Lüliang Trip: Listening to the Waves in the Ancient Town, Seeking Serenity in the Taoist Temple, Remembering the Glorious Years of Red History

Lüliang is a charming city rich in natural landscapes and profound historical and cultural heritage. Here is a two-day, one-night travel guide covering six attractions: Day 1: Qikou Ancient Town - Lijiashan Village - North Wudang Mountain - Morning: After arriving in Lüliang, head to Qikou Ancient Town. Qikou Ancient Town is a millennium-old town on the Yellow River and one of the birthplaces of Shanxi merchants, known as "The First Town of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River." Stroll along the Ming and Qing dynasty streets, admire ancient buildings such as escort agencies, draft banks, and pawnshops, and experience the prosperity of Shanxi merchant culture. Climb the Black Dragon Temple to overlook the entire town and the Yellow River scenery. - Afternoon: Depart from Qikou Ancient Town and head to Lijiashan Village. Lijiashan Village was praised by the national painting master Wu Guanzhong as one of the three great discoveries of his life. The village’s cave dwellings are layered and staggered, allowing you to appreciate the unique residential style of the Loess Plateau. After the visit, proceed to North Wudang Mountain, a famous Taoist mountain known as "The First Famous Mountain of Sanjin." You can climb the steep peaks, enjoy natural scenery such as strange peaks, bizarre rocks, and dense forests along the way, and visit the Taoist temple at the summit to experience the profound Taoist culture. - Evening: Stay near North Wudang Mountain and savor local specialties such as knife-cut noodles, Youmian Kaolaolao (a type of buckwheat noodle), and rice balls. Day 2: Jin-Sui Border Revolutionary Memorial Hall - Guashan - Liu Hulan Memorial Hall - Morning: Visit the Jin-Sui Border Revolutionary Memorial Hall, located in Caijiaya Village, Caijiaya Township, Xing County, Lüliang City. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national patriotic education demonstration base. The hall houses over 4,300 cultural relics, allowing you to learn about the revolutionary struggles of the Lüliang people during the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War, and to pay tribute to the revolutionary martyrs. - Noon: Have lunch nearby and try Lüliang specialties such as Xiaoyi roasted meat sandwich and Lin County mixed vegetable stew. - Afternoon: Head to Guashan, named for its cluster of peaks arranged like the trigrams of the I Ching. It is a 4A-level scenic area featuring eight towering peaks, layered ridges, and ancient cypress trees, which are a major attraction due to their strange and interesting shapes. The Tianning Temple on the mountain was founded in the first year of the Tang Zhen Guan era and is the earliest and largest Buddhist temple among the many temples on Guashan. Then visit the Liu Hulan Memorial Hall, located in Liu Hulan Village, Liu Hulan Town, Wenshui County, Lüliang City. The white marble monument in front of the hall bears Mao Zedong’s handwritten inscription: "Great in life, glorious in death." The exhibition room mainly displays 74 relics of martyr Liu Hulan and paintings and various documents reflecting her life story, where you can commemorate the martyr and feel the revolutionary spirit. Transportation and Accommodation - Transportation: Lüliang’s attractions are quite spread out, so it is recommended to rent a car or drive for flexible itinerary arrangements; public transportation is also available, with tourist shuttle buses to some attractions, but transfers may be required, which can be time-consuming. - Accommodation: On the first day, you can choose to stay at a hotel or guesthouse near North Wudang Mountain for convenience the next day; alternatively, you can return to Qikou Ancient Town and stay in cave dwellings within the town, such as Qikou Inn or Yellow River Family, to experience a unique lodging atmosphere.