Take a journey through ancient temples deep in the mountains, catch a glimpse of thousand-year-old dougong brackets, and feel the backbone and warmth of Chinese civilization

【3 days 2 nights, about 3600 RMB per person! Changzhi Guide: Deep in the Taihang Mountains, a secret realm of ancient architecture】

Day 1: Arrive by high-speed train at **Changzhi East Station** (about 1.5 hours from Taiyuan, round-trip high-speed train about 300 RMB), check in to a comfortable city hotel (such as Luyuan, Sheraton partner hotels, 400 RMB/night × 2 = 800 RMB). In the afternoon, visit 【Shangdang Gate】 and 【Chenghuang Temple Ancient Street】 to experience the charm of this thousand-year-old prefectural city. In the evening, climb up to 【Binhu Cultural Tourism Town】, stroll along the shore of Zhangze Lake, and enjoy the sunset and the ancient-style pavilions.

Day 2: Charter a car to explore the “National Protection” ancient building cluster (full-day charter about 400 RMB): first stop 【Luanfu Chenghuang Temple】—the Yuan Dynasty glazed tile roof is stunning; then head to China’s oldest existing Song Dynasty hall-style wooden structure 【Pingshun Dayun Temple】 (with Five Dynasties mural remains); finally check in at the cliffside marvel 【Pingshun Tiantai Nunnery】 (original Tang Dynasty structure, only four pillars remain in this thousand-year-old small hall). Stay at a guesthouse in Pingshun County (300 RMB), and for dinner try Huguan donkey meatballs, Changzi fried pancakes, and Qinzhou yellow millet porridge.

Day 3: Climb 【Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon Baquan Gorge Scenic Area】 (1.5-hour drive, combined ticket for entrance + boat + cable car 180 RMB) — take a boat through the emerald water gallery, ride the cable car up the hundred-meter cliff, and overlook the spectacular Taihang peaks. Alternatively, choose to hike the cool and secluded 【Hongdou Gorge】. Before returning, visit 【Huaihai Pedestrian Street】 to buy Shanxi aged vinegar, Lu liquor, and Licheng persimmon cakes as souvenirs.

💰Budget breakdown:
Transportation 700 (high-speed train + local + charter) + Accommodation 1100 + Food 600 + Attractions and experiences about 200 ≈ **3600 RMB**

📌Tips:
- Most ancient buildings are in mountainous areas, wear non-slip shoes and check opening hours in advance;
- Baquan Gorge boat queues can be long, it’s recommended to arrive early or travel off-peak;
- Shanxi has a rich variety of noodles, try knife-cut noodles, minjian, and getou.

⚠️Warnings:
❌ Many “antiques and curios” around scenic spots are replicas, don’t easily believe the stories;
❌ “Free guides” are often salespeople earning commissions, it’s better to book official guides yourself.

Three days and two nights, step into Changzhi. Here lies the densest collection of early wooden structures in China, along with the magnificent Taihang mountain scenery. Come here, walk through ancient temples deep in the mountains, catch a glimpse of thousand-year-old dougong brackets, and in the profound time of southeastern Shanxi, touch the backbone and warmth of Chinese civilization.

Post by AMB. Gus 3847 | Oct 13, 2025