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,…

Ningwu, Taiyuan · Underbar dk · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Getting there
- About 3 hours by train from Taiyuan or Datong; you can also take a bus via the Datong–Yuncheng Highway (大运公路), with several daily services to Ningwu.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1800. Open in Google Maps
About 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.
Tips from the guidebook
- Food, clothing, accommodation and sightseeing in Ningwu: 1. Hiring a taxi for a full-day tour costs ¥150–200 per day.
- 2. If you plan to spend more than one day in Ningwu, consider staying in Dongzhai Town (东寨镇), 30 km from the county seat. It has convenient transport and a good range of food and lodging options.
- 3. The area is at high altitude and temperatures are low, so bring warm clothing even in summer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Ningwu?
About 3 hours by train from Taiyuan or Datong; you can also take a bus via the Datong–Yuncheng Highway (大运公路), with several daily services to Ningwu.
Where is Ningwu?
Ningwu is in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, in the North China of China.
More places in Taiyuan

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