# Linfen travel guide (临汾) Shanxi Province · North China, China · 14 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/shanxi/linfen ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Hukou Waterfall → Huamen Gate → Yao Temple - **Day 2:** Linfen → Susan Prison → Hongdong Great Locust Tree → Guangsheng Temple → Xiaoxitian Temple ## The feel of the place Various archaeological finds show that as early as over 100,000 years ago, in the Palaeolithic era, this area was home to some of the earliest human groups and villages of the Chinese nation. Indeed, the legend of King Yao visiting the wise and handing the throne to Shun took place here. The moment you step into this city, you will feel something special, an indescribable sensation. Perhaps this is the sediment and depth that history has left to this city. ### Reclining Ox City Legend has it that Linfen was the ancient capital of the Taotang people and the old home of the Yiqi clan, and it has long been known as Reclining Ox City. The name comes from 1977, when someone digging earth at the north-east corner of the city wall unearthed a stone box containing an iron reclining ox and a stele inscribed with a record from the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty. The iron ox weighs 62 kg and its base weighs 16.75 kg; this is probably the basis for Linfen's nickname. The city walls were first built in the Western Jin dynasty, over 1,600 years ago, and when the iron ox was buried in the wall cannot be verified. ### The Sweltering Summer Summers in Linfen can be fearsome for northerners. Temperatures of 38–39°C are common, and the blazing sun is breathtaking. By 8 a.m., people are already out on the streets under parasols. Linfen's summer weather also changes very quickly: you may need a parasol against the sun in the afternoon and an umbrella for rain on your way home in the evening. So when visiting in summer, always bring an umbrella, or you may be surprised to find after a few days that your skin has changed colour without you noticing. ### Preparation and Advice ### Language Locals speak something close to Mandarin, so communication is no problem, but watch out for some dialect expressions. For example, Linfen people say “你家” (nǐ jiā) to mean “you all” (你们), not to ask after your entire family. ### Climate and Best Time to Visit Winters in Linfen are cold and dry, with little snow; spring is dry and windy; autumn brings continuous rain; and summer is scorching hot with heavy downpours. Summer highs can reach 41°C, and winter lows can drop to -16°C. The best months to visit are May, June, September and October. ## Getting there & around ### Getting There ### Rail Linfen's rail network is well developed. Trains run north to Baotou, south to Guangzhou and west to Lanzhou, and there are direct services to Beijing, Xi'an, Taiyuan, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin and several other cities. ### Road The Datong–Yuncheng Expressway, which runs north to south through Shanxi, and National Highway 108 pass through the area. National Highway 309 and the Jin–Han Expressway cross it from east to west. Linfen has three main long-distance bus stations: Chengnan Bus Station (城南汽车站), Chengbei Bus Station (城北汽车站) and Linfen Long-Distance Bus Station (临汾长途汽车站). The first two mainly serve other counties and towns in Linfen City. Linfen Long-Distance Bus Station has coaches to Taiyuan, Xi’an and Yuncheng, as well as to the districts and counties within the city. Yaomiao Bus Station (尧庙汽车站) also has buses to Ji County. ### Getting Around the City Public buses from Linfen to tourist sites are numerous and frequent, and the vehicles are in good condition. Routes to Yaomiao include bus 3, 11 and 23. Taxi fares within the urban area range from ¥6 to ¥10. For longer trips, drivers usually don’t use the meter, so you can simply agree on a price directly. - **Chengnan Bus Station** — (North of Qiaojiazhuang, Jiade Township, Yaodu District) - **Long-Distance Bus Station** — (Bingzhan Street, Linfen City) - **Chengbei Bus Station** — (North of Jiacun, Tunli Town, Yaodu District) ## Eat & drink Local food is still centred on wheat-based noodles and dishes, but it differs somewhat from traditional Shanxi noodle fare, blending in more of the food culture of China’s far northwest. The most famous are beef-meatball noodles (牛肉丸子面), fried noodles (炒面) and topped noodles (盖浇面). ### Top Pick - **Bai Laosan Beef Meatball Noodles** — Bai Laosan is a leading representative of Linfen’s beef-meatball noodle school. The broth is flavourful and spicy, and the prices are reasonable. (Pingyang Square, Linfen City, 0357-8887788) ## Shopping For shopping in Linfen, head first to Caishen Lou and Gongyuan Street. These two streets are where the shops are concentrated, and each has its own character. Beyond Andasheng Shopping Centre, the small roadside shops on Caishen Lou are worth a look. Gongyuan Street is a gathering place for all kinds of brand-name products, with prices and discounts roughly on par with the rest of the country. ### Shopping Recommendations Linfen is known as the “Fruit City” (花果城). Fruit trees line every street, and when they are in blossom or bearing fruit, the whole street is dressed in red and green, a truly spectacular sight. So be sure to eat plenty of fruit while you are here: it is cheap and delicious. Famous local specialties include Fushan paper-cuts (浮山剪纸), Zhaocheng twisted pastries (赵城麻花), Xi County golden pears (隰县金梨), Wu family smoked pork (吴家熏肉) and Wucheng Yuping liquor (午城玉屏酒). ## Where to stay Jiefang Road in central Linfen is where hotels are concentrated. The hotels here are clean, tidy and offer good service, making them the top choice for a stay. There are also many budget hotels and guesthouses around Gongyuan Street, offering good value. - **Linfen Tangyao Hotel** — Linfen’s first four-star hotel. (Zhongda Street, Economic Development Zone, 0357-2069888) - **Ji County Yellow River Hukou Business Hotel** — The hotel is about 800 metres from the Yellow River Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area, a National AAAA-level scenic spot, and transport links are convenient. The facilities are well equipped. If you plan to visit the Hukou Waterfall, staying here is good value. (Opposite Hukou Police Station, 0357-7986018/13835787890) - **Qiuguo Hotel (Linfen Gulou South Street Branch)** — Ideally located, with easy access to the city centre and Huamen, Xiangfen to the north, and close to Yaomiao Park. The ground floor is a tea and book café, and the eighth floor is a party-room venue, so whether you prefer quiet or lively surroundings, you’ll be comfortable here. (No. 1699 Gulou South Street, Yaomiao Town, 0357-3617777) ## Things to see - **Hukou Waterfall** (★★★★★): Admission ¥100; Opening hours 7：00—18：30; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hukou-waterfall - **Yao Temple** (★★★★): Admission ¥50; Opening hours 8：00—18：00; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yao-temple - **Huamen Gate** (★★★): Admission ¥35; Opening hours 2026.10.08-2027.04.30 08:00-18:00; 2027.05.01-2027.10.07 08:00-18:30; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/huamen-gate - **Guangsheng Temple** (★★★★): Admission ¥50; Opening hours 8：00—17：30; Time needed 2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/guangsheng-temple - **Hongdong Great Locust Tree** (★★★★★): Admission ¥80 (peak season); ¥60 (off-season); Opening hours 2026.01.01-2026.12.31 07:30-18:00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hongdong-great-locust-tree - **Susan Prison** (★★★): Admission ¥40; Opening hours 8：00—18：00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/susan-prison - **Xiaoxitian Temple** (★★★★): Admission ¥28; Opening hours 2026.10.01-2027.04.30 08:00-17:30; 2027.05.01-2027.09.30 07:30-18:00; Time needed 2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xiaoxitian-temple - **Qiankun Bay** (★★★★): Admission ¥80; Opening hours 8:00–18:30 (April–November); 8:00–17:00 (December–March); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/qiankun-bay - **Yunqiu Mountain** (★★★★): Admission ¥80; in-park shuttle bus ¥20; Opening hours 7:00–19:00 (April–October); 7:50–18:00 (November–March); Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yunqiu-mountain ## Day trips & beyond - **Jiezhou Guandi Temple** (★★★★): Admission Peak season ¥60; off-season ¥50; Opening hours 8:00–18:00 (April–October); 9:00–17:00 (November–March); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/jiezhou-guandi-temple - **Yuncheng Salt Lake** (★★★★): Admission Combined ticket ¥198 (includes salt therapy, floating, mud and mineral water therapies); Opening hours 8：00—20：30; Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yuncheng-salt-lake - **Wangmang Ridge** (★★★★): Admission ¥110; Opening hours 2026.11.01-2027.03.31 08:30-17:30; 2027.04.01-2027.10.31 08:00-18:00; Time needed 5.5–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wangmang-ridge - **Puji Temple** (★★★★): Admission Peak season ¥60; off-season ¥50; Opening hours 2026.11.01-2027.03.31 08:30-18:30; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/puji-temple-linfen - **Stork Tower (Guanque Tower)** (★★★): Admission ¥45; Opening hours 8:30–18:00 (April–October); 9:00–17:00 (November–March); Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/stork-tower-guanque-tower --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1852–1863. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.