GU LOU SLICED NOODLES

The location of this restaurant is very good, just at the southeast corner of the Drum Tower, next to the intersection of Drum Tower East Street, and facing the Drum Tower through the French windows in the restaurant. It is a fast food restaurant. You can order your food at the front desk and pick it up when it is ready. They also have milk tea and coffee. In the morning, I had a set meal, which was just right. The portion was large, and I probably couldn't finish it if I had a small appetite. The taste was also more authentic Shanxi flavor.

Today is the first time I set foot on the land of Shanxi, and the first time I ate authentic local knife-cut noodles. This noodle shop next to the Drum Tower in the old city of Datong has a strong Internet celebrity style. The shop is well organized, the noodles taste very good, and the price is cheaper than Beijing

How can you not have a bowl of knife-cut noodles when you go to Datong, Shanxi? The location and decoration of Gulou Knife-cut Noodles are very good, especially the taste of the knife-cut noodles is very authentic.

Wow! I've discovered a hidden gem of an ancient city, Datong, that seems to have been forgotten by time! 🏰 It's absolutely stunning! Ancient architecture enthusiasts and foodies, come check this out! 👉 This 3-day, 2-night comprehensive guide will take you through a thousand-year-old history and authentic local cuisine. Don't miss out! 💖 **🎯Day 1: A Journey Through Time** ⏰**Morning: Yungang Grottoes** 📍Address: Yungang Town, Southern Suburbs, Datong City, Shanxi Province 🕒Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 💰Ticket Price: 120 RMB (Peak Season) ✨A breathtaking Buddhist art paradise! Each Buddha statue seems to tell a story from a thousand years ago. The murals are stunning; you won't want to stop taking photos! 📸 We recommend going early to avoid the crowds. 🍽️**Noon: Fengling Pavilion** 📍Address: Gulou West Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City 🕒Opening Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 ✨A century-old brand! A must-try is the Hundred Flower Shaomai 🥟—thin skin, generous filling, bursting with savory flavor! The braised pork and yellow millet cake are also incredibly delicious! 🌆**Afternoon: Huayan Temple** 📍Address: No. 459, Xiasipo Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City 🕒Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30 💰Admission: 50 RMB ✨A royal temple from the Liao and Jin dynasties, with magnificent architecture! The dougong (bracket set) structure of the main hall is truly exceptional, and the murals are breathtakingly beautiful—perfect for taking stunning photos in this ancient style! 🌙**Evening: Night Tour of the Ancient City Wall** 📍Address: Datong Ancient City Wall (Yongtai Gate Entrance) ✨The evening lights are incredibly romantic! 🏮Overlooking the night view of Datong, with the evening breeze blowing, the atmosphere is simply divine! **🎯Day 2: Hanging Temple + Hengshan Adventure** ⏰**Morning: Hanging Temple** 📍Address: Southeast suburbs of Hunyuan County, Datong City, at the foot of Hengshan Mountain 🕒Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 💰Ticket: 125 RMB (including climbing fee) ✨Built on a cliff, this thousand-year-old temple is thrilling and awe-inspiring! Those with a fear of heights should be cautious 😂 But the scenery is absolutely worth it! We recommend going early to avoid the crowds! 🍽️**Lunch: Hengshan Farmhouse Restaurant** ✨Starving after your hike? We highly recommend the oat noodles and stewed chicken with wild mushrooms! 🍲Shanxi farmhouse cuisine is incredibly delicious! 🌆**Afternoon: Hengshan Mountain** 📍Address: Hunyuan County, Datong City 🕒Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 💰Entrance Fee: 45 RMB ✨One of the Five Sacred Mountains, the mountain scenery along the way is breathtaking! ⛰️After reaching the summit, you can also see the Hanging Temple in the distance – absolutely spectacular! 🌙**Evening: Return to the Ancient City for the night** Recommended to stay near the Ancient City for convenient nighttime exploration and dining. **🎯Day 3: Lesser-Known Ancient Temple + Delicious Food to Finish the Night** ⏰**Morning: Shanhua Temple** 📍Address: No. 6, Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City 🕒Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30 💰Entrance Fee: 50 RMB ✨A beautiful, less crowded, thousand-year-old temple, quiet and Zen-like – perfect for a leisurely stroll and experiencing the tranquility of history.🍃 🍽️**Lunch: Gulou Knife-Cut Noodles** 📍Address: Gulou East Street, Datong City ✨The best knife-cut noodles in Datong! 🍜The noodles are chewy and the broth is fragrant, paired with aged vinegar – so delicious you'll want to lick the bowl clean! 🌆**Afternoon: Nine-Dragon Wall** 📍Address: Heyang Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City ✨One of the three major Nine-Dragon Walls in China, the glazed tile craftsmanship is amazing! 🐉The dragon patterns are lifelike, making for incredibly impressive photos! 🌙**Evening: Return Trip** Here come home with a wealth of memories and a 512GB stomach! --- **💡Useful Tips** 1️⃣ Datong has a large temperature difference between day and night, remember to bring a jacket 🧥 2️⃣ Try to visit the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple on weekdays for a less crowded and better experience ✅ 3️⃣ Shanxi cuisine has large portions, so don't order too much! 4️⃣ Budget estimate: 1000-1500 RMB per person (including food, accommodation, transportation, and entrance fees) Ask me any questions in the comments! Save this post ⭐ Like ❤️ for future reference! #DatongTourism #AncientArchitectureTour #ShanxiFood #WeekendGetaways #OffTheBeatenPathTravelDestinations

Just returned from visiting the ancient courtyards of Shanxi, and I strongly advise anyone planning a December trip to think twice—it's not that it's not fun, but stepping into this "museum of cultural relics on the ground" will leave you struck by the profound heritage of the thousand-year-old temples and Shanxi merchant courtyards under the warm winter sun, completely awakening your cultural soul! Let me start with the most direct impression: Winter in Shanxi sees fewer tourists, giving you the opportunity to be alone with these ancient sites. It's dry and cold, but the sunshine is excellent, and the sky is azure, further highlighting the colors of the wooden structures and the outlines of the brackets in the ancient buildings. Standing before the East Hall of Foguang Temple, or strolling through the blue-brick alleys of Pingyao Ancient City, the sense of dialogue across time is a kind of awe and tranquility that other bustling seasons cannot provide. 🌟【Pre-trip Preparation: Warmth and Moisturization are Key】 Clothing: Shanxi winters are dry and cold, but indoor spaces are heated. Wear thermal underwear and a sweater underneath, and a long down jacket or thick coat on top. This makes it easy to put on and take off when entering the ancient buildings. Hats, scarves, and gloves are essential. Comfortable and warm shoes are essential, as you'll be walking the entire ancient city. Other: Moisturizer, lip balm, and a thermos are crucial! Shanxi winters are extremely dry. Pack extra camera batteries and a power bank. 🚗【Transportation Guide: Excellent High-Speed ​​Rail Network】 High-Speed ​​Rail: From Taiyuan, there are high-speed rail or bullet trains to Datong (Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple), Pingyao Ancient City, Xinzhou (Wutai Mountain), and other destinations, making travel very convenient. Driving: The attractions are spread out, making driving highly flexible, but be aware of road conditions in mountainous areas during winter. Chartered Car/Tour: For more distant attractions like Wutai Mountain and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, chartering a car or joining a day tour is a hassle-free option. 🏯【Must-See Attractions: A Tour of Ancient Architecture】 Yungang Grottoes (Datong) In winter, the Yungang Grottoes are free of crowds, allowing you to quietly appreciate the compassion and solemnity of each Buddha statue. Unaffected by weather, the painted Buddha statues inside the grottoes remain breathtaking even after a thousand years. Remember to hire a guide to fully appreciate the weight of history. Hanging Temple (Datong) This ancient temple, built on a cliff, appears even more perilous and ethereal after a snowfall. Due to visitor limits, the queues are much less long in winter, making the experience even more unique. However, it may be temporarily closed due to icy weather, so check in advance. Pingyao Ancient City In winter, Pingyao is filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. Red lanterns reflecting in the white snow create a particularly charming scene. You can leisurely stroll through the Rishengchang Exchange Shop, the county government office, and the city walls. In the evening, watch the "Encounter Pingyao Again" performance (indoor, warm) to experience the culture of Shanxi merchants. Mount Wutai A Buddhist holy site, winter is a great time for pilgrimage and snow viewing. The red walls of the temples contrast beautifully with the white snow, appearing even more serene and sacred. However, the temperature at the summit is extremely low and windy, so be sure to dress warmly. Vehicles are generally not allowed on the summit. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda The world's tallest wooden pagoda, a marvel of engineering constructed entirely of wood without nails or rivets. Looking up at it under a winter's blue sky allows one to truly appreciate its ingenious structure and the weight of history. Currently, only the first floor is open to the public. 🍜【Food Recommendations: The Noodle Kingdom Lives Up to Its Name】 Knife-cut Noodles: A representative of Shanxi noodles, chewy and smooth, with a rich broth. Kaolao: A type of oat noodle, served with a special sauce, healthy and delicious. Pingyao Beef: A specialty of the ancient city, renowned for its tender meat. Guoyourou (Stir-fried Pork): A traditional Shanxi dish, with tender slices of meat and a tangy, vinegary flavor. Wantuo (Wan Tuo): A street food, enjoyed hot or cold, with a unique texture. 📸【Photography Tips: Capture the Sense of Historical Wandering】 Outfit Suggestions: In ancient cities and temples, Hanfu, modern Chinese style clothing, or plain-colored coats are very photogenic and blend well with the environment. Timing for Taking Photos: Utilize the oblique sunlight between 9-10 am and 3-4 pm to better showcase the three-dimensionality and texture of ancient architecture. Composition Techniques: Use door frames and window lattices for framing; photograph architectural details such as brackets, roof ornaments, and murals; in Pingyao Ancient City, capture the depth of the streets. ⚠️【Avoiding Pitfalls: Be Cautious on Cultural Tours** Don't Miss Opening Hours: Many ancient architectural sites close early in the afternoon, so be sure to check the opening times in advance. Don't Buy Unreliable Antiques in Scenic Areas: Beware of being scammed. Respect Religious Customs: In religious sites such as Wutai Mountain, follow the rules and maintain quiet. Don't underestimate Shanxi's "hard breakfasts": Many breakfasts are noodle dishes, such as "Tou Nao" (order with caution), which you might not be used to, so ask before ordering. 💡【Suggested Itinerary: 5 Days 4 Nights Highlights of Northern Shanxi** D1: Arrive in Taiyuan and adjust to the environment. D2: High-speed train to Datong, visit Yungang Grottoes and Huayan Temple (warm indoors), overnight in Datong. D3: Chartered car day trip: Hanging Temple, Hengshan Mountain, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, return to Datong in the evening or head to Hunyuan County. D4: High-speed train to Pingyao Ancient City, explore the ancient city in the afternoon and evening, watch a performance, stay in a guesthouse within the ancient city. D5: Continue exploring the ancient city in the morning, return home in the afternoon. Winter in Shanxi is a journey of profound dialogue with Chinese civilization. Suitable for those who love history, ancient architecture, and seek inner peace. Remember to book all transportation tickets, entrance tickets, and accommodations in advance on Ctrip! Which ancient building in Shanxi interests you most? Is it the Yungang Grottoes or the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda? Let's discuss in the comments! #ShanxiTourism