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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Xianghuang Banner [2025]
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Badaling Great Wall
4.7
/5
54997 reviews
10
From £3.74
Based on 11,097 reviews
Badaling Great Wall/Badaling Wildlife Park | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008180088
Address: Exit 58 of G6 Beijing-Lhasa Expressway, Yanqing District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Take a cable car to enjoy the fall scenery of The Great Wall
World Heritage Site
Saved by 9107 users38979 positive reviews
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The Badaling section of the Ming Great Wall is known as the "Jade Pass Natural Barrier," one of the eight scenic spots of Juyongguan Pass during the Ming Dynasty. Badaling was the first section of the Ming Great Wall to be opened to tourists, renowned worldwide for its magnificent scenery, well-maintained facilities, and profound cultural and historical significance, making it a world-famous tourist destination. Climb the Great Wall, enjoy the scenery, and be a hero. Everyone visiting Beijing should climb the Great Wall at least once.
Absolutely worth a visit! Visiting Badaling any time of year or season is a dream come true; classic landmarks never go out of style, especially as it's a symbol of the Chinese nation's grandeur and indomitable spirit. Whether you drive, use public transport, or take a day trip, you can get there. There are many Great Wall sites around Beijing, but Badaling is undoubtedly the most representative and best-preserved. Various modes of transportation will take you to the scenic area's bus transfer station, from where there's a cable car, but most people prefer to climb. With the spirit of "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true hero," a photo on the Hero's Slope is full of energy; standing under the North Gate's key tower evokes contemplation; and finally, reaching the highest beacon tower, the moment you gaze upon the winding Great Wall stretching as far as the eye can see, the feeling of grandeur is indescribable.
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
30954 reviews
8.9
From £1.07
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 807 users24097 positive reviews
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The Yungang Grottoes, formerly known as the Wuzhou Mountain Grottoes Temple, are a World Cultural Heritage site and a national 5A-level scenic area. Located on the southern slope of Wuzhou (Zhou) Mountain, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, the grottoes cover an area of over 18,000 square meters. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty's establishment of its capital in Pingcheng, they are one of my country's three major grottoes. In March 1961, they were designated as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council. In December 2001, they were approved by UNESCO to be included in the World Cultural Heritage List. In May 2007, they became one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions.
Yungang Grottoes: Although the scenic area is large, the actual caves only stretch for 1 kilometer from east to west. There's a small screening room just inside the main gate, where an introductory film plays every two minutes (13 minutes total). It's recommended to watch this before visiting the main site. There are 45 main caves, but only the first 20 are truly royal constructions and offer the best views. The later caves were built by local officials and nobles after the capital was moved to Luoyang, and their construction ceased. These smaller caves are incomparable to the first 20.
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Xuankong Temple
4.7
/5
9901 reviews
8.4
From £1.61
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 750 users7455 positive reviews
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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.
🏯 Hanging Temple, DatongVisited the amazing Hanging Temple today — a 1,500-year-old wooden temple literally clinging to a cliff! 😲 Walking on those narrow walkways was both thrilling and a bit scary, but the view and history made it totally worth it. What an incredible sight! 🌄✨
No.
4
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Dazhao Temple
4.7
/5
7911 reviews
8.3
From £3.74
Based on 139 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604716303154
Address: Dazhao Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
10-yard golden dragon & mural
Grand blessing ceremony on Lantern Festival
Saved by 343 users5082 positive reviews
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Jokhang Temple, the oldest Yellow Sect temple in Hohhot, has a wide-ranging influence in Inner Mongolia.
A renowned tourist destination with excellent value, its magnificent temple architecture, precious cultural relics and artwork, and the mysterious Chamu dance and Buddhist music constitute the Jokhang Temple's "Temple Culture," making it a truly worthwhile experience. The recommended duration of the visit is approximately three hours.
This is a particularly worthwhile attraction in Hohhot. The Jade Buddha made the strongest impression. While the other halls were crowded, standing before the Jade Buddha felt incredibly sacred.
The entire temple exudes the power of faith.
No.
5
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Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10414 reviews
8.1
From £4.28
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 167 users8559 positive reviews
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Huayan Temple is definitely worth a visit, possessing both the grandeur of ancient architecture and the visual impact of modern technology. I especially loved the ancient temple's silhouette against the setting sun, and even more so the exquisite murals inside…
Located in Pingcheng District, Datong City, the Huayan Pagoda was first built in the seventh year of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty (1038). Named after the Avatamsaka Sutra, it also served as a royal ancestral temple. In 1961, it was listed as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. A major tourist attraction in Datong, it's worth seeing, including the Huayan Pagoda and the Thousand Buddha Underground Palace. The statues also have unique features.
No.
6
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Wulanhada Volcano Geopark
4.1
/5
782 reviews
7.7
Ulan Hada Volcano Geopark | 97.4 km from downtown
Phone +8604744811717
Address: Chahar Right Wing Hou Banner, Wulanchabu City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Safe volcano summit & entry
Explore 20+ new volcano relics
Saved by 167 users593 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We arrived at the volcano on the afternoon of the first day of the National Day holiday. It wasn't crowded. No need to exchange tickets for self-drive vehicles; you can enter directly at the self-drive entrance. There are manual ticket checks and exchange. Each volcano has a parking lot, but the parking order is a bit chaotic. We drove a go-kart for 80 yuan per car (negotiable). It went around the volcano. There was a fireworks show at night, but it was too cold to watch.
My first visit to Ulahada Volcano was high, but upon entering the scenic area, I was somewhat disappointed. The volcano wasn't as majestic as I'd imagined. The most unpleasant experience was the traffic jams. During the National Day holiday, the area was packed with tourists, and the roads were one-way, resulting in frequent traffic jams. Self-driving tourists were constantly cutting in line, ignoring the one-way traffic rules. The management of the scenic area was also quite disorganized, truly no more than a AAA-rated scenic spot. To enhance its influence and service levels, much work needs to be done, such as improving scenic area management and implementing appropriate vehicle flow control measures. Furthermore, I personally feel that the sanitation management of the scenic area needs improvement, with a strong whiff of commercial development. I hope the scenic area management will address these issues and not wait until the tourists have stopped visiting before regretting it. By then, it's too late. Remember this!
No.
7
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Heng Shan Mountain
4.5
/5
4700 reviews
7.5
From £4.81
Based on 41 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603528333077
Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburb of Wuyuan County, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
360° views of nature
Hanging Temple: ancient wooden architecture
Saved by 123 users2951 positive reviews
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Architectural Wonder: A Millennium-Standing "Castle in the Sky"
Upon first sight of the Hanging Temple, one is struck by its breathtaking spectacle: "Reaching the heavens above, silencing the clamor below." The entire vermilion complex is nestled into a 58-meter-high cliff, supported by just a few dozen wooden pillars. From a distance, it resembles an exquisite relief, while up close, its soaring eaves and angled corners, connected by plank roads, are a visual feast. Even more remarkable is its resilience, withstanding over 1,500 years of wind and rain. Originally constructed during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the wooden structure remains unshaken despite numerous earthquakes. The hemlock beams half-inserted into the cliff face engage the rock like expansion screws, while the traditional mortise and tenon joint structure absorbs wind vibrations. The ancients' mechanical wisdom is truly astonishing. This fusion of "strangeness, danger, and ingenuity" is no wonder it has been selected as one of Asia's 100 Must-See Destinations and was named one of the world's most dangerous architectural wonders by Time Magazine.
Cultural Core: A Spiritual Treasure of the Coexistence of Three Religions
The Hanging Temple's most unique charm lies in its cultural heritage of "the integration of three religions." In the Hall of the Three Religions on the highest floor, Confucius, Sakyamuni, and Laozi are enshrined together. The harmonious coexistence of Confucian benevolence, Buddhist compassion, and Taoist naturalness perfectly embodies the inclusive spirit of Chinese culture. The bronze and stone statues and murals within the hall remain vibrant after millennia. Relics such as the remains of a Northern Wei plank road and the Ming Dynasty cliff carving depicting "Buddha in the Sky" make every visit a conversation with history. This cultural fusion that transcends religious boundaries makes it not only an architectural marvel but also a spiritual landmark.
It was on time, the car was good, and there was no odor. Hengshan was very windy. There was a beautiful lake, but the other scenery was average. I went there for the reputation of the Five Sacred Mountains. There was someone kneeling on the top of the mountain, I don't know what they were doing
No.
8
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The Ming Tombs
4.6
/5
6344 reviews
7.4
From £2.14
Changping Town/Shisanling Resort | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8601060761005
Address: Ming Tomb Town, Changping District, Beijing
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
13 tombs of emperors
World Cultural Heritage
Saved by 1476 users3782 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The package offer the pass to different seek site with the same QR code which is very nice to use! The places were pretty and end of October almost empty. I enjoyed the time with my mum and had nice walks through different part of the Chinese history 😊 it would be perfect if the package include a english PDF guide but other then that was worth to pay!
We visited the world heritage Ming Tombs, and the open Changling, Zhaoling and Dingling. I had been to Changling and Dingling forty years ago, but this was my first time to the Zhaoling of Emperor Longqing of the Ming Dynasty. The main attraction of the Changling of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty is the golden nanmu wood in the Hall of En'en, which is very impressive. The main attraction is the underground palace of the Dingling of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, and there is also the Golden Winged Crown and the Twelve Dragons and Nine Phoenix Crown of Empress Xiaojing exhibited in the Dingling Museum.
No.
9
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Datong Ancient City
4.7
/5
257 reviews
7.3
From £1.07
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527699269
Address: 山西省大同市平城区御河西路
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Highlights:
Unique blend of ancient & modern
Ancient & modern city vibe
Saved by 172 users235 positive reviews
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Datong Ancient City, located in the central part of Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi Province, is one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Covering an area of 3.28 square kilometers, the existing city walls were added by Xu Da in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, based on the old city walls of the Northern Wei, Tang, Liao, and Jin dynasties. The ancient city's streets are laid out in a chessboard pattern, and it boasts several cultural relics protection units, including Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, and the Nine-Dragon Wall. It is a crossroads of nomadic and agricultural cultures, showcasing the charm of multicultural integration.
Teacher Wang is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and responsible. Her historical narratives were clear and engaging, and the children were captivated. She thoughtfully allowed us time to take photos and even helped us take group photos. If you're visiting the ancient city to learn about its history and see the Nine Dragon Screen and Upper City Wall, I highly recommend Teacher Wang!
No.
10
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Xilitu Zhao Temple
4.7
/5
764 reviews
7.2
From £2.62
Based on 21 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8615949417672
Address: North end of Stone Alley, Yuquan District, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Aegion
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Ancient architecture & nature views
Vast grounds & grand gate
Saved by 106 users500 positive reviews
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This Ming Dynasty building, rich in cultural, historical, and verve, lies across from the Jokhang Temple and bordered by Shaomai Street. It embodies a rich tapestry of history and religious heritage. Walking quietly here, one hears the stirrings of history. Emperor Kangxi himself once stayed here temporarily, and the area has witnessed different people and events throughout history. This powerful statement demonstrates that successful cultural tourism must integrate the humanities. It's truly true.
Xilituzhao's architectural style blends traditional Han and Tibetan elements, with a symmetrical layout along a central axis. The various cultural relics preserved within the temple are of great value to the study of the history of Tibetan Buddhism in Hohhot.
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