Jinci Temple

Fenhe River Scenic Area

The Fen River is the second-largest tributary of the Yellow River and the largest river in Shanxi. Along its east and west banks are 14 distinctive scenic spots, including “Echoes of Jin and Fen,” “Five Rings Aglow,” “Evening Crossing on the Fen River” and “Seven Pavilions.” At night, more than 8,000 lanterns spread across the scenic areas lend the river a hazy, profound charm. The Fenhe River Scenic Area is a prime destination for leisure travel.

1–3 hours

Tianlongshan Grottoes

Located on the mountainside of Tianlong Mountain, 40 km southwest of Taiyuan, the grottoes were first carved during the Eastern Wei dynasty and contain 24 caves in total. The finest of them is the Tang-dynasty grotto in Cave 9, Manshan Pavilion, which houses a well-preserved seated statue of Maitreya Buddha, a supreme example of ancient sculptural art. A road near the Tianlongshan scenic area passes four bridges and one tunnel along the way. The so-called “Internet-famous Bridge” is the highest of them, a three-tier elevated bridge.

¥50 · 2–3 hours

Shuangta Temple

A landmark of Taiyuan, first built during the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty. Shuangta Temple, also known as Yongzuo Temple, where “zuo” means blessing and protection. The Great Hall and the east and west side halls are built with blue-brick carvings imitating wooden structures. The twin pagodas, Xuanwen Pagoda and Wenfeng Pagoda, each with 13 stories, have an octagonal structure and stand about 54.7 metres tall. Their eaves are decorated with glazed ridge beasts, making a dazzling and spectacular sight.

Peak season ¥30; off-season ¥20 · 1–2 hours

Mengshan Giant Buddha

Mengshan Giant Buddha is located about 20 km southwest of Taiyuan. With a history of nearly 1,500 years, it is the earliest stone-carved Buddha statue in the world. The statue stands more than 60 metres tall, about 10 metres taller than the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, once regarded as the “largest Buddha in the world,” and it is over 100 years older. Three legendary episodes make the Giant Buddha especially compelling. First, Empress Wu Zetian once ordered a huge kasaya robe made for the statue, decorated with gold, silver and jewels that lit up the cliffs and illuminated the mountains and rivers. Second, after Emperor Gaozu of the Tang dynasty, Li Yuan, paid respects to the Giant Buddha one day, he dreamed that night of Buddha light shining everywhere, which strengthened his resolve to raise an army and ultimately achieve his great cause. Third, the Mengshan Giant Buddha vanished from history for several centuries. At the end of the Yuan dynasty, the Buddha, which had flourished for more than 800 years, disappeared amid the wars. During a place-name survey in the 1980s, people discovered that a spot called Dadu Cliff, in Sidi Village, was the body of the Western Mountain Giant Buddha. After protective development and restoration, this Buddha, which had been lost for more than 600 years, once again appeared before the world.

¥35 · 2–4 hours

Jinyang Lake Park

Jinyang Lake is equivalent to 17 Yingze Parks and is larger than West Lake. It is the largest water park in North China, covering nearly 17,000 mu in total, and is nicknamed the “Little Sanya.” Walking on fine sand, looking out over Jinyang Lake and feeling the gentle, refreshing breeze, you can stroll along the beach and enjoy a sensation much like being in Sanya.

1–2 hours

Ningwu

A little-known destination tucked into the mountains of northern Shanxi, Ningwu combines forests, grasslands, a heavenly lake, deserts, glaciers, cave temples, hanging coffins, the Hanging Temple and a thousand-year-old town. Almost every kind of scenery can be found here in concentrated form. Ningwu’s most distinctive attractions include Wannian Ice Cave, the Hanging Temple, Lovers’ Valley, the Cliffside Plank Road, Luya Mountain, Maluan Grassland and Ningwu Heavenly Lake.