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Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Yuncheng [2025]
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Guanque Tower
4.5
/5
3306 reviews
7.6
From TWD 213
Based on 7 reviews
70.4 km from downtown
Phone +8603598485381
Address: 852 County Rd, Yongji Shi, Yuncheng Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-1.5 hours
No. 1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Yuncheng
Highlights:
360° panoramic view
360° view of surroundings
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To see a thousand miles, one must ascend to a higher level.
The Stork Tower is a remarkable ancient structure. Modern renovations have kept it vibrant. Climb it and marvel at the majestic Yellow River.
I've been there twice, and the experience of climbing the Stork Tower is truly remarkable: each level requires gradual progress; it's impossible to achieve everything overnight. This reminds us that in pursuing our life goals, we must follow the principle of gradual progress. No great achievement is achieved overnight; it's the result of long-term accumulation and unremitting effort. We must be down-to-earth, starting with the little things, and constantly accumulating experience and knowledge to lay a solid foundation for achieving our life goals.
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Yongle Palace
4.7
/5
1253 reviews
7.0
From TWD 230
Based on 7 reviews
44.5 km from downtown
Phone +8603593011491
Address: About 2 kilometers north of Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Young team’s 9-year relocation miracle
Vast architecture & exquisite murals
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[Yongle Palace Experience: Journey Through a Yuan-Century Taoist Art Hall]
Visiting Yongle Palace in Ruicheng, Shanxi, is a truly breathtaking pilgrimage! Though tucked away in a small town, this Taoist temple, built during the Yuan Dynasty, is breathtaking with its unparalleled mural art and architectural style.
🌟 Highlights:
1. Treasure Murals: The "Chao Yuan Tu" in the Sanqing Hall is a pinnacle of Eastern art—286 deities, 4 meters high, dance in graceful robes, their cinnabar and azurite colors remaining dazzling even after 700 years. Standing within the hall, you can almost hear celestial music and experience the harmony between man and nature as captured by Yuan-Cheng painters.
2. Architectural Marvels: The monumental relocation of the palace in the 1950s for the Three Gorges Project adds to its legendary charm. Walking through the hip-and-gable roofed, Yuan-Cheng wooden structure, you can gaze upon the intricate mortise and tenon joints of the caisson ceiling, and every carved chiwen pattern speaks to the wisdom of the ancients. 3. Immersive Experience: The scenic area utilizes a dark-lighting system, making the details of the murals even more sacred under soft lighting. We recommend renting a guide (a great value at 20 yuan) to understand the subtle metaphors within the legendary story of Lü Dongbin.
⚠️ Notes: • Flash photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple. You can purchase the official album (198 yuan) to collect your own. • It is recommended to enter at 9:00 a.m. to avoid the midday tour group rush. • Combine this with a day trip to the Jiezhou Guandi Temple in southern Shanxi.
The most profound feeling of this trip: While modern people are accustomed to fragmented visual stimulation, standing before these murals, the product of a lifetime of labor, I suddenly understood the meaning of "timeless aesthetic shock." Perhaps this is the meaning of cultural heritage: allowing us to connect with the Chinese nation's most magnificent artistic soul through the intersection of time and space.
I've traveled a lot, but I've rarely seen an ancient building as complete as the Yongle Palace. The main halls are truly masterpieces, and they also feature exquisite murals. The Guangrenwang Temple and the City God Temple in Ruicheng County are also excellent, so you might want to stop by.
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Yuncheng Guan Gong Hometown Cultural Tourism Scenic Area
4.7
/5
2319 reviews
6.8
Based on 17 reviews
19.4 km from downtown
Phone +8603592808369
Address: 239 Provincial Rd, Yanhu Qu, Yuncheng Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Rebuilt Qing Dynasty Wumiao site
Four cypress trees form dragon
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The Yuncheng Tourism Annual Pass (128 yuan version) includes first-entry tickets to most attractions, including Guandi Ancestral Temple, Stork Tower, Yongle Palace, etc., allowing you to deeply explore this city known as the "No. 1 City of National Treasures" and is highly recommended!
At the Guandi Temple, you'll experience the exquisite architecture and contemporary feel of the ancient architecture. Don't miss the exquisitely carved screen wall at the entrance. The temple is extensive, and the Imperial Garden, just off the main road, has a long corridor. If you're not in the sun, you can explore it if you have time.
No.
4
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Pujiu Temple
4.4
/5
1164 reviews
6.4
From TWD 230
Based on 16 reviews
64.7 km from downtown
Phone +8603598485263
Address: Yingshang, Xixiang Village, Puzhou Town, Yongji City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Echoing frog sounds at Yingying Tower
The Romance of the West Chamber
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It is mainly the love story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying. There are pictures with stories surrounding the Yingying Tower, which is quite clever, but the cost-effectiveness of the entire scenic area is not particularly high.
Famous for the drama "Romance of the Western Chamber," it has become a holy place for love. "No temple in the world talks about love except Puji Temple in Shanxi." Yingying Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in China, and the other buildings are similar to other temples.
No.
5
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Li's Grand Courtyard
4.7
/5
996 reviews
6.2
From TWD 230
38.9 km from downtown
Phone +8603594823333
Address: Wanrong, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Exquisite brick & stone carvings
Opera: Li Family Courtyard Story
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The scenic area is quite large and it takes some time to visit it all. If you want to learn about the historical allusions, it is better to hire a tour guide. Otherwise, if you wander around by yourself, you will know nothing and just wander around and take pictures.
I bought a Yuncheng tourist card for 128 yuan per person for one year. The tickets for Yuncheng attractions are basically 60 yuan. I didn't lose money after visiting two of them. This time I went to Guandi Temple again, and it felt very good.
No.
6
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Yuncheng Salt Lake
4.3
/5
1084 reviews
6.1
From TWD 785
Based on 25 reviews
4.8 km from downtown
Phone +8603598966737
Address: Yanhu, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
No. 2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Yuncheng
Highlights:
One of three major salt lakes
Rusty hot springs, always warm
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On the weekend, I came to Yuncheng Salt Lake with anticipation. When I stepped into the scenic area, the view suddenly opened up, and a sparkling lake came into view. The lake water sparkled dazzlingly under the sunshine, as if it was a bright gem inlaid by nature on the earth.
Walking along the lake, the lake water presents a unique color. Some places show a deep blue, like a miniature of the sea; some places are light green, as if they were gently painted by nature's brush. The salt crystals by the lake sparkled in the sun, like countless diamonds scattered on the shore, and they made a crisp sound when stepped on, which is quite interesting.
I couldn't help but take off my shoes and step into the lake. The lake water was cool and clear, gently caressing my feet, bringing a touch of comfort. In the distance, some tourists were taking pictures, and some were playing by the salt lake, and laughter echoed over the lake.
Yuncheng Salt Lake not only has charming natural scenery, but also contains rich historical and cultural heritage. Here, I seemed to travel through time and space, and felt the love and cherishment that people from ancient times to the present have had for this magical land. This trip to the salt lake brought me a lot of happiness and unforgettable memories, and also made me more in awe of the magic and greatness of nature.
There are many different opinions about whether Yuncheng is called Salt Lake or Salt Pond, but no matter what, it represents the same area. The area is equally beautiful and can give everyone many surprises, especially at sunset.
No.
7
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Feiyunlou Scenic Area in Wanrong County
4.9
/5
170 reviews
6.0
From TWD 43
46 km from downtown
Phone +8603594527977
Address: Wanrong, Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Unique design & aesthetic appeal
23-foot, three-story pagoda structure
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Feiyun Tower is inside the county town. It is not big. The 10 yuan ticket is not expensive. It seems that the Shanxi Annual Pass can be used. This building is made of pure wood. It is quite shocking. It has a pure wooden floor and a tower. This is the first floor, so you can go and see it if you have time.
Known as "China's No. 1 Wooden Tower," it's also known as the "South Tower and North Tower" alongside the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shanxi! A nationally protected cultural relic, it holds a unique position among ancient Chinese architecture. The Feiyun Tower, a place I've longed to visit, finally made its first-hand appearance!
No.
8
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Great Ladder Cliff of The Yellow River
4.7
/5
159 reviews
6.0
From TWD 247
81.7 km from downtown
Phone +8603598675333
Address: Banpo Village, Xiahua Township, Hejin City, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Seven Mile Gallery's seasonal beauty
Hanging ladder from Northern Wei
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The Great Ladder Cliff of the Longmen Gorge on the Yellow River was excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty, contemporary with the Yungang Grottoes. We crossed the river here for the nth time, entering the northern lands. The Iron Bridge is the narrowest point of the thousand-mile Yellow River, with a width of between 40 and 60 meters. It is also the place where fish leap from the Dragon Gate, the exit of the Shanxi-Shaanxi Grand Canyon, and the origin of the magnificent Yellow River history of the Chinese people. The word "Longmen" is so alluring to the Chinese that today, on both sides of the Yellow River, Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces have their own "Longmen" place names marked on maps on both sides of the same riverbank. Today, three railways, one national highway, two provincial highways, and one expressway all cross the Yellow River within a 5-kilometer radius north and south of Yumenkou.
At the entrance of the Yellow River Ladder Cliff Scenic Area, a staff member gave a bottle of purified water and climbed up the ladder cliff. This is a wall-hanging ladder artificially excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty. It has 365 steps and a vertical height difference of about 99 meters. It used to be an ancient military plank road. There are many tourist routes and ticket options, which can be decided according to the tourists' personal physical strength.
No.
9
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Houtu Temple
4.8
/5
199 reviews
5.8
59.2 km from downtown
Phone +863594588580
Address: Bank of the Yellow River, Miaoqian Village, Ronghe Town, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Explore Chinese heritage by Yellow River
Zhang Yi's ancient path remains
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The Hou Tu Temple is dedicated to Hou Tu Niangniang, the Earth Mother. Its exquisite wood, stone, brick, and glazed tile roofs are breathtaking, depicting mythological figures, auspicious signs, and the happiness of life on earth. The Qiufeng Tower, a key attraction, is named after the Yuan Dynasty stele inscribed with Emperor Wu of Han's "Ode to the Autumn Wind."
I arrived at Hou Tu Temple at noon. The sun was dim and the trees and grass were dim, which made the historical sites even more quiet. There was no sound and few shadows, which was a good place to listen to the voice of history quietly. The Chinese-shaped stage was empty with only carved beams left. The corridor under the Autumn Wind Tower seemed to echo the footsteps of a thousand years. It was a pity that I couldn't go up to the Autumn Wind Tower to overlook the Yellow River.
No.
10
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Temple of Prince Guangren
4.3
/5
80 reviews
5.6
From TWD 58
44.1 km from downtown
Address: Four kilometers north of Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
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[A Visit to Guangrenwang Temple: Touching Time in the Breath of Tang Dynasty Wooden Structures]
If the Yongle Palace is a symphony of brilliant murals, then Guangrenwang Temple, tucked away near Longquan Village in Ruicheng, is a condensed Tang Dynasty quatrain. It lacks dazzling murals or sprawling buildings, but it houses one of China's oldest wooden structures (ranked third among the four surviving Tang Dynasty structures), a true "white moonlight" for lovers of ancient architecture.
🌟 Core Experience:
1. A Thousand-Year Moment: The main hall was built in the fifth year of the Tang Dynasty's Dahe era (831). As you gaze up at the gently sloping hipped roof and the massive, simple brackets, you'll be instantly struck by a minimalist aesthetic that transcends millennia. The original Tang Dynasty structures, especially the east and west walls, are preserved, where every trace of axe and knife work is a secret code of dialogue with the craftsmen.
2. Environmental Theater: The temple cleverly forms an ecological theater with a spring pool beneath the steep cliff. In summer, the lotus flowers in the pond complement the ancient Tang Dynasty architecture in a striking contrast. Sitting on the stone steps of the courtyard, you can hear the wind rustling through the brackets—a true echo of the Tang Dynasty.
3. Cultural Comparison: We recommend combining this with a "Tang Dynasty vs. Yuan Dynasty" architectural tour of the Yongle Palace (the two are only a 15-minute drive apart). Here, you can directly experience how the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty and the complexity and splendor of the Yuan Dynasty blossomed across time and space.
⚠️ Practical Tips: • Extremely small (only two buildings), so allow an hour for your visit. • No commercial atmosphere, only local villagers selling wild tea (5 yuan per cup, refreshing and refreshing). • Best time to photograph: Around 4 p.m., when the sunlight filters through the brackets for breathtaking layers of beauty.
Standing in front of the temple, I was reminded of Liang Sicheng's admiration when he visited ancient buildings: "Tang Dynasty architecture is like an elder, imposing without anger." Free from crowds and overdevelopment, the lonely Wang Temple is guarded by ancient pines, evoking a private dialogue with time. Recommended for all travelers seeking the essential beauty of architecture.
As an ancient building enthusiast who likes in-depth tours, this one-day tour in Yuncheng was beyond my expectations! The driver Xiao Ma not only drove steadily, but was also a "walking encyclopedia". The atmosphere of Guangrenwang Temple, the suspended caisson of Guandi Temple, the ancient poetry of Guanque Tower, and the legend of "Romance of the West Chamber" in Puji Temple were all told by him vividly and interestingly, and even I was fascinated!
At noon, I recommend Dongwa braised pork, which is soft and tasty, and the steamed bun with squid soup is delicious! Xiao Ma also recommended cold dishes and king dishes, and the average person was 30 and ate very satisfyingly! What touched me most was that he took the initiative to take us to Fengling Ancient Ferry, saying that this is the hidden perspective to see the Yellow River, with few people and beautiful scenery, and it feels great to take pictures.
There was no shopping throughout the trip, toilet paper and mineral water were prepared in the car, and the air-conditioning temperature was comfortable. Xiao Ma also adjusted the itinerary according to the weather to avoid the scorching sun. The service was so considerate! Such a driver and guide has both cultural heritage and life temperature, highly recommended! Great! Next time I will come to Yuncheng, the first national treasure city!
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