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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Kelan [2025]
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31533 reviews
8.9
From PHP 82.72
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 845 users24607 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The grottoes are a magnificent collection of sculptures, quite different from those in Dunhuang, Longmen, and Maijishan. There are a few unique hidden gems that require careful listening to the explanations to find. I visited them twice, and it would take a whole day to see them all!
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.
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Jinci Museum
4.8
/5
14465 reviews
8.6
From PHP 661.71
Based on 119 reviews
Taiyuan Ancient County/Jinci Temple | >100 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 150 users11302 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
An unexpected bonus was meeting many cats at the zoo, which added a lot of fun. Some of them were so thin and bony; it broke my heart. I hope the zoo can have compassion and give these little creatures, who are struggling to survive the winter, more care. We are willing to support any crowdfunding efforts needed. Thank you.
This is a must-see spot in Taiyuan. I went in early November, and the autumn colors were absolutely stunning. You can take your time to appreciate the scenery, explore at your own pace, and even visit the park outside. You could easily dedicate a whole day to it; half a day would be too rushed.
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Pingyao Ancient City
4.6
/5
21685 reviews
8.5
From PHP 992.56
Based on 1,383 reviews
Inside Pingyao Ancient City | >100 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 497 users13821 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's pretty good, valid for three days, so you can split the trip into several visits. I personally recommend the Ma Family Courtyard, the County Government Office, Xietongqing, and Rishengchang. Just scan the QR code. If you want paper tickets, you can buy them offline.
I fell in love with this ancient town on my first visit in 2023. The scenery and historical sites, the warm hospitality of the shop owners, and the attentive and thoughtful service of the guesthouse owners all contributed to the trip. I brought my elderly family members here again in 2025.
No.
4
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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
4.8
/5
16336 reviews
8.4
From PHP 397.03
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 150 users15068 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Wooden Pagoda is easily accessible by direct bus from downtown Datong. It's a traditional wooden structure built with mortise and tenon joints without nails. Despite its tilted shape, it has stood for a thousand years. The five-story, six-eaved structure, along with its colorful sculptures and murals, tells ancient stories and is truly breathtaking. Although only one floor is currently open to the public, it still evokes a powerful sense of awe and wonder at China's ancient culture.
Today I want to recommend a truly stunning historical and cultural treasure – the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda! This ancient pagoda, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is not only a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture but also a shining pearl of World Heritage status. Promise me you'll see its beauty for yourself!
🌟【Product Introduction】 The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, also known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda, is located in Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. It is the tallest and oldest existing pure wooden structure pavilion-style building in the world, and is considered one of the "Three Great Towers of the World," along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower!
🌈【Exterior Design】 The wooden pagoda boasts a majestic and imposing exterior. Its octagonal body has nine stories and stands 67.31 meters tall. Each story is exquisitely carved, exuding a simple yet elegant atmosphere. Upon closer inspection, you'll discover that every detail reveals the craftsmanship of the artisans, as if telling a story of a thousand years of history.
💪【Unveiling the Advantages】
1️⃣ Historical Value: Built in the second year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056 AD), the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda has stood for nearly a thousand years, witnessing the vicissitudes of history.
2️⃣ Architectural Miracle: The pagoda is constructed entirely of wood, without a single iron nail, relying entirely on mortise and tenon joints—a true testament to the wisdom of ancient architecture!
3️⃣ Cultural Heritage: The pagoda enshrines a precious Buddha tooth relic, making it a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrims and an important bridge for cultural exchange.
4️⃣ Tourist Destination: As a national 4A-level tourist attraction, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda attracts countless domestic and international tourists, making it an excellent place to learn about ancient Chinese architecture and culture.
If you are interested in history and culture, or want to experience the charm of ancient architecture, then the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is definitely your best choice! Embark on a spontaneous trip and let this ancient pagoda take you through time and space to appreciate the charm of history!
No.
5
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Xuankong Temple
4.7
/5
10009 reviews
8.4
From PHP 239.87
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 783 users7538 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Hanging Temple, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, is located on the cliff of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan Mountain, Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province. It is known by the local saying, "The Hanging Temple, halfway to heaven, suspended by three horse tails." Built 1400 years ago in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, it is a unique temple in China that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and is the oldest existing wooden structure complex built on a cliff in the world. Originally called "Xuankong Pavilion," it was later renamed "Hanging Temple" because the entire temple appears to hang on the cliff; in Chinese, "hanging" and "mysterious" are homophones.
The Hanging Temple is quite good value for money without the entrance fee, mainly because of its spectacular scenery; other sights are just average. I went during the off-season, and although there were plenty of empty parking spaces within the scenic area, people were still required to park far away at the visitor center. It seems they're just trying to make money off bus fares and parking fees, but being able to get directly to the scenic area during the off-season is undoubtedly a better experience.
No.
6
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Dazhao Temple
4.7
/5
7997 reviews
8.3
From PHP 289.50
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 355 users5152 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Dazhao Temple, located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is a symbol of Mongolian culture and boasts stunning scenery. The night view is especially beautiful, with folk performances every evening and a distinctive pedestrian street. It's truly beautiful.
One fantastic place to visit. I went first thing in the morning so I was more or less by myself the entire time.
No.
7
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Little Western Paradise
4.8
/5
4274 reviews
8.2
From PHP 289.50
>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
3952 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
The best time to go is in the morning, when the light is best. If you go in the afternoon, the weather needs to be good enough. Inside the magnificent main hall, which uses 14 kilograms of gold, I spent over an hour looking up repeatedly. My neck pain is almost cured! Aside from the main hall, the rest of the hall isn't particularly impressive. A slight drawback is that the security guards kept reminding everyone to leave quickly, which is understandable given the sheer number of people. I imagine there will be fewer people in winter when it's cold, allowing for a quieter contemplation and communion with the thousand Buddhas across time. Once you're there, you'll know it was worth the trip; it's truly breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.
It was incredibly impressive and awe-inspiring. Experiencing 600 years of history, interacting with the ancients, and having a unique experience is truly remarkable. It's definitely worth bringing children to see. It's very crowded, but it's absolutely worth the visit!
No.
8
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Whistling Dune Bay
4.3
/5
4807 reviews
8.2
From PHP 992.56
Based on 81 reviews
Xiangshawan | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008785550
Address: Dalad, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Breathtaking desert views & panorama
Camel rides in the desert
Saved by 339 users3091 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is my second time here, this time with my three-year-old. Since we've never seen such a large beach before, we had a lot of fun.
However, for adults, the other activities are all paid, so the value for money isn't quite right.
Today, Ordos is increasingly green, and it's rare to find such a small patch of desert left for tourists to experience. There are plenty of recreational activities, and the service is generally good. My summer trip was long ago, but the dark clouds and lightning over the desert during the thunderstorms remain vividly in my memory.
No.
9
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Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10679 reviews
8.1
From PHP 330.86
Based on 147 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522042025
Address: No. 459 Xia Sipo Street, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Saved by 175 users8807 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Before visiting Huayan Temple, I hadn't done any research and didn't know its history or appearance, so I had low expectations. The day I went, although it was raining, it was indescribably beautiful. The murals inside the temple were even more breathtaking. It's definitely worth a trip to Datong just for Huayan Temple.
The Liao and Jin dynasty architecture is magnificent and grand, with murals and statues that are a feast for the eyes. We marvel at the advanced wisdom and aesthetic sense of our ancestors, and are grateful to Mayor Geng for preserving and restoring this magnificent landscape.
No.
10
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Yanmenguan
4.7
/5
5988 reviews
8.0
From PHP 454.93
Based on 5 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603506100519
Address: Daixian, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Yang Family's legendary statue
Walk ancient Great Wall path
5035 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Yanmen Pass is definitely worth a visit. I visited the Badaling Great Wall many years ago, and the experience was different. The day I went, the fog was quite thick, so visibility was limited. Also, I arrived rather late, so I didn't explore too far, but the early winter scenery was still beautiful. The difficulty of the climb further highlights the hardships endured by the ancient soldiers, and it makes one marvel at the wisdom of the ancients in building this magnificent pass.
The Yanmen Pass Scenic Area is absolutely worth a visit. If you go to Xinzhou, you must go to Yanmen Pass, climb the Great Wall, go up to the watchtower, and see the rolling mountains inside and outside the pass. Experience the charm of the First Pass of China. There is a direct bus from Xinzhou Ancient City to the Yanmen Pass Scenic Area, which goes directly to the North Gate of the scenic area.
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