2024 Pingshun Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)
Today's Weather
Overcast 6-21℃
Popular Attractions
Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area
A guesthouse 14 kilometers away from the Chibi Xuanliu Scenic Area, featuring cave dwellings and the option to bake bread
There are 7 rooms, very cozy, located in the Langshuyuan ancient village, the surrounding environment is very quiet, sleep is very good, parking is convenient, a great place for summer retreat and cooling off.
WanderlustVoyager123
Admire the Five Dynasties murals on the Zhuo Zhang River and unlock the most beautiful wooden Xieshan roof.
📍Attraction address:
Located in the middle of Long'er Mountain, 23 kilometers northwest of Pingshun County, Shanxi. Don't listen to the navigation, it's not a very accurate location, it's easy to get to the foot of the original temple nearby and disappear.
🚗Attraction transportation:
If you can't find it nearby, you can follow the location of the original temple, and keep driving along the main road under the mountain. When you reach a fork in the road, there is a sign pointing to it. It's not very obvious, but if you pay more attention, you won't miss it.
The real Dayunyuan is in front of the gate, there is a large courtyard, and there is an ancient pagoda on the left side of the steps.
👍️Attraction features:
The Pu Pai Fang of the Great Buddha Hall is the earliest example used in ancient Chinese wooden buildings. It is very magnificent. You can see the panoramic view when you climb to the back hall. It is a typical single-eave Xieshan roof with tough lines and magnificent atmosphere.
The Five Dynasties murals in the Great Buddha Hall are rare masterpieces in ancient Chinese murals, which are still well preserved.
The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms were a special period in Chinese history. Although the short history of fifty years disappeared in the war, Shanxi still preserved three wooden buildings from this period. Dayunyuan on the Zhuo Zhang River Valley is one of them. It has persisted to the present in the smoke of war and the wind and rain, which is rare.
🎟️Ticket related:
The cultural protection officer charged us twenty per person. Just open the door, no rush.
Isla_Wild3r
Changzhi Tongtian Gorge | Come here to find a rainbow.
| Come here to find a rainbow.
Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area is located in Hongtiguan Township, 30 kilometers east of Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, spanning the border of Shanxi and Henan provinces. It integrates majesty, strangeness, danger, and beauty, and integrates historical culture and natural scenery. It has four characteristic areas of "Grand Canyon, Immortal Peak, Rainbow Waterfall and Hongti Ancient Pass".
"The name of the canyon is Tongtian, and the strange and dangerous view is spectacular", "Thousands of peaks stand on the wall, and the middle is a steep canyon". The scenic spot is named Tongtian Gorge, which means a fortress that communicates with the sky and the gate of heaven. Tongtian Gorge has a pleasant climate and is an excellent summer resort. It belongs to a semi-humid continental climate, with no severe cold in winter, no severe heat in summer, and rain and heat in the same season. The air here is fresh, the scenery is pleasant all year round, the springs are like waterfalls, and the waterfall crystal curtain does not roll, swaying from the sky to the world, it is a good place to find a rainbow.
Amelia McAllister89
Chunhua Temple
Chunhua Temple is located in Yanggao Village, Yanggao Township, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. According to the records of the "Pingshun County Annals" in the 32nd year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1693), it was built during the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550~559).
The mountains in the south and the north are towering, and the peaks are towering; the east and the west are close to the houses, and the farmhouses are densely covered; the temple is close to the deep valley, and the Zhanghe River flows slowly from here, and the Ganlin Highway runs through the east and west of the temple. The scenery here is unique and the transportation is convenient.
The only remaining main hall is facing south, with a width of three rooms and a depth of six purlins. The single eaves and the top of the mountain are covered with tube tiles. The front and rear of the Ming Dynasty are divided into doors, and the brackets are made of four single copies, and the style is high. The beam frame is made of through-the-top Ming, the construction system is regular, the materials are standardized, the two ends of the beam are directly placed on the column head brackets, the flat Bo vertical roll cloud camel hump, the upper part is separated from the arch, and the flat beam melon column. The Song and Jin specifications are significant. In front of the main hall, there are two stone sutra towers in the Song Dynasty, which are more than 3 meters high, and the tower body is 1.8 meters. The plane is octagonal, and the harmony book is engraved with the "Zunsheng Tuoluoni Sutra" and "Diamond Prajna Paramita Sutra" in the third year of Kaibao in the Northern Song Dynasty (970)...
On June 25, 2001, Chunhua Temple was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
Chunhua Temple
Ella.Simmons$27
Fotou Temple
Fotou Temple is located in Yanggao Village, 50 kilometers northeast of Pingshun County, Shanxi Province. It is surrounded by mountains and built on a mound in the village. The temple faces the Zuohe River to the east and is backed by the Buddha's Nao.
Fotou Temple is located in a remote place and has not been repaired or changed much in the past dynasties. It has preserved the architectural features and local architectural techniques of the Song Dynasty, and has high research value in architectural art. Pingshun County is located in the belly of Daxing Mountain, with large mountains and deep ditches. It has preserved a large number of temples and temples such as Datian and Guimutian, as well as a large number of fine wall paintings with the regional characteristics of the Taihang Mountain area at different times. These murals have important cultural relic value and artistic value. "Pilu" is a transliteration of Sanskrit, meaning "growth". Among them, the murals of Fotou Temple are representative works of these murals.
The murals are painted on the east and west gables and the rear eaves wall of the hall. The painter uses the techniques of gold powder and fine brushwork to show the twenty-four gods of Buddhism, also known as "all gods and ghosts". Now only the growth day, wide-eyed day, moon palace day, diamond day, mocha day, scattered day, Weituo day, Bodhi Buddha head can be identified...
On May 25, 2006, Fotou Temple was announced as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
Fotou Temple
Liam.Roberts^81
Dayun Temple
Dayun Temple is located in the Long'er Mountain in Shihui Village, Shihui Township, 23 kilometers northwest of Pingshun County. It is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north, and faces the Zhuo Zhang River to the south. The temple is covered by trees and is quiet and secluded.
Dayun Temple faces south and has two courtyards, covering an area of 4,000 square meters. The existing mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Three Buddha Hall (rear hall) and the east and west rooms of the front courtyard are all in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Buddha Hall is a relic of the Five Dynasties. There are a total of 24 existing halls.
The temple was founded in the third year of Tianfu of the Five Dynasties. In the eighth year of Taiping Xingguo of the Northern Song Dynasty (983), the temple was renamed Dayun Temple by imperial decree. In the thirteenth year of Chenghua of the Ming Dynasty (1477), the mountain gate and the Heavenly King Hall were rebuilt. In October of the fourth year of Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty (1491), the Three Buddha Hall was rebuilt, and three rooms were changed to five rooms. In addition, three large Buddha statues and two Bodhisattva statues were added. The temple was rebuilt during the Kangxi and Daoguang periods of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. From 1961 to 1964, the Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Work Committee allocated funds to repair the roof of the Buddha Hall, reinforce the beams and brackets in the hall and the outer eaves, rebuild the 12 rooms of the east and west Zen halls, and build 80 meters of east and west walls.
It is a national key cultural relics protection unit. The ticket price is CNY 15.
?quinoxeAube789
Tiantai Nunnery
Shanxi Pingshun Tiantai Nunnery was built in the fourth year of Tianyou in the Tang Dynasty (907 AD). It is a northern Tiantai sect nunnery with an area of 970 square meters. The main hall is one of the four existing Tang Dynasty (618~907 AD) wooden ancient buildings in China. The building has the characteristics of Tang Dynasty architecture, such as simple structure, strict intersection, and no sense of complicated decoration.
However, during the major repair of Tiantai Nunnery in 2014, a text record about its founding year was found on the rafters, confirming that it was actually a building of the Later Tang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties, so it was removed from the Tang Dynasty buildings. Although Tiantai Nunnery was built in the Later Tang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties, the time interval with the end of the Tang Dynasty is very small, and the overall style continues the architectural features of the late Tang Dynasty. Its eaves scale is very large (the outer support column is added in later generations), and the eaves lines are more changeable than the Tang Dynasty buildings such as Nanchan Temple, which is very ornamental.
On January 13, 1988, Tiantai Nunnery was announced by the State Council as the third batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
Address:
Wangqu Village, Danchexiang, Pingshun County, ticket: 20 yuan
Tiantai Nunnery
Evans Christopher Chris
Climbing up to the Great Cloud Monastery in Black Myth: Wukong, here is a guide for you
🌟 In the southeast of Shanxi, there is a small village called Shihui Village, located at the junction of Changzhi Pingshun and Lucheng counties, on the north bank of the Zhuozhang River. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with beautiful natural scenery, and is a typical village in southeastern Shanxi.
🌟 Besides its beautiful scenery, Shihui Village also hides a top national key cultural relic protection unit - the Great Cloud Monastery. This ancient temple had been neglected for a long time and has only recently become known to the world with the rise of the internet and the popularity of Black Myth: Wukong.
🌟 According to the 'Stele of the Great Cloud Monastery of Shuangfeng Mountain' from the fourth year of Tianxi in the Northern Song Dynasty, the Great Cloud Monastery was built in the third year of Tianfu in the Later Jin of the Five Dynasties. After two years of construction, the Amitabha Hall and the abbot's rooms were completed.
🌟 In the first year of Xiande in the Later Zhou Dynasty, a celestial master passed away, and the Seven Treasures Pagoda was built in the southwest outside the temple. According to the 'Inscription of the Great Cloud Zen Monastery' from the second year of Xianping in the Song Dynasty: '... Since its creation, there have been more than a hundred halls and over five hundred meritorious deeds. Fortunately, the emperor bestowed great grace, and in the eighth year of Taiping Xingguo (983), on March 7th, he specially granted the title, changing Xianyan to the Great Cloud Zen Monastery.'
🌟 Unfortunately, during the Jin and Yuan periods, it was damaged by war, leaving only the Great Buddha Hall. During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, the Great Buddha Hall was repaired, and new monk rooms and the Kalan Hall were built. Later, Buddha statues were gradually created.
🌟 During the Qing Dynasty, a local heavy rainstorm caused most of the halls to be destroyed, leaving only the Great Buddha Hall and the Seven Treasures Pagoda. The buildings we see today, except for the Great Buddha Hall and the Seven Treasures Pagoda, were all restored during the 33rd year of Kangxi and the Republic of China.
🌟 There are currently two courtyards, with the central axis running from front to back, including the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Mountain Gate), the Great Buddha Hall, and the Three Buddhas Hall. In the first courtyard, there are also the Guanyin and Dizang Halls on the east and west sides.
✅ First, let's look at the Hall of Heavenly Kings, a Qing Dynasty building, housing four newly sculpted statues of the Heavenly Kings.
✅ Opposite the Hall of Heavenly Kings is the most precious relic in the Great Cloud Monastery - the Amitabha Hall, preserved from the fifth year of Tianfu in the Later Jin of the Five Dynasties. It is a single-eaved Xieshan roof building with three bays in width and six rafters in depth.
There is no moon platform in front of the hall, the column heads are gently curved, the side feet are significantly raised, and the brackets are five-paved with double eaves. Under the eaves, you can see the Pupaifang, the earliest example of wooden architecture in China, which is very valuable.
✅ Inside the hall, you can see the typical column-reducing method, with only two golden columns, providing enough space for the Buddha hall and making it more convenient for worshippers to pay homage.
On the Buddha altar, you can see brand new colored sculptures. Although they are modern works, the craftsmanship is still very good, making them masterpieces.
✅ However, the most exquisite part of the Amitabha Hall is the murals on the gable walls, the only existing temple murals from the Five Dynasties period in China, apart from the Mogao Caves.
✅ The fan-shaped walls depict Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas, with inscriptions beside them. Although the faces of the two Bodhisattvas are damaged, their smooth lines can still be seen.
The east wall depicts the 'Vimalakirti Transformation,' showing the Buddha sending Manjusri Bodhisattva to visit the sick Vimalakirti. In their conversation, they discuss Buddhist scriptures, attracting Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Heavenly Kings, flying deities, and celestial maidens to listen.
The most striking part of the entire mural is the flying deities at the top, riding on clouds, with their clothes fluttering in the wind, rich in color and clear in lines, standing out among the many figures.
✅ After viewing the Amitabha Hall, be sure to see the Seven Treasures Pagoda outside the temple, a stone pagoda preserved from the Five Dynasties period. It consists of a base, a body, and a finial. At the base, you can see scenes of Hu people dancing the 'Hu Teng Dance' and 'Hu Xuan Dance,' and on the body, you can see images of monks resembling women opening doors.
✅ Other unmissable highlights:
Next to the Amitabha Hall, you can see the stele inscriptions from the fourth year of Tianxi in the Northern Song Dynasty and the second year of Xianping in the Song Dynasty. The west side hall houses some stone carvings and glazed components.
quill_3142
Shanxi | Tongtian Gorge~ Shanxi people also have their own Jiuzhaigou.
| Tongtian Gorge~ Shanxi people also have their own Jiuzhaigou. Tongtian Gorge is really beautiful. Although it's a bit rushed in one day, it's worth it!!!
🌈Everyone may know Taihang Mountain, but the scenery of Tongtian Gorge is really not bad, and it won't be crowded. You can climb the mountain at your own pace.
🌈As soon as you enter the scenic area, you will see the emerald green lake after walking about 200-300 meters. It's really beautiful without any filters. You must take photos here! (I have to say that the koi in the lake are really well-fed, hahahahaha)
🌈🚢We bought a package ticket (boat and cable car package 195). There's not much climbing, and it's not tiring to play in the mountains and water. However, there are relatively few supporting facilities, which may be due to the small number of people and the poor benefits.
🌈You can take a boat after climbing a section of the mountain. You can see the scenery I'm most looking forward to, and the scenery is different in all four seasons.
🌈After taking the boat, you have to climb the slope. To reach the top of the mountain⛰️, you need to take the cable car🚠. Tell me quietly if you are afraid of heights!!!
When you reach the top of the mountain, there is a section of cable car climbing, which is really steep. Be careful if you bring children, and the road is also narrow.
🌈Address:📍30 kilometers east of Ping Shun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
⏰The scenic area is open from 08:30 to 17:00
🎫Tickets 100
🚗One-way scenic transportation 20
🛶Boat 50
⛓️Round-trip cable car 120
🍀Main attractions:
✔Tongtian Lake✔Macaque Valley✔Three-tiered Spring✔Water Curtain Cave✔Shen Gui Lake, Moon Valley✔Tongtian Cave✔Tian Street✔Tianlutai
.
🐾Travel tips:
Sunscreen: Tongtian Gorge is sunny and has strong ultraviolet rays. It is recommended to bring sunscreen, sun hats, etc.
Food and water: There are few dining facilities in the scenic area. It is recommended to bring some dry food and water.
Clothing: There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening. Remember to bring a jacket
CosmicAdventurer_456
Tongtian Gorge in Shanxi - Cleansing the Mundane Dust
Breathing in the fresh air, 💭 strolling among the mountains and rivers, the free wind blew under the waterfall, and the long-suppressed thoughts began to dissipate.
Looking around, the majestic mountains on three sides embrace the entrance of Tongtian Gorge. Looking up at the sky, the azure sky, rolling cool clouds, a gentle breeze brushing the face, the whole body feels pleasant, refreshing, and comfortable.
Sitting in a small boat on Tongtian Lake 🛶, the jade-like water surface reflects the towering green mountains around like a mirror. As the boat moves, there is truly a feeling of a light boat passing through thousands of mountains ⛰️, as if everything is just like floating clouds.
Mountains and rivers are just so, the journey is long, people must always have the ability to be self-consistent and the courage to start anew. Setting off is always more meaningful than longing.
FR. Zac 33
A thousand-year-old ancient temple in Shanxi, with rare national treasures inside
In a thousand-year-old ancient temple in Shanxi, there are rare national treasures inside, and there is also a 'transparent' stone stele at the entrance. Curious friends might ask, where exactly is this thousand-year-old ancient temple in Shanxi? What unique scenery does it have? With these questions and curiosity, let's talk about the stories of Longmen Temple today. Longmen Temple was founded during the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty. It is located on Longmen Mountain, which is surrounded by towering mountains and steep cliffs. The mountain is named Longmen (Dragon Gate) because the rocks in the valley resemble a dragon's head, and the temple is named Longmen Temple because of Longmen Mountain. The temple is surrounded by three mountains and one water body, creating a serene and elegant scenery. There are scenic spots such as Dragon Mouth Spitting Water, Stone Valley Dragon Gate, Golden Lamp Flowing Oil, Transparent Stone Stele, and Cliff Stone Buddha. Moreover, it is particularly worth mentioning that Changzhi Longmen Temple is known as the 'Eight Treasures Dragon Gate.' According to records, during the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty, Monk Fashong traveled from Mount Wutai to this place and built the 'Fahua Temple' here. It was renamed 'Longmen Temple' during the Qiande period of the Northern Song Dynasty. The existing halls and corridors are arranged meticulously. The central axis has three courtyards, and the east and west Zen halls and other buildings each form a separate area. Among them, the west side hall in the front courtyard was built in the third year of Tongguang in the Later Tang Dynasty (925 AD). It has three bays and a hanging mountain style, with no columns inside. The beams and rafters are simple and orderly, still retaining the Tang style.
WilliamMcGregor46
Jindeng Temple, the only water and land grotto in China
Jindeng Temple Grotto is located in Pingshun County, Changzhi, Shanxi Province. It was first excavated during the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557 AD) and expanded during the Hongzhi to Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty (1506-1620 AD). Jindeng Temple Grotto is the largest Ming Dynasty grotto complex in the country, with a grand scale and exquisite carvings, representing the final glorious chapter of Chinese grotto art.
The most distinctive feature is the Water and Land Hall. Inside the hall, there is a spring pool, with a field-shaped stone bridge in the pool connecting to the cliffs on both sides. When walking on the bridge, the reflections of water and Buddha images flow beneath your feet, making it feel like 'walking in a mirror.' The four walls of the Water and Land Hall are adorned with 69 water and land paintings in shallow relief, arranged in two layers. Each painting is about 0.6 meters wide and 1 meter high, depicting figures such as Indra, Brahma, Hariti, the Four Heavenly Kings, sages, empresses, wise ministers, and evil spirits from hell, which are unique in the country.
PIERCE MITCHELL
Northern Little Jiuzhaigou—Tongtian Gorge Nanny-level Travel Guide
When it comes to the natural scenery of southeastern Shanxi, Tongtian Gorge is worth mentioning! A summer resort to escape the heat, a winter wonderland with ice formations stretching for miles, and different beautiful sceneries throughout the four seasons. Here is a detailed guide to touring Tongtian Gorge.
You can join a local one-day tour of Tongtian Gorge, usually priced at 168 yuan. It's also very convenient for those driving themselves; the scenic area is about 2 kilometers from the highway exit.
After ticket inspection and entering the scenic area, there are electric shuttle buses available for 10 yuan one way or 20 yuan round trip per person. Personally, I don't think it's very cost-effective; you can choose to walk. It takes about ten minutes to walk from the ticket inspection point to the Water Play Plaza.
Tour sequence: Water Play Plaza—Tongtian Lake—Macaque Village—Shiping Mountain—Yixiantian—Qianchi Gorge Boat Ride (50 yuan round trip per person, a must-ride)—Tunnel—Tianjie Cableway (60 yuan one way, 100 yuan round trip per person)—Colorful Glass Walkway (25 yuan per person)—360-degree Viewing Platform.
If you plan to visit all the attractions, it is recommended to buy a package ticket for the scenic area, which is much more cost-effective than buying individual tickets.
The tour takes about 4 hours.
There are dining places at the Water Play Plaza and the mountain top hotel.
PixelWizard
Northern Little Jiangnan, Changzhi Red Cliff Waterfall
Northern Little Jiangnan is originally hidden in Changzhi, Taihang Red Cliff Waterfall Scenic Area. The Red Cliff Waterfall Scenic Area is built along the Zhuozhang River, starting from Yuanyang Island in Aozhi Village in the east, and extending to Liushu Bay in Beitanche in the west, spanning a total length of 12 kilometers and crossing four villages: Aozhi, Yantuo, Chibi, and Henantan.
The scenic area includes multiple attractions such as Dayu Gorge, Red Cliff Waterfall, Swan Lake, and Liushu Bay. Among them, Red Cliff Waterfall is the foremost of the 'Eight Ancient Sceneries of Pingshun.' Many mythical stories are also passed down here.
After entering the scenic area, walk to tour the water-based Red Cliff Danxia, then take a sightseeing car to reach the first waterfall of Taihang. After touring around the large waterfall for about an hour, head to the bamboo raft dock to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Zhang River by bamboo raft.
After reaching Happy Island by bamboo raft, take a small train back to the vicinity of the large waterfall, and finally take a black awning boat back to the parking lot. Be sure to take the small train in the evening when the sunset illuminates the scenery, making everything so beautiful.
|Taihang Red Cliff Waterfall Scenic Area|
Transportation: Navigate by name, it takes 4 hours to reach from Taiyuan.
Ruby Sugar Plum
A grotto on the sheer cliffs of the Taihang Mountains, difficult to reach but once there, you won't want to leave
Discovered from a book, this place is suspended on the sheer cliffs deep within the Taihang Mountains—
Jindeng Temple Grotto.
First chiseled during the Northern Zhou of the Northern and Southern Dynasties,
It underwent various degrees of expansion during the Ming Zhengde, Jiajing, Longqing, and Wanli periods.
Nowadays, it is almost forgotten and hard to reach.
The weather in the Taihang Mountains is ever-changing,
With visibility ranging from one to ten meters,
Every turn on the mountain road is an illusion.
The natural stones in the grotto are very hard,
Which shows how difficult it was to carve the relief sculptures at that time. In the damp Water Curtain Cave,
A thin layer of water vapor seeps and flows all year round,
When you reach out and touch it,
It feels icy cold.
Isla_Wild3r
The homestay in Changzhi, Shanxi is really great value, very affordable, babies come and experience it
To avoid the peak, I found a homestay in the mountains in Pingshun County, Changzhi, which is a converted factory building. The environment is nice, and there are ancient villages nearby to stroll around. The restaurant is vegetarian but very tasty, and the key is that the price did not double during the May Day holiday like other homestays. The next day, I went early to experience the Red Cliff Hanging Flow, which was also good.
Emily Walker Emily22
Longmen Temple in Pingshun, hidden in the deep mountains, gathers ancient buildings from the Six Dynasties
Longmen Temple, originally named Fahua Temple, faces south with its back to the north. According to inscriptions, it was founded in the second year of Wuding during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 AD). It was expanded during the Later Tang and Northern Song periods. During the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was renamed Longmen Temple, and in the first year of Jianlong (960 AD), the temple reached its peak size, boasting 'hundreds of halls and chambers.' It was renovated during the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
The existing architectural complex adopts a layout with three central axes: east, middle, and west. The central axis includes the Mountain Gate (Heavenly King Hall, pics 1, 3, 4, 7) from the Jin Dynasty, the Mahavira Hall (pics 5, 6) from the Song Dynasty, the Lamp-Burning Buddha Hall (rear hall, pic 12) from the Yuan Dynasty, and the Stone Buddha Pavilion (pics 13, 14), flanked by the east and west cloisters and side halls, with the west side hall (pics 8, 9) from the Five Dynasties and the east side hall (pics 11, 20) from the Ming Dynasty, as well as the east side bell tower, etc.; the east axis includes the Holy Monk Hall with five rooms (pic 19), the Water and Land Hall with seven rooms, and the Zen Hall (pic 18), as well as auxiliary buildings like monks' quarters and stables; the west axis includes monks' quarters and storehouses (pics 15-17), all from the Qing Dynasty.
Particularly noteworthy is the unassuming west side hall, which, according to the stone stele from the third year of Qianyou during the Later Han Dynasty (950 AD) inside the temple (pic 10), was built in the third year of Tongguang during the Later Tang Dynasty (925 AD). It is one of the three oldest surviving semi-Tang Dynasty wooden structures in China. Also, the Mahavira Hall, according to the stone pillars in the front eaves, was built in the fifth year of Shaosheng during the Northern Song Dynasty (1098 AD), ranking it among the oldest surviving ancient buildings in China! The temple also preserves four Song and Jin Dynasty stone pagodas (outside the west wall, not found), nine Ming Dynasty steles, thirteen Qing Dynasty steles, and many fine brushwork and color murals.
As an architectural complex that well preserves buildings from the Six Dynasties in one temple, Longmen Temple only charges 20 yuan for admission, which is truly a conscientious price, and parking is free. Photography is also not restricted within the temple. However, it is located in a remote area, far from both Changzhi city and Pingshun county town, so a self-driving tour is more convenient for those who wish to appreciate its beauty.
Gourmet Getaways
Discover the Beauty of Shanxi | A Day Trip to Tongtian Gorge
🏞️ Tongtian Gorge in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, with its unique northern landscape charm, seems to condense the grandeur of nature between heaven and earth into one valley. 🏞️ Every inch of this land tells the story of the power and rhythm of nature, leaving visitors utterly enchanted.
🔍【Ticket & Cost Overview】💰
👉Ticket: 90 yuan
👉Cableway: 60 yuan for one-way, 120 yuan for round-trip
👉Boat ride: 50 yuan/one-way, about 10 minutes through beautiful scenery
👉Glass walkway: an additional 20 yuan
👉Package deal: One-day tour ticket (including some transportation): 169 yuan
🛣️【Travel Tips】🛣️
-Navigation: Pingshun County S76, Changzhi City, direct to the destination
-Parking: Free parking lot, worry-free parking
-Suggested duration: Reserve 6 hours for an in-depth exploration
🗺️【Itinerary Planning】👣
Turn left at the wooden bridge👉Monkey Village👉Shimi Viewing the Sun👉First Waterfall 👉Water Play Plaza Windmill👉Triple Waterfalls👉Tortoise Lake👉Thousand-Foot Gully👉Tongtian Cave👉Cableway👉Fairy Peak👉Tianlu Terrace (viewing platform)👉Cableway/Sightseeing Car down the mountain
🌄【Highlights of the Visit】🌟
- Thousand-Foot Gully: The essence of the place, a fairyland among the mountains, not to be missed
- Monkey Village: Interact closely with monkeys, feel the dance of nature with creatures
- Glass walkway: Heart-pounding challenge, satisfies your desire for adventure
- Tianlu Terrace: High vantage point, panoramic view all in sight
- Cableway: Aerial perspective, experience a different canyon journey
📝【Practical Tips】💡
- Take the bus from the entrance of the scenic area up the mountain
- Large temperature difference, bring a spare coat for warmth
- Follow the main road on foot, the attractions are connected
- Cable car shuttle service available during peak times
- Bring your own snacks, keep your phone charged
- Avoid holiday peak crowds
- Wear comfortable shoes, better for hiking in the gorge
RoamingExplorer
The main hall of Tiantai Hermitage in Ping Shun of the Five Dynasties has been 'misjudged' for many years
Tiantai Hermitage was once considered to be a Tang Dynasty construction.
Located on a solitary mountain in Wangqu Village, Pingshun County, Shanxi.
The temple has only one main hall, small in scale and solitary, yet rich in Tang Dynasty style.
In 1988, when it was selected as a national key cultural relics protection unit, its registered identity was:
Founded in 907 (the year of the Tang Dynasty's demise).
At that time, it was said: There are a total of four existing Tang Dynasty wooden buildings in our country.
Nanchan Temple, Foguang Temple, Guangrenwang Temple, and Tiantai Hermitage. At the end of 2014, Tiantai Hermitage underwent major repairs.
During the repairs, an ink inscription was found between the ridge purlin and the replacement timber in the hall, which read 'September 2nd of the fourth year of Tang Changxing and the fourth year of Tang Tiancheng...' 'Changxing' is the era name of Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang, which is 26 years after the fall of the Great Tang.
Thus, the identity of Tiantai Hermitage came out: it was originally built during the Five Dynasties period in 929 (the fourth year of Tiancheng of the Later Tang), and was renovated in 933 (the fourth year of Changxing of the Later Tang).
Tiantai Hermitage is not from the Tang Dynasty, but from the Five Dynasties.
Evelyn.Simmons^59
Shanxi Tongtianxia Travel Guide!
👍Most recommended:
Shanxi, named for its location to the west of the Taihang Mountains, is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese nation and also one of the main representatives of the profound Yellow River culture. With a long history and a collection of humanities, countless famous mountains and rivers are like beautiful paintings that are too numerous to count.
📍Detailed address:
The Tongtianxia Scenic Area is located at the junction of Shanxi and Henan provinces, at the southern end of the Taihang Mountains, in Pingshun County, southeast of Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
🌟Highlights:
The Tongtianxia Scenic Area is divided into east and west parts, the eastern part is characterized by valley lakes, waterfalls, and streams, with attractions such as Tongtian Lake, Shengui Lake, Xishui Pool, Triple Waterfall, Tianhe Hukou Waterfall, Shuilian Cave, Qianchi Gully, etc.; the western part is characterized by canyons, peak valleys, and narrow valleys, with attractions such as Shiping Mountain, Shen Zhi Peak, Xiaoyao Valley, Xianren Peak, etc.
🚉Transportation strategy:
, from Taiyuan/Changzhi: Along the G55 Tai-Chang Expressway (towards Changzhi, Jincheng direction) → Changzhi East Expressway Exit → Transfer to S76 Pingchang Expressway (towards Pingshun, Anyang direction) → Hongni Expressway Exit → Hou Shi Line → Tongtianxia Scenic Area
, from Handan, Hebei: Along the G22 Qinglan Expressway (towards Licheng, Changzhi direction) → Changzhi East Expressway Exit → Transfer to S76 Pingchang Expressway (towards Pingshun, Anyang direction) → Hongni Expressway Exit → Hou Shi Line → Tongtianxia Scenic Area
, from Anyang, Henan: Along the S22 Nanlin Expressway (towards Linzhou, Changzhi direction) → S76 Pingchang Expressway (Hongni Expressway Exit) → Tongtianxia Scenic Area
🕙Business hours:
Summer: 7:30--18:00; Winter: 8:30--17:00
💰Average cost:
Scenic area ticket: 50 yuan/person, package ticket 170 yuan/person including admission, double cableway, one-way transport car, cruise, cableway one-way 60 yuan/person, round-trip 100 yuan/person, cruise 50 yuan/person, transport car one-way 10 yuan/person.
Travel strategy:
Eastern tour order: Shiping Mountain (distant view) -- Tongtian Lake -- Buyun Bridge -- Mi Hou Village -- Tongtian Bridge -- Lanshui Dam -- Xishui Square -- Triple Waterfall -- Xishui Pool -- Tianhe Hukou Waterfall -- Shuilian Cave -- Qianchi Gully -- Yixian Tian -- Xiaoyao Valley. The entire tour takes about 2 to 3 hours.
For the western part, you can choose to take the Xiaoyao Valley ladder to the mountain, enter the Xianren Peak scenic area, pass through two major elevations, and finally reach the highest peak Xianren Peak, and then return the same way (about 3 hours); or take the Tianjie cableway directly to Xianren Peak (cableway fare one-way 60 yuan/person, round-trip 100 yuan/person), visit Lingkong Pavilion, Xianren Peak Stone Carvings, Tianlu Terrace, (takes about 1-2 hours).
✅Must experience:
Asia's number one cableway Tianjie Cableway: 750 meters long, 300 meters high, with a slope of 43.5 degrees;
Tianlu Terrace, Xianren Peak: Tianlu Terrace can accommodate 300 people standing at the same time, hexagonal, transparent organic glass steel structure; the highest peak of Tongtianxia - Xianren Peak, the viewing platform on Xianren Peak is one of the rare hanging viewing platforms in China, standing on the summit, you can see the stars and moon moving, the peaks changing, overlooking the vast sea of clouds, the colorful clouds bathing in the sun, majestic and mysterious, breathtaking.
LifeHacks101
Spring Journey to the Southern Taihang Mountains (3) Self-driving on Huahu Road
"The fragrance of April in the world has ended, but the peach blossoms in the mountain temples are just beginning to bloom..."
We do not miss the fragrance of flowers, nor the morning glow and sunset,
Spring breeze on the face, bright moon and gentle wind.
👍Most recommended:
Huahu Road is a scenic road that crosses the Southern Taihang Mountains, running along the border of Henan and Shanxi provinces. The starting point is located in Huayuan Village, Hejian Town, Linzhou City, Henan Province, and the endpoint is in Huguan County, Shanxi Province. Known for its precipitous features, the road offers endless scenic views and is one of the classic self-driving routes in the Taihang Mountains.
This self-driving itinerary: Huayuan Village — Jindeng Temple — Shenlong Bay — Xijing — Hongtiguan — Majiayan — Shibanyan Town
The journey, with stops along the way, took 2 days and 1 night, staying overnight at the Tianlu Post Station B&B in Pingshun County, Shanxi
Along the way, accompanied by forests, mountain flowers, clear springs, and canyons, the beauty of the Taihang Mountains is fully embraced, leaving an imprint in the heart... Jindeng Temple
AdventuringGypsy
The ancient temple of Jindeng Temple built in the clouds is more than just a legend
🏞️ Looking for a heart-racing thrill? Jindeng Temple is perched on the vertical cliffs of Linli Mountain, where the 90° shock is enough to send your adrenaline soaring with just one look down! 👀 Step through the temple gates as if walking in the air, with the beauty of the mountains and rivers in full view, but be careful, don't let weak knees betray your bravery! 😂
🖼️ Speaking of the grottoes of Jindeng Temple, it's simply a paradise for art lovers! The statues from the Ming Dynasty in Cave 5, with their gaze that transcends time, preserve that ancient charm in its entirety. The ingenious fusion of wood and rock, the silent Buddhas of the past, present, and future tell a thousand-year-old story, with a touch of remaining fresco painting, like a gentle kiss of time~💖
🖌️ Inside the grottoes, it's like a three-dimensional 'syncretism of the Three Teachings' history book! Each wall is a masterpiece of unique craftsmanship, emperors, fairies, civil and military officials... all kinds of immortals together, such a visual feast is hard to find elsewhere! ✨
🏺 The pagoda forest, the watcher of history. 46 stone pagodas of various shapes, from square to hexagonal, from inverted bowls to pavilions, each one inscribed with stories, with clear inscriptions whispering the prayers and wisdom of the ancients. 📜
🛣️ The road to Jindeng Temple is truly an adventure! Winding and thrilling, the cliffside road is breathtaking, with surprises hidden at every turn. Although the journey is long, the Taihang scenery along the way is wallpaper-worthy beauty, guaranteed to fill up your camera memory! 📷
🕒 Half a day's journey, in exchange for a dual shock of vision and soul, a trip to Jindeng Temple is definitely worth the ticket price! Don't believe it? Come and try, and you're guaranteed to become its loyal fan! 🙌
ROSIE TREVINO
Shanxi Surrounding Tours | A Good Choice for a One-Day Tour to Changzhi Tongtianxia
A Good Choice for a One-Day Tour to Changzhi Tongtianxia. A Good Choice for a One-Day Tour to Changzhi Tongtianxia
🗺Scenic Spot Features:
It has four major characteristic areas: 'Grand Canyon, Immortal Peaks, Rainbow Waterfall, and Rainbow Ladder Ancient Pass', and there are many small attractions as well. Additionally, in the Monkey Valley, there are 🐒 to interact with.
The whole scenery is beautiful, with the grand canyon, big waterfalls, and high mountains with flowing water~~ known as the 'Little Jiuzhaigou'
🎟Ticket Package for the Elderly and Children: 170 yuan❗️
(Includes admission ticket + round-trip cable car/boat trip + one-way electric cart)
🍱Dining and Snacks:
There are restaurants in the scenic area, and snacks and specialties sold on the roadside are not expensive. Just bring your own water and some snacks to replenish your energy
🏠The surrounding area is a village, with homestays and restaurants set up by the villagers themselves, which can be viewed and booked online in advance.
📌Tips:
It is recommended to climb to the mid-mountain ➡️ take a boat trip around the lake ➡️ take the cable car to the mountain top, (there's not much on the mountain top, just a terrace to enjoy the view) ➡️ then take the car down the mountain.
⛰The glass walkway ticket is sold separately for 20 yuan, not recommended to buy, you can also get there by walking the stone steps directly, which is a bit steep, but you can enjoy the view of the mountain road and the landform❗️
🚙Electric cart single ticket is 20 yuan, recommended to buy, as you might be too tired to walk back❗️
🛩There is helicopter sightseeing on the mountain top, but the duration is short and the price is not low, consider it based on your situation.
WanderWithWilliam
The ancient architectural treasures of the Zhuo Zhang River Valley: Changzhi Longmen Temple and Dayun Temple
Originating from the Taihang Mountains, the Zhuo Zhang River Valley conceals numerous pristine ancient architectural treasures. The first stop on the 'land of cultural relics in Shanxi' tour to visit ancient sites brings us to this somewhat magical temple, the Longmen Temple located in Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. Although small in scale, Longmen Temple has a complete layout, combining the Western Side Hall (Five Dynasties), the Mahavira Hall (Song), the Heavenly King Hall (Jin), the Lamp-Burning Buddha Hall (Yuan), the Eastern Side Hall (Ming), and the East-West Axis Buildings (Qing) from six dynasties into one temple, earning it the reputation of 'China's Ancient Architecture Museum'. (Fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units, ticket price: 20 yuan)
Founded in the third year of Tianfu during the Later Jin of the Five Dynasties (938 AD), Dayun Temple is a 33-kilometer drive from Longmen Temple. Its main attraction is the thousand-year-old Amitabha Hall, one of the only five remaining Five Dynasties wooden structures in the country. The 21 square meters of murals inside the hall are the only surviving temple murals from the Five Dynasties period in China, making them extremely precious. When the caretaker of Dayun Temple opened the doors of the Amitabha Hall, the complex wooden structure and the Five Dynasties murals absolutely, absolutely, absolutely dazzled me, leaving me in awe of the exquisite craftsmanship of the ancient artisans!!! (Third batch of national key cultural relics protection units, ticket price: 20 yuan)
cassius_alex_fiorentino
Jin Deng Temple in the Taihang Mountains
Departing from Yizhuo Hotel in Pingshun County in the early morning, head to Jin Deng Temple via Yuxiaguan Village for a tour of the temple and to admire the majestic Taihang Mountains. The Jin Deng Temple grottoes were first carved during the Northern Zhou Dynasty, over a thousand years ago, and are located on a cliff face hundreds of feet high. With an altitude of over 1550 meters, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides and shrouded in clouds and mist throughout the year. Since ancient times, it has been known as 'the wonder of Zhongzhou, the spectacle of Shanxi and Henan, a fairyland and treasured place.' The scenery here is unique, with steep and imposing mountain ridges. It is an excellent spot to view the precipitous cliffs of the Taihang Grand Canyon.
Jin Deng Temple
AUBRIE CHRISTENSEN
Ancient village on the cliff
Tour Shanxi | The ancient village by the cliff waterfall, a hidden paradise discovered
A niche attraction discovered! A hidden paradise nestled deep in the mountains of Changzhi! Surrounded by green mountains, shrouded in mist, the ancient village of Hongni Village is built on the cliffs!
It's still a FREE attraction! Hurry up and go
Walking into the ancient village, you are surrounded by green waters and mountains, every step is as poetic and picturesque as the last. The village is built right on the edge of a cliff, with a waterfall cascading down from the cliff next to it, which is particularly spectacular! The air is fresh, making it a perfect summer retreat for cooling off and breathing in oxygen!
The local customs in the ancient village are still very simple, and you can see the leisurely villagers. In the ancient village, you can also experience many intangible cultural heritage projects, which are very suitable for family travel
There is also the popular outdoor camping! Rows of tents light up with small lights at night, which looks very nice. You can enjoy a self-service barbecue, a trunk market, and a bonfire.
It's about a three-hour drive from Taiyuan
Hi, if you need accommodation at night, you can choose a homestay or a container hotel
AdventurousAbode
Checking in at Tongtian Gorge
Whether it's the snow wrapped among the mountains, or the ice sealed on the lake, the winter of Tongtian Gorge attracts tourists with its unique purity and beauty. The natural scenery here is not limited to icicles, but also includes those frozen on the branches, presenting the breath of winter in a wonderfully exquisite way. Despite the absence of snowflakes flying all over the sky, the winter of Tongtian Gorge still has its own unique and lasting beauty. With the change of seasons, the color of the mountains changes from verdant to vigorous, and the mountain becomes more majestic and atmospheric. Especially in winter, the mountain springs freeze into ice, and then are hit by new water flows, forming various shapes of icicles. These huge icicles hanging at the top of the cliff, like white waterfalls falling from the sky, give a strong visual shock.
KAMRYN COCHRAN
Tongtian Gorge in Changzhi, Shanxi, a glacial secret under the Taihang Mountains!
Stunning gorge scenery, a masterpiece of nature, Tongtian Gorge brings you a visual feast! Come here to witness the magical charm of nature!
Share these copywriting in your circle of friends, coupled with a few beautiful photos of Tongtian Gorge, it will definitely attract a lot of friends' attention, making them want to come and experience the beautiful scenery and mysterious atmosphere here.
Evelyn.Robinson.54
The secret realm of Taihang Mountain, the stone caves of Jindeng Temple
Stepping out of the Water and Land Hall, pay attention to the cliff carvings and small stone caves densely distributed like beehives on the cliffs outside the hall. They are carved with Maitreya Buddha, one Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, Guanyin who sends children, Kalan, Arhats, etc. The thousands of Buddhas have different expressions and are lifelike. Cliff carvings refer to carving a shallow niche on the cliff, and carving a Buddha statue in the heart of the niche at the same time, mainly in relief, also known as opening niche carvings. Stone cave carvings are to carve caves on the cliffs, and then carve or mold Buddha statues in the caves.
In the other halls of Jindeng Temple, there are many Taoist statues such as Mount Tai God, Guan Gong, etc., either carved in wood or molded in clay. Taoism is different from Buddhism. It is a religion indigenous to China. Influenced by the worship of ghosts and gods in ancient times, Taoism has become a polytheistic religion. The other world of Taoism is therefore rich and colorful, and it is very lively.
It is said that the sixth cave was once the scripture hall, and there was a 6-meter-high bronze Buddha in the hall, which contained several volumes of scriptures. Unfortunately, it is now unknown. There are thousands of Buddhas carved on the cliff with equal specifications.
Jindeng Temple Stone Caves
Self-driving is required
Ticket: 20 yuan
Address: Jindeng Village, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
JOHANNA ROBBINS
At the top of Taihang Mountain, next to the Golden Lamp Temple, is the South Heavenly Gate
The South Heavenly Gate next to the Golden Lamp Temple on Honggushan Mountain is located at the top of Taihang Mountain, at the border of Pingshun, Shanxi and Linzhou, Henan. Go up the stairs on the left hand side 50 meters in front of the Golden Lamp Temple stone archway, and you will reach the South Heavenly Gate.
The natural scenery of Honggushan Mountain is very beautiful, with mountains and rivers, towering peaks, and green grass like a cover. In the middle is a deep valley, with a stream flowing all year round. There are three waterfalls at the bottom of the valley, and the mountain and water fall down like a long silk. In spring, the mountain is full of yellow flowers, overflowing with golden color; in autumn, the frost hits the maple leaves, which are all red.
The history of Honggushan Mountain is long, with brilliant ancient relics. The Honggu Temple was built by Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, and many monks have come to visit. The Golden Lamp Temple Grottoes of the Northern Qi Dynasty are built on a cliff of ten thousand feet, surrounded by white clouds, mysterious and unpredictable.
Free
Drive yourself to the South Heavenly Gate, which is up the stairs on the left hand side 50 meters in front of the Golden Lamp Temple stone archway.