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

“Nostalgia” - The overgrown path leads to the red gate of the ruins 1. Xiaoyi has three authentic "ancient villages" (with 95%-100% of ancient buildings preserved), each with its own unique character: Xijibao Village, a family legacy; Hengxingbao Village, a defensive community; and Wangcaibao Village, a symbol of the end of prosperity. 2. Xijibao Village is composed of two mountains, three valleys, and four ridges, with a high north and low south terrain. The buildings are mainly cave dwellings, built on the mountain, stacked high and low, and arranged in an orderly manner. The village is a typical traditional village in the loess hilly area, with rich loess customs. Xijibao Village has 23 traditional dwellings and was included in the fourth batch of China's traditional villages in 2016. In addition, Xijibao Village was also listed as the sixth batch of historical and cultural villages in Shanxi Province by the Shanxi Provincial People's Government in September 2023. 3. Hengxingbao Village is a fort-style village with 24 courtyards and 72 cave dwellings and houses. It was built on a small hill about 12 meters high in the surrounding wilderness, with a brick fort gate about 13 meters high, arched, and only five feet wide in diameter. Above the fort gate is a blue stone with the words "Hengxingbao" inscribed on it, dated "August 2, 1675" (the fort was built by wealthy merchants to resist bandits). All the dwellings are connected to each other. There is also a seven-foot-wide street in the village, about 20 feet long, only for pedestrians. The fort gate is guarded day and night, and is closed at night to ensure the safety of the residents. 4. Wangcaibao Village has a long history, with a post station built in 532. The village's ancient residence, Fan's Courtyard, was built in 1877, covering an area of 1,828 square meters and a building area of 2,607 square meters. The entire courtyard is square, facing southwest, with a compact layout, good wind and light conditions, and high land utilization. It is a representative ancient courtyard in the southwestern mountainous townships of Xiaoyi.

Exploring the Xiaoyi Three Sovereigns Temple 🏰✨ | In the ancient city of Xiaoyi, Shanxi, there is a mysterious sacred place—the Three Sovereigns Temple. It quietly sits on Sanhuangmiao Street in Jiajiazhuang Village, witnessing countless changes over the years. 🏞️ Although the exact date of its creation is unknown, records show that it was already flourishing during the Yuan Dynasty. Throughout the vicissitudes of history, the Three Sovereigns Temple underwent multiple repairs and expansions during the reigns of Qianlong and Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, and even during the Republic of China period. Today, the ancient Three Sovereigns Hall still retains its original Yuan Dynasty structure, while other buildings are masterpieces rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. 🌟 The 'Three Sovereigns' refer to Fuxi, the God of Taihao, Shennong, the God of Agriculture, and Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor. These three great ancestors of the Chinese nation are revered together in the temple. The layout of the Three Sovereigns Temple faces east, with two courtyards extending 84 meters from east to west and 59 meters from north to south. The mountain gate, music tower, and main hall are arranged in sequence along the gradually rising central axis. 🚪 Passing through the mountain gate, we seem to travel through time to an ancient world. The brick-arched gate in the north corner, with its flat-top design, exudes a rustic charm. The side gate in the north corner of the second courtyard, with its arched top and wooden frame, single-eave hanging mountain roof style, is a testament to the wisdom of the ancients. 🎭 When you step into the main hall of the Three Sovereigns, the vertical plaque 'Three Sovereigns Temple' hanging above the hall door was a gift from Liang Minghan, the Inspector of Sichuan, in October of the 10th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The sense of historical weight is overwhelming. The murals inside the hall, with their vibrant colors, depict the divine positions of the Three Sovereigns, the ten famous doctors, and a three-eyed divine doctor, all treasures of Yuan Dynasty art. 🏰 The structure of the Three Sovereigns Hall is ingeniously designed, with a single-eave hard mountain roof and a front porch design. Every detail reveals the exquisite and ingenious architecture of the Yuan Dynasty. Whether it's the naturally curved beams or the relocated columns of the porch, they all reflect the architectural techniques of that era. 📸 The Xiaoyi Three Sovereigns Temple is not just an ancient building; it is like a living history book, telling the glorious past of the Chinese nation. Come here and let's experience the cultural heritage that spans thousands of years together!

Smoke from valley cooking kisses the rosy clouds, hidden homes nestle in the depths of white clouds. Tao Yuanming has instilled the idea of reclusion into every Chinese person. An unintentional encounter, a deliberate arrival, then sitting down, not wanting to leave, not willing to leave. What a cluster of flowers illuminates is the desolation, the overgrown grass, the brambles everywhere, the attire of Sima in green. If one day you discover this paradise on earth, perhaps you will, like me, want to stay away from the crowds. Because only in a place apart from the world can one sincerely shield you from all prying eyes and howling wind and snow. 📌TIPS: 📍Location: Search for Xiaoyi Linshui Village in navigation. 🅿️Parking: There are parking spaces on the roadside in the village, free of charge. 💰Admission: Currently free. ⏰️Duration of visit: 1-2 hours 🚎Transportation: Self-driving, less than 2 hours' drive from Taiyuan 💚Highlights: 🔸Linshui Village retains many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties (currently being restored), including the transformation of residential houses into homestays using restoration methods. Most of the dwellings are cave dwellings with small courtyards, some of which are double-layered cave-style courtyards. I sneaked several peeks, and they are restored with simple elegance, with a quiet and elegant Chinese flavor. I am looking forward to experiencing the accommodation here after it opens. The combination of ancient architecture and new rural development creates a unique new visual effect and travel experience. There are many ancient trees in the village with over a hundred years of age, and in early summer, it is already shady with green trees, walking on the stone-paved road is very cool and pleasant. 🔹From Wudao Temple ➡️ Buddha Temple ➡️ Guandi Temple ➡️ Ancient Opera Stage ➡️ South Gate Tower ➡️ Erlang Temple, the whole journey without retracing steps (some are currently under renovation and not open) 🔸On the way from Wudao Temple to Buddha Temple, you will pass by the places where the iron-flower performance and the Nine-Turn Yellow River Formation are performed (currently under renovation, temporarily closed). 🔹Linshui Village is adjacent to the Xiao River, and across the river is the Jinlong Mountain Scenic Area (about 1-2 hours), which can be visited in one go.