Things to do in Xinjiang

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in Yuncheng

Fusheng Temple

Fusheng TempleLocated 17 km northwest of Xinjiang County in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, it was founded during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era (627–649 AD) and underwent major renovations in the 11th year of the Ming Dynasty's Hongzhi reign (1498).Fusheng Temple.Fusheng TempleFacing south with a northward orientation, the temple features a two-courtyard layout covering an area of 5,598 square meters. Along the central axis, the structures are arranged in sequence: the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Amitabha Hall, Three Buddha Cave, and Scripture Repository. The Amitabha Hall and the lower cave section of the Scripture Repository retain their original Yuan Dynasty construction, while the remaining structures were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Mountain Gate is designed as a wooden archway-style structure, with seven layers of bracket sets supporting its majestic eaves. Bell and Drum Towers flank the east and west sides. The main buildings showcase the single-eave hip-and-gable roof style, surrounded by arched doorways. Wooden archways and east-west wing rooms enclose a small courtyard, creating a serene skywell layout.

No. 8 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Yuncheng

Longxing Temple

Longxingsi was first built in the Tang dynasty, with its current main structures reconstructed after the Yuan dynasty. The main hall of Longxingsi is a relic from the Yuan dynasty, housing nine exquisite painted sculptures of the three Buddhas and attendant Bodhisattvas from the Jin dynasty, considered masterpieces of Song and Jin dynasty painted sculptures and extremely rare. The Biluo stele, erected during Emperor Gaozong's reign in the Tang dynasty and preserved in Longxingsi, features inscriptions in ancient script and is hailed as a witness to the evolution of Chinese characters. The Longxingsi pagoda, originally a Tang dynasty structure, was encased in an outer layer during the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty and expanded from eight to thirteen stories, remaining climbable.

Jiangzhou Prefecture Scenic Area

Xinjiang County's Jiangzhou Government Office attraction consists of Jiangzhou's Three Towers (Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Music Tower), City God Temple, Sui Dynasty Garden-Jiangzhou Grand Hall, and Jiangshouju Garden Pool, showcasing the essence of ancient Jiangzhou city architecture and its profound cultural heritage. The three towers of Jiangzhou stand together in a rare tripod formation seldom seen in China. The Sui Dynasty Garden-Jiangzhou Grand Hall, originally built during the Tang Dynasty with its current Yuan Dynasty style, is renowned for its exceptional width and long span. Jiangshouju Garden Pool, also known as Sui Dynasty Garden, was constructed in the 16th year of the Sui Kaihuang era (596 AD) and remains the only preserved Sui Dynasty official garden in China. This attraction not only bears witness to the thousand-year historical development of Jiangzhou City but also serves as a cultural tourism destination integrating heritage revitalization, cultural experience, and historical education.

Baitai Monastery

Baitai Temple, also known as Puhua Temple, is located on the west side of Guangma Village, approximately 40 li northwest of Xinjiang County. According to stone inscriptions, it was rebuilt in the 14th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (726 AD), reconstructed during the Dading and Mingchang periods of the Jin Dynasty, partially renovated in the 15th year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1355), and repaired during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple follows a north-south axis, with its central line featuring the mountain gate, the three-tier Fazang Pavilion, the Shakyamuni Hall, and the rear main hall. The existing three-tier Fazang Pavilion has three bays in width, two stories in height, and features a suspended gable roof.

Jiyi Temple

Jiyi Temple, also known as Yangwang Temple, has murals covering the east, west, and south walls of its five-bay main hall, totaling over 100 square meters. These murals were painted during the Ming Dynasty and are both exquisite and precious.

No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shanxi

Mount Yun Scenic Area

Mount Yun Scenic Area is located in Xiangning County, Linfen City.Lüliang MountainsNestled at the intersection with the Fenwei Graben, this scenic area boasts lush forests and serves as a natural oxygen bar. Legend has it that this was where ancient emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu observed celestial phenomena to measure time, making it a cradle of China's "harmony culture" that continues to thrive here. Beyond its beautiful legends, Mount Yun Scenic Area is a sacred site integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The mountain houses the Confucian Yunqiu Academy, the Buddhist Duobao Lingyan Zen Temple, and numerous Taoist temples. From the Five Dragon Palace to the First Heavenly Gate, Second Heavenly Gate, Third Heavenly Gate, Patriarch Summit, and finally the Jade Emperor Peak, all are Taoist structures. This area is believed to be the grotto-heaven where Emperor Zhenwu attained enlightenment, making the Five Dragon Palace particularly significant.Zhenwu Hall, and even features a dedicated temple for worshiping the Emperor Zhenwu.Patriarch PeakDuring the Northern Song Dynasty, when the western and northern frontiers were frequently invaded, the imperial court enshrined the mighty Zhenwu Emperor to protect the nation and its people. This site later became the birthplace of the Taoist Longmen School during the Yuan Dynasty. The local folk customs here are equally unique. Every year in the second lunar month, the Mount Yun Scenic Area hosts its Zhonghe Festival temple fair. During this time, countless pilgrims ascend the mountain to worship at its peak, pray for blessings, and fulfill vows—creating an unbroken stream of visitors from dawn till dusk. This tradition has continued uninterrupted from the Tang Dynasty to the present day, earning the Zhonghe Festival recognition as intangible cultural heritage. The Zhonghe culture derived from this festival has also been passed down through generations, enduring for over a millennium.

Temple of Literature

Temple of LiteratureNot only a historic ancient architectural complex, but also a symbol of China's outstanding traditional culture. It represents Confucian heritage, showcasing rich historical legacy and unique scenic attractions.

Sanguan Temple

Sanguan Temple is a temple dedicated to the Taoist Three Pure Ones. Sanguan Temple was founded in the first year of the Zhizheng reign of the Yuan Dynasty and was renovated during both the Ming and Qing dynasties. Because there was originally a large stone gourd in front of the temple, it is commonly known as the "Gourd Temple." Sanguan Temple faces west, covers an area of approx. 260 m², and currently consists of two buildings: the Yuan Dynasty main hall and the Qing Dynasty offering hall. There are eight stone tablets from the Ming and Qing dynasties inside the temple. The main hall architecture and the clay colored sculptures inside Sanguan Temple are physical examples of the peak period of Taoist belief and culture in the Yuan Dynasty, providing significant help for researching the history of the spread and localization of Taoism in the southern Shanxi region of China.

No. 7 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Linfen

Fencheng Ancient Building Complex

Fencheng Ancient Building Complex was the site of Taiping County during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It currently preserves theCity God Temple,Confucian Temple,Examination Hall,County Government Office, Guan Temple,Drum Tower, Hongji Bridge, and many other ancient buildings from the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The overall scale is quite impressive. In 1912, it was renamed Fencheng County because the county name was duplicated elsewhere. Later, it merged with Xiangling County to become Xiangfen, and the appearance of the old town has been preserved intact.

Pujing Temple