2025 Hejin Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Hejin Taitou Temple is a grand folk Taoist temple primarily dedicated to the Great Emperor of Mount Tai (Dongyue) and other deities, which held significant influence from the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. With its vast scale, majestic architecture, rigorous layout, exquisite craftsmanship, and simple style, it was designated as a "National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit" (7th batch) in 2013 due to its Yuan Dynasty structural components. The temple's elevated platform stands about 3 meters higher than the surrounding flatland, requiring visitors to look up when entering—hence its alternative names "Taitou Temple" (Raise-Head Temple) or "Xiyue Temple." Its founding date is unclear, though it traces back to the Han Dynasty and flourished during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Originally the site of Hejin's grain depot, it has been well-preserved. 🌈 Highlights: ✅ Taitou Temple has no walls or gates, making it a fully open-air temple and a cultural leisure square for locals, brimming with vibrant daily life. Its glazed ceramic sculptures differ from typical temples, featuring cartoonish designs that are remarkably lifelike. ✅ The existing structures unfold along a central axis, from south to north: Main Gate, Middle Gate, Offering Hall, and the principal hall—Dongyue Temple (Deyun Hall)—dedicated to the Great Emperor of Mount Tai. The east side hall is Houtu Shrine (Holy Mother Hall) for the Earth Goddess, while the west side hall is Xiyue Temple (Haoling Hall) for the Great Emperor of Mount Hua. ✅ The temple complex includes 10 ancient buildings, five of which date back to the Yuan Dynasty, showcasing the era's architectural techniques, features, and craftsmanship. ✅ Astonishingly, the entire temple was built without a single nail, relying solely on sophisticated mortise-and-tenon joints, reflecting the ingenuity and skill of ancient artisans. 🎫 Admission: Free 🚗 Transportation: Accessible via Hejin Bus Routes 5, 8, 21, or 2. For faster and more convenient travel, navigate 🧭 by car.

At the Shanxi Aluminum Plant, a friend kindly invited me to have dinner at the local people's kitchen. We also have a branch in our county, but it’s much smaller than the one at the aluminum factory. The restaurant is festively decorated and the private rooms are clean and elegant. The dishes are fresh and delicious, with perfect color, shape and taste. The most impressive thing is the colorful peanuts, which are raw, crispy and very refreshing! It really tastes like home! Food is a kind of culture and a bond that brings together brothers, sisters and friends. A good dining environment adds a touch of warmth, allowing everyone to blend into the cheerful atmosphere and wander in the innocent and lively memories of childhood!

|Glazed roofs. The Xuandi Temple is well-preserved, and the buildings in the temple retain inscriptions from the Ming dynasty, making it of great historical value. The biggest feature here is that all the buildings have glazed roofs, so it is also called the "Glazed Temple." The glaze is mainly green and blue, with unique carvings and rich patterns, making it of great scientific value for the study of the glazed firing technology of Hejin and even the whole country during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Address: Fancun Town, Hejin City, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province Transportation: Take a taxi from the People's Government of Hejin City, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province to Xuandi Temple, about 10.5 km, about 19 minutes.

|Ming Dynasty Stage. Fancun Stage, also known as Fancun Ming Dynasty Stage, was originally an annex of the Guandi Temple. It was built in the 24th year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1391) and was renovated during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty and the Kangxi and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty. The basic structure is still a Ming Dynasty building. Due to years of disrepair and the fact that the stage base was level with the ground, the relevant authorities carried out a comprehensive renovation of the stage in 2015, raising it by 1.5 meters to the height we see today. As one of the eight scenic spots in Hejin, it is a typical combination of arch and wood. The two sides and the rear eaves are built with brick walls, with a pot door on the left side. The rear gold pillars inside the stage divide the stage into a front and rear stage, with the front stage as the performance area and the rear stage as the dressing area. There are splayed walls on both sides of the front stage. It is now the Fancun Stage Leisure and Cultural Square. Address: Fancun Fortress, Fancun Town, Hejin City, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province Transportation: Take a bus from Yuncheng Central Bus Station to Hejin City Bus Station, then take a bus to Fancun

|Like a "Mini Great Wall." Zhenwu Temple, also known as Jiulong Temple, is located on a high mountain and shaped like an island, so it is also called "Lin Island." Zhenwu Temple is built along the mountain, and its grandeur makes it look like a giant dragon winding through the mountains. This magnificent architectural layout and visual effect make visitors feel like they are on the Great Wall, so it is vividly called the "Mini Great Wall." Zhenwu Temple is known for the beautiful legend of the "Eight Views of Lin Island": "Xihe Painting Boat," "Lonely Cloud Sending the Moon," "Wild Goose Pagoda in the Sky," "Leaning on the Golden Luan," "Taihua Sunny Peak," "Fen River Autumn Waves," "Little Bridge Flying Phoenix," and "Yuanlin Overlapping Green." Address: At the foot of Zijin Mountain, northwest of Sanli, Hejin City, Shanxi Province Address: Take a local bus to Jiulong Street, and walk to Zhenwu Temple. Admission: 20

|The beauty of harmony. Taitou Temple, also known as Zhaotou Temple, is located about one mile east of the old city of Hejin. It got its name because the base of the temple is much higher than the surrounding flat land. 《When entering the temple, people look up to see it, so it is also called Zhaotou Temple. The initial construction date is unknown. The existing buildings are gradually spread out along the central axis, with the main gate, the middle gate, the offering hall, and the Dongyue Temple (Deyun Hall) in the middle of the north, where Yue the Great God of Mount Tai is worshipped; parallel to the Deao Hall are the east and west side halls with three rooms each. The east side hall is Hou Tu Temple (Holy Mother Hall) where Hou Tu Niangniang is worshipped, and the west side hall is Xiyue Temple (Shuang Hall) where Xiyue the Great God of Mount Hua is worshipped; the main hall and the two side halls each have east and west ear halls and Shaxiguopai for the purpose of management and protection. In the morning, this is a place for citizens to do morning exercises. Dynamics and tranquility are intertwined, and ancient buildings and modern life coexist harmoniously. The wooden texture of Taitou Temple exudes an ancient atmosphere, while the vitality of the citizens adds a touch of vitality to it. The glazed qilins, flowers and dragon gargoyles on the roof all demonstrate the ingenuity and sophistication of the craftsmen. The Great Emperor Dongyue in Deyun Hall bestows blessings, peace, health and happiness to every citizen. Address: Address: Taitou Temple Square, Xingeng Street, Hejin City, Yuncheng City Tickets: Free Transportation: Self-driving

💦Shanxi, the refreshing coolness is going viral! Are you ready? Hey, buddies, do you feel like the summer heat is making you anxious?🔥🔥🔥 The hall has a bold suggestion, let's head to the mountains and play in the water right away!🌊 At this time, the mountains are truly 'refreshingly cool'! To the west of the Taihang Mountains is our Shanxi!⛰️ This great mountain not only gave Shanxi its name but also acts like a giant air conditioner, keeping the high temperatures at bay.🌡️ Today, let's take a trip to South Taihang and feel that coolness!🚗 Changzhi Taihang Red Cliff Waterfall Scenic Area, the waterfalls there are a true depiction of 'a thousand feet of water cascading down'!💦 Layered cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and clear blue skies, it's simply a natural cool world! Take a deep breath, the negative ions are off the charts, and you'll feel completely refreshed!⤴️⭕ There's also Changzhi Hongni Village, with waterfalls on the cliffs and an ancient village above the falls.🏞️ Stone houses built by the abyss, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, it's like stepping into a mysterious utopia. Here, we can become spiritual villagers and enjoy a cool summer!🌿 Don't forget the Shenlong Bay Hanging Road, which is the road of faith out of the mountains!🛣️ The Moon Bridge on the cliff is a unique romance for the Taihang people. Let's witness the miracle of this land together in the height of summer!✅ Have you seen the refreshing coolness of Shanxi? This time, Shanxi is really ready!💧 Here's some good news, from August 2nd to August 4th, the 'Enjoy Coolness in Shanxi, Summer Freeze℃' pop-up station event is happening in Xinzhou Luyashan!❄️ Ice chiseling treasure hunt, water balloon battle, ice holding challenge... various fun activities are waiting for you to join! The hall is waiting for you at Luyashan!👋 Come to Shanxi and feel this underestimated cool treasure! Your Shanxi travelogue starts here!📖

Starting from Hukou, head to Datizi Cliff and Yumenkou in Hejin County. After Yumenkou, you will reach the end of the Shanxi-Shaanxi Grand Canyon. According to the navigation prompts, we were actually led to the Shaanxi Yellow River Highway on the other side of the river. However, the road conditions were good. From the Shaanxi section, the Shanxi Yellow River No. 1 Tourist Highway on the other side seemed more dangerous than the Shaanxi Hexi side. Datizi Cliff is a military plank road built during the Northern Wei Dynasty 1,600 years ago. The plank road winds in a zigzag shape outside the thousand-foot cliff on the bank of the Yellow River. Many sections of the road require crawling. Looking up, you can see a towering steep cliff, and behind you is the Yellow River rushing thousands of feet below you. With every step you take, you experience a new scene, and with each step you take you to a new level. It can be called the first wall-hanging ladder to heaven on the Yellow River. After reaching the top, the temple-like building in front of you is the famous Yiti City. The earliest text was found in the Yuanhe County Map of the Tang Dynasty: "Yi Ti Ancient City was built of stone. Its northeastern and southern sides are on the ridge overlooking the valley, and its southern and southern sides overlook the Yellow River. The cliffs are more than a hundred feet high, and its southwest corner is the upper entrance of Longmen. As the city is located on a high ridge, it cannot be climbed without ladders, hence the name. There is a Yu Temple in the city, and Emperor Xiaowen of the Later Wei Dynasty engraved a stone here when he visited the west." Yiti City was a garrison during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty once visited here during his western tour to inspect military affairs and offer sacrifices to Yu the Great. There are Dayu Cultural Expo Park and Dayu Temple Hualong Hall in Yiti City. The couplet of Hualong Hall is: First couplet: Climb the ladder to heaven and look at Yu’s achievements. Only those with determination can reach the top. Second couplet: Look at the mountains and start a new journey. It is natural to leap over the Dragon Gate unintentionally. Horizontal banner: Transform you into a dragon.

In the bond between Qin and Jin, where mountains and rivers connect, lies one of China's top ten most beautiful canyons, the Yellow River Shanxi-Shaanxi Grand Canyon. Within it, there is a place that combines mythological stories, historical relics, and natural scenery, which is the national 4A-level scenic spot, the Yellow River Ladder Cliff Scenic Area. Here, you can ascend the heavenly ladder, leap over the Dragon Gate, and admire the peach blossoms. The 'Glass Plank Road' and 'Flying Cloud Crossing' are thrilling and exciting, while 'Strolling in the Clouds' and 'Dragon Leaping Elevator' offer panoramic views of the grand canyon's landscape. Beneath the ancient plank road of the Northern Wei Dynasty, 1600 years ago, cars speed along the Huanghe Highway. Take a photo, and you'll capture the Yellow River, the highway, and the ancient plank road, three elements from different times and spaces converging in one place. The wisdom, diligence, and unity of the Chinese nation seem to crystallize here. Every mid-March, in the Peach Blossom Valley, with its winding paths and babbling brooks, a gentle spring breeze and dazzling peach blossoms, walking among this paradise is like being in a fairyland. This year's visit was too early, missing the season of blooming peach blossoms. Let this regret be saved for the next encounter! Atop Ladder Cliff, the Yiti City was a military garrison during the Northern Wei period, with a temple dedicated to Yu the Great built within. The well-known story of Yu the Great passing his home three times without entering while controlling the waters has been widely recognized and enriched over time, and it is also the root of the 'competitive and pioneering' spirit of Hejin. The Yellow River was not originally yellow; it changed its appearance because it accommodated hundreds of rivers. A mother was originally beautiful, but she became weathered because of raising her children... Indeed, women are born great, and to pay tribute to ladies and welcome the arrival of Goddess Festival, Ladder Cliff Scenic Area offers promotions from March 8th to 10th. Ladies purchasing the first ticket can enjoy a half-price discount; ② Ladies purchasing a package that includes tickets can get a 30 yuan discount; ③ Ladies wearing Hanfu can enter the park for free on their first ticket; Our lovely ladies, what are you waiting for? Ladder Cliff is a place you'll miss once you've been. The scenery changes with the seasons: peach blossoms vying for beauty in spring, lush green trees in summer, forests dyed with layers of color in autumn, and a world wrapped in silver in winter. What remains unchanged are the ancient plank roads that have withstood the test of time, the endless flow of the Yellow River, and the good stories of Qin and Jin!

Hancheng is the last stop of this trip to Shaanxi. In the morning, we took a bus to Hejin City on the east bank of the Yellow River, 70 kilometers away. After crossing the Longmen Bridge over the Yellow River, you will enter the territory of Shanxi. Hejin City is under the jurisdiction of Yuncheng District and has a population of less than 400,000. As soon as you arrive in Shanxi, you will clearly feel that the folk customs, culture and humanities here are different from those in Shaanxi on the west bank of the Yellow River, which is obviously related to the historical, traditional culture and customs. The Yellow River Ladder Cliff is the most important tourist attraction in Hejin City. It is located in Banpo Village, Xiahua Township, Hejin City. When you arrive at the scenic area, at the foot of the Ladder Cliff, you can see a few 90-degree vertical cliffs with zigzag artificial stone steps. This cliff ladder, which has been almost forgotten in modern times, was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty more than 1,400 years ago. Emperor Wen of the Later Wei Dynasty erected a monument here during his western tour. The ancient plank road on the Ladder Cliff consists of 365 steps. Walking on the Ladder Cliff gives people a feeling of "the stone cliffs are thousands of feet high in the east, and the waves of the Yellow River are turbulent in the west." Ladder Cliff is located between Longmen and Shimen of the Yellow River. It overlooks the rapid waves of Shimen to the north, the flying carp of Longmen to the south, the natural barrier of the Yellow River to the west, and the magnificent heaven to the east.

Maple Hotel (Xiangjiang Square Store) Opened in 2022 | With audio and video room 100 meters east of Xiangjiang Square, Zhongxing Road, Hejin Station About 1.4 kilometers walk from Hejin Railway Station, about 18 minutes

Time flies, and at the end of 2024, I set out on a journey in search of tranquility and beauty, with the breeze at my back. Puyuan ancient town became my ideal destination for the season. This ancient and peaceful town, like a ring in the tunnel of time, leads people into the embrace of history. Puyuan ancient town is renowned far and wide for its unique culture and ancient architecture, and it presents a different kind of charm at the end of the year. Walking on the stone-paved streets, it's as if one can hear the melodious sounds of history. The architectural style here is both simple and elegant, with each bluestone slab seeming to bear the marks of the passing years. In Puyuan ancient town, I fully appreciated the unique charm of traditional handicrafts. Artisans displayed their traditional skills in the streets and alleys, allowing me to feel the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient art up close. In an old handicraft workshop, I was fortunate enough to experience traditional handcrafting firsthand, treasuring this unique experience in my heart. Gourmet food is also a major highlight that attracts tourists to Puyuan ancient town. In an antique teahouse, I savored a cup of fragrant tea, enjoying the beautiful moments of peaceful years. As night fell, the neon-lit snack vendors were especially enchanting, with a variety of delicious foods that were mouth-watering. Whether it was the town's specialty snacks or traditional pastries, my taste buds were fully satisfied. At the end of the year in Puyuan ancient town, a variety of festive activities enveloped the entire town in a joyous atmosphere. Lanterns hung high, and the streets were filled with the festive mood. Traditional performing arts such as classical dance and opera performances brought the end of the year in the ancient town to a climax. I was fortunate to participate in various traditional celebrations, sharing the unique atmosphere of the festival with the local residents. At the end of the year, Puyuan ancient town is like a tranquil and beautiful painting, attracting visitors to wander within. Here, I found the tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and felt the beauty of peaceful years. Whether it was admiring ancient buildings, tasting delicious food, or participating in traditional festivals, Puyuan ancient town brought me an indescribable end-of-year journey. This trip not only bathed me in the historical light and shadow of the ancient town but also allowed me to appreciate the tranquility and joy of the year's end. During this trip to southern Shanxi, there was one place that was originally inconspicuous but left a deep

The Great Ladder Cliff of the Yellow River, also known as the Yellow River Sky Ladder; the Sky Ladder Dragon Gate, is known as the "No. 1 wall-mounted ladder on the Yellow River in the world". Located in the Longmen Grand Canyon of the Yellow River, there is a wall-mounted ladder manually dug during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Today, the artificial chisel marks on the inside of the stone steps on the cliff are still clearly visible. Dayu led his people to control floods and "passed through the house three times without entering"; this is the origin of the allusion of "carp leaping over the dragon's gate". Ladder Cliff, a thousand-year-old road, has 365 stone steps in a zigzag shape, twisting and spiraling from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the mountain, resembling a ladder. The terrain is steep and ingenious. North Shimen and South Longmen are adjacent to the Yellow River in the west. Standing on the top of the ladder cliff and looking northward, you can overlook the narrowest point of the Yellow River, which is only 38 meters. The railway bridge spanning both sides is also the shortest span of the Yellow River railway bridge in the country. Leaning to the east of Luliang, the mountains and rivers are magnificent, with a special geographical location, special ladders and stone steps, and a special place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Yellow River. The scenery is unique and shocking. The Yellow River Tijia Scenic Area is located in Banpo Village, Xiahua Township, Hejin City, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. It is a national 4A tourist attraction. It can be reached from the Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River in Shanxi Province by driving southward along the Yellow Highway for 70 kilometers.

It currently covers an area of ​​more than 20,000 square meters, of which the ancient building area is more than 1,300 square meters. There are 10 existing ancient buildings in Taitou Temple, including as many as 5 buildings from the Yuan Dynasty. The overall scale is grand and the shape is simple. From south to north, they are the main gate, middle gate, offering hall, main hall, east and west side halls, east and west passing halls, and east and west ear halls. On May 3, 2013, Hejin Taitou Temple was announced as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council. Before liberation, Taitoumiao was used for garrison and schooling. From 1947 to 1949, General Wang Zhen founded the Second Column Primary School (the predecessor of the current Xinjiang Bayi Primary School) in Taitoumiao. After the founding of New China, Taitoumiao was transferred to the grain department for use as grain storage and office. In 2009, the Cultural Relics Bureau secured more than 4 million yuan in funds to carry out comprehensive protection and repair of the Taitou Temple ancient buildings. In 2013, the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government invested more than 20 million yuan to build the Taitou Temple Cultural Square, based on the cultural relics and historical sites of Taitou Temple and with Longmen culture as the theme, in accordance with the overall planning of "three streets, two axes and one center". The project was completed at the end of that year and opened to the public.

Address - Jordan Upstairs Shop Environment/Facilities - Comfortable, big enough and a small photo platform Features - Western food, half a rack of good food, except for a Spanish fried rice Price per person -300, open wine is another matter Rating - 8/10 #foodie