Jinshan-Shaanxi Self-Driving Tour (Fifteen)

Li Zicheng's Palace is the most famous attraction in Mizhi, located on Panlong Mountain in the county town. Originally, there was a Zhenwu Temple here, which was expanded by Li Guo, Li Zicheng's nephew, after the establishment of the Dashun regime. County records state that Li Zicheng stayed here twice, but according to the timeline, he was defeated by Wu Sangui and the Qing army shortly after proclaiming himself emperor in Beijing, and died the following year at Jiugong Mountain in Hubei, so he likely never had the chance to return. However, a small place produced a great figure, and the construction and preservation of the palace should be a source of pride for Mizhi. It is now well restored, with exhibitions inside. From the high vantage point, you can see the entire county town, with the cave dwellings and ancient city clearly visible. The Mizhi Women’s Museum is also inside, at the foot of the mountain is a row of cave houses showcasing the stories of notable women from Mizhi, mainly through photo exhibitions.

The cave dwelling ancient city is south of the palace, preserving parts of the city walls, towers, cave dwellings, and courtyard residences. Although the map shows a planned scenic area, there are no signs of development inside; it remains an ordinary residential area.

Wanfo Cave is located on the cliff on the east bank of the Wuding River, about seven or eight kilometers north of the county town. It was built during the Ming dynasty and is similar to the Qianfo Cave in Fuzhou City but larger in scale. There are many such grottoes in northern Shaanxi. This one is well maintained and free to visit, offering views of the Wuding River scenery.

Mizhi was formerly known as Yinzhou, and the county town is not large. At night, the central street, Yinzhou Middle Road, is quite lively, with shops on both sides brightly lit and restaurants and street food stalls bustling with business. The riverside park by the Wuding River, Diaochan Square, is filled with citizens enjoying various entertainment and singing and dancing, creating a festive and lively atmosphere. Mizhi’s donkey meat is excellent and worth trying. The water in Mizhi also feels better than in other places visited on this trip; tap water in hotels can be boiled directly for drinking, whereas in other places only bottled water can be boiled. It’s unclear if the fame of Mizhi women is related to the good water😀

Mizhi · Yulin

Post by STEPHANIE THOMPSON | Oct 25, 2025