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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Gujiao [2025]
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31124 reviews
8.9
From AU$2.16
Based on 996 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527992666
Address: No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
Saved by 817 users24252 positive reviews
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The Yungang Grottoes were carved during the reign of Emperor Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Overseen by the eminent monk Tan Yao, the project lasted approximately 150 years (460-525 AD). It was a royal project undertaken by the Northern Wei imperial family, which mobilized the nation's manpower and resources, and reflected the political ambition of the Northern Wei Dynasty.
The first of the four major grottoes I visited. It was breathtaking.
Truly perfect for off-season travel.
Unfortunately, due to historical reasons, some of the statues have disappeared with time.
May it endure longer so that future generations can admire it.
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The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
4.7
/5
17798 reviews
8.6
From AU$19.38
Based on 213 reviews
Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603577955000
Address: Yanhu Road, Hukou Town, Jixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Spring & fall thunderous waterfall
See the Thundering Falls in spring and fall
Saved by 157 users13053 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Hukou Waterfall is located in the middle section of the Jin-Shaanxi Grand Canyon, on the southern section of the northern main stream of the Yellow River. It is 38 kilometers east of Jixian County and 40 kilometers west of Yichuan County, with a planned scenic area of 116 square kilometers. The waterfall is named for the narrowing of the Yellow River at its mouth, resembling the mouth of a kettle, where the river flows swiftly. Upstream, the river is 300 meters wide, but within 500 meters it abruptly narrows to 20-30 meters, with the water cascading down a steep cliff more than 20 meters high, creating the magnificent spectacle of "a thousand miles of Yellow River gathered into one kettle."
"Standing before Hukou Waterfall, one truly understands the grandeur of 'the Yellow River's waters coming from the sky'! The turbid waves, as high as a 20-story building, crash down into the valley like a stampede of horses. The thunderous roar makes your chest tingle, and the mist carrying mud and sand rushes towards you, instantly overwhelming you with the power of nature. Under the sunlight, a rainbow spans the waterfall, intertwining with the golden waves to create a dreamlike scene. A mobile phone cannot capture even a tenth of its beauty! It is recommended to go between 10-11 am or 3-4 pm, when the probability of a rainbow is extremely high, especially after rain when the water volume surges, and the main and secondary waterfalls connect to form a hundred-meter-long golden ribbon. The spectacle of a double rainbow spanning the waterfall is truly unforgettable."
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Jinci Museum
4.8
/5
14265 reviews
8.6
From AU$17.23
Based on 119 reviews
Taiyuan Ancient County/Jinci Temple | 32.1 km from downtown
Phone +864006088608
Address: In Jinci Park, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Growing Buddhist Relics Tower overlooking Jinci's panorama
Jinci's Three Treasures showcase ancient architectural charm
Saved by 146 users11111 positive reviews
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My first visit to Taiyuan, and my first stop was the Jinci Museum – it was amazing!
The Holy Mother Hall: Top-tier Northern Song Dynasty architecture! The 42 painted clay maiden statues have incredible expressions, and the 8 dragon-carved pillars have a built-in 3D effect (there's even a dragon!). Fish Pond Flying Bridge: China's earliest overpass! Offering Hall: A Jin Dynasty pure wood pavilion plus, built without a single nail yet withstanding 800 years of wind and rain.
Song Dynasty Painted Clay Sculptures: The Holy Mother Hall's star team! Each maiden has a unique expression, and their clothing and postures are all different. Zhou Bai: A 3000-year-old reclining war god! Nanlao Spring: "Jade Water" certified by Li Bai! You can even drink the water from the dragon-shaped stone mouth at the spring's source!
Stepping into Jinci is like traveling back a thousand years, where history unfolds its story. Or, "Strolling through the ancient buildings, every step is a dialogue with time." These descriptions effectively highlight Jinci's historical weight, natural beauty, and cultural charm, making your sharing more engaging.
No.
4
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Pingyao Ancient City
4.6
/5
21417 reviews
8.5
From AU$26.48
Based on 1,383 reviews
Inside Pingyao Ancient City | 78.2 km from downtown
Phone +8603545690000
Address: No. 58 Zhaobi South Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
Enjoy stunning sunset views from the city wall in the evening
World-class photography exhibition
Saved by 483 users13592 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The ancient city is quite large, and it was tiring to explore. Opinions may vary. I allocated two days and bought a combined ticket, which allowed me to visit most of the attractions. Food prices were generally a bit high; nothing particularly amazing, but I didn't regret it either.
The best-preserved ancient city in the country! It's definitely worth a visit. The city's functions and layout are excellent, and with Liu Bowen's strategic planning, it's truly incredible!
No.
5
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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
4.8
/5
16038 reviews
8.4
From AU$10.34
Based on 182 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603495088889
Address: Northwest corner of Yingxian city, Shuozhou city
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
11-foot Buddha statue inside
Panoramic views of nature & history
Saved by 143 users14780 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, also known as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, is located in Fogong Temple in Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. It was first built in the second year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056). It is the tallest and oldest existing pure wooden pavilion-style building in the world, and is known as one of the "Three Great Towers of the World" along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Xiao Yu's explanation was excellent and very detailed, covering the history, architectural structure, and the vicissitudes of the wooden pagoda. I visited nine years ago, and each time the experience is different, but the wooden pagoda remains as beautiful as ever.
No.
6
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Xuankong Temple
4.7
/5
9925 reviews
8.4
From AU$3.23
Based on 793 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603528333081
Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburb of Wuyuan County, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Admire Exquisite Wood Carved Murals Along the Plank Road
Cliffside's breathtaking architecture
Saved by 758 users7472 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Hanging Temple is worth a visit. If you're not afraid of heights, you should definitely climb it. However, the scenic area is a bit of a rip-off. The ticket office and the Hanging Temple are in two separate places, and it feels like they're just trying to get you to take their shuttle bus.
The Hanging Temple (a national cultural relic) is located in Ciyangxia, Hengshan Mountain, 4 kilometers southeast of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. It is a temple complex integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, situated approximately 60 meters above the ground.
It was first built in the 15th year of the Taihe reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty (491 AD). It has been repaired throughout the dynasties. During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, the south and north buildings, along with the suspended walkway, largely formed the current spatial layout. The existing buildings are mainly from the Ming and Qing dynasties. (Filming location for Black Myth: Wukong) The temple gate faces south, with the west side considered the main entrance. It is a wooden frame structure with a multi-layered horizontal layout running north-south. The overall layout is "one courtyard and two buildings," with a suspended temple courtyard at the south end and two suspended flying buildings at the north end.
It is one of the earliest and best-preserved high-altitude wooden cliff-side buildings in China. The great Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai inscribed the words "Magnificent" on the cliff face. The great Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake exclaimed it as "a magnificent sight under heaven."
In the first year of the Tianxing era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (398 AD), the Northern Wei established its capital in Pingcheng (present-day Datong City). Before his death, Kou Qianzhi (365-448 AD), a Taoist master of the Northern Wei, left a will: to build a temple in the sky, so as to "reach the heavenly guests above and sever the hustle and bustle below." Afterwards, his disciples raised funds from various sources, carefully selected a site, and designed the temple. The Hanging Temple was completed in the fifteenth year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (491 AD).
Travel Guide
Transportation: Bus 901 goes directly there, running once an hour, taking 2.5 hours. The last bus departs at 6 PM. However, sometimes the bus doesn't stop.
Ticket Price: Located within the Hengshan Scenic Area, the outer perimeter ticket is 15 yuan, and the climbing ticket is 100 yuan. Reservations must be made one week in advance through "Beiyue Yunyou" (Northern Yue Cloud Tour). (Free for those over 60 years old; military personnel with preferential treatment cards need to purchase a climbing ticket). Shuttle bus fare between Hengshan attractions is 20 yuan. (Not recommended for those with a fear of heights)
Time: 1-2 hours
Accommodation and Meals: Stay overnight in Hunyuan Ancient Town. Taxi fare to Hengshan is 10 yuan. The local specialty, liangfen (cold noodles), can be made in six or seven different flavors.
Nearby Attractions: Datong Ancient Town, Yungang Grottoes, Yong'an Temple, Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda, Hanging Temple, Hengshan Mountain, Jueshan Temple Pagoda, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.
No.
7
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Little Western Paradise
4.8
/5
4148 reviews
8.2
From AU$7.54
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603576733033
Address: Xiaoxitian, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Check out Black Myth: Wukong
Ancient Zen temple from Ming
3831 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
With a building area of only 216.72 square meters, the hall is filled with colorful sculptures. Besides the five main statues on the altar, the walls, pillars, and even the rafters are adorned with thousands of painted sculptures. These sculptures, each with a unique posture and vivid form, are situated within the halls and pavilions of a Buddhist kingdom. Some are over 3 meters tall, while others are only the size of a thumb. Intricate yet not chaotic, elaborate yet orderly, they express the vast world of Buddhism. While many famous mountains and ancient temples in China possess various types of suspended sculptures, none are as intricate and magnificent as Xiaoxitian, nor as exquisitely beautiful.
It's a bit of a shame that I couldn't enter through the main entrance because the 81-step staircase was under construction. The thousand suspended Buddha statues were truly breathtaking; it's hard to imagine how they were built. I pray to the thousand Buddhas, and may everything go smoothly for me.
No.
8
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Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
4.6
/5
13835 reviews
8.2
From AU$19.38
Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609114838030
Address: Yanhu Road, Hukou Town, Yichuan County, Yan'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Feel waterfall's power up close
Hukou Waterfall panoramic view
Saved by 232 users9154 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Buying tickets online was very convenient; they were valid immediately. The bus ride was smooth, and the scenery along the way was beautiful. The waterfall was spectacular; the children were very impressed. The scenic area isn't large, but hearing the roar of the Yellow River made it all feel like the perfect arrangement! Highly recommended.
Hukou Waterfall, located in Hukou Town, Yichuan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, is adjacent to Hukou Town, Ji County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. It is a famous waterfall on the main stream of the Yellow River, the second largest waterfall in China, and the largest yellow waterfall in the world.
No.
9
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Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10488 reviews
8.1
From AU$8.61
Based on 147 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522042001
Address: No. 459 Xia Sipo Street, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Saved by 168 users8627 positive reviews
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Huayan Temple, Datong, Shanxi Province
History and Status: Founded in 1038 (the seventh year of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty), it was named after the Avatamsaka Sutra and also served as a temple for the Liao imperial family. It was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1961 and rated a National 4A-level Tourist Attraction in 2014.
Absolutely breathtaking! Huayan Temple is definitely worth a visit, highly recommended!
The murals are also fantastic! It's very crowded. The pagoda in the back is worth seeing, but I don't recommend climbing to the top—it's incredibly tiring, almost exhausting! There's not much to see from the top either. The underground palace is newly built and decorated entirely with copper, which isn't very attractive.
No.
10
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Wutai Mountain
4.6
/5
8252 reviews
8.0
From AU$8.61
Based on 440 reviews
Wuye Temple | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8618634384269
Address: 205 Provincial Rd, Wutai Xian, Xinzhou Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China, 035515
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 days
Highlights:
Pilgrimage to five unique peaks
Panoramic view of Mount Wutai
Saved by 129 users5500 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery is nice and the bus is very convenient, good reviews! But the consumption level in the scenic area is a bit high, especially in some farmhouse restaurants, where two people can eat more than 100 yuan, while other places in the mountains only cost dozens of yuan.
The tour is very nice and I visited many temple which is very peaceful. The guide is also polite and helpful.
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