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

Hey everyone 👋 Today, I’m sharing an amazing travel guide for the stunning Shunwangping! This place is truly a hidden gem, with endless subalpine meadows that make you feel like you’re in a fairyland~ 📍 **Address**: Lishan Town, Yuanqu County, Shanxi Province (located within the Lishan Nature Reserve at the junction of Yuanqu, Qinshui, and Yicheng counties) 🚗 **Transportation**: It’s best to drive 🚙 The scenery along the way is gorgeous, especially the winding mountain roads near the scenic area—you’ll want to stop for photos 📷 If taking public transport, first go to Yuanqu County, then transfer to a shuttle bus to the scenic area. Note: bus schedules are limited, so check departure times in advance ⏰ 🎫 **Ticket**: 60 RMB/person (reference price, subject to change) Scenic shuttle: 30 RMB/person (highly recommended, as it’s a long walk from the entrance to the mountain gate) 🌟 **Best Season to Visit**: July–August is the ideal time 🎉 This is when Shunwangping is at its most beautiful, with blooming wildflowers, butterflies dancing, and cool breezes—pure bliss! The high altitude keeps temperatures around 10°C (50°F), making it a perfect summer escape from the city heat 😎 🌄 **Itinerary**: After arriving, take the scenic shuttle to Shunwangping’s mountain gate (~25 min). Then, start your hike 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ The trail is gentle, suitable even for 4-year-olds, with no strenuous climbs. Along the way, enjoy majestic mountains, dense forests, and air so fresh it’s like a lung SPA 🧖‍♀️ At **Wangyue Pavilion**, pause to take in the view—overlapping peaks and misty clouds create a "king of the mountains" moment that’s downright awe-inspiring. You’ll want to shout into the valley 😜 Continue to **Shunwangping Summit**, where 5,400+ acres of lush meadows feel like nature’s green carpet. Standing here, clouds drift beneath you, as if you’re walking in the sky ☁️ Legend says this was where Emperor Shun farmed in ancient times, and the Shunwang Temple adds a touch of history to the scenery 📜 👗 **What to Wear**: Even in summer, bring a thick jacket 🧥—temps drop at night. Wear comfy sneakers 👟 for hiking. For photos, bright colors (yellow, red) pop against the green meadows and blue sky 📸 🍜 **Food**: Local farmhouses offer affordable, authentic dishes like free-range eggs and wild greens 🥚 Pack snacks/water for the hike, as options on the mountain are limited (think egg pancakes, instant noodles, jelly noodles) and slightly pricier. ❗ **Tips**: - Strong UV rays! Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are a must 🕶️ - Bugs are plentiful—bring mosquito repellent (bracelets, spray) or risk itchy legs 😭 - Stay on marked trails for safety. - Weak signal—download offline maps in advance. 🏠 **Accommodation**: Nearby farmstays are budget-friendly and peaceful 🏡 For more comfort, opt for a resort hotel. Book early to secure a room! In short, Shunwangping is a magical place where worries melt away. Highly recommend a visit! 💕

While driving to Zuojiawan for a leisurely stroll, I was quickly captivated by the locust flowers covering the mountains. Our car cruised along the asphalt road filled with the fragrance of locust blossoms, and the serene green mountain scenery made me feel extremely relaxed. After walking along the mountain path for a short while, a homestay nestled on the hillside came into view. My friend introduced it as the most luxurious accommodation in the county—Lishan Zuoan Homestay. The lodging area is situated among lush trees in an exceptionally tranquil and distinctive environment. For guests' safety, tourists are not allowed to visit. I only briefly viewed the exterior, but the walking plaza had an artistic ambiance, with piano and cello models that significantly elevated the cultural sophistication of the place. Many locust trees also surround the homestay area, with blooming white flowers releasing their fragrance, warmly welcoming every distinguished visitor!

"Plum blossoms' fragrance comes from the bitter cold." Although spring has arrived, Yuanqu's weather seems reluctant to let go of winter, with snow still falling past one in the afternoon, inviting us to recall the unique joys of winter! Normally, plum blossoms at Yuanqu Forest Park would be in full bloom by now. This year, with the slightly colder weather, most of the plum trees are still in bud, with only a few branches showing off pink and white blossoms, greeting spring and bidding farewell to winter. Chairman Mao's poem "Ode to Plum Blossom" perfectly captures today's scene in Yuanqu: "Snow welcomes spring... not vying for spring's glory, only announcing its arrival!" Walk along the winding paths, breathe in the delicate fragrance of plum blossoms in the air, raise your head, open your arms, and embrace the arrival of spring!

When I was away from home, I heard from friends that there is a Dongzhai Wharf in Yanqu with beautiful scenery, and it is known as the "Little Three Gorges". At around 3:00 p.m., I drove with my family to Dongzhai Wharf, 50 kilometers away from the county seat, to watch the sunset. It’s really better to see the scenery than to hear about it! What caught my eyes was a beautiful scene that made me hard to believe that it was in Yuanqu! Although it is spring and the weather is sunny, it is in the north after all and it still feels like winter. When we arrived at Dongzhai Wharf, the blue Yellow River had transformed the mountains on both sides of the river from skinny old men into young and vigorous adults! On a sunny day, the river surface is rippling with blue waves, and the speedboat is speeding on the river, leaving a string of long scratches at the tail, which adds a lively picture for tourists and sets off the winding mountain road! Half an hour before sunset is a great time to take photos. The wind is particularly strong on the observation deck, but it is the best spot to watch the sunset, so you still have to withstand the wind to capture the sunset that is so beautiful that it will make you applaud! Address: Wuhen Village, Yingyan Town, Yuanqu County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province Transportation: Take bus No. 11 for free to the entrance of Wuhen Village, and walk about 3 kilometers.

|Left Bank Ring Mountain Wild Luxury Spa Resort. Private hot spring hotels, ranch animals are all here! The key is that there are few people and the view is beautiful and not crowded! This is the Left Bank Ring Mountain Luxury Private Hot Spring B&B in Yuncheng Yuanqu. We stayed in the courtyard queen room in the spa resort hotel, which not only included breakfast but also came with ranch tickets🦙 The room is separated from wet and dry and there is a private hot spring bath, so you can enjoy the hot spring without leaving the house in the cold winter [Yeah][Yeah] Not only can you feed poultry such as lambs and rabbits, chickens, ducks and geese at the ranch, but you can also see cute animals such as alpacas and reindeer. In summer, there is also an infinity pool where you can have fun🍉~ Friends around Yuncheng, hurry up and bring your children to experience nature and breathe fresh air

|The scenery along the Yellow River tourist road. Xitan Village is located along the provincial road from Yanqu to Mianchi in Gucheng Town, Yanqu County. The Xitan Wharf of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir of the Yellow River extends to a high place by the Yellow River. It is backed by Jillong Mountain in the north and the Yellow River in the south. Across the Yellow River is the towering Emei Mountain. The Emei Goddess on the mountain is from Wuhen Village, Yanqu. A plain can be seen to the east, and Xitan Wharf is to the west. You can take a boat to visit the reservoir area of ​​the Xiaolangdi Reservoir of the Yellow River. Here, mountains and rivers are connected, waves are glittering, and clouds are reflected. It was once a key transportation hub of the Yellow River in ancient times, and it was also a place where merchants gathered and materials were distributed. Today, the ancient city wharf has become a tourist destination integrating sightseeing, leisure and entertainment. In addition, with the completion of the Yellow River No. 1 Tourist Highway, it is an ideal destination for self-driving tours.

|Unique scenery of the Yellow River Diversion. The reservoir has a total capacity of about 3 billion cubic meters and is a large reservoir with multiple functions, including water storage, irrigation, power generation, and flood control. The reservoir is built between mountains, with a wide lake surface and beautiful surrounding scenery. As an important water conservancy facility in the Yellow River Basin, the Xiaolangdi Reservoir plays an important role in regulating flow and improving the ecological environment. At the same time, the construction of the reservoir has also driven the economic development and tourism industry in the surrounding areas. With the arrival of autumn, the natural scenery of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir has undergone significant changes. The water level of the lake is relatively stable, the water quality is clear, and the surrounding mountains and forests are decorated with autumn leaves, creating a picturesque scene. The maple and ginkgo trees by the lake become colorful under the autumn breeze, and a few fallen leaves float on the lake, adding a touch of tranquility to the reservoir. The autumn sunlight shines on the lake, reflecting a charming glow, making the scenery of the entire reservoir even more enchanting. Address: The Xiaolangdi Reservoir Provincial Important Wetland in Yuanqu, located at the confluence of the Boqing River, Yanxi River, and Yellow River in Yuanqu County, Yuncheng City Transportation: There is a newly built sightseeing road from the county seat of Hengqu, Shanxi to the Xiaolangdi Reservoir, suitable for self-driving tours

It needs around 1-3 hours to hike. But it’s worth it, so beautiful, especially when sunset. Make sure you bring jacket, because it gets colder after 5pm. #panshan #tianjin #tianjineye #tianjintravel #panorama #china #chinatrip

👉🏿Hidden in the countryside, the Peach Blossom Fragrance Rural Resort is located in the Loess Plateau village. Named after the peach blossom fragrance, it restores the living memory of this land in the cave-style building. Meiyang Xiaohu Rural Resort 👉🏿The homestay is located in the ancient village of Xiaohu, which has a history of more than 1,600 years. This is the former residence of Shi Pingmei, a talented woman in the Republic of China. The ancient village is simple and peaceful, quiet and tranquil. The homestay is built along the trend and freely distributed in the village. You need to stay here to slowly appreciate the ancient charm of 1,600 years. 👉🏿Pingyao Lost Village A lost village, some memories of the cave, in an old village in Pingyao, an arched building made of rammed earth, the rough appearance has a unique design inside, find the old village homestay! 👉🏿The homestay is located halfway up the Cuiyan Peak in the middle of Mount Wutai, surrounded by mountains. Looking out from the homestay, you can see the mountains, the Buddha hall, and the healing residence of peace and tranquility. Yunqiu Mountain Light Wild Yunqiu Mountain Cliff Capsule Homestay, 10 capsules are suspended on the top of the mountain at 1,330 meters, with a 270° surround stereo window facing the cliff and gully, which is a spectacular 👉🏿accommodation experience! Lishan·Left Bank High-end Wild Luxury Homestay The mountains in Shanxi are majestic and magnificent, like the backbone of the earth, standing in North China. Lishan·Left Bank is located deep in the mountains, in the lush green valley, with a mountain spring swimming pool in summer and a mountain wild pool in winter. 👉🏿Shanxi Taihang Manghe·Taihang Honeyland Joint Store 👉🏿Taihang Honeyland is a hidden place, located in the sweet town of Manghe, Shanxi, surrounded by the Taihang Mountains, with rich resources such as ancient castles and cultural relics. It is a place where ancient castles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties are gathered. The room is a very distinctive prefabricated room combined with glass and steel frame.

| Enjoy the beauty of nature in Little Switzerland, Shanxi. ❣Departure: Yuncheng, Shanxi. 💚Destination: Mount Lishan and King Shun's Terrace Scenic Area, Shanxi. 💙Ticket: CNY 48 per person 🚗About driving time: 3 hours by car (the last hour or so is a mountain road, so it's not fast) 🏠About accommodation: There are many guesthouses and restaurants around the scenic area. (Accommodation and meals are convenient and affordable. It is recommended to compare prices and find a clean and comfortable environment. We stayed at "Mountain Family", which is a 5-minute drive from the scenic area. It was crowded, so we booked it immediately. It was very cheap, CNY 80 per room, but it didn't feel very clean, and the accommodation experience was not very good.) . 🌄About scenic area tour: The hiking time for the entire scenic area is about 2-3 hours. The last section of the forest uphill road is not easy to walk and may be a bit tiring, but it is worth it. At the entrance of the scenic area, take a small vehicle uphill (CNY 50 per person, self-driving uphill is not allowed) There are horse-drawn carriages available in the scenic area, but the carriage stop is far from the top of the mountain, and the route is longer, so it is not recommended to take a horse-drawn carriage. It is recommended to take a small vehicle, then hike uphill from the entrance of the scenic area. The scenery of the meadow scenic area on the mountain is particularly beautiful, so you can stay there and take some beautiful photos. You may encounter cows on the way to the meadow area, and then reach a primeval forest. The sunlight filtering through the trees is truly mesmerizing. The forest has huge pine cones to pick up, and there are various small insects. . ⚠Tips: 1⃣. There is no signal on the mountain. It is recommended to eat before going up the mountain, and bring snacks and water. 2⃣. The ultraviolet rays on the mountain are strong, so be sure to wear sunscreen. 3⃣. If you plan to watch the sunrise: Make an appointment at the entrance of the scenic area one day in advance. The sunrise bus departs at 4:30 am sharp. It is very cold on the mountain (the minimum temperature is lower than the temperature displayed on the phone, so it is recommended to wear long pants and a thick coat to watch the sunrise.) 4⃣. Two days and one night are enough to visit the surrounding areas of Mount Lishan and King Shun's Terrace (Mount Lishan Macaque Source Scenic Area, Wangxian Grand Canyon Scenic Area. We arrived at Mount Lishan at 3 pm, first went to Macaque Source Scenic Area to see monkeys, stayed overnight to watch the sunrise at Mount Lishan and King Shun's Terrace, and then went to Wangxian Grand Canyon in the afternoon).