springs to the red memories of Shinao Mountain, Yangquan redefines the meaning of "off-the-beaten-path travel" with its depth and gentleness. Here, there are no crowded crowds, only echoes of history and gifts of nature.